WHO I AM
Communications leader with over 25 years of international experience at the intersection of media, public affairs, and global development, with a focus on humanitarian issues, climate change, and public health. A creative and forward-thinking strategist known for designing innovative approaches to influence, engage, and impact.
Proven track record of advising and collaborating with a wide range of global actors—including international NGOs, governments (local and national), media organizations, and multilateral institutions. Notable partnerships include Edelman, Amref Health Africa, the World Health Organization, various UN agencies, the World Resources Institute, Oxford Policy Management, Health Data Research UK, Gates Foundation, UNAIDS, and Al Gore’s Current TV.
An articulate communicator with strong writing and public speaking skills. Multilingual and culturally agile—bilingual in English and Italian; fluent in French; conversational in Portuguese and Spanish. Extensive experience working across Europe, North America, Sub-Saharan Africa, MENA, Southeast Asia, and Latin America, effectively navigating complex cultural and linguistic environments.
I have a Master’s in Development Studies from SOAS, School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London, and a BA in Media and Cultural Studies from the London College of Communication.
As a media expert and advocate, I spend a considerable amount of time traveling the world, investigating and recounting the stories of individuals and communities of diverse backgrounds and aspirations.
MY INTENT
The leitmotif of my work is my dedication to concrete action to remedy social injustice and exclusion. This interest is at the center of my personal and professional life. I believe that ameliorating the status of the world’s most marginalised is the central challenge and imperative of our era. We cannot insulate ourselves from global realities, nor can we abdicate our responsibility to help and protect one another.
MY STORY
Davide Scalenghe is a global public health and international development leader with more than 25 years of experience shaping communications, strategy, and engagement across some of the world’s most complex humanitarian challenges. His career spans six continents and a broad spectrum of global actors — including multilateral agencies, philanthropic foundations, INGOs, research institutions, and national governments — where he has helped accelerate progress in areas ranging from epidemic preparedness and primary health care to HIV, UHC, humanitarian response, and global health financing.
As Head of Global Public Health at Edelman, Davide built the firm’s first global practice dedicated to public health and development. He has led advisory and campaign work for partners such as the World Health Organization, the Global Fund, Amref Health Africa, the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Stop TB Partnership, the Mastercard Foundation, and United for Global Mental Health. His commercially minded approach and policy fluency have generated more than $3 million in new business, while advancing human-centred strategies that align global health priorities with policy influence, social impact, and reputational value.
Prior to Edelman, Davide held leadership roles embedded directly within the global health and development ecosystem. At Médecins Sans Frontières, he served as Field Communications Manager in the Democratic Republic of Congo, leading crisis communications and community-level engagement during acute humanitarian and public health emergencies. At Oxford Policy Management, he designed multi-country communications strategies for major health system-strengthening initiatives — including HIV technical assistance across 55 countries for UNAIDS, primary health care reforms with the Nigerian Ministry of Health, and global health financing and innovation programmes funded by the Gates Foundation.
He later joined the International COVID-19 Data Alliance, where he guided strategic communications for a global platform accelerating data-driven research and pandemic response. Earlier roles include senior communications leadership at the World Resources Institute and editorial, documentary, and field reporting work for major broadcasters, covering issues such as climate resilience, child protection, human trafficking, domestic violence, and access to care in fragile settings. His work has been recognised with multiple awards, including a Cannes Lion (2025) for the Africa Health Agenda International Conference brand and identity campaign.
Davide is recognised for his ability to translate complex health and development priorities into compelling narratives that mobilise decision-makers, donors, researchers, and affected communities. He has led multi-audience, multi-channel campaigns integrating behavioural insights, policy analysis, and creative storytelling — bridging the worlds of public health, international development, media, philanthropy, and global advocacy.
Fluent in English, Italian, and French (with additional proficiency in Portuguese and Spanish), Davide has worked in more than 20 countries across Africa, the Middle East, Europe, Asia, and Latin America. A collaborative leader and mentor, he is known for bringing clarity, creativity, and empathy to high-stakes environments — and for helping organisations navigate change, risk, and opportunity while keeping people and impact at the centre.