Kumba Sennaar serves as a Civic Science Fellow at the Science Philanthropy Alliance with an extensive background in research, policy, and program management. She is a Ph.D. candidate at Brandeis University. With a B.S. with honors from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, in Science, Technology & Society (STS) and an M.S. from Johns Hopkins University, Kumba has a strong foundation in biotechnology and social policy, and her work spans public health, AI ethics, and racial justice. 

Kumba’s previous roles include Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) Partnering and Communicating Together (PACT) Initiative, where she managed large-scale federal grants and trained physicians in HIV/AIDS prevention. She also served as a Program and Policy Manager at the National Medical Association, contributing to significant health reform efforts and policy advocacy. As a content specialist and research lead, she has published numerous articles cited by prominent institutions like Harvard Business School and McKinsey Global Institute. 

In addition to her professional achievements, Kumba is the founder and CEO of William Kelly Consulting, LLC, providing research support and content marketing for AI companies focused on ethical practices. Her expertise and leadership make her a valuable asset to the Alliance, where she can further leverage her interests, guide innovation and enhance collaboration in the scientific community.