Miriam Karanja

Miriam Karanja has worked as Director of Programs for the Arkansas Cancer Coalition since July 2013. Before that, she served in multiple management roles including as Section Chief of Media and Health Communications at the Arkansas Department of Health Tobacco Prevention and Cessation Program, as Program Director for Southern Bancorp’s Good Faith Fund Business Development Center, as a Business Consultant for Temple University Small Business Development Center and as an Assistant Brand Manager for Unilever in Kenya.  

“The time I spent working for the state’s tobacco control program truly opened my eyes to the tremendous burden that Arkansans face due to cancer. We have some of the poorest health outcomes particularly in the underserved Delta region of the state. I’m especially passionate about colorectal cancer control because the disease is so preventable,” says Karanja. “With access to primary care, on-time screenings, a healthy diet, exercise and reducing alcohol and tobacco use, many lives can be saved.” 

Miriam has a Master of Business Administration degree in Economic Development from Eastern University in Pennsylvania, a Bachelor of Commerce degree from Nairobi University, and Diploma in Marketing from the Marketing Society of Kenya. She is a life-long learner who enjoys solving all levels of community health problems.  

When she is not ACC, Miriam works as an Assistant Professor for Arkansas Baptist College and Shorter College. She enjoys serving at New Life Church in the Greater Little Rock branch and loves raising her teenage son. Her passions are aerobics, swimming , attending her church life groups, cooking, hiking, making friends, reading, singing in choirs, and travelling. Miriam comes from a large, robust family and enjoys travelling overseas to spend time with them.