Ilona Kickbusch is a leading global health expert, best known for her work on health governance, health promotion, and the political determinants of health. She is the Founder and Chair of the Global Health Centre at the Graduate Institute of International and Development Studies in Geneva, where she has shaped international debates on global health diplomacy and governance. Earlier in her career, she worked at the World Health Organization (WHO), where she played a pivotal role in developing the Ottawa Charter for Health Promotion.

Kickbusch advises governments, international organizations, and academic institutions worldwide, and has been recognized with numerous awards for her contributions to global health, including the Cross of the Order of Merit of the Federal Republic of Germany. She continues to serve on high-level commissions and boards, bringing thought leadership to issues such as pandemic preparedness, health security, and the intersection of health with foreign policy and development.