The Cochrane Collaboration has appointed its first Chief Community Officer, a dedicated senior role responsible for supporting and engaging Cochrane’s diverse global community.
Cochrane has appointed Sylvia de Haan, a leader with over 30 years of experience in global health and health research. She has led global programmes at international non-governmental organizations, and previously served as Head of External Affairs and Geographic Groups at Cochrane.
“Sylvia brings the ideal skills and experience to help our fantastic Cochrane community to succeed,” says Karla Soares-Weiser, Chief Executive of Cochrane. “With her experience coordinating complex international NGOs, she will enable us to forge the connections and strengthen the collaborations that we need. Having worked with her in her previous role at Cochrane, I am personally very excited about the opportunity to work with her again."
Throughout her career, Sylvia’s focus has been on the Global South, working with partners including governments, academia and civil society. She has helped to define research policies and priorities, promote the use of research in decision-making, and advocate for health justice and health equity globally, in support of stronger health systems in the Global South.
“My vision is for a healthy, engaged, motivated and well-connected Cochrane community, supported in its work by the central charity,” says Sylvia. “I believe that only by building on the strength of this network can Cochrane remain a true global leader in evidence-informed healthcare.”
