Sabrina K. Garba, Phd(ABD)

Prior to joining IMI, Sabrina managed the Intercultural Communication and International Media Master’s programs at AU. In this role, she:

• created graduate-level curriculum and programming focused on the impact of culture on communications, technology, media, diplomacy, and international education,

• facilitated strategic partnerships with organizations that allowed scholars to gain media production skills and leverage research techniques that equipped them to lead teams of communication practitioners in creating, shaping, and managing information across international media platforms,

• Provided academic and professional advising for graduate and post-graduate students,

• Managed student-faculty-administration policies, procedures and relationship.

Previous to her time at American University, Ms. Garba served as an independent global consultant supporting cross-cultural business exchanges and integrated marketing communications efforts with United World Communication and Boland. During this time she leveraged the skills gained from her master’s degree in PR and corporate communications to build relationships, strategies, and systems that shaped organizational cultures and helped them to tell their unique story.

Early in her career, she worked with the elite Public Affairs firm, Glover Park Group (now FGS Global), among the top democratic party leaders. At Glove Park Sabrina learned to master the fundamentals of strategic communications and public affairs. In this role Sabrina:

• organized several large-scale events, as well as the corresponding press outreach and media relationship management for organizations including Rock The Vote and the Points of Light Foundations,

• served as a client-firm and media liaison for several organizations Including, Participant Media, The White House Project, the NFL Players Association and the Clinton-Bush Haiti Fund,

• developed the firm standard for client media and speaker training,

• and delivered key internal and client-facing materials including client collateral and business pitches.

She has chaired and served as spokesperson for many initiatives including the Historically Black College and University (HBCU) Project at the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services; and Ending Violence against Women, Howard University (EVAWHU). She is a frequent, commentator, and keynote speaker on the subjects of culture, communication, business strategy, international affairs, women’s rights, and social justice. Ms. Garba is a proud practitioner and scholar who has served as an Adjunct Professor at AU’s SIS and has conducted various training workshops and guest lectures on communication, media, cross-cultural relations, entrepreneurship, and leadership.

Sabrina has been recognized for her work through many awards including the 2015 Intercultural Achievement Award by the American University, School of International Service, the 2017 "Woman Who Disrupts" Entrepreneur Award by Lady ReBranded and City National Bank, the 2017 Walker's Legacy Los Angeles Power 25, a nomination as 2017 Women Business Enterprise Supplier of the Year by Metropolitan Water District of Southern California, a 2019 LABJ Women’s Council nomination and a 2019 Girls’ Choice Nomination.

Additionally, she founded SKG Universe (SKGU) in partnership with GLG, a multifaceted leadership development platform for women who lead, featuring W[I]A, a life design and leadership accelerator, and Honey Hive (HH), a members-centered empowerment community featuring opportunities for accountability, self-growth, community connection and celebration for women thought leaders and entrepreneurs.

Among her many volunteer efforts, Sabrina currently serves as the Chair of the Board for ArtworxLA and offers her expertise in board governance, strategic planning, and strategic communications. Previously, she served as the President of the Howard University Alumni Club of Los Angeles, a Scholar Bridge Committee Member for the Fulfillment Fund, and supported Step Up Women’s Network as a Luminary Circle Member. Ms. Garba is an avid cultural and language aficionado who has traveled to six of the seven continents and is fluent in multiple languages.

Ms. Garba is currently a doctoral candidate focused on Business Psychology at the Chicago School of Professional Psychology where she is studying the relationship between corporate social responsibility, corporate social advocacy, and engagement. She is a certified cross-cultural trainer, psychometric analyst, and a graduate of two Dartmouth College, Tuck School of Business Minority Business Programs focused on building high-performing small businesses and digital excellence. Additionally, Sabrina has a Master’s in Corporate Communications and Public Relations from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s in Communication and Culture from Howard University.