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Meet Our Team Working To Beat Malaria

Our Leadership

Margaret McDonnell

Executive Director

Margaret is the Executive Director of the United to Beat Malaria campaign. She loves tackling complex problems to make the world a better place and taking adventures from Alaska to Guatemala to Rwanda. Margaret has three young kids, so she is particularly passionate about protecting children from malaria.

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Alison Oliveira Wheeler

Senior Director

Alison is the Senior Director of the United to Beat Malaria campaign, oversees resource mobilization, partnerships, communications and marketing. When she is not advocating for kids around the world, she is rooting for her son and daughter on the basketball court.

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Cecilia Mundaca Shah, MD, DrPH

Director, Global Health

Cecilia leads the UN Foundation’s malaria policy and advocacy global health portfolio and plays a key role in driving global health planning efforts, particularly in pandemic preparedness. As a medical doctor from Peru, Cecilia is committed to advancing locally driven solutions to achieve human development with equity.

Patty Sanchez Bao

Senior Officer, Global Heath

Patty manages the implementation of the UN Foundation’s strategy to advance support for malaria elimination in the Americas. As an anthropologist, she is passionate about advancing human development for women, indigenous people and other vulnerable populations.

Mike Beard

Global Health Director

Mike Beard is the Global Health Director for the Better World Campaign. In these roles, Mike directs BWC’s global health initiatives and the advocacy portfolio of UNF’s signature campaigns, including United to Beat Malaria, Shot@Life, Girl Up, and the Universal Access Project.

Jess Pavel

Director, Global Health Advocacy – Malaria

Jess Pavel is the Director of Global Health Advocacy Director for Malaria at the UN Foundation. In this role, she directs the advocacy work of the United to Beat Malaria campaign, including its work to advance malaria intervention programs and pandemic preparedness. Outside of the office you can find her traveling, trying new coffee spots, or outdoors.

Bridget Dotson

New Member Outreach Associate

Bridget leads advocacy efforts and engagement with freshman Members of Congress and their staff to join the fight to end malaria across the globe. Outside of the office you can find her at the gym, traveling, cooking, or cuddling with her goldendoodle, Luca.

Wendy Dimas

Senior Officer, Grassroots Advocacy

Wendy equips and empowers our grassroots advocates across the country to take action in the fight to end malaria. When not working to create a malaria-free world, Wendy enjoys connecting with friends and family, watching documentaries and practicing yoga.

Maegan Cross

Associate, Grassroots Advocacy

Maegan supports the work of the Grassroots Advocacy team by mobilizing and empowering advocates from across the country to unite in the fight against malaria. In her free time, Maegan enjoys watching live theater, trying out new restaurants, and spending time with her cat.

Leander Vergara

Coordinator, Grassroots Advocacy

Leander supports the Grassroots Advocacy Team by assisting with the development and execution of advocacy activation campaigns and maintaining systems to help track advocate and partner data. Outside of work, he can be found experimenting in the kitchen, biking, or playing the guitar.

Emile Dawisha

Senior Officer, Communications

Emile leads our communications and digital media development. In past lives, Emile has been a journalist, dog walker, tour guide, grant writer, and a failed vegetarian.

Amardeep (Deep) Shergill

Associate, Communications & Digital Media

Deep supports the United to Beat Malaria communications team with social media, digital marketing, and communications work across the campaign. He recently graduated with a master’s in integrated marketing communications from Georgetown and outside of the office you can find him traveling, drumming, or playing soccer.

Jonathan Kidwell

Senior Officer, Partnerships & Development

Jonathan manages the portfolio of amazing corporate partners for the United to Beat Malaria campaign. When he isn’t collaborating with companies to end malaria, he is most likely spending time with his family, on his bike, or baking.

Candice Woods

Officer, Individual Giving

Candice manages the grassroots donor and major donor fundraising program for the campaign. Outside of United to Beat Malaria, you will most likely find her reading, paddle boarding, playing soccer, or on her quest to find the best bagel.

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