Archna Vyas

Archna Vyas is a senior executive at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, currently serving as the Director of Policy and Communications.12 In this role, she leads the Global Growth and Empowerment portfolio, which encompasses areas such as Gender Equality, Digital Public Infrastructure, Financial Inclusion, Agriculture and Nutrition, and Global Education.1

Professional Background

Archna joined the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation in April 2014 as Deputy Director of Communications.1 Over the years, she has held multiple leadership positions within the organization, particularly in the India office. Her work involves collaborating with governments, nonprofits, community groups, academia, and the private sector.2

Prior to joining the Gates Foundation, Archna had a notable career in the private sector:

• She spent nearly a decade at Reckitt, where she led media relations, communications, and digital marketing efforts across Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.2
• She held various leadership positions in the advertising industry, supporting the launch and growth of many consumer goods brands in India.2

Education and Expertise

Archna's educational background includes:

• A Master of Science in Physics from Delhi University1
• A postgraduate diploma in business administration from the Institute of Management Technology, where she ranked first in her class1
• Studies in behavioral insights in policy decisions at the Harvard Kennedy School2

Current Responsibilities

In her current role, Archna oversees advocacy and communications efforts for two foundation divisions: Global Growth & Opportunity and Gender Equality.2 Her work advances the foundation's goals in areas such as:

• Financial inclusion
• Agricultural productivity
• Urban sanitation
• Nutrition
• Global education
• Women's economic empowerment
• Women in leadership

Additional Roles and Contributions

Archna has made significant contributions beyond her primary role:

• She was instrumental in creating the Behavioural Insights Unit within the Indian government's NITI Aayog policy think tank.2
• She serves on the World Health Organization's Technical Advisory Group on Behavioural Insights and Sciences for Health.2
• She is on the governing body of the South Asia Learning Collaborative, an initiative focused on influencing social norms.2

Archna Vyas's extensive experience in communications, policy, and behavioral insights, combined with her leadership roles at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, positions her as a key figure in advancing global development and empowerment initiatives.