Scholars

Jouvens Corantin has seventeen years of experience in the nonprofit sector. He holds a Master’s degree in Control and Audit from the Universite Quisqueya of Haiti. He has worked as a Finance and Administration Director in Heifer International under Heifer International, World Bank, European Union and IDB funding, that helped gather greater understanding in rural development. Previously, Jouvens Corantin worked as a Finance Director with I-TECH, a CDC funded program which provided health mechanisms and systems to alleviate the conditions of those living with HIV/AID and other diseases. Jouvens has also worked as a volunteer for International Child Care and Grace Children Hospital.

Masalu Luhula is a Land Tenure Specialist at Landesa’s Tanzania office and an advocate of the Supreme Court of Tanzania. He is the former coordinator of the National Working Group on Land-Based Investment in Tanzania. He has eight years of experience working on land rights, responsible investment in real estate and land, and has published on land rights and investment. Masalu is also serves as a lead ambassador for Tanzania for the Lex: Lead Group.

Revelation Nyirongo has more than four years of professional experience in nonprofit, nongovernmental and governmental organizations. He earned a Bachelor of Science in Mathematical Sciences at the University of Malawi. While working as an mHealth & Data Warehousing Specialist, Revelation’s work in remote Neno district in Malawi, has helped improve data management collected by Community Health Workers using pioneer mobile health technology. His work has resulted in more people being screened and existing clients in HIV and NCD programs being effectively followed up and visits being properly managed. Prior to receiving the Global Health Corps Fellowship as a Medical Informatics Specialist working on Electronic Medical Records, Revelation worked at the High Commission of India in Lilongwe and as a lecturer at a local college. Revelation has participated in various volunteer projects and youth and leadership development positions. These experiences have solidified his grant and project management skills. He enjoys discussing topics related to youth leadership and development, personal and professional development, and has a strong passion for global health equity.

Rhian Gastineau is from the United States of America but was born and raised in Zambia and Kenya. She has over twenty-five years of experience in the International Humanitarian Field in complex emergencies, post conflict countries and in disease specific projects. In her twenty-one years at Médecins Sans Frontières/Doctors without Borders (MSF), she has held several positions, ranging from Project Coordinator, Liaison Officer, Deputy Head of Mission, and currently, Head of Mission/Country Director. As Country Director Rhian is responsible for all MSF activities in the country. She works with the country management team to set strategies for the country as well as for the medical activities in the project locations. Supporting the Ministry of Health in different countries, Rhian has conducted exploratory missions that resulted in projects for specificially Sleeping Sickness, Multi-Drug Resistant Tuberculosis (MDR-TB), and maternal/child health, among others. In Sierra Leone, along with the medical coordinator, she established the first decentralized diagnosis and treatment center for MDR-TB in the country, in support of the National TB Program Strategy. Rhian holds a Bachelor of Arts in History/Political Science from Point Loma Nazarene University as well as a Master of Science in International Relations from University of Bristol. Her passion is providing healthcare to populations who do not have access to quality healthcare in under-resourced settings, and to those suffering from neglected diseases.

Shibu Vijayan is a medical doctor specializing in public health serving as Global Tuberculosis Technical Director at PATH. With experience in developing, deploying, evaluating, and scaling health service delivery platforms in collaboration with governments and partners, he has played a critical role in building partnerships for scaling tuberculosis projects in India. His work focuses on the adoption of digital technologies to transform the patient experience as they move through treatment by introducing artificial intelligence tools and digital adherence tools. He has led flagship tuberculosis projects worldwide for PATH and co-authored international guidelines with the Stