Annette C. Sheckler
Summary
Highly skilled in strategic communication and knowledge management with extensive experience in strategic communications for public health, food security and nutrition projects. Field, policy and headquarters experience in the following sectors: refugees, global public health, conflict and post-conflict, food security and food aid, media, gender, refugees, civil society strengthening, democracy and governance, conflict resolution and business development. Worked in Africa, Eastern Europe and Indonesia. Skills include proposal writing with expertise and experience in responding to USAID RFPs, managing large development portfolios, building communications and knowledge management capaci-ty, as well as developing strategic partnerships with international organizations, host country govern-ments, media and NGOs. Superb writing proficiency. Hands-on skills in website development and vid-eo production. French, Spanish and conversant in Amharic.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Senior Advisor/Consultant
Global Communication Matters
- Current
- Serve as a senior advisor and consultant for select global clients on strategic communications with a focus on public health. Currently on a team providing advocacy communications and knowledge management expertise to WHO’s P4H network. The team has been tasked to:
- Develop and monitor communications strategy
- Improve the quality of the digital platform content maintaining the P4H collaborative nature and balanced approach to content.
- Ensure quality of other P4H products for external use (including graphics/design and editing)
- Contribute to webinars and other collaborative events in the spirit of positive partnership and engagement with stakeholders
- Improve understanding of coordination desk team members and country focal persons as to the nature of quality knowledge management/communications.
- Produce cutting-edge communication products including communication strategy, knowledge management strategy; fact sheets; press releases; web content; op eds; case studies
- Led the team on writing proposals for international agencies on funding for health financing
Consultant
EC Associates
11.2024 - 01.2025
- Provide technical assistance in proposal writing to the Centre for Communication and Social Impact, a Nigerian NGO, with an emphasis on USAID RFPs. The technical assistance includes providing guidance on the technical approach, theory of change, capacity statement and developing PPIs, as well as assistance in building budgets and identifying appropriate partners.
Consultant
Dexis
09.2024 - 10.2024
- For USAID’s Office of Population and Reproductive Health (Global Health/PRH), designed an intranet to support Missions’ implementation of family planning and reproductive health activities. The objectives of the intranet included: 1) ensuring timely communication of updates and programmatic guidance; 2) providing a centralized location for timely and relevant resources and information; and 3) facilitating collaboration and information sharing between PRH and other Offices, Bureaus, and Missions. Following a series of consultations with USAID staff: 1) developed an intranet content strategy; 2) a governance plan; 3) an intranet maintenance plan; and 4) a roadmap of key intranet metrics to drive a continuous cycle of learning and improvement at USAID/GH/PRH.
Consultant
BAO Systems
01.2022 - 01.2022
- Provided communications and marketing support to technology firm that specialized in digital data solutions for health and development worldwide. Assisted the business development director in responding to proposals, including proposal writing and editing, developing PPIs, and writing personnel narratives
Director of Communications
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)
01.2019 - 01.2021
- Was responsible for all corporate communications with a focus on changing the current narrative in the U.S. on refugees and immigrants. Developed messaging for headquarters and the field offices on the positive role refugees and immigrants play in nation-building. Identified and cultivated media relationships that highlighted the work of USCRI. Created and disseminated op eds, blog posts, newsletters, and promotional videos. Provided media training to spokespersons. Supervised creating a new website and provided all content. Directed social media campaigns across multiple platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Periscope, Flickr, Soundcloud and others). Coordinated and oversaw internal and external events from press conferences to international conferences. Devised country-specific crisis communication plans. Led and supported learning events, conducted research, produced resources and guidance, and facilitated ongoing content development and engagement. Led teams on developing US government and foundation proposals for refugee resettlement and services for human trafficking. Highlights included:
- Engaged Price Waterhouse and Coopers to develop a new website for USCRI pro bono with a value of $597,000
- Wrote and placed four op eds in one year, including one published in the Jerusalem Post.
- Developed all new collateral for the organization with vibrant graphics and powerful content.
- Produced two thematic annual reports.
- Created a communications protocol for over 500 staff including editorial guidelines and a review process.
- Developed and managed a crisis communication plan for the COVID-19 pandemic.
- Successfully managed media coverage of a controversial shelter for unaccompanied migrant girls in Lakeland, Florida.
- Identified and curated technical website content to manage and implement project-wide content strategies to ensure that the right knowledge is getting to the right people at the right time (and in the right way).
- Won a major refugee resettlement award and a human trafficking social services contract from HHS
Senior Advisor/Consultant
Empowering Communications
01.2018 - 01.2019
- Served as a senior advisor and consultant for select global clients on strategic communications with a focus on advocacy, nutrition and public health.
Consultant
Speak Up, Africa
01.2017 - 01.2018
- Speak Up, Africa is the communication arm of WHO’s Expanded Special Project for Elimination of Neglected Tropical Diseases. I developed a guide on communications, advocacy and resource mobilization for technical implementers, as well as for local and national governments. The guide included a number of best-practice case studies, key advocacy and resource mobilization messages, as well as a number of templates for communication.
Head, Communications (HarvestPlus)
International Food Policy Research Institute – Washington, DC
01.2016 - 01.2017
- Developed powerful and relatable messaging for campaigns. Led the team in developing proposals for biofortification research as well as pilot activities in select African countries. Pursued media opportunities and generated positive stories. Cultivated relationships with targeted media and stakeholders. Created and disseminated blog posts, newsletters, and promotional videos. Provided media training to staff. Supervised the building of a new website. Directed social media campaigns across several platforms (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn, Instagram, Flickr, Soundcloud and others). Managed internal communications programs and activities across research offices in Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Coordinated internal and external events from press conferences to international conferences. Devised country-specific crisis communication plans. Highlights included:
- Led the communications team in the MacArthur Foundation’s 100&Change competition to become one of four finalists with a prize of 15 million dollars.
- Conceptualized and launched a new cutting edge, visually compelling, easily navigable state of the art website that highlighted the work of HarvestPlus and served as a knowledge management platform.
- Increased social media reach and engagement of Twitter, Facebook, MailChimp and Instagram platforms: Twitter 38%; Facebook: 74%; MailChimp 275%; Instagram: 254%.
- Increased media engagement in 2016 from 2015 by 42% (international, regional and scientific).
- Carried out a number of successful campaigns on social media, including International Women’s Day, International Year of Pulses, and Mother’s Day
- Refreshed all of HarvestPlus’ promotional materials including crop map, country briefs and annual report.
- Significantly expanded video production capacity to produce a number of high quality, informative videos that explained HarvestPlus’ work; began work using animation to explain the results of our nutrition and impact studies.
- Identified and curated technical website content to manage and implement project-wide content strategies to ensure that the right knowledge is getting to the right people at the right time (and in the right way).
Communications and Knowledge Manager, Center for Pharmaceutical Management
Management Science for Health
01.2014 - 01.2016
- Built the CPM internal communications capacity across projects by furthering communication standards, guidelines, and processes while reaching out to the Vice President, Center Directors, and field teams; managed the preparation, implementation and dissemination of all CPM communication strategies, plans, and activities in coordination with approaches to knowledge exchange and organizational learning; mentored communications staff in country offices with writing and technical assistance to strengthen local initiatives; liaised with Results Management team to update and adapt standards, policies, tools, etc., for country team communications; provided content for various platforms (fact sheets, success stories, publications, press releases, press briefings, op-ed articles); managed social media. Managed knowledge sharing events – in collaboration with USAID, scope and manage the successful execution of knowledge sharing events including monthly seminars/webinars, workshops, conferences, and peer learning sessions.
Advisor
Meles Foundation
01.2012 - 01.2015
- Worked with members of the Board to conceptualize the strategic mission of the foundation dedicated to the legacy of the former Prime Minister of Ethiopia; developed a strategic communications plan; engaged in outreach and advocacy to external audiences; identified and networked with key staff of Presidential libraries in the US. Developed a manual and providing training for identifying funders and writing proposals.
