Katja Schiller Nwator

Katja Schiller Nwator is Co-Founder and Governing Council Member of WiPHLA. She brings nearly two decades of leadership experience across philanthropy, global development, public policy, and social impact in Africa and globally. Katja has held senior roles at the Gates Foundation and the Tony Elumelu Foundation, where she led major policy, advocacy, human capital, and philanthropic initiatives and shaped and managed significant philanthropic and development capital across multi-country portfolios. Her work has included advancing public health priorities through policy, advocacy, partnerships, and institutional strengthening, with a particular focus on improving outcomes for women and communities across Africa.

She is also the Principal Strategy Advisor of Motive Point Advisory and Founder of Philanthropy Circuit. Across these roles, she works at the intersection of capital, evidence, policy, and narrative to strengthen institutions and influence how development priorities are understood and resourced. Her expertise spans philanthropy strategy, policy and advocacy, public health leadership, gender equality, human capital, systems change, and narrative shaping. She has a particular interest in strengthening African-led institutions and expanding the influence of women leaders in shaping development systems.