Priscilla Li Ying
Development Leader · Policy Advisor · Gender Equality Advocate · Speaker · Mentor · Diplomat
Joined: August 2025
Location: Mauritius, Seychelles, Madagascar
Profession: Head of Office - UNFPA
Level: Director, Senior Manager
Industry: Global Public Health, Policy & Governance, Non-Profit
Length of Experience: 12 years
Priscilla Li Ying is a global strategist and facilitator working at the intersection of gender justice, health equity, and systems change. She currently leads the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) in Mauritius and Seychelles, where she oversees national programmes that advance sexual and reproductive health, adolescent well-being, and gender equality - bridging public policy with grounded, community-driven action.
Her career spans over 15 countries across the globe. She has shaped youth-led health innovations in European countries, supported feminist movementsin Africa, Asia and Latin America, and led humanitarian responses in fragile settings, including post-conflict regions in West Africa. From redefining workplace culture through private-sector coalitions to co-creating survivor-centred services for indigenous communities, Priscilla brings a deep understanding of how systems shift - and what it takes for that change to hold.
A TEDx speaker, multilingual communicator, and trusted facilitator, she works across silos and sectors with clarity, courage, and care. Her work is grounded in a simple but radical question: ‘what if women led boldly, without waiting for permission?’
“In 2024, I delivered my first TEDx talk, “The Empowerment of Choosing Yourself”; and in 2025, I co-launched Mauritius’ first national workplace initiative combating gender-based violence.”
International Development | Gender Equality | Sexual & Reproductive Health | GBV Prevention | Youth Engagement | Policy Advocacy | UNFPA | Mauritius & Seychelles | Multistakeholder Partnerships | Organisational Development | Public Health Strategy | TEDx Speaker | Speech & Policy Writing | Purpose-Driven Leadership | Mentor | Diplomat | Coalition Building | Sustainable Development Goals | Women’s Empowerment
Personal interests:
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Travel
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Pilates
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Writing
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Art & Design
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Reading
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Fashion
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Beauty & Skin Care
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Wellness & Selfcare
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Personal Development
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Music & Singing
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Cultural Experiences
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History & Culture
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Live Music
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Food & Dining
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Seaside & Beach Moments
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Swimming
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Mindfulness & Meditation
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Theatre
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Podcasts
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History
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Shoes
Expertise
Explore some of the expertises and services that this member is available to discuss.
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1. Gender-Based Violence Prevention
Developing workplace toolkits and national coalitions that champion zero-tolerance cultures and practical protection for women and girls.
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2. Sexual and Reproductive Health
Designing rights-centred services and policies that expand access, improve quality, and close equity gaps across island and mainland contexts.
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3. Adolescent & Youth Engagement
Co-creating youth-led clinics, arts initiatives and training that place young voices at the heart of public-health decision-making.
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4. Multi-Stakeholder Partnerships
Uniting government, private sector and civil society to drive coordinated, evidence-based action with measurable community impact.
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5. Organisational Operations
Streamlining structures, budgets and teams so mission-driven organisations deliver consistently and scale responsibly.
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6. Advocacy, Policy & Speech Writing
Crafting evidence-based policy briefs and persuasive speeches, with clear CTAs - whilst energising audiences from cabinet rooms to TEDx stages.
Message from Priscilla
I’m Priscilla, a development practitioner with a deep commitment to creating impact through grounded, people-first approaches. I navigate the complexities of institutional work with both heart and a systems lens, seeking ways to connect policy to real lives. I believe in purposeful leadership, quiet strength, and the power of women coming together to shape better futures. I’m here to learn, to share, and to stand with others who know that change is not only possible, it’s inevitable when we lead it.