Kamel Alsaadi
Iraq (Org: Norwegian Refugee Council)Kamel Alsaadi is a highly skilled project manager with a diverse background in computer science and international cooperation, specializing in humanitarian aid and development projects. With extensive experience spanning multiple roles across various organizations, Kamel has consistently demonstrated his ability to lead and deliver results in both agile and standard management approaches. From his tenure as a Business Analyst Advisor at the Norwegian Refugee Council in Oslo, Norway, where he spearheaded the development of tailored digital engagement tools for beneficiaries, to his role as a Project Support Officer at BHRRC in London, UK, where he implemented enhanced project management practices, Kamel has been instrumental in driving strategic initiatives and ensuring the successful execution of projects. His expertise in coordination, partnerships, communication, monitoring and evaluation, and information management has contributed to his track record of effectively managing portfolios of up to USD 13 million. With a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science from Diyala University, Iraq, and dual Master’s Degrees in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid, as well as Data Analytics and Project Management, from institutions in Spain and the UK respectively, Kamel is well-equipped to tackle complex challenges and make meaningful contributions to the field of project management.
Isaac Gonzales
United States (Org: Homeboy Industries)Isaac Gonzales has four years of experience in the field of providing re-entry services to a population that is at high risk and underserved. During this time, he obtained an Associate of Arts degree in Sociology, an Associate of Arts degree in Behavioral Sciences, and an Associate of Arts degree in Humanities. Currently, he is actively pursuing a Bachelor of Arts degree in Sociology at California State University of Los Angeles. In his capacity as a Case Manager and Community Health Worker at Homeboy Industries, he has been responsible for providing re-entry services to individuals who are marginalized and disadvantaged. Isaac is a highly experienced system management expert who has worked with Homeboy Industries, the Justice Care of Opportunities Department of Los Angeles County, and IBM to create a platform that connects persons to social services. Through this platform, a wide range of people whose lives are negatively impacted by social injustices will gain access to a variety of services. Isaac’s primary goal is to achieve the empowerment and inspiration of individuals, ultimately challenging and overturning preconceived ideas and beliefs.
Isabel Ruiz
Mexico (Org: Heifer International)Isabel Ruiz is a 36-year-old passionate professional living in Mérida, Yucatán, Mexico. In 2011, she obtained a degree in Environmental Systems Engineering from the National Polytechnic Institute (IPN, by its acronym in Spanish). Her commitment to making a positive impact on both environmental and social fronts led her to study a double-degree master’s in Environmental Sciences, Natural Resources Management and Development. For the last year and a half, she has collaborated with Heifer Mexico as manager for the social capital and women empowerment department; in her role, she has the mission to guarantee that projects include actions to impulse social cohesion, women and youths opportunities, and caring for the earth. Additionally, Isabel provides guidance and support to staff members, aiding them in implementing projects focusing on gender equality, diversity, equity, and inclusion.
Lisa Graham
Eswatini (Org: Partners in Health)Lisa Graham is a medical doctor with over a decade of professional experience working in healthcare systems across several countries on the African continent. She earned her Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBCh) from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa. She is currently working at Partners in Health Sierra Leone as the District Advisor for the Quality Essential Health Services and Systems Support Project, a $60 million project funded by the World Bank which aims to increase utilization and improve quality of maternal and child health services in rural and hard to reach areas in five districts in Sierra Leone. Her focus has been in health systems strengthening, reproductive health, including maternal and child health, breast and cervical cancer programs, aviation and emergency medicine, and clinical health education. She is passionate about the delivery of accessible, affordable, sustainable healthcare in Africa and the development of effective health systems and programmes. Lisa has served on national technical working groups drafting national cancer policies and on the roll-out of the HPV vaccine. She is also a supervisory board member and Trustee of the AdAmi project a UK-registered charity organization based in Sierra Leone that empowers expectant and young mothers to return to education or employment.
Marta Skierkowska
Poland (Org: ECPAT)Marta Skierkowska is a psychologist and a dedicated manager committed to developing outreach programs. With over 15 years of involvement in aiding children who have suffered from violence or sexual abuse, she co-manages one of Poland’s largest NGOs, the Empowering Children Foundation, affiliated with ECPAT International in the country. Since 2022, Marta has extended her efforts to humanitarian work, supporting the Ukrainian community seeking refuge in Poland, collaborating with organizations such as UNICEF and UNHCR. Having ascended through the ranks of the organization from assistant to board member, Marta is the architect of numerous child abuse prevention programs. Collaborating with her teams, she focuses on scaling these solutions and integrating them into Poland’s systemic activities, encompassing direct interventions, research, education, and advocacy. Marta recognizes the importance of addressing both child abuse and the well-being of staff who confront child trauma daily. She fosters personal development among her team members, ensuring they find roles that resonate with them, and cultivates a supportive environment that mitigates professional burnout. For Marta, combating child abuse is a calling—an honor she pursues with unwavering dedication, believing that well-executed actions can save countless children’s lives. It is this commitment that drives her to refine and standardize her management practices, drawing inspiration from others and striving for continuous improvement in her service to the cause.
