Wanga Katimba
Zambia (Org: PATH)Wanga Katimba has over six years of experience in operations and program management working for non-
profit organizations. In 2020, she was awarded a fully funded MBA scholarship by the Scottish government and Heriot-Watt University through their Gender Equality Initiative. She successfully graduated with a Master’s degree in Business Administration in December 2023, complementing her Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from Northrise University. Currently, Wanga is involved in the Strengthening Oxygen Utilization and Respiratory Ecosystem project with PATH Zambia. This initiative aims to provide all patients, regardless of place of birth, with access to the lifesaving medical oxygen they need and seeks to reduce maternal, child, and overall mortality from hypoxemia-related causes through improved access to high quality oxygen services. Wanga actively participates in technical working groups and civil society coalitions dedicated to implementing the Zambia National Medical Oxygen Strategic Plan (2022 to 2026). In her prior position, she dedicated four years to the Care and Treatment project with ICAP at Columbia University in Zambia. This initiative provided care for HIV-related illnesses and offered mentorship to healthcare workers and community volunteers. Wanga is particularly interested in gender and women’s issues, contributing to the achievement of sustainable development goals, and working for NGO’s that aim to accelerate health equity so all people and communities can thrive. She is passionate about raising awareness and advocating for improved services and management of chronic diseases such as endometriosis in her country of birth, Zambia.
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.
Densley Awa Awafong
Cameroon (Org: International Rescue Committee)Densley Awa Awafong is a humanitarian aid worker with over twelve years of experience in both the development and humanitarian sectors. He has always had focus on both programs and field operations; optimizing productivity, efficiency, and service quality across various environments. He is a holder of a Bachelor’s degree in the Social Sciences and a Master’s degree in international relations from the Protestant University of Central Africa. He is currently serving at the International Rescue Committee (Cameroon Program) as Senior Field Manager for the past four years. His position entails managing the IRC’s Northwest Region field office with an oversight of all operations and supply chain functions. This includes Safety and Security Protocols, Procurement, Finance, Warehousing and Asset Management, Fleet Management, and Office Administration. Through his leadership and dedication, backed by strong work ethic and excellent breadth of experience in aid programs, the visibility of the organization has met with much positivity. This, because of the highly impactful programs implemented which are geared towards meeting the needs of the most vulnerable. He is very passionate about integrating in a multicultural and multidisciplinary team of Humanitarian aid workers. His strives are to provide life-saving emergency assistance to people living in some of the most inhospitable environments. As a result, he has worked effectively with cross functional teams in local NGOs and International NGOs such as Plan International and INTERSOS in ensuring operational and service excellence.
Grace Namukonde
Zambia (Org: CAMFED)Grace Namukonde Kayamba is a graduate from the University of Zambia, the National University of Ireland-Galway and the University of Lusaka. She is 43 years old and lives in Lusaka-Zambia. Grace obtained her Bachelor of Arts with Education degree at the University of Zambia in 2005. She later did the Cambridge International Diploma in Project Management with the University of Cambridge-International Examinations in 2009. Grace went on to do further studies at the National University of Ireland-Galway where she studied Gender, Globalisation and Rights and graduated in 2013 with the Second-Class Honours Grade 1. In 2019, Grace graduated with a Master of Science degree in Project Management at the University of Lusaka. Grace joined the Campaign for Female Education (CAMFED) in 2007 as a Program Officer-Education and has been climbing the ladder to Senior Program Officer, Training Manager, Education Manager and currently serving as a Program Manager. As a Program Manager, Grace plans, coordinates, and oversees the implementation of projects in Education and Young Women Empowerment programs. She provides technical support to the Monitoring and Evaluation team on project evaluations and research. Grace sat on the ZANEC Board as Vice Board Secretary and Gender and Equity Chairperson. Grace has over the years managed different donor contracts ensuring that projects are managed as per donor requirements. Grace represents the organization in various stakeholder high level meetings and networks with other Civil Society organizations and government ministries. Before joining CAMFED, she worked with HODI on a UNHCR Refugee Project as a SGBV/HIV/AIDS Coordinator.
Tibebe Deribe
Ethiopia (Org: Help Age International)Tibebe Deribe is a Program Coordinator at the HelpAge International, Ethiopia country office having more than 10 years of experience in humanitarian response programs. He earned a Diploma in Nursing from Rehoboth Medical College, and a Bachelor of Applied Human Nutrition from Bahir Dar University in 2019. He is a candidate for a master’s degree in project planning and management at Gambela University. In his career, he has been working in different regions of Ethiopia including Amhara, Oromia, South Nation, Nationalities, and Peoples (SNNP) and Gambela. His first employment was as an Assistant Lecturer in a private nursing college. Later he joined a humanitarian organization, Plan International in the year 2011, in the capacity of CMAM supervisor where he worked for 3 years. After that, he joined Action Contre La Faim (ACF), MERLIN, International Medical Corps (IMC), and Save the Children International. He received a variety of training on key program/project management areas, including project management, budget management, staff management, humanitarian accountability, partnerships and report writing, which contributes to his achievement at a different level of his career. He is a well-experienced humanitarian aid working in both host communities and refugee setups, ranging from responding to immediate humanitarian emergencies like disease outbreaks, flood, conflict-affected areas, and other humanitarian programs including health, nutrition, WASH, livestock, agriculture, livelihood, and general protection programs.
Ahmed Abdullah
Iraq (Org: Norwegian Refugee Council)Ahmed Abdullah, a 30-year-old humanitarian professional from Anbar Governorate, Iraq, holds a Master’s degree in Geophysics from Baghdad University, where he excelled as a top performer. With eight years of experience in conflict-affected settings, Ahmed specializes in strategic design and relationship management. Currently serving as a Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning Coordinator at NRC, Ahmed oversees MEL plans for multiple projects, designs data collection tools, and conducts capacity-building workshops. Prior roles include Monitoring & Evaluation Officer and Protection Monitoring and Capacity Building Officer, where he demonstrated his expertise in ensuring data accuracy and supporting vulnerable populations. Ahmed is fluent in Arabic, proficient in English, and possesses excellent coordination, communication, and leadership skills. Committed to professional development, he has undergone training in Safe Inclusive Programming and Hostile Environment Awareness. Known for his ability to work under stress and maintain confidentiality, Ahmed is dedicated to making impactful contributions to humanitarian efforts.
Karim Vandi Coker
Sierra Leone (Org: Doctors Without Borders)Karim Vandi Coker is a 31-year-old sociology graduate from Njala University in Sierra Leone. He is currently pursuing a Master of Science degree in Humanitarian Practice at the University of Manchester UK. Karim works as a Health Promoter Supervisor for Doctors Without Borders (MSF) Belgium and has over 5 years of experience in Health Promotion, Behavior Change Communication, Child Protection, and Community-based Programming as well as Sexual and Gender-Based Violence. He has worked with Doctors Without Borders (MSF OCA & OCB) and Action Aid International in various capacities, managing Community Health initiatives and educational programs with diverse teams. Karim is an experienced Community Health Advocate with a proven track record in promoting people-centred healthcare and managing integrated community case management, risk communication, and access to healthcare for sexual violence survivors. He is an asset to the MSF-OCB Kenema Hospital Project, where he facilitates community acceptance and participation in health service delivery in collaboration with Community health workers, voluntary blood donors, traditional birth attendants, traditional healers and health development committees. Karim is passionate about empowering communities and women to increase control over their health and improve their well-being. He believes in harnessing community inputs and fostering collective actions to improve the resilience of marginalized groups, pregnant women, girls, and people living with disabilities, especially in health emergencies. Karim has a critical interest in mental health promotion targeting youths to abstain from drug abuse. He believes that the socioeconomic impacts of mental health can be devastating for youth empowerment and national development.
Jacqueline Anena
Uganda (Org: PATH)Jacqueline Anena is a public health specialist and a technical advisor for vaccines and immunization at PATH, leading efforts to improve immunization coverage and vaccines supply chain and logistics. For the last six years Jacqueline has supported the Uganda National Expanded Program on Immunization (UNEPI) with providing technical assistance in program work planning and coordination, development of implementation strategies such as the National Immunization Strategy, the immunization supply chain strategy, Human Papilloma Virus vaccine coverage improvement plan among others. She is passionate about use of human centered design in designing approaches and strategies that focus on improving user’s experience. Outside her job description, she is a mental health enthusiast and taking on initiatives to improve mental health in workplaces and among the cooperate community. Jacqueline holds a Master’s Degree in Public Health and has over 12 years of experience in implementing Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Programs. She was previously a Global Health Corps (GHC) Fellow and a staff at World Vision in Uganda.
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.
Sally Holmes
United States (Org: Lanesa)Sally Holmes is a Development & Communications Specialist at Landesa, where she writes content to support strategic communications goals and seeks mission-aligned grant funding. Prior to her current role, she worked for a global health non-profit and a global education social enterprise. Sally also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in rural Zambia focused on aquaculture capacity. She holds a Master of Public Administration in International Development from the University of Washington Evans School of Public Policy & Governance and a Bachelor of Arts in Environmental Policy from Colby College. Sally’s professional interests include sustainable agriculture, marine conservation, and ethical storytelling.
Afroza Mahzabeen Anannya
Bangladesh (Org: Norwegian Refugee Council)Afroza Mahzabeen Anannya has seven years of experience in the field of climate and environment in the humanitarian and development sector and earned her MSc degree in International Environmental Studies from the Norwegian University of Life Sciences. As a technical professional at the Norwegian Refugee Council, she focused on capacity building of national and regional centers working with Climate and weather information and bringing scientific and indigenous community knowledge together to build climate resilience. Afroza is passionate about tackling climate change issues and is highly motivated to drive solution-oriented work to tackle the climate crisis the world is facing at present. As Thematic Manager for Climate Services, Afroza has collaborated with various organizations in different continents, undertaken several field missions, and led several climate change-related projects. Throughout her experience in past years, she has developed program and project management skills as well as operational skills to bring research and operational aspects together.
Denis Afunwi
Cameroon (Org: Norwegian Refugee Council)Denis Afunwi is a civil engineer and project management professional with over seven years of progressive experience in managing projects in the development and humanitarian sectors. He earned a Bachelor of Engineering degree in civil engineering from the Catholic University of Cameroon (CATUC), Bamenda and a certificate in project management and evaluation from the Pan-African Institute for Development (PAID-WA). Upon completion of studies, he was integrated in a team of technicians of the Bambui Water Authority (BAWA); a user managed water supply scheme in Bambui Village where he served as a research engineer evaluating the water supply system and recommending both managerial and technical solutions to improve water supply to a growing community of over 20,000 inhabitants. Denis further served as an individual consultant with the national community driven development program where he conducted feasibility studies for the rehabilitation, construction and extension 4 gravity water supply schemes in the North West regions of Cameroon and later held multiple roles with INGOs in the North West and South West regions including WASH Officer with Plan International, Environmental Health Manager with the International Rescue Committee and WASH/Shelter Coordinator with the Norwegian Refugee Council. His most recent achievement is related to tackling the issue of sustainability in user managed water supply systems where he initiated and piloted the establishment of a water governance network in the North West and South West regions of Cameroon where through workshops, strategies are being developed to tackle the problem of unsustainable water systems.