Dr Mariet Eksteen has been the Head of advocacy, communications and marketing at the International Pharmaceutical Federation (FIP) since March 2025. In this role, she develops, plans, directs, and oversees FIP’s advocacy strategy and all Federation communication and marketing activities. Mariet also oversees FIP’s advocacy initiatives during the World Health Assembly hosted by the World Health Organization every May, when ministers of health from around the world gather in Geneva, Switzerland.

Prior to her appointment as FIP staff, she served as a volunteer on the FIP Early Career Pharmaceutical Group, FIP Academic Pharmacy Section, and the FIP Hub as global lead for Development Goal 7: Advancing Integrated Services.

Before joining FIP in March 2025, she was the Professional Development Officer at the Pharmaceutical Society of South Africa (PSSA) and a Senior Lecturer in Pharmacy Practice at North-West University.

Mariet holds a PhD in Health Professions Education from the University of the Free State, South Africa and is a registered Primary Care Drug Therapy permit holder. When not advocating for the profession, she is training for her first marathon in October.