Bente Mikkelsen

Background and Education: Worked in global health for the last close to 12 years with extensive experience and significant contributions to public health and development with a specific focus on prevention and control of NCDs. Academic background: MD, Gynecologist and Obstetrician and master’s degree in health administration and management, University of Oslo, Norway. Over 20 years of senior management experience from the World Health Organization (WHO) and other organizations.
Professional Achievements: WHO played a pivotal role in advancing international efforts to combat non-communicable diseases (NCDs) and we were able to advance successful implementation of global health decisions like HEARTS, at the country level and the establishment of new initiatives such as the NCD Global Compact with the engagement of the Heads of State and Government Group, Global Diabetes Compact and the Cervical Cancer Elimination Initiative (CCEI).
Prior to my role at WHO, I served as the CEO of the South-Eastern Regional Health Authority in Norway and implemented one of Norway’s most extensive political decisions to restructure and strengthen the public health system.
Currently, I serve as Director, Global Engagement Strategies, St Jude Global, St Jude Research Hospital and as Senior Advisor to the Innovation District, Oslo Science City, where I leverages my expertise to foster innovation and collaboration within the public and private sectors. I was also recently appointed to the World Diabetes Foundation Board of Directors.
Motivation and Goals: I am deeply honored to be the chairperson of the World Heart Federation (WHF). This role allows me to support WHF’s strategy and goals, especially leading up to the 4th High-Level Meeting on NCDs in 2025 and beyond. I am committed to advancing global initiatives like HEARTS and the Global Diabetes Compact, as well as fighting air pollution, integrating heart and cardiometabolic diseases into Primary Health Care (PHC), Universal Health Coverage (UHC), humanitarian settings, climate and environment, human rights, and gender agendas.
Community and Volunteer Work: My expertise spans from academic work through strategic planning, change management, health administration, research, innovation, and governance development. I have also had the pleasure of leading leadership training and development programs, strategic communication and dissemination activities. Advocacy and communication efforts have always focused on implementing and influencing political decisions at global, regional, and national levels to reach the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), NCD targets, and national targets, ultimately saving lives, reducing morbidity, and addressing inequities.
Partnership and advocacy: It has been a great inspiration to build networks and foster participation among partners, stakeholders, the private sector, employees, patient organizations to develop solutions. Co- creation with those with lived experience has been a cornerstone for innovation and implementation. I look forward to supporting the voices of those living with or at risk of cardiometabolic diseases building on science and the best practices.