Michelle Marian Schaan
Frankfurt Am Main
Summary
Experienced global health leader with over 20 years of expertise in health security, outbreak response, and health systems strengthening. Adept at leading multi-million-dollar projects, fostering partnerships across sectors, and navigating complex global health challenges. Passionate about leveraging data-driven strategies and innovative program design to improve health outcomes worldwide.
Overview
17
17
years of professional experience
Work History
Deputy Health Division Chief and Regional Advisor
USAID - Africa Bureau
10.2023 - Current
- Co-lead a multidisciplinary team of health development experts, providing strategic guidance on Africa-wide health initiatives to enhance public health outcomes and strengthen health systems.
- Mentor and develop technical advisors and health experts within USAID, fostering leadership and capacity-building initiatives to sustain long-term public health improvements.
- Led the design and execution of a groundbreaking Africa Health Development Conference, convening USAID staff and partners across the continent to exchange insights on innovative health programs, best practices, and scalable solutions.
- Appointed as the Regional Preparedness Working Group Lead within the NSC Interagency Outbreak Response Team, assessing and documenting country readiness for potential infectious disease outbreaks across Africa.
Deputy Office Director, Office of Health
USAID
01.2022 - 08.2023
- Adapted USAID’s in-country health operations to maintain essential services amid war, ensuring uninterrupted support for HIV and TB.
- Advocated for and secured continued funding for USAID’s health programs, ensuring long-term stability and access to critical health services for displaced populations.
- Led coordination efforts with the Ukrainian Ministry of Health and U.S. government agencies, ensuring that essential medical equipment and emergency health services were delivered effectively.
- Strengthened partnerships with CDC, WHO, and the Ministry of Health, improving emergency health infrastructure
- Developed a policy framework for USAID’s health security portfolio, ensuring a strategic approach to rebuilding Ukraine’s health system post-war.
- Designed and conducted a workplace resilience survey, using the findings to tailor interventions that improved staff morale, retention, and operational efficiency.
- Mentored and promoted high-performing local staff, ensuring USAID Ukraine’s health office remained fully functional despite high turnover and displacement of personnel.
Health Systems Strengthening Advisor
USAID
01.2018 - 01.2022
- Designed and implemented joint work plans with The Global Fund, resulting in Ghana achieving critical supply chain capacity milestones and securing over $20M in debt forgiveness.
- Negotiated USAID’s first bilateral health activity with a local organization, reinforcing USAID’s commitment to localization and strengthening Ghana’s ability to independently manage health programs.
- Expanded Primary Care Provider Networks, securing $150M in World Bank funding for nationwide implementation
- Led a multi-donor initiative to create and institutionalize an actuarial model, shaping Ghana’s National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) purchasing strategies to improve financial sustainability.
- Successfully lobbied for, procured, and installed oxygen generation plants at four major health facilities across Ghana, averting an oxygen crisis during the country’s third wave of COVID-19 infections.
HIV Team Lead & Health Officer
USAID
01.2016 - 01.2018
- Managed a $40M HIV and TB portfolio, improving access to treatment and prevention models
- Developed real-time data visualization dashboards, optimizing supply chain logistics for 500+ health sites
Visiting Scientist
Harvard School of Public Health
01.2009 - 01.2015
- Led a multi-faceted research initiative, influencing national reproductive health policies in Botswana
- Published peer-reviewed studies on integrating HIV and reproductive health services
Project Director
FHI360
01.2008 - 01.2011
- Directed a $7.5M USAID project, enhancing local NGO capacity for HIV prevention programs
- Strengthened financial and operational systems of local NGOs, increasing NGO performance by 400%
Education
PhD - Public Health
University of KwaZulu-Natal
MEd - Health Promotion
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
BSc - Biology (Chemistry Minor)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
Skills
- Global Health Security & Emergency Response
- Strategic Program Design & Implementation
- Health Systems Strengthening & Policy Advocacy
- Public-Private Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Supply Chain & Resource Optimization
- Crisis & Risk Management
- Research & Data-Driven Decision Making
- Leadership & Team Development
- Data Analytics
- M&E
- Proposal Writing
- Budget Oversight
Websites
Languages
English
French
Setswana
Publications
- Reproductive behavior among women on ART in Botswana, Schaan, M. et al., 2014, African Journal of AIDS Research
- Sexual and reproductive health needs of HIV-positive women, Schaan, M. et al., 2012, AIDS Care
- Womanhood and HIV in Botswana, Schaan, M. et al., 2015, Culture, Health & Sexuality
Professional References
Available upon request.
Timeline
Deputy Health Division Chief and Regional Advisor
USAID - Africa Bureau
10.2023 - Current
Deputy Office Director, Office of Health
USAID
01.2022 - 08.2023
Health Systems Strengthening Advisor
USAID
01.2018 - 01.2022
HIV Team Lead & Health Officer
USAID
01.2016 - 01.2018
Visiting Scientist
Harvard School of Public Health
01.2009 - 01.2015
Project Director
FHI360
01.2008 - 01.2011
MEd - Health Promotion
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
BSc - Biology (Chemistry Minor)
University of Nevada, Las Vegas
PhD - Public Health
University of KwaZulu-Natal
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