Goodwill ambassadors

Ambassadors are well-known personalities from the worlds of arts, literature, entertainment, sport or other fields of public life who commit to contribute to WHO’s efforts to raise awareness of important health problems and solutions.

Appointed by the Director-General for two years at a time, they work closely with WHO to draw attention to its overall priorities or a specific health issue affecting people’s lives and well-being.

Cynthia Germanotta, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Mental Health

In May 2019, the WHO Director-General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, appointed prominent mental health advocate, Cynthia Germanotta, to serve as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Mental Health.

In this role, Mrs Germanotta will raise awareness of the importance of mental health, help mobilize the international community to promote mental health and engage in global mental health campaigns.

Mrs Germanotta is President of Born This Way Foundation, which she co-founded with her daughter Lady Gaga in 2012, with the goal of supporting the wellness of young people and empowering them to build a kinder, braver world. Under Mrs Germanotta’s leadership, Born This Way Foundation has connected with tens of thousands of young people across the country and around the world, launched innovative youth-focused programming, and conducted cutting edge research to improve the understanding of mental wellness.

Mrs Germanotta, Lady Gaga, and Born This Way Foundation have been the recipient of numerous honors from organizations including the National Council for Behavioral Health, the Family Online Safety Institute, the National Association of School Psychologists, the Anti-Defamation League, Teachers College – Columbia University, and Logo.

Mrs Germanotta is a former telecommunications executive whose career in sales and management spanned twenty-five years. A graduate of West Virginia University, she went on to earn her Masters Degree in Public Administration from The George Washington University in Washington, D.C.

Mrs Germanotta was born and raised in West Virginia and now resides in New York City.

Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for the Health Workforce

In his opening remarks to the Seventy-second World Health Assembly, WHO Director General, Dr Tedros announced the appointment of Her Excellency Ellen Johnson Sirleaf as Goodwill Ambassador for the health workforce.

H.E Johnson-Sirleaf is a Nobel Peace Laureate; a health workforce champion, a voice for freedom and an advocate for health for all. Following the Ebola epidemic in Liberia in 2015, she oversaw the expansion of Primary Health Care and the creation of more than 4,000 new health worker jobs as part of the post-Ebola response.

As Africa’s first elected female Head of State, H.E. Johnson Sirleaf has become a popular symbol of democracy, leadership and gender equity, not only in her own country but throughout Africa and the developing world. She continues to champion women and economic empowerment, particularly women in leadership and politics.

The health workforce agenda is central to progress towards SDG 3,4,5,8,10. Engaging H.E Johnson Sirleaf as a WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health Workforce, will position new momentum on investing in the education and employment of health workers, particularly women, to achieve universal health coverage and the SDGs.

Footballer Alisson Becker, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health Promotion

In his opening remarks to the Seventy-second World Health Assembly, WHO Director General, Dr Tedros announced the appointment of prominent international footballer Alisson Becker as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health Promotion.

Alisson Becker is the goalkeeper of the Brazil and Liverpool football teams and an advocate for promoting physical activity, particularly of children.

Alisson Becker is also the husband of fellow WHO Goodwill Ambassador for health promotion, Dr Natália Loewe Becker, a medical doctor and health advocate from Brazil.

Health promotion is central to efforts to promote healthy lives and guide communities and countries to provide the systems and services needed to ensure people can achieve the highest levels of health and wellbeing.

Dr Natália Loewe Becker, WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health Promotion

In his opening remarks to the Seventy-second World Health Assembly, WHO Director General, Dr Tedros announced the appointment of Dr Natália Loewe Becker as WHO Goodwill Ambassador for Health Promotion.

Dr Becker is a medical doctor and health advocate from Brazil. She is passionate about promoting childhood immunization, nutrition, healthy lifestyles for children and improving sanitation in local communities.

Dr Becker is also the wife of fellow WHO Goodwill Ambassador for health promotion, footballer Alisson Becker, who is the goalkeeper of the Brazil and Liverpool football teams.

Health promotion is central to efforts to promote healthy lives and guide communities and countries to provide the systems and services needed to ensure people can achieve the highest levels of health and wellbeing.