Alexis K. Barnes, MPH, M.A.

Global Health | Strategic Communications | Program Management

570-982-1410 alexiskbarnes@gmail.com www.alexiskbarnes.com

Highlights
Over nine years’ experience working with
at-risk populations in low- and middle-
income countries: Haiti, Zambia, Ghana,
eSwatini, Malawi, and The Gambia.
Experience working in humanitarian
emergency settings: Ethiopia and Sudan
WomenLift Health’s Leadership Journey
2024 North America Cohort
Service as a Medical Reserve Corps
Volunteer from the onset of COVID-19:
contact tracing, data management, non-
clinical testing and vaccination support in
DC and Maryland
Lorenzo Natali European Commission
Media Prize nominee under theme:
Development & Poverty Eradication
Women in Global Health, DC Chapter
Communications Chair
American Public Health Association
(APHA) Women’s Rights Committee Chair
Basic fluency in Spanish, French and
Haitian Creole
Expertise
Public Health: Monitoring &
evaluation, grant writing,
program management, social
and behavior change
communications (SBCC),
landscape analyses &
epidemiological surveys
Visual &Audio Editing/ Data
Visualization: DHIS2 Software,
Final Cut Pro, InDesign,
Photoshop, CMS Systems, AP
Style
Technical Writing: Press
releases, media kits, talking
points/speeches,
congressional reports,
proposal writing (RFPs)
Experience
10/2022-04/2024
Weber Shandwick/Powell Tate
VICE PRESIDENT, GLOBAL HEALTH
Provided strategic council and planning for healthcare-focused clients like Roche
Diagnostics, Gilead and Cigna.
Managed the end-to-end Request for Proposal (RFP) process, analyzing client needs,
collaborating with cross-functional teams to craft tailored proposals that showcased
our capabilities and solutions
Served as a subject matter expert in global health, working with clients to increase
access to care, improve health equity business objectives, and health system
strengthening in low-resourced settings.
Developed and led a social and behavior change communications campaign in
eSwatini to improve cervical cancer screening and treatment rates.
Managed two separate campaigns to improve community sensitization on
hemophilia and multiple sclerosis in Sub-Saharan Africa.
Crafted integrated communications plans that help clients advance their business,
policy and/or social impact goals.
Coordinated earned media opportunities for clients to engage key audiences and
markets.
Assisted in program planning through data-driven best practices with an expertise in
health equity and the Sustainable Development Goals.
Developed and led the health impact offering, providing strategic guidance and
thought leadership on the impacts of AI and climate change on health
behaviors/outcomes.
01/2022-1/2023
CDC Foundation contract, based at Anne Arundel County Dept. of Health
PROGRAM MANAGER
Provided strategic direction, leadership, and program governance for a $96K budget
program portfolio, which supports a county population of 579K residents.
Educated community members about county resources to improve mental wellness
and reduce non-communicable diseases, with prioritization of communities most
impacted by health inequities.
Represented the Health Department in information sharing, planning and
coordination efforts with other county agencies, non-profits, hospitals, social services,
education, faith-based organizations, community leaders and elected representation
to coordinate and implement county resources.
Created a program website; assisted in the design of our inaugural quarterly
newsletter; produced and implemented an extensive strategic communications,
outreach and marketing plan.
Researched, drafted, and submitted grant proposals to foundations, government
agencies, and corporations..
Planned and implementted community outreach events and public health awareness
programs for nutrition education, diabetes prevention and mental wellness.
Assessed program effectiveness by regular surveying, monitoring and evaluation.

02/2020- 1/2022
USAID's Bureau for Humanitarian Assistance (BHA) | Washington, DC

STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Managed the research and production of One Health Day and World Humanitarian Day multimedia campaigns.
Coordinated humanitarian health content covering micronutrient deficiencies and WASH in humanitarian settings.
Supported the response management team deployed after explosions affected Beirut, Lebanon.
Served as the outreach coordinator on the response management team (RMT) of USAID’s Tigray response where I supported our
DART, special event planning for agency senior leadership, represented the RMT at meetings, and led strategic external
engagement with international donors, foreign governments, UN agencies, NGOs, the private sector, diaspora communities and
the general public.
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570-982-1410 alexiskbarnes@gmail.com www.alexiskbarnes.com

01/2021-07/2021
The Color of Health | Virtual
PUBLIC HEALTH GRADUATE FELLOW
Created socioeconomically appropriate diabetes health education materials for a virtual education campaign to increase diabetes
care management and patient-provider relationships within New York City’s at- risk population.
Researched and developed a database to track pertinent health policy issues and local stakeholder allies for health equity advocacy.
Created and led three two week diabetes prevention and management education series, in conjunction with a nutritionist, nurse
practitioner and fitness professional that reached 65 participants.