Renée Roodhuizen
Netherlands (Org: ECPAT)Renée Roodhuizen is firmly convinced that the implementation and safeguarding of the Convention on the Rights of the Child can make the world a better place. As such, she informs and persuades politicians on various topics, emphasizing the importance of prioritizing children’s interests in the drafting of legislation and regulations. Renée has extensive expertise in children’s rights, with a special focus on sexual exploitation and issues related to asylum and migration, both nationally and internationally. Her profound knowledge was developed during her time as a policy advisor for a Member of Parliament in the Justice and Safety Department and as a Public Affairs Advisor at Defence for Children – ECPAT, a leading international organization dedicated to protecting children’s rights for over 40 years. A diligent team player, Renée excels at bringing together diverse groups of people. She studied political science at Leiden University and hails from a small village in the Dutch countryside. Renée is passionately committed to advocating for and safeguarding the rights and well-being of children worldwide.
Nehemiah Makau
Kenya (Org: Doctors Without Borders)Nehemiah Makau Abere graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Information Technology from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology in Kakamega, Kenya. With over 9 years of industry experience, Nehemiah has dedicated the past year to serving as the IT & Facilities Coordinator at Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF), where he passionately spearheads digital transformation initiatives. His journey began in consultancy, playing a pivotal role as a systems implementer for clients in the retail sector. Nehemiah’s diverse experience includes a brief yet impactful technical support role at Standard Chartered Bank, followed by consultancy roles deploying technologies from global leaders such as Microsoft and Oracle. He gradually expanded his responsibilities to oversee projects and contribute significantly to business development. In his current capacity at MSF, Nehemiah is deeply committed to leveraging technology for economic development, enhancing operational efficiency, and championing accountability within the organization. His one-year tenure at MSF has further fueled his dedication to humanitarian efforts, making a meaningful impact at the intersection of technology and economic growth. Beyond his professional endeavors, Nehemiah is a valued partner at Sy-Intelli Consulting, a professional consultancy providing IT services to organizations, primarily focusing on NGOs. He holds a distinguished position as a board member for the MSF Shared IT Services Board, providing strategic direction and support to MSF on IT governance. Driven by a profound passion for economic development, Nehemiah seeks innovative ways to contribute to sustainable growth for vulnerable communities in our society.
Mohammed Gowth Amanullah
India (Org: Aravind Eye Care System)Mohammed Gowth Amanullah is a social work and hospital administration postgraduate who began his career as a management fellow at Aravind Eye Hospitals, Madurai, India. Later, he joined as manager of community outreach services and was responsible for managing eye camps that would touch 500,000 people and provide 100,000 sight-restoration cataract surgeries in the state of Tamil Nadu. He also set up small eye clinics in the suburban area of Madurai called Community Eye Clinics, which cater to a population of 250,000 and provide care to 20,000 patients annually. When Aravind’s pilot project on Vision Centres was planned for scaling, he actively participated with the senior leadership team in building the model and was also responsible for scaling it up across all its base hospitals in Tamil Nadu and Pondicherry. To accomplish this, he developed an execution team across all its base hospitals and supported the building of systems for the smooth running of the Vision Centres. He was also instrumental in taking the Vision Centre model across the country, partnering with governments and extending it to Bangladesh and Africa. In addition to managing Vision Centres, he also worked on capacity building and consultancy services for several eye hospitals across India, Bangladesh, and Africa. He has also published/co-published articles relevant to eye care in peer-reviewed journals.
Syed Ali Abdul Wahid
India (Org: Aravind Eye Care System)Syed Ali Abdul Wahid has two decades of experience working in the voluntary sector. He began his career by working for the welfare of people living with HIV/AIDS and sensitizing communities on safe sex practices. He then transitioned to working towards building the capacities of Non-Governmental Organizations in the southern Indian state of Tamil Nadu, aiming to improve operations, management, and sustainability in the NGO sector. Additionally, he managed a child education and rights program in the southern state, covering three districts facing issues of child labor and school dropout rates. He later moved on to the eye care sector, where he is part of a consulting division focusing on improving operations of eye hospitals in India and abroad. In addition, he has been involved in visual media development focusing on eye health awareness. He guided an initiative on implementing total quality management at a large eye hospital and introduced concepts of 5s, kaizen, and other continuous improvement practices.
