Pinky Patel
Arlington,VA
Summary
Strategic communications leader with 20+ years of experience helping mission-driven organizations turn complex challenges into clear, compelling stories that build trust, influence decision-makers, and inspire action. My experience spans international nonprofits, government, and the private sector, including The Gates Foundation, The United Nations Foundation, USAID partnerships, and Pfizer Inc. Known for building trusted partnerships, translating complex issues into compelling narratives, and bringing diverse teams together around shared goals.
Overview
22
22
years of professional experience
Work History
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
The Gates Foundation
11.2021 - 05.2024
- Created executive messaging, speeches, and interview materials for major announcements and international media engagements, ensuring effective communication at the Kigali Summit on Malaria and NTDs.
- Advised senior leaders and partners on messaging and strategic positioning, translating complex health and development issues into accessible, audience-focused narratives.
- Developed media engagement strategies that enhanced visibility for women's economic empowerment and health initiatives.
HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases
11.2019 - 09.2020
- Led strategic communications and stakeholder alignment for inaugural Global Summit on Malaria and NTDs, enhancing visibility and engagement during Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kigali, Rwanda.
- Built coalitions among governments, NGOs, donors, and private-sector partners, aligning messaging to advance shared international development priorities.
- Developed communication strategies for global health initiatives addressing neglected tropical diseases.
- Led cross-functional teams to enhance engagement with stakeholders and partners.
- Crafted compelling narratives to raise awareness about neglected tropical diseases globally.
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
United Nations Foundation (UNF)
07.2015 - 03.2018
- Led global communications campaigns supporting WHO, UNICEF, and other international partners to elevate complex public issues and strengthen stakeholder engagement.
- Cultivated relationships with international media to enhance visibility for WHO, UNICEF, and other partners through media trips, press outreach, op-eds, and executive communications.
- Advised senior leaders on communications strategy, developing targeted messaging and materials that clarified complex global health issues.
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
USAID/PHI
06.2014 - 07.2015
- Advised on communication strategies to enhance collaboration between USAID headquarters and country missions for high-priority global health initiatives, including Ending Preventable Child and Maternal Deaths and an AIDS-Free Generation.
- Developed communication strategies for diverse stakeholder engagement initiatives.
- Coordinated outreach efforts to enhance public awareness of health programs.
- Produced informative materials to support program implementation and education efforts.
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
CORE Group
07.2010 - 06.2014
- Led brand strategy and communications initiatives that enhanced membership growth and increased organizational visibility.
- Produced documentary-style videos showcasing community health programs through field reporting, interviews, scripting, filming, and editing to elevate community awareness.
- Developed communication strategies to enhance stakeholder engagement and awareness.
- Managed media relations to promote organizational initiatives and programs effectively.
- Led internal communications efforts to ensure consistent messaging across departments.
JOHNS HOPKINS GLOBAL HEALTH CONSULTANT
Institute of Health Management
01.2010 - 02.2010
- Surveyed and documented implementation of IHMP's Life Skills Program, empowering girls and contributing to delayed marriage in Aurangabad District, Maharashtra, India.
- Advocated for women's human and reproductive rights at National AIDS Research Institute (NARI) in Pune, India, highlighting successful outcomes of IHMP's Life Skills Program.
- Developed health management strategies to improve patient wellness programs.
- Conducted comprehensive health assessments for diverse populations and communities.
- Collaborated with multidisciplinary teams to enhance health service delivery.
PFIZER GLOBAL HEALTH FELLOW
mothers2mothers (m2m)
02.2008 - 08.2008
- Documented impact of mentor mothers across Rwanda, Lesotho, Kenya, and South Africa through field reporting and case studies, enhancing visibility of organization's work.
- Developed m2m's first internal and external quarterly newsletter, highlighting events, success stories of trained mentor mothers, and organizational updates to strengthen community engagement.
- Coordinated m2m site visits for UNICEF and VIP guests, hosted charity luncheons, and represented m2m at various events to build partnerships and promote mission.
SENIOR HEALTHCARE REPRESENTATIVE
Pfizer
11.2002 - 04.2009
- Cultivated relationships with physicians, specialists, pharmacists, and health systems to convey complex clinical information, facilitating adoption of key therapies.
- Achieved Vice President Cabinet Awards (top 10% of the organization) in 2005 and 2006, consistently exceeding sales targets in four of five years while managing a diverse product portfolio.
- Ranked among top performers in the region, effectively influencing prescribing behavior and navigating complex healthcare decision-making environments (ranked 2 of 48 for Celebrex; 3 of 48 for Lyrica; 1 in district for Zyvox launch).
Education
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH - SOCIAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
Baltimore, MD05-2010
BACHELOR OF ARTS - JOURNALISM & COMMUNICATIONS
College of Charleston
05-2002
High School Diploma -
Boiling Springs High School
Boiling Springs, SC05-1998
Skills
- media engagement
- strategic messaging
- stakeholder alignment
- brand development
- team leadership
- effective storytelling
- Content development
- Media relations
RECOGNITION
ROOKIE OF THE YEAR, DC TRIATHLON CLUB, DELTA OMEGA PUBLIC HEALTH SOCIETY, PFIZER GLOBAL HEALTH FELLOW, PFIZER VICE PRESIDENT CABINET AWARD, PHI KAPPA PHI HONOR
PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
- EXECUTIVE COACHING CERTIFICATE
- YOGA TEACHER
- LIVE STORYTELLING
Timeline
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS CONSULTANT
The Gates Foundation
11.2021 - 05.2024
HEAD OF COMMUNICATIONS
Uniting to Combat Neglected Tropical Diseases
11.2019 - 09.2020
SENIOR COMMUNICATIONS MANAGER
United Nations Foundation (UNF)
07.2015 - 03.2018
COMMUNICATIONS ADVISOR
USAID/PHI
06.2014 - 07.2015
COMMUNICATIONS DIRECTOR
CORE Group
07.2010 - 06.2014
JOHNS HOPKINS GLOBAL HEALTH CONSULTANT
Institute of Health Management
01.2010 - 02.2010
PFIZER GLOBAL HEALTH FELLOW
mothers2mothers (m2m)
02.2008 - 08.2008
SENIOR HEALTHCARE REPRESENTATIVE
Pfizer
11.2002 - 04.2009
MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH - SOCIAL BEHAVIOR CHANGE
Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
BACHELOR OF ARTS - JOURNALISM & COMMUNICATIONS
College of Charleston
High School Diploma -
Boiling Springs High School