Francesca McLaren joined the NCD Alliance as Policy and Advocacy Officer, with a particular focus on accountability for global NCD commitments. She has an extensive background in global health research and programme implementation, with a specialisation in mental health. Prior to NCDA, Francesca led global health initiatives at the Center for Innovation in Mental Health, including the USAID-funded MHPSS Learning Collaborative, advancing global mental health research, programmes, and policy. She also brings experience in migrant health research, with field experience in Chile, and has authored peer-reviewed publications that contribute to shaping health policy and practice. An active advocate in global health spaces, she is committed to embedding lived experience in health systems, and to driving forward policy that improves outcomes for underserved communities. She holds a Master of Public Health with a certificate in Global Health from Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health (2023) and a BSc in Anthropology from University College London (2021).