Dr Gaya M Gamhewage

Founder at The Wisdom House

Public health leader with more than 2 decades of international experience in health capacity building, training & learning, strategy, policy and programme implementation and leadership development. Medical Doctor with Masters Degrees in International Policy Making & Negotiation and a second Masters degree in International Health (Public Health); and a certified coach. Proven expertise in strategy development, change management and programme management. Highly skilled strategic communication, corporate communication, health communication, risk communication, conflict management, negotiation, partner and network management, facilitation and health programming in public health. Experience in health emergency response and capacity building during epidemics and pandemics. Experienced public speaker and facilitator of international events.

Experience

Founder at The Wisdom House SARL

Jul 2026 — Present · 0 mo

Empowers leaders and institutions through strategy, advisory, communications, and skills development, using a science-based leadership architecture.

Director at World Health Organization

Jul 2021 — Present · 5 yrs

Senior director within WHO, leading strategy, communications, and health emergency capacity work.

Director a.i., Communications at World Health Organization

Oct 2025 to Jul 2026 · 9 mos

Led WHO's communications strategy and workforce to ensure people have trusted health information.

Director a.i., Prevention & Response to Sexual Exploitation, Abuse and Harassment at World Health Organization

Jul 2021 to Feb 2023 · 1 yr 7 mos

Head of Learning & Capacity Development for WHO Health Emergencies & Lead for Strategy, WHO Academy

Jan 2020 to Jul 2021 · 1 yr 6 mos

Led learning and capacity building for WHO's health emergency work.

Manager, Health Interventions for Health Emergencies at World Health Organization

Sep 2016 to Oct 2018 · 2 yrs 1 mo

Led the Health Interventions team covering risk communication, community engagement, clinical management, and training.

Recent articles and events

Language for a Just World — how international NGOs use language to help others

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