Marshall Stowell has been working in global health for more than 20 years, championing the rights and voice of people with lived experience. He is a passionate executive who believes that when communities speak for themselves and are in greater control of their destiny, the world will be a more equitable place.
Marshall is an idea-driven strategist who has led diverse teams at nonprofits and foundations working with government, media, NGOs, the private sector, and other partners to address some of the world's most pressing challenges – particularly those affecting girls and women. He has expertise in strategic planning, brand management, communications, grant-making, advocacy, multi-stakeholder partnership development, event planning, and donor government relations.
Most recently, The Conrad N. Hilton Foundation recruited Stowell as a leadership team member to help steward the growth of the endowment from $3.2B to more than $8B. Stowell oversaw the restructuring of the communications function, the development and oversight of a partnerships department and a $25M grants budget, and the introduction of a formal advocacy practice. In addition, he advocated for including persons with lived experience in revising the Foundation's strategy, advocacy efforts, and communications.
Before joining the Foundation, Stowell spent 14 years at the global health organization Population Services International. He led global communications and advocacy efforts across 50 countries in women's health, malaria, family planning, HIV, diarrheal disease, pneumonia, and sanitation. At PSI, Stowell was an early advocate and leader for the self-care movement, working with the WHO and CIFF on early guidance and establishing a global coalition. He was an architect of Maverick Collective, an initiative co-chaired by Melinda Gates and HRH Mette Marit, Crown Princess of Norway, created to engage women philanthropists in the health and rights of girls and women. The effort raised more than $30M from philanthropists and leveraged more than $100M from donor governments. He served as a special advisor to the Crown Princess on her positioning in Norway and globally. In addition, he co-produced international documentaries with National Geographic and The Discovery Network on HIV prevention in India and Central America.
Stowell began his career working on HIV prevention in Atlanta, Georgia, after seeing the decimation of his community and witnessing the harmful narratives about homosexuality and AIDS had on him and on AIDS policy, funding, and research.
Marshall lives in Los Angeles with his husband Chris and their 7-year-old daughter Zuri.