Fellows

Boluwatife Michael-Biyi is an International Development Professional with over 7 years of experience working with nonprofits, local and international organizations such as the African Union, identifying and leveraging partnerships and contract opportunities, delivering sustained results, and managing projects from idea to impact. Bolu’ specializes in social innovation, a passion that is driven by his belief that business should be used as a force for good. He earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Covenant University, Nigeria where he also served as the President of the Student’ Union, and a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from Swansea University in the United Kingdom. Bolu’ is passionate about Impact and Learning, he thrives on initiating conversations that change mindsets and open up new possibilities. He also enjoys focusing on the thematic areas of civic engagement, education, and public health.

Host Organization: Steelcase Inc.

Role at Host Organization: At Steelcase Inc, Bolu’ will be serving as the Steelcase Social Innovation Fellow with a focus on Global Learning Community management. He will accomplish several strategic outcomes, including: fast-tracking the process of uncovering previously hidden opportunities for the adoption of new practices across the community​, increasing the number of total connections between previously disconnected partners, and strengthening the adaptive capacity of participating individuals and organizations to accelerate their personal and professional growth.

Chibuonu Obiageli Ezennabike is a public health professional with ten years of experience in the non-profit sector. Chibuonu earned a Bachelor’s of Science degree in Microbiology from Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University Uli, Anambra State of Nigeria. While working as the Monitoring and Evaluation Officer with Caritas Nigeria on the 4GATES Project, a CDC-funded HIV/AIDS program, she helped improve the PMTCT program monitoring and evaluation by designing reporting tools, building capacity of facility staff, and ensuring data quality in Eastern Nigeria. She also coordinated the monitoring and evaluation activities of the Pediatric and Adolescent Program and FLAGSHIP Program in Delta State and ensured consistent availability of data for tracking project progress and making informed decisions. Previously, Chibuonu volunteered as a data entry clerk for RISE Clinic Nigeria for some months before being employed by the organization. Chibuonu worked with RISE Clinic Nigeria (subsidiary of RISE GHI San Diego U.S), a community-based organization to plan and implement community outreach events, health fairs and to promote health education in rural communities of Anambra State. In this role, she was also responsible for research, monitoring and evaluation of Nigeria’s Epilepsy Care Advancement Program. Chibuonu, over these years, has developed skills in monitoring and evaluation, research, health education, health system strengthening, institutional capacity building, and project management. Chibuonu enjoys focusing on adolescent, maternal and child health issues, and has a strong passion for research. She is very optimistic that efficient and effective use of data in research and public health interventions will ensure sustainability and improvement of health systems in Africa.

Host Organization: ideas42

Role at Host Organization: At ideas42, Chibuonu will serve as a Behavioral Design Fellow: contributing to different behavioral design projects in Global Health and participating in professional development opportunities, specifically around behavioral science and program.

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, Eesearch 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.

Emmanuella Ezike is a project management specialist and a monitoring and evaluation expert with over four years of experience in the non-profit and public health sector as well as in community development. She earned a Bachelor’s degree in Microbiology from The University of Nigeria, Nsukka in Nigeria, and a Master’s degree in Public Health from the University of Lagos. Over the past three years, Emmanuella has helped drive social change by supporting the implementation and evaluation of public health programs by leveraging quality data to facilitate evidence-based decisions for determining the success of programs. She has worked on programs with partnerships from organizations like Facebook, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Clinton Health Access Initiative to support the planning, implementation, and evaluation of programs. Previously, Emmanuella worked as a Program Analyst where she developed a data quality assessment framework for evaluating post-program impact in three Nigerian states. Emmanuella has volunteered as a Community Engagement Officer for organizations including Habitat for Humanity. Through these experiences, she has developed superior data analysis, evaluation, and technical reporting skills. Emmanuella has a strong passion for strenghtening health systems, education, and women empowerment and strives to achieve social impact by creating and implementing program evaluation elements for high-impact projects in local and international communities.

Host Organization: Medici Road

Role at Host Organization: As the Evaluation Fellow, Emmanuella will compile, verify, and communicate data driven strategies that will inform Medici Road’s work and transform information into action. This Fellow will utilize mixed methods research strategies to manage the day-to-day operations of research and/or evaluation projects. In this role, the Fellow will be able to create recommendations on improving both Medici Road, and non- Medici Road, programs.

Foluso has four years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned her Medical degree from Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Nigeria. She also earned a Master’s Degree in Public Health in Developing Countries as a Chevening Scholar from London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Foluso is the co-founder and International Programs Coordinator of the Global Youth Coalition against Cancer, where she advocates for cervical cancer prevention and the access of young people to screening, HPV testing, and vaccines. Previously, she worked as a program consultant to conduct an impact assessment of the Mobile Midwife Project in Nigeria funded by Grameen Foundation. She also worked as a volunteer with the Lagos State Government on the implementation of the Pro Poor Community Health Project funded by Japanese International Cooperation Agency (JICA). Foluso led community and state wide projects as a Medical Officer with Rivers State Ministry of Health to provide maternal health services to women in rural regions and slums. She served as a Student Ambassador at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine where she supported the coordination of programs organized by the institution. She is a member of the Royal Society of Public Health and the Interagency Working Group on Reproductive Health in Crises. Foluso is a 2012 Maternal Health Young Champion Finalist and 2013 World Summit Youth Award Nominee. Through her education and work experiences, she has developed strong research, project coordination, implementation, and advocacy skills. Foluso enjoys focusing on the topics of reproductive and maternal health and has a strong passion for empowerment of women.