04/2020 - present
Maryland Medical Reserve Corps
EMERGENCY NON-CLINICAL PROFESSIONAL VOLUNTEER
Served as an on-call professional volunteer for the DC and Maryland Departments of Health in support of COVID-19 contact tracing,
testing, and vaccination support on-site.
Assist in pubic health outreach campaigns during emergencies, flu season and other community health initiatives.
Trained in triage and M.A.R.C.H. first responder coursework.

09/2016- 10/2019
United States Agency for International Development (USAID)| Haiti

SENIOR DEVELOPMENT, OUTREACH & COMMUNICATIONS (DOC) OFFICER

Produced subject matter briefing materials for 4 VIP and Congressional visits including presentations, high-level speeches, and
briefing documents, serving as team lead and coordinating the run of show for site visits throughout Haiti.
Led and managed a team of four multinational professionals to execute USG communication priorities.
Supported CDC and PEPFAR health system strengthening initiatives during cholera outbreaks
Conducted interviews for new personnel, wrote and administered performance evaluations, and conducted regular coaching
sessions for team building.
Developed and maintained original databases to track project timelines and deliverables.
Coordinated online media outreach and campaigns via website and social media, utilizing a CMS and Hootsuite- reaching over
40k unique visitors monthly.

Completed USAID trainings: (1) OFDA Humanitarian Assistance Course, (2) Supervisor Certification Course (SCC), (3)Source
Selection & Award Closeout Course, (4) Introduction to Project and Activity Design and Implementation, (5) Foreign Affairs Counter
Threat (FACT) training
Awards: On the Spot Award “For Excellent Dedication to USAID’s Communication and Outreach Efforts as Acting Senior DOC”; Cash
Award “For Outstanding Teamwork and Dedication to Duty During an Extremely Difficult Period of Civil Unrest and Authorized Departure
from Post.”

10/2018-11/2018
Temporary Duty Assignment (TDY) to Ghana Mission

DEVELOPMENT, OUTREACH & COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST

Supported USAID Ghana mission by developing a strategic communications plan, assisting in story pitching and development,
creating and leading messaging workshops/brown bags, and updating briefing materials for an incoming Ambassador.

06/2015-08/2016

Akros - Global Health Corps Fellow | Lusaka, Zambia

ADVOCACY & COMMUNICATIONS OFFICER
Managed a $30,000-funded trachoma elimination behavior change communication campaign covering 8 districts southern Zambia.
Identified, planned, and implemented strategies for reaching key target audiences.
Designed and produced social and behavior change communications (SBCC) materials for use by community health workers in
sub-Saharan Africa for the promotion of water, sanitation, and hygiene behaviors in rural schools.
Conducted 3 focus groups, analyzing outcomes to inform program implementers.
Prepared stories for different audiences including: the communities/districts pursuing malaria elimination, local national publications,
policy and funding decision makers and social media.
Trained rural CHWs in Zambia and Malawi on how to utilize DHIS2 mobile health systems to track and report sanitation coverage.
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09/2014-10/2015

Al Jazeera Media Network - United Nations Bureau | New York, NY

RESEARCHER/SCRIPTWRITER
Manned and logged the live feeds during the 69th session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.
Research/reporting on major Turkish and Greek Cypriot leader standup interview used in international broadcast coverage.
Coordinated expert talent for interviews/commentary for broadcast packages.

Education

MASTER OF PUBLIC HEALTH

George Washington University - Washington, DC
Graduated: August 2021

MASTER OF ARTS, JOURNALISM

Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism at CUNY- New York, NY
Graduated: December 2014

BACHELOR OF ARTS, JOURNALISM

MINOR, BIOLOGY
Howard University - Washington, DC

Graduated: December 2010

References and writing samples available upon request.