External Advisory Council

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Preventing and responding to the next pandemic requires more than public-sector action alone. Non-sovereign actors—including the private sector, philanthropies, academia, and think tanks—bring essential assets: knowledge, innovation, capital, data, and operational reach. To harness these strengths, the Pandemic Fund established the External Advisory Council (EAC) to bring these partners to shape and scale effective pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) efforts.
 

How the EAC Works

Launched in 2025, the EAC convenes 19 diverse organizations from developed and emerging economies for an initial one-year term, with members participating on a pro-bono basis and adhering to a transparent code of conduct. This inaugural group represents a cross-section of global private sector leaders, foundations, academic institutions, and policy think tanks. Membership may expand as needed on a rolling basis, enabling broad and inclusive engagement. Council members contribute through strategic dialogue, collaborative workstreams, and actionable inputs aligned with the Fund’s mission. The EAC is designed to function as both an advocacy platform and a means for generating practical solutions and forging catalytic partnerships.

By leveraging the diverse expertise and global reach of non-sovereign stakeholders, the EAC strengthens the Pandemic Fund’s ability to support countries—especially those with limited resources. Through this collaboration, the Fund can strengthen its support of national PPR initiatives, unlock complementary financing, and accelerate its learning agenda. This contributes to stronger national health systems, improved early warning and response capabilities, and greater national and global resilience in the face of future health threats.

GOALS

Drive Learning & Innovation

Advance a dynamic learning and innovation agenda to enhance the effectiveness and impact of pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response (PPR) projects.

Amplify Advocacy & Investment

Serve as a platform to advocate for increased global investment in pandemic PPR.


Code of Conduct

PARTICIPATING ORGANIZATIONS

All organizations participate and engage on a pro bono basis.

QUOTES FROM EAC MEMBERS

  • “The last pandemic made one thing clear: the private sector is essential to effective pandemic preparedness. The challenge now is to harness its capabilities—not just in crisis, but also in peacetime—by leveraging its expertise, resources, and reach to strengthen health systems and help prevent the next pandemic. 

    I’m honored to serve as Co-Chair of the Pandemic Fund’s External Advisory Council, an inclusive platform that brings together leading voices from all regions, from global companies to research teams, to drive greater, smarter investment in pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response.”

    Dr. Edem Adzogenu
    CEO, AfroChampions and Co-chair, Pandemic Fund External Advisory Council

  • "I am delighted to join this diverse and vibrant group of global health professionals as the co-Chair of the External Advisory Council. Here at Roche, we are interested in finding ways to collaborate with people most affected, institutions, governments, and other stakeholders to find sustainable ways to improve health planning, prevention, and response."

    Tisha Wheeler
    Director, International Health Policy, Global Access & Policy, Roche Diagnostics and Co-chair, Pandemic Fund External Advisory Council

  • “At the AMR Policy Accelerator, we champion evidence-informed policymaking on antimicrobial resistance, working with governments, international agencies, and civil society and with a focus on low- and middle- income countries. That's why we're thrilled to join the External Advisory Council at the Pandemic Fund. Together we can help build long term financing, strong partnerships, and resilient systems to prevent, prepare for, and respond to health threats.”

    Geneviève Boily-Larouche, PhD, PG Cert
    Managing Director, The AMR Policy Accelerator at the Global Strategy Lab

  • "At ARC-ESM we believe that lasting transformation begins with strong systems and shared focus. In our work across regions, we've seen the power of local insights, multi-sector coordination, and trusted partnerships in driving real progress. The External Advisory Council is an opportunity to deepen collaboration...to align on strategic goals and turn collective insight into action."

    Azuka Okeke
    CEO, ARC-ESM

  • “We will leverage innovations and to empower global partners to combat future pandemics. We look forward to collaboration with the Council to build a community of shared health for all.”

    Ben He
    President, Fapon Biotech

  • "The pharmaceutical industry is committed to working in partnership to make sure that the world is better protected against future pandemics, and the Pandemic Fund can play a crucial role. Success requires scientific research and innovation; it also requires investment in health systems and strong disease surveillance before the next outbreak. I look forward to working with the Pandemic Fund to strengthen our collective preparedness."

    James Anderson
    Executive Director, IFPMA

  • "We are honored to express our commitment to partnering with the Pandemic Fund through the External Advisory Council. The next pandemic is not a question of if, but when. And when it strikes, speed is everything. Even small delays can turn a local outbreak into a global crisis. We're eager to work with the EAC to integrate digital tools into public health systems, ensuring front-line teams have timely access to information they need."

    Kwunho Jeong
    CEO, JNPMEDI

  • "We're honored to partner with the Pandemic Fund through the External Advisory Council to help prevent the next pandemic and strengthen global health security. Merrick has a long-standing track record delivering complex, high impact projects that enhance health systems worldwide. By contributing our technical depth and strategic perspective to the Council, we aim to help shape effective adaptable models for pandemic preparedness and response, grounded in real world experience and global collaboration. Together, we can help drive transformation and build a safer, more resilient global health future for all."

    Dr. Ryan Burnette
    Senior Vice President, Life Sciences, Merrick & Company

  • "It is an honor for us to join the Pandemic Fund's External Advisory Council representing the private sector. For Molbio, it's an opportunity to contribute to our social responsibility and social objectives, and we are very eager to be a part of this activity."

    Sriram Natarajan
    CEO, Molbio Diagnostics

  • "The Novo-Nordisk Foundation strongly supports the Pandemic Fund's mission to support country-led projects on AMR and OneHealth, bio-security, disease detection, and response. We're convinced that private foundation's expertise and resources can deepen the collective impact. To that end, we're proud and excited to be a part of the External Advisory Council. We look forward to supporting the Pandemic Fund's important mission, and to identifying and implementing various models of partnership with the private sector."

    Mads Krogsgaard Thomsen
    CEO, Novo Nordisk Foundation

  • "The Pax Sapiens Foundation is proud to join the External Advisory Council of the Pandemic Fund to help advance systemic learning and action on a global level. Investing now for pandemic prevention, preparedness, and response is not only the right thing to do, it is also a tiny fraction of the high cost of not being prepared. We are proud to join the External Advisory Council because stopping future pandemics doesn't start tomorrow, it starts today."

    Marcel Arsenault
    Co-Founder, PAX sapiens Foundation

  • "At Pfizer, we recognize the critical importance of pandemic preparedness and remain steadfast in our commitment to leveraging our capabilities and expertise to help safeguard global health security. Serving on the Pandemic Fund's External Advisory Council allows us to further our engagements with other key stakeholders and provide valuable insights to help enhance pandemic preparedness efforts worldwide."

    Caroline Roan
    President, The Pfizer Foundation; Senior Vice President, Global Health & Social Impact, Pfizer

  • “I am pleased to express our enthusiasm and commitment as Roche to partnering with the Pandemic Fund's External Advisory Council. This is a vital opportunity to shape how the world prevents and prepares for future pandemics. We recognize the importance of making sure no region is left behind in global health planning... Through this Council, we look forward to partnering with others to share lessons, drive innovation, and strengthen global health security.”

    Dr. Allan Pamba
    Executive Vice President, Africa, Roche Diagnostics