Host Organization: Susan G. Komen for the Cure

Role at Host Organization: Foluso will provide support to the Komen programs in Africa, including the Pink Ribbon Red Ribbon partnership. Foluso will work with the different components of the program, from breast cancer assessment reports to individual projects. She will also assist with data collection to assess impact. She will create presentations and market tools as necessary to communicate successes, progress, and needs in the region.

George is a development aficionado with eight years’ experience in the nonprofit sector and earned a Bachelor’s degree in Cell Biology and Genetics from the University of Lagos, Nigeria. He possesses exceptional knowledge in project formulation, data management, and research assignments in various donor-funded health and education projects including those of the World Bank, USAID, and Global Fund. While working as a Programme Officer (Health and Education) with the International Institute for Local Development under the Literacy in Education project, he worked in collaboration with USAID’s Northern Education Initiative Plus (NEI+) to improve the literacy skills in public primary school pupils in focus states in Nigeria. Previously, George worked as an ENR (Enhancing Nigeria’s Response to HIV/AIDS) consultant with the Society for Family Health, where he helped improve institutional and resource capacity of both government and community actors and scaled up access to services and commodities related to health matters especially Malaria, Cervical Cancer, and HIV & AIDS. George believes in community volunteerism, which led him to join the Nigerian Red Cross Society as a Service Group Member. Through these experiences, he developed strong Monitoring and Evaluation skills in both education and health interventions. In addition to his multilingual skills in English, Igbo, and basic French, he is also very passionate about socioeconomic development strengthening and also fostering positive and sustainable change in his country and the world as a whole.

Host Organization: Sheltering Arms

Role at Sheltering Arms At Sheltering Arms, George will collect, compile and analyze programmatic data with a lens toward outcome study, development and implementation. He will work closely with the programs, quality improvement, and development teams and with senior leadership to identify and develop outcome measures to be utilized in designated programs.

Isaiah Owolabi has over six years of experience working to implement and advocate for development initiatives aimed at combating HIV/AIDS, Malaria and Environment Degradation and incorporating business models for such interventions. He is the project director and co-founder of HACEY’s Health Initiative, a nongovernmental organization supporting and empowering vulnerable children, women and young people in Africa to live a healthy and productive life. He is also a co-founder and currently serves as the executive chair of the International Youth Alliance on Family Planning (IYAFP). He is the author of the book HIV/AIDS – The future of the infected and affected. He is also a contributing author to the Girls Sexual Health Promotion training manual and the co-author for the Sanitation and Hygiene Training Manual for School Children. Isaiah holds a Bachelor’s of Science in Human Physiology. He is a One Young World Ambassador, Alumni of the United States Consulate Carrington Youth Fellowship Initiative, a member of the International AIDS Society, Young Investigator Award winner for his presentation on Oral contraceptive at the International Union of Physiological Science Congress in Kyoto, Japan, and a 2012 finalist for the Commonwealth Youth Award for excellence in development. Isaiah is an International Associate of Wagner College, New York- a recognition of his completion of 6 weeks experiential learning program on Civic Leadership. In July 2014, Isaiah became an alumni of President Barack Obama’s prestigious Mandela Washington Fellowship for Young African Leaders program (Young African Leaders Initiative – YALI). He is passionate about implementing programs and advocating for policies that will help vulnerable people live a healthy and productive life.

Host Organization: GBCHealth

Role at Host Organization: Isaiah, in his role as Program Manager, will provide management and leadership for GBCHealth’ Corporate Alliance for Malaria in Africa (CAMA). He will bring his technical and programmatic expertise to increase business engagement in multi-sector collaboration to fight malaria in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Ochuko has two years of experience in the nonprofit sector, and earned a Bachelor’s of Science in Biochemistry from Delta State University, and a Master’s degree in Pharmacology and Therapeutics from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. While working as a Research Fellow with the Institute for Advanced Medical Research and Training in Nigeria under the WHO-funded malaria program, she helped improve the health of children living with malaria in western Nigeria. She also carried out the implementation and documentation of high quality research including the diagnosis of P. falciparum in saliva and blood specimen using rapid diagnostic test. This study was a landmark study, for the first time malaria was diagnosed using saliva specimen in Nigeria. Ochuko has volunteered as a Community Health Officer in different capacities, including for a help fare program annually held in Port-Harcourt, which involves offering free medical treatment to the poor and less privileged in the society. Over the years, she has accrued competencies in research and community health. Ochuko has a strong passion for maternal and child health.

Host Organization: GBCHealth