Isabelle Salabert
Ex-Officio Board Member
Isabelle is an ex-officio member of the UWS Global Board, due to her role as Chair of the Advisory Board for UWS Madagascar.
She holds a PhD in molecular physicochemistry and spent ten years as a knowledge management consultant for international companies before relocating to Madagascar with her family in 2004. After four years at TELMA (Telecom Madagascar), where she led the transition of the wired network to ADSL technology, she moved into development and humanitarian work, founding the TELMA Foundation in 2009. In 2020, the Foundation evolved into the AXIAN Foundation, expanding its reach across the AXIAN Group. Through projects spanning healthcare, education, community development, humanitarian aid, and sustainability, Isabelle built strong partnerships with UN agencies, government bodies, the private sector, and NGOs.
She served as Executive Director until 2025 and now acts as a senior advisor on strategic philanthropy and social innovation across Africa. Isabelle is also the founder and President of the Private Sector Humanitarian Platform (PSHP) and sits on the boards of several international NGOs.
I am part of UWS because:
Education is a major key to develop a country.
Education in Madagascar faces multiple challenges: from infrastructures to teacher’s level and training, and including convincing parents and communities of the value of attending school, especially in very remote areas.
The holistic approach proposed by UWS’ model, community centered and involving the local education authorities and the Ministry of Education, is key to ensure local appropriation and so, sustainable transformation.
After being the first UWS partner in Madagascar, I’m proud to be part of the Board and to contribute to scaling up the UWS approach and projects in Madagascar.
