Uttara Bharath Kumar has over 30 years of experience in public health, social and behavioral science and communication. In her current role as Senior Social and Behavior Change (SBC) and Capacity Strengthening Advisor, with the Johns Hopkins University/Center for Communication Programs (CCP) she supports projects in Asia and Africa funded by USAID, the World Bank, and the Bernard van Leer Foundation. She has led a wide range of public health issues from HIV/AIDS and RNMCH to cancers and mental health. Some of the initiatives she spearheaded have won awards – The Red Ribbon Award 2006, Silver Medal at the New York Film Festival 2007, Africommnet Award for Best Multimedia Campaign in Africa, 2009.

Uttara is an experienced trainer and has led numerous training programs in more than 20 countries. She holds an Associate Faculty appointment at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. She has been instrumental in founding and mentoring three SBC-focused NGOs in India and Zambia. Ms. Bharath Kumar has a Master’s degree in Public Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a BA from Wellesley College.