Gifti Nadi is a global communications specialist with over 15 years of experience in International Development. Over the last decade, her work has focused on building the capacity of media and advocacy professionals, networks and institutions with a focus on gender, climate change, peace building, rural development and health. As the media specialist for UNDP’s Africa Adaptation Programme (AAP) in Nairobi, Gifti monitored and analyzed Climate Change coverage and facilitated journalism training in 20 participating countries. She also conducted ongoing research on best practices in adaptation and disseminated findings to over 500 stakeholders working in media, government and the private sector.
As the senior program officer for Africa at the International Women’s Media Foundation (IWMF) based in Washington, DC, Nadi spearheaded multi-million dollar initiatives supported by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, the Howard Buffett foundation and other donors to enhance the media’s capacity to report on various pressing issues in Africa. In facilitating these projects, Gifti has developed extensive experience in conducting communications research and needs assessments and developing branding and social media strategies useful for sharing media, policy and advocacy best practices with various networks throughout Africa and beyond. In 2003, she received SID’s second Truman Award for Leadership and Innovation by Young Professionals in International Development. Nadi holds a master’s degree in international public policy from Johns Hopkins University’s School of Advanced International Studies and a bachelor’s degree in sociology from the University of Maryland. She is fluent in English, Amharic and French.