Special Advisor
Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV and AIDS (OAFLA)
01.2010 - 01.2012
- Managed a multi-million dollar portfolio of social and economic programs for women and children throughout Africa; developed systems and processes for OAFLA’s business development unit; set-up the OAFLA secretariat in Addis Ababa, including developing systems and procedures for administration, finance, fundraising, communications and advocacy; developed and implemented an external and internal communications advocacy strategy to promote OAFLA’s mission; managed a network of high level communications contacts with external audiences, media, governmental agencies, international institutions, and civil society; developed and implemented a strategic plan for building OAFLA partnerships, including UNAIDS, UNFPA, UN Women and WFP; served as point of contact for the international donor community and the media; developed an advocacy strategy and training materials, including social media platforms, online discussion groups and webinars.
Senior Advisor on Communications and Public Diplomacy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Ethiopia
01.2006 - 01.2010
- Participated in the development of Embassy strategic plans, operational plans, annual reports and other strategic planning; provided analysis and recommendations on strategic communications with U.S government institutions, including the Congress, Administration, Department of State, Commerce Department, and the United States Agency for International Development; developed and implemented the Embassy’s legislative plan for Congressional outreach; tracked legislative trends in foreign policy and budget; developed the embassy’s communications and public affairs outreach strategy; developed all of the Embassy’s communication products including issue briefs, press packets, brochures, speeches, FAQs, web content, press releases, and position papers; engaged outreach activities to non-governmental institutions such as think tanks, humanitarian organizations, democracy centers, and media
Director of Communications and Knowledge Management
Academy of Educational Development (AED), FANTA Project
01.2001 - 01.2006
- Responsible for expanding the knowledge base on nutrition and food security through published reports, electronic media, training, and meetings for a USAID-funded project; facilitated linkages between FANTA and the nutrition and food security community of researchers and practitioners; produced indicator and technical guides and promising practices series that provide technical guidance and information on program design, implementation, and evaluation; developed yearly annual work plans and budgets for FANTA publications; maintained quality control over all FANTA products, including publications, technical and research reports; managed communications staff, including consultants. Engaged partners and learning champions – worked with program managers, project partners, and learning champions to expand various FANTA online/in-person learning activities including engaging the growing member base on project websites, collaborating with external partners, and contributing content.
Chief of Party, The GenderReach Project
DAI
01.2000 - 01.2001
- Responsible for overall management of the GenderReach Project, the gender research arm of USAID’s Office of Women and Development (WID); developed the research agenda for the WID office on gender issues; published quarterlies and information bulletins on key gender issues; developed a manual on managing and communicating results; organized conferences and seminars on gender topics for USAID and its development partners; provided in-house research support to the WID office.
Director of Operations
International Relief and Development (IRD)
01.1999 - 01.2000
- Responsible for the overall management and administration of IRD’s relief and development operations in Georgia, Azerbaijan, Macedonia, the former Yugoslavia, Bosnia, Croatia, and Indonesia; identified business opportunities, wrote proposals and managed recruitment; maintained relations with US-government donors; direct supervision of six headquarters staff and six Country Directors in IRD’s field offices; developed new systems for operational policies and procedures; designed community-based health programs in Azerbaijan and Georgia; managed teams of health professionals to develop behavior change communication projects, focusing on HIV/AIDS, MCHN, reproductive health and a healthy lifestyle. Managed the proposal team on responding to DOS and USAID proposals for funding in Georgia, Azerbaijan and Slovenia. Led the proposal team on a USDA Food for Progress proposal of $20 million to produce and sell low-cost noodles for working families during the Asian financial crisis.
Service Chief for the Horn of Africa
Voice of America
01.1998 - 01.1999
- Managed twenty-three broadcasters, stringers and producers for three language services: Amharic, Tigrinya and Afaan Oromo; provided editorial oversight for all program content to ensure adherence to VOA Charter; developed new programming such as Democracia Medrek, a forum for discourse on democracy; recruited and trained reporters throughout Ethiopia and Eritrea; represented the service to external audiences; successes included breaking the story of the war between Ethiopia and Eritrea internationally as well as having both the governments of Ethiopia and Eritrea participate on air for the first time in VOA’s history.
Chief of Party EAGER Project
BHM International
01.1996 - 01.1998
- Managed USAID-funded project on communicating economic policy research results in Africa; developed a policy research manual for the Government of Kuwait; developed a manual on performance management for USAID projects; developed projects to strengthen civil society in northern Somalia, focusing on traditional conflict resolution techniques. Led a proposal team to win a $10 million award from HHS for Head Start programs in Alabama and Georgia.
