David J. Olson Resume June 21, 2009

David J. Olson • 202-320-3114 • [email protected]

2009

David J. Olson 202.320.3114 • [email protected] • www.olsonglobalcom.com COMMUNICATIONS, ADVOCACY AND NON-PROFIT PROFESSIONAL Extensive communications, non-profit management and advocacy/policy experience on four continents and in four languages, particularly in global health, with a record of measurable results. Demonstrated ability to think and act strategically. Proven creative thinker, team leader, strategic planner, writer/editor and trainer with exceptional interpersonal and networking skills. Extensive experience working with U.S. and European government donors. Expertise in following areas: Communications • Strategic communications • Strategic PR planning • Advocacy/policy • Media/PR training • Writing/editing

Project Implementation • Project management • Social marketing • Organizational strategic planning • Project evaluation

PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE 2009-present: Director of Policy Communications, Global Health Council, Washington, DC Responsible for formulating, managing and leading efforts to communicate the policy positions of the world's leading global health membership organization, to salient audiences, to raise awareness of global health issues among key constituencies and for facilitating dialogue on key issues with and among Council members. 2001-2009: Director of Public Affairs, PSI, Washington, DC Led external relations of PSI, a large global health non-profit organization, through a politically volatile period, winning many new allies and bringing PSI into the global health community. • Transformed PSI Public Affairs Department into a strategic operation targeting key audiences such as donors, Congress, think tanks and academics by expanding electronic communication, social media and external engagement. • Pioneered PSI’s congressional outreach and advocacy, resulting in many new allies of both political parties, which helped maintain historic 20% annual increases in revenues. • Contributed to improved image among PSI stakeholders (a 2009 external survey showed that stakeholders' rating of PSI as a good partner more than doubled, from 1.8 in 2006 (on a five-point scale) to 3.8 in 2009, during the last three years of my tenure. • Stimulated coverage from major U.S. and international media outlets. • Played leading role in Harvard Business School publishing 3 PSI case studies in 2 years. • Led effort to win Social Capitalist Awards for two years running. • Presented and lectured on social marketing, global health and media at Harvard Business School, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, George Washington, Johns Hopkins, Georgetown, Syracuse, University of Maryland and the U.S. State Department. • Initiated collaboration with and support of donor communications staff (USAID, DFID, KfW and Global Fund) to document stories of PSI health impact.

David J. Olson • 202-320-3114 • [email protected]

•

2009

Designed and led strategic planning at PSI affiliates in Botswana, Cambodia, Eritrea, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Nigeria, Swaziland, Uganda, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

1997-2001: Country Representative, PSI Paraguay S.A., Asunción, Paraguay Founded and developed Paraguay’s biggest health non-governmental organization and PSI’s most cost-efficient affiliate. Managed portfolio of social marketing projects in adolescent reproductive health and maternal health with annual funding of $1 million (2001). 1996-1997: Country Representative, PSI, Dhaka, Bangladesh Served as resident advisor to Social Marketing Company − the largest private social marketing organization in the world with 500 employees and annual budget of $4 million (1997) – and managed its successful certification for direct U.S. government funding. 1992-1996: Country Representative, PSI, Lusaka, Zambia Launched and managed PSI’s first successful program in Eastern and Southern Africa and expanded it from HIV to family planning, a program that is now one of PSI’s most diverse and successful. Used Zambia platform to expand PSI programs into Malawi, Mozambique and Zimbabwe. In 2009, these four countries account for over 20% of PSI health impact. 1986-1991: Country Representative, Lutheran World Relief, Mali Launched movement of sustainable development through local groups to carry out integrated projects in gardening, well construction, soil conservation, agro-forestry, animal husbandry, appropriate technologies, health, literacy and management, which is still delivering impact. 1983-1985: Agricultural Teacher and Extension Volunteer, U.S. Peace Corps, Baguida, Togo Pioneered a Togolese school’s first agriculture program, combining classroom theory with practical fieldwork. Trained students in operation of school garden and raised funds for a gardening cooperative, pig farm and school library. Served as teacher trainer in Peace Corps training programs and editor of Peace Corps Togo newsletter. 1978-1983, Three daily newspapers in Anderson, S.C., Williston, N.D. and Fargo, N.D. Worked in a variety of reporting, editing and management positions involving just about every aspects of editorial work ranging from writing obituaries, editorials, columns and news and feature stories to serving as managing editor (one of these was a part-time college job). EDUCATION Currently pursuing an Accreditation in Public Relations (APR), Universal Accreditation Board, Public Relations Society of America. B.S. Degree in Mass Communications, News-Editorial emphasis with exposure to Broadcast Journalism, Advertising and Public Relations, Minnesota State University, Moorhead, Minnesota LANGUAGES 1. English, native 2. French, fluent

3. Spanish, fluent 4. Portuguese, working knowledge

ADDENDUM TO RESUME OF DAVID J. OLSON

David J. Olson • 202-320-3114 • [email protected]

2009

CONSULTANCIES • • • • •

April 2009: External relations training and facilitation, PSI Russia, Moscow, Russia March-April 2009: Policy Communications, Global Health Council, Washington, DC 2008: Media Trainer, London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, London, U.K. 1991-1992: Team Leader, Oxfam U.K., Evaluation of Arid Lands Information Network, Oxford, U.K. and Dakar, Sénégal 1985: Training Director, U.S. Peace Corps, Bénin

WRITINGS AND PHOTOS A selection of my writings and photos published in the Christian Science Monitor, Washington Post, New York Times and other publications can be found at: http://www.olsonglobalcom.com/p8.html COUNTRIES OF WORK EXPERIENCE Bangladesh, Bénin, Bolivia, Botswana, Brazil, Cambodia, Canada, Eritrea, Ethiopia, France, Germany, Guatemala, Haiti, Kenya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Mexico, Mozambique, Netherlands, Nicaragua, Niger, Nigeria, Pakistan, Paraguay, Russia, Sénégal, South Africa, Swaziland, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, U.K., U.S., Vietnam, Zambia, Zimbabwe PROFESSIONAL ASSOCIATIONS • •

National Press Club (and its International and Marketing & Communication committees) Public Relations Society of America (and its International Committee)

VOLUNTEER EXPERIENCE • • •

Volunteer, Shepherd’s Table soup kitchen, Silver Spring, MD, 2002-present Deacon, Takoma Park Presbyterian Church, Takoma Park, MD, 2005-present Volunteer, Victory Towers senior citizen residence, Takoma Park, MD, 2006-present