Lizzie Pelz

Founded and directs a remote studio translating complex public health, disability, and advocacy data into accessible visual stories. Manages client communications, project delivery, business operations, marketing, and creative strategy.

Coordinates presenter outreach for weekly sex-education sessions, boosting class attendance by 22% year-over-year and ensuring 76% of presenters identified as LGBTQIA.

Serves as Executive Director and Board Secretary, helping raise over US$51K for local LGBTQIA organizations through monthly queer-centered events and community engagement.

Directed revitalization of USAID's Global Health Country Team System across 70+ country offices, increasing remote participation by 17% and strengthening donor coordination. Coordinated mixed-methods evaluations and streamlined program-cycle systems across 80+ countries.

Led mobile harm-reduction outreach programs delivering life-saving supplies and support to sex workers, trans clients, drug users, and unhoused people in Washington, DC. Designed and delivered HIV/Hepatitis C prevention and consent training to 200+ volunteers and staff.

Facilitated coordination among 60+ field offices, five regional bureaus, and 10 technical divisions, enhancing cross-team communication. Managed weekly briefings for 100+ teams during COVID-19 and developed communications strategies that boosted survey submissions from 4% to 30%.

Supported the US$755M President's Malaria Initiative across 27 countries, coordinating with local partners to implement evidence-based interventions. Coordinated reviews of country malaria plans and drafted policy briefs aligning with WHO and Global Fund priorities.

Oversaw operations for a USAID-funded cooperative agreement supporting five partners, coordinating research and implementation efforts. Streamlined communications and sub-award monitoring, cutting consultant payment processing time by 50% and ensuring USAID compliance.

Supported USAID's HIV Clinical Branch in aligning programs with UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets. Conducted 50+ interviews with HIV providers and LGBTQIA advocacy groups, synthesizing data into the Cameroon Key Populations HIV Cascade Assessment.

Improved antiretroviral therapy access for HIV+ mothers, sex workers, and other clients by accelerating referral linkages. Led a PEPFAR-funded HIV prevention project that increased facility-based births by 156% and facilitated project-management workshops for 34 health centers.

Master of Public Health degree from Capella University, completed in 2022.

Training and Learning Programs for Volunteer Community Health Workers from Johns Hopkins University, completed in 2015.

Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology with a minor in Studio Arts from the University of Houston, completed in 2010.