Coll

Making health human.

Telling stories that move.

Coll is a strategy and public impact consultancy bridging health, science, and the human experience.

Rooted in scientific expertise and cross-sector leadership, we transform complex knowledge to practical strategy and tangible impact. We work to shift minds, hearts, and systems.

Through two core branches, Coll Health and Coll Creative, we seamlessly connect robust research to compelling narratives.

We develop strategies, tools, and messaging that make data and policy not only accessible, but evocative, actionable, and designed for public, policy, and cross-sector audiences alike.

Whether advising on health systems reform, supporting multilateral negotiations, or collaborating on campaigns and documentaries, we will ensure that your mission resonates and creates real-world change.

About Coll

How We Work

  • We work with governments, multilateral organizations, research institutions, industry and funders to:

    • Translate research into policy-ready insights

    • Develop strategies that are evidence-based, equity-driven, and systems-informed

    • Strengthen implementation and accountability mechanisms across contexts

  • We collaborate with teams within media, museums, advocacy campaigns, and mission-driven organizations to:

    • Design narratives that clarify complex ideas for public, policy, and cross-sector audiences

    • Develop messaging, campaigns, and creative tools that resonate

    • Help research and policy insights reach the people and places they’re meant to serve

At Coll, we work across disciplines and sectors to turn complex knowledge into strategy, story, and systems-level impact. Our work is grounded in scientific rigor, creative thinking, and a deep understanding of how change happens both within institutions and in the public imagination.

Through two core branches, Coll Health and Coll Creative, we offer integrated support across research, policy, and public engagement.

Coll Health focuses on strategy, policy, and implementation in global health and public health systems.

Coll Creative brings science and policy to life through storytelling that is emotional, human, and grounded in truth.

Why Coll

The name Coll holds two meanings, one ancient and one anatomical, both central to who we are and how we work.

From the Celtic Ogham alphabet and the Gaelic language, coll refers to the hazel tree, a symbol of wisdom, creative renewal, and inspiration in ancient tradition.

From Latin, collum means neck, the structure that connects the mind and the body to enable connection, articulation, and direction.

Together, these two meanings embody our philosophy: to foster connection, enable clear articulation, and provide strategic direction that unifies thought with action.

Let’s explore your vision.

Black and white portrait of a young woman smiling, with shoulder-length hair, leaning against a wall.

Leadership

Fatema H. Rafiqi, PhD

Founder & Principal, Coll

  • It is at the intersection of science, strategy, and story that we as humans live, consciously or unconsciously.

    I began my career in the lab, conducting PhD and postdoctoral research in the biomedical sciences. With a rigorous foundation in meticulous inquiry and evidence, I next transitioned from bench to bedside, consulting on U.S. health policy and implementing digital technologies to improve population health, particularly in underserved communities.

    My curiosity and path expanded to global health, where I led international immunization campaigns and directed research on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) and equitable access to medicines. Drawing on two decades of experience, I now advise governments, multilateral institutions, funders, industry, and research centers on strategy, policy, and evidence translation to support real-world solutions.

    Outside my technical work, I am deeply engaged in the arts, language, and cultural expression. These creative practices shape how I communicate, ensuring that the abstract becomes clear, evokes feelings, and captures attention.

    I founded Coll to bring my full capabilities as a scientist, strategist, and creative into one integrated practice.

    Coll embodies my conviction that lasting change requires not just information, but resonance. Impact is made when intellect and emotion move together.

  • Scientific expertise in biomedical sciences, drug discovery, and translational research with a focus on inflammatory disease, hypertension, and oncology, supported by over 2,000 academic citations and postdoctoral training in globally recognized labs.

    Policy leadership across AMR benchmarking, health systems strategy (US/EU), and multilateral engagement with global institutions.

    Cross-sector impact, advising global health agencies, governments, media, pharmaceutical industry, investors, and academia.

    Thought leadership through peer-reviewed publications, invited global talks, and international media coverage.

    Dual strength in consulting and implementation, bridging research, strategy, policy design, and public-facing storytelling.

    Multilingual and globally experienced, working across the US, United Kingdom, and Europe in English, French, and Spanish.