Mailman School of Public Health Names New Chief Communications Officer

Vanita Gowda has joined Columbia University’s Mailman School of Public Health as chief communications officer, effective May 29, 2018.  Gowda brings to the Mailman School a diverse and impressive range of experience in global communications with a particular expertise in global public health communications.  
 
Over the course of her career, she has worked with a number of global organizations, including Women Deliver, APCO Worldwide, and the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, providing her with extensive experience in designing powerful external relations initiatives; building and leading high-performance teams; and managing innovative communications, marketing, publications, and digital and multimedia platforms.
 
“Vanita has the background and expertise to amplify global recognition of the School, broaden our impact, help ensure recruitment of a strong student body and other school-wide needs,” says Dean Linda P. Fried, MD, MPH. “At the same time, Vanita will be a strong leader for the Communications team and a great advisor and partner for faculty and staff to better share their messages and aspirations with the world.”

For the last few years, Gowda provided strategic counsel and tactical execution services to public and private sector clients including the World Health Organization, Pathfinder, and EngenderHealth.
 
She began her career as a journalist reporting on public policy in Washington, DC. After earning a master’s degree in public administration from Columbia’s School of International and Public Affairs, Gowda began working with public and private sector organizations to create and execute compelling strategies to raise awareness of critical public health issues.