Dr. Kiruba S. Stephen
President, But I Fly Innovations Inc.
Dr. Kiruba S. Stephen is an inspirational speaker, organizational leader, and passionate advocate for individuals affected by rare diseases. As President of But I Fly Innovations Inc., she is dedicated to advancing rare disease awareness, supporting medical research, strengthening advocacy, and promoting a compassionate, inclusive, patient-centered healthcare system.
Dr. Stephen holds a dual master's degree in special education and Elementary Education, along with a Ph.D. in Leadership. Her professional experience includes 14 years as an Executive Director of a nonprofit organization, 8 years as an educator in New York public schools, and over 30 years as an inspirational speaker in small and large group settings. She also has experience as a paralegal, adding valuable perspective to her work in advocacy, communication, and organizational leadership.
Through her speaking engagements and community outreach, Dr. Stephen has shared messages of hope, resilience, and encouragement with diverse audiences across the United States and internationally. Her outreach has reached nursing homes, rehabilitation centers, homeless missions, schools, universities, and public forums. She inspires individuals facing adversity to recognize their worth, discover their inner strength, and embrace their potential.
Dr. Stephen’s advocacy is deeply personal. As the mother of a daughter diagnosed with multiple rare diseases, she understands the challenges families face when seeking diagnoses, navigating complex healthcare systems, or accessing appropriate medical care. This experience fuels her commitment to amplifying patient and caregiver voices while advocating for timely diagnoses, appropriate treatment, compassionate care, and freedom from discrimination.
Under her leadership, But I Fly Innovations Inc. advances initiatives that connect medical research, education, advocacy, and community engagement. Through awareness initiatives in schools, hospitals, healthcare institutions, and the broader community, she seeks to improve understanding of rare diseases, highlight unmet needs, and foster collaboration among researchers, healthcare professionals, patients, and families.
Dr. Stephen envisions a healthcare system where patients are heard, believed, and respected; research addresses unmet needs; and care reflects the dignity of every individual. Through her leadership, public speaking, and advocacy, she strives to transform awareness into action, helping build a future in which rare disease patients and their families feel supported rather than forgotten.
Every rare disease patient deserves a timely diagnosis, appropriate medical treatment, compassionate care, and the dignity of being heard, believed, and respected.