Natalia Linou

Natalia Linou is a social epidemiologist and the Global Health Policy Lead of UNDP. Natalia brings two decades of experience in global development and health equity, working on some of the most pressing challenges of our time, including the impacts of climate change, biodiversity loss, pandemics and conflict on people’s lives and well-being. Her work has consistently focused on tackling health inequalities and exclusion and ensuring no one is left behind. She began her UN career in Beirut, Lebanon and later joined UNDP’s Executive Office as adviser and speechwriter to former UNDP Administrator Helen Clark. From late 2019 to mid‑2024, Natalia was Executive Director of the FXB Center for Health and Human Rights at Harvard University, and prior to that role was Science Advisor to the New York City Health Commissioner. Natalia has significant experience teaching, public speaking, working with civil society, and engaging on local governance issues, having previously served as an elected member of the Brookline School Committee and Town Meeting. She holds doctoral and master’s degrees in epidemiology, as well as an undergraduate degree in anthropology, all from Harvard University.