Ethel Makila

Director for Communications Advocacy and Policy, IAVI

Ethel Makila is a seasoned science and development communication and policy advocacy expert. She has over 10 years of experience working in the development, agricultural research, and global health field. She has developed and implemented communication strategies for research for development programs in Africa, and led stakeholder engagements to inform policy development.

As Director for Advocacy Policy and Communications at IAVI, Ethel is responsible for designing and implementing innovative policy and science advocacy initiatives aimed at enhancing the environment for global health research and access to the products of such research. Before joining IAVI,  Ethel served as a strategic communications advisor for the Biosciences eastern and central Africa (BecA) Hub at the International Livestock Research Institute. She has also worked as a communications specialist for Development Communications and a communications consultant for conservation non-profits including Space for Giants and the Suyian Trust.

Ethel has a Bachelor of Arts in Design from the University of Nairobi and is working towards her Masters in Public Policy and Management at the Strathmore University Business School.