Program Director
Refugee Policy Group
01.1994 - 01.1996
- Directed policy research projects on refugee issues, supervising research staff, organized conferences and workshops; team leader for developing UN Strategic Action Plan for the Great Lakes Region of Africa team leader and Principal Investigator for the Repatriation Study as part of a multi-donor evaluation of emergency assistance to Rwanda; organized and led a six-member team for six-week mission to Rwanda, Burundi, Zaire, and Tanzania; worked under a special consultancy for UNHCR, UNEP and Habitat on Strategic Plan for the Great Lakes Region of Africa
Special Assistant to the COO
CARE
01.1994 - 01.1995
- Managed special projects assigned by the executive staff, including a major study on NGO advocacy, CARE-US government relations, USAID partnerships with NGOs, gender analysis of CARE programs, and public accountability of NGOs; maintained relationships with donors; developed strategic fundraising plan in collaboration with the Marketing Division.
Education
Doctorate -
University of Illinois
Master of Arts - Political Science
Atlanta University
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
Western Illinois University
Skills
- Video editing software proficiency
- Content Management Systems: SharePoint, WordPress, Drupal
- Studio Skills: Audio and video editing skills, directing and producing shows in studio and at locations, segments on radio and TV
- Social Media: Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Flickr, LinkedIn, YouTube, Instagram, Vimeo, Storify, Hootsuite, Google
Languages
French
Professional Working
Timeline
Consultant
EC Associates
11.2024 - 01.2025
Consultant
Dexis
09.2024 - 10.2024
Consultant
BAO Systems
01.2022 - 01.2022
Director of Communications
U.S. Committee for Refugees and Immigrants (USCRI)
01.2019 - 01.2021
Senior Advisor/Consultant
Empowering Communications
01.2018 - 01.2019
Consultant
Speak Up, Africa
01.2017 - 01.2018
Head, Communications (HarvestPlus)
International Food Policy Research Institute – Washington, DC
01.2016 - 01.2017
Communications and Knowledge Manager, Center for Pharmaceutical Management
Management Science for Health
01.2014 - 01.2016
Advisor
Meles Foundation
01.2012 - 01.2015
Special Advisor
Organization of African First Ladies Against HIV and AIDS (OAFLA)
01.2010 - 01.2012
Senior Advisor on Communications and Public Diplomacy
Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Embassy of Ethiopia
01.2006 - 01.2010
Director of Communications and Knowledge Management
Academy of Educational Development (AED), FANTA Project
01.2001 - 01.2006
Chief of Party, The GenderReach Project
DAI
01.2000 - 01.2001
Director of Operations
International Relief and Development (IRD)
01.1999 - 01.2000
Service Chief for the Horn of Africa
Voice of America
01.1998 - 01.1999
Chief of Party EAGER Project
BHM International
01.1996 - 01.1998
Program Director
Refugee Policy Group
01.1994 - 01.1996
Special Assistant to the COO
CARE
01.1994 - 01.1995
Master of Arts - Political Science
Atlanta University
Bachelor of Arts - undefined
Western Illinois University
Senior Advisor/Consultant
Global Communication Matters
- Current
Doctorate -
University of Illinois
Similar Profiles
Alexander RiveraAlexander Rivera
Retail Sales Associate at Global Communication LLC (AT&T)Retail Sales Associate at Global Communication LLC (AT&T)
Valeriia DayekhValeriia Dayekh
PR intern at Action Global CommunicationPR intern at Action Global Communication
UTTARAN DAS GUPTAUTTARAN DAS GUPTA
Associate Professor of Practice at School of Journalism & Communication, O.P Jindal Global UniversityAssociate Professor of Practice at School of Journalism & Communication, O.P Jindal Global University
NOLAN DUBOISNOLAN DUBOIS
Senior Advisor Consultant at Performance Trust Asset Management, LLCSenior Advisor Consultant at Performance Trust Asset Management, LLC
Angie GohAngie Goh
Senior Advisor Consultant at Stevenson Hureca Pte LtdSenior Advisor Consultant at Stevenson Hureca Pte Ltd