Dr. Natnael Asres Yamnew is the Director of Program and Strategic Partnerships at the African Centre for Early Childhood Development (AfC-ECD), where he leads international partnerships, multi-sectoral collaborations, and program design and implementation to advance equitable early childhood development outcomes. His expertise lies in global health, program management, and policy development, working closely with government agencies, international organizations, and academic institutions to drive impactful solutions in early childhood development. Before joining AfC-ECD, Dr. Natnael was a Research Associate at King’s College London, where he managed large-scale research projects and led community-based initiatives. He also served as a Programme and Research Management Advisor at Big Win Philanthropy, contributing to the strategic framework for AfC-ECD.
At the Ethiopian Ministry of Health, he worked as an Advisor to the State Minister, providing strategic leadership for national adolescent health and family planning programs. He played a key role in Ethiopia’s COVID-19 response and helped shape national policies promoting healthy diets.
Dr. Natnael holds master’s degrees in Global Health and Global Surgery from King’s College London, a Master of Public Health from Unity University, and a Medical Doctorate from Jimma University. A Chevening Scholar and ISQua Fellow, he is recognized for his contributions to healthcare quality improvement. With a strong passion for early childhood development, Dr. Natnael leverages his expertise to strengthen policies, foster partnerships, and drive impactful programs that ensure every child has the best start in life.
