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Sarah Sheppard

Available to hire

I am continuously passionate about what strategic, evidence-based communications and advocacy can achieve.

About

I am continuously passionate about what strategic, evidence-based communications and advocacy can achieve. I am a scientist with a career that has included global communications leadership in global public health, vaccines & medicines, corporate and international development.

I have led communications for WHO, Nestlé, GSK and Gavi, shaping policy, crisis response, and donor communications across multiple continents.

  • Joined January 2026

Skills· 1

Languages

  • EnglishFluent
  • FrenchAdvanced

Industry experience

  • Healthcare
  • Life Sciences
  • Professional Services
  • Government
  • Media & Entertainment

Projects · 1

COVID-19 website content- multiple documents and media content.

Built a communications strategy around technology transfer for the Health Technology Access Pool
(previously COVID19 Technology Access Pool).

Led WHO’s Access to Morphine global campaign highlighting the this issue through the eyes of
multiple stakeholders in low-middle-income countries.

Gavi CEO presentation example: https://www.twine.net/signin

Gavi annual report: https://www.twine.net/signin

Led WHO proactive communications and was spokesperson for a major children’s medicine
contamination issue involving regulatory agencies and Governments globally. Top-tier media
interviews over a 15-month period culminated in a policy shift in the country of dominant
manufacture.

Launched multiple WHO guidelines and reports including unintended pregnancy and abortion
comms.

Lobbied for the publication of the first WHO Menopause assets and proactive WHO digital campaign
for greater awareness.

Launched WHO’s public policy on Work and Mental Health (media) plus the World Mental Health
Report and World Mental Health Day through strong communications and stakeholder activation.

Led campaigns for World Blood Donor Day and a pivotal awareness campaign for Antimicrobial
Resistance drawing on the experience of AMR survivors.

Consistent, strong & empathic leadership of international issues/crises. Examples - Rotarix vaccine
contamination and pneumococcal vaccine ethics in clinical trial issues.

Leadership of Nestlé communications for multiple R&D priorities and public health initiatives plus
their nutrition partnership with Solar Impulse.

  • Brand Designer
  • Brand Strategist
  • Creative Director
  • +4

Work experience· 7 roles

Senior Communications Consultant · World Health OrganizationSep 2017 – Present · 9 yrs 3 mos

World Health Organization Communications Lead for Sexual & Reproductive Health & Rights; Access to Medicines, Medicines & Health Product regulation, safety and supply; Reproductive Health & Rights, Maternal & Child Health; Mental Health; crisis/issue management and donor communications; led ACT-Accelerator communications, including resource mobilization and stakeholder engagement; built networks across partner agencies and governments; developed branding and narrative strategies.

Head of Global Communications, AVP Global Research & Development · NestléJan 2014 – Dec 2017 · 4 yrs

Led Nestlé Research branding and communications; built a global R&D communications strategy; developed partnerships (e.g., Solar Impulse); managed internal/external communications across nutrition, sustainability and packaging; established Nestlé Research branding and an internal communications framework.

Head of Communications, Global Vaccines (Product, Corporate & Internal leadership) · GSK VaccinesJan 2007 – Dec 2013 · 7 yrs

Led global vaccine product and corporate communications; internal leadership communications; crisis and issues management; developed campaigns around vaccines portfolio and R&D priorities; managed cross-functional teams and stakeholder relationships.

Associate Director, International Business, Communications · Axon CommunicationsJan 2006 – Dec 2007 · 2 yrs
Diabetes Global Communications Director, Paris · Sanofi - Aventis GroupJan 2004 – Dec 2006 · 3 yrs
Commercial Planning Manager/Consumer Relations Manager · WyethJan 2002 – Dec 2003 · 2 yrs
Corporate Affairs Manager, Australia & New Zealand; Clinical Research Manager · PfizerJan 1992 – Dec 2002 · 11 yrs

Education

Master’s Degree in Communication · University of Technology, Sydney, Australia2030 – 2026
BSc (Hons) Pharmacology · Sunderland University, U.K.2030 – 2026

Certifications and awards· 5

Data Visualization Masterclass2020 – 2026
Nestlé Leadership Training: David Marquet2016 – 2026
GSK Internal Coach & Mentor Training2012 – 2013
Executive Coach for Leadership Development2012 – 2013

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