JoAnn Paradis

JoAnn Paradis has more than eight years of experience supporting the design and implementation of advocacy and communications strategies to generate increased political and public commitments for maternal, newborn and child health. In her role as strategic communications advisor for the ASH project, JoAnn provides guidance and leadership in the areas of communications, advocacy, and knowledge management and works closely with project staff, USAID/AFR, and African partners to promote policy, strategy and program changes.

Prior to joining ASH, JoAnn worked with Save the Children, where she was most recently a senior communications specialist on the Saving Newborn Lives program. In this role, JoAnn collaborated with country programs in Africa and South Asia (Bangladesh, India, Nepal, Ethiopia, Malawi, Nigeria, and Uganda) in the implementation of national and regional advocacy strategies focused on the adoption of best practice, evidence-based approaches to improved health.

JoAnn's professional background lies in public health communications, with a focus on translating evidence and data for action. JoAnn also brings significant experience in the field of knowledge management, and has led the expansion of digital platforms aimed at strengthening partnerships and improving the generation, capture, sharing, and application of knowledge. JoAnn has engaged in various global and regional advocacy initiatives and has co-led the development and implementation of multi-partner digital communication plans including the Every Newborn Action Plan, the African Union's Campaign for Accelerated Reduction in Maternal Mortality in Africa, and the Every One campaign. JoAnn is a native Spanish speaker and holds a degree in psychology and international relations from Fairfield University in Connecticut.