Chibuzor Mgbeokwere
Nigeria (Host: Development Gateway)Chibuzor Mgbeokwere is a dedicated and accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in monitoring, evaluation, research, and learning, demonstrating a strong commitment to driving impactful outcomes in both development and emergency context, especially in challenging operational environments. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Health Education (BSc.) – University of Nigeria Nsukka, Nigeria. Prior to her current role, Chibuzor was a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, Research, and Learning Specialist at Tonipash Energy from September 2022. She made substantial contributions to the improving clean energy initiatives, overseeing the research, development, and implementation of the Performance Monitoring Plan, and providing crucial leadership in M&E. Chibuzor’s career journey also includes her role as a Country Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) Officer (Environmental Health) at the International Rescue Committee from Feb 2021 to September 2022. Here, she showcased her expertise in producing high-quality reports and played a pivotal role in ensuring M&E and reporting requirements were met for multi-donor funded projects in Northeast Nigeria. Furthermore, she has contributed her skills and knowledge to various organizations, including The International Research & Exchanges Board (IREX), Premiere Urgence Internationale, Achieving Health Nigeria Initiative – SIDHAS Project, and World Health Organization (WHO), leaving a remarkable impact in the field of monitoring, evaluation, and learning. Chibuzor’s core competencies encompass strategic MEAL management, proficiency in database development, statistical analysis, data visualization, consultancy services, and project. She is fluent in English, Igbo, and Hausa languages, enhancing her ability to collaborate effectively in diverse multicultural settings. Her commitment to inclusive data and her proactive approach make her an invaluable asset in any professional environment.
Host Organization: Development Gateway
Role at Host Organization: As a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) Fellow, Chibuzor, in the capacity of an associate, would have a MERL focus and work on synthesizing and analyzing various pieces of key information collected on the programs. The Fellow is expected to contribute to writing of knowledge products and reports. Additional work may involve supporting other programs at DG should time allow.
Aishwarya Gawade
India (Host: Northwestern Univ., Buffett Institute for Global Affairs)Aishwarya is a professional with three years of experience in the nonprofit sector. She holds an MBA in Marketing & Biotechnology from the University of Pune and currently works as a consultant with social enterprises and state governments. Her project themes range from education to environment, and her skills include program management, partnership building, training, and facilitation. In her previous role, Aishwarya led successful projects aimed at advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals through global mobility programs. She has also taught over 200 underprivileged children at a government school for two years as a Teach for India Fellow. Furthermore, she has spearheaded mindfulness programs in various organizations and is a Toastmasters International Ambassador, advocating for building leadership through public speaking. Aishwarya’s passion lies in nurturing leadership and empowering individuals towards a more inclusive society.
Host Organization: Northwestern University, Buffett Institute for Global Affairs
Role at Host Organization: As a Global Engagement Programs Fellow, Aishwarya will play a role in managing global engagement programs at GLO. The Fellowship will have some flexibility based on the Fellows interest and experience—possibilities include assessment, event planning, program/partnership management and development, marketing and recruitment, curriculum development, and alum engagement.
Lame Dislotsotlhe
Botswana (Host: Open Contracting Partnership)Lame is a Social Impact Communications Consultant with six years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned an honors degree in Professional Design (Visual Communication), and a diploma in Graphic design from Limkokwing University of Creative Technology, in Botswana. Most recently, Lame worked with Our Solid Roots Association, as a communications consultant, managing the nonprofits internal creative projects including its branding, illustrations and publications. In 2019, he worked with (LEGABIBO) Lesbians Gays and Bisexuals of Botswana as a communications specialist, and designed the Visual brand identity, and the marketing materials for an LGBTQI+ advocacy campaign dubbed “beyond the rainbow.” The campaign was a first of its kind in the country, and its events lead to the government’s decision to decriminalize same sex relationships in Botswana. As the Founder of (WAW) “Who Are We Organization”, a youth arts and sports nonprofit, he developed and led an adolescent-youth sexual, and reproductive health rights workshop to bridge the gap between parent –child communication on issues of Sex and Sexual reproductive health which led to the setup of a youth friendly clinic, improving access to Sexual Reproductive Health services for youth in the community. Lame is passionate about using visual storytelling to advocate and create visibility for marginalized communities, and also hosts an indigenous language promotion podcast called “Ipelele Ngwao”, which focuses on preserving the diverse intangible heritage in Botswana. Through these experiences, Lame has gained strong project planning, storytelling, and campaign management skills.
Host Organization: Open Contracting Partnership
Role at Host Organization: As a Digital Strategist and Content Fellow, Lame will leverage all digital channels—social media, the website, newsletters and email campaigns—to engage existing and new audiences. Lame will also write, edit, and produce original OCP content that is compelling, smart, and clear. The Fellow will also manage OCP’s website and coordinate the day-to-day communication stream including social media. Lastly, Lame will help educate editors and journalists around the world as to why the trillion-dollar world of contracting and procurement matters so much for public integrity, markets, and development.