Sara ElShafie, PhD

Sara ElShafie, PhD, is an associate director of Strategic Philanthropy at the Milken Institute. Serving its Environmental and Social Innovation portfolio as a global climate specialist, ElShafie helps to build philanthropic initiatives for thriving environments and communities. In addition to her scientific training, she draws on over a decade of experience in science communication and public relations. ElShafie is the founder and principal of Science Through Story LLC, a small consulting business dedicated to engaging broad audiences with technical content through effective storytelling. Previously, she served as vice president of scientific communications and director of scientific storytelling at Weber Shandwick, an award-winning global communications agency. ElShafie holds a PhD in integrative biology from the University of California, Berkeley, an MS in earth and atmospheric sciences from the University of Nebraska, Lincoln, and a BA in biological sciences with honors from the University of Chicago.