Expanding the policy and leadership acumen of public health leaders throughout Africa to collectively transform health systems.

International Program in Public Health Leadership (IPPHL)

9 Cohorts
260 Alumni
34 Countries

The International Program in Public Health Leadership is an eight-month program for emerging leaders working in or closely with African Ministries of Health. A flagship program of the Evans School at the University of Washington, IPPHL expands the policy and leadership acumen of leaders to develop and implement lasting public policy solutions and transform health systems. The curriculum emphasizes the foundations of policy analysis, evidence and evaluation, implementation, and personal leadership development.

Since 2017, 260 public health leaders with an array of health and policy expertise from across 34 countries in Africa have completed the program, forming a powerful community of individuals transforming health systems. The program is funded by the Gates Foundation and partners with the Center for Creative Leadership.

Our Model

Integrated Evidence-Based Policy & Leadership

Fellows engage with the Evans School’s evidence-informed policy expertise and the Center for Creative Leadership (CCL)’s acclaimed leadership programs to:

  • Develop politically feasible, evidence-informed policies and programs.
  • Drive organizational change & overcome resistance to set agendas for sustainable implementation.
  • Build internal and external coalitions for change.

Action-Oriented Policy Projects, Experiential Learning, & Tailored Support

  • Self-driven policy projects provide an experiential framework for identifying and implementing solutions to real-time public health challenges
  • One-on-one executive coaching & UW faculty advisors provide feedback on leadership and policy development.
  • A unique blend of online programming and in-person residencies provide a variety of opportunities for global engagement and collaborative learning.
  • Case-based learning prepares fellows to apply skills and frameworks to real-world challenges.

Network of Practice

  • Emphasizing individual expertise and encouraging peer to peer learning, IPPHL positions fellows to form strong relationships for ongoing collaboration.
  • Upon joining the growing Alumni Network, fellows leverage these relationships and access continued program support to advance organizational and systems level change.

IPPHL Impact

IPPHL positions leaders to navigate complex environments, build durable partnerships across communities and stakeholders and develop evidence-informed, effective health policies that transform lives.

Our Alumni

228 fellows

  • Zimbabwe

    Paul Matsvimbo

    Ministry of Health and Child Care

    Provincial Medical Director

  • South Africa

    Pogisho Samuel Daddy Matthews

    Department of Health, Limpopo Province

    Deputy Director: Nutrition services

  • Ethiopia

    Nurhan Mawi

    Ministry of Health (MoH) / International Institute for Primary Health Care Ethiopia (IPHCE)

    Program Coordinator

  • Malawi

    Irvine Mchacha

    Ministry of Health (MOH)

    Zonal Team Lead

  • Kenya

    Lucy Mecca

    Ministry of Health, National Vaccines and Immunization Program

    Assistant Chief Pharmacist

Engagement Collaborators

The International Program in Public Health Leadership is funded by the Gates Foundation and works in partnership with the Center for Creative Leadership. 

Our Team