Leadership Development

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 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.

Sylvia Privette has more than 15 years of experience in HR management and processes. She has a BA in International Relations and an MA in Human Resources. After living abroad and travelling around the world, she is settled in Peru where she collaborates at a French based NGO, that works alongside people with disabilities in times of peace, conflict, and natural disaster. She is passionate about helping others and is interested in studying about human behavior and leadership.

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, 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.

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.

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.

Samuel Asare-Danquah is a Monitoring, Evaluation, Research and Learning (MERL) specialist with a diverse background in Monitoring and Evaluation, Accounting and Finance, Marketing, and Energy Economics. He has a varied career history in monitoring and evaluation, research, market research account management, and consulting. With two Master’s degrees in Energy Economics and Accounting and Finance from prestigious institutions in Ghana, Samuel has continually sought to enhance his knowledge and expertise in the field. He also holds a Post Graduate Diploma in Monitoring and Evaluation from the Ghana Institute of Management and Public Administration (GIMPA) and a Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM – UK) with a Chartered Marketer status and a member of CIM-UK. With over fifteen years of experience working with multinational institutions, Samuel is a passionate MERL professional and strategist. His career journey has seen him grow from an M&E officer at CAMFED Ghana to his current role as Head of MERL, where he provides strategic guidance, ensures the functional integration of MERL activities into program design, and oversees the implementation of cross-team projects. Prior to his role at CAMFED, Samuel also worked as a market research executive at Kantar Ghana, where he managed key accounts such as BAT, Diageo, MTN, and Coca Cola. A natural leader, Samuel has successfully led diverse teams of professionals on various projects, showcasing his ability to drive performance and deliver results.

Victor Ayara is a lawyer with diverse experiences spanning from private, public and the humanitarian sector. With more than six years experience in humanitarian and development world, he has worked in several contexts assisting conflict and displacement affected population access and enjoy their rights with the view to achieving durable solutions. Considering the centrality of land in conflicts and displacement in both emergency and development context, Victor has proficiently utilized his lawyering skills to assist conflict and displacement affected people claim and exercise their housing, land and property rights, as well as their legal and civil identity rights by providing appropriate information, counseling and facilitating legal assistance to them. He has been a field staff with firsthand experience providing humanitarian relief under diverse portfolio of donor funding from German, UK, Swiss, and Norwegian government projects. With vigor passion and competence, Victor has now advanced into the mid-management position as the Information Counseling and Legal Assistance (ICLA) Coordinator, positioning him as the head and the leader of his team and department. He is presently charged with the task of coordinating the affairs of his team towards achieving his overall organizational objective of rights respected and people protected. Victor enjoys adventure, reading and has fulfillment in exhibition of true leadership and seeing smiles on people’s faces.

Dr. Siddharth Narendran is a distinguished medical professional and researcher currently serving as a Medical Officer at Aravind Eye Hospital, Coimbatore, and a Faculty member at Aravind Medical Research Foundation. His educational journey began with earning an MBBS and MS in Ophthalmology from Dr. MGR University and Aravind Eye Hospital. Driven by a passion for advanced research, Dr. Siddharth pursued a postdoctoral fellowship in Ocular Immunology and Genetics under the guidance of Dr. Jayakrishna Ambati at the University of Virginia. Dr. Siddharth’s exceptional work has been acknowledged through numerous awards, including the AIOS-HOYA Young Researcher Award, the JM Pahwa award from VRSI, the Col Rangachari Award from AIOS, and the American Academy of Ophthalmology Best Paper Award in 2023. Notably, he was the first Indian recipient of the Resident and Fellow Research Award by the Association of University Professors in Ophthalmology. In addition to his academic achievements, Dr. Siddharth holds patents related to the treatment of neurodegenerative diseases and CRISPR-based diagnostics, showcasing his innovative approach to tackling complex medical challenges. Dr. Siddharth’s primary aim is to develop and strengthen the research capacity and capabilities in India, enabling the country to effectively study and address its own unique problems in the field of ophthalmology. By fostering a robust research ecosystem, he hopes to empower Indian scientists and medical professionals to find solutions tailored to the needs of the Indian population, ultimately improving eye care and overall health outcomes in the country.

Ange Ishimwe Benimana is a talented accountant known for her exceptional ability to manage numbers and navigate financial complexities. She is deeply committed to empowering women and dedicates her time to mentorship, advocacy, and actively participating in initiatives that support women’s advancement. Outside of work, she enjoys workouts, movies, music, traveling, and dining out with loved ones.

Belinda Oluoch is a supply chain professional with nine years of professional experience in the industry. She is currently heading the Inventory department at SHOFCO, a grassroot movement across Kenya slums providing services, community advocacy platforms, education and leadership development for women and girls. A proud graduate of Maseno University with a Bachelor’s degree. She was inspired to pursue a career in Business Administration with IT, Supply Chain Management Option, since it offers a wide variety of opportunities for career advancement and also had a chance to create positive impact indirectly, in the urban slums of Kenya through SHOFCO. Her responsibilities in her current role include overseeing a team of inventory staff, managing an inventory tracking system, evaluating deliveries and stock levels, analyzing daily stock and supply, managing assets and ensuring the programs team members get their resources in a timely manner to support their daily activities. Her professional abilities also lie in Procurement and Logistics management. Besides her professional career, her passion is to fight stigma and discrimination against mental illnesses and people living with mental health conditions. She is also passionate about diversity, equity and inclusion. She is currently supporting SHOFCO in Mental Health awareness creation through trainings as a TOT and mentor under the Youth Voice Project, across the country. Her dream is to have a world free from mental illnesses, especially among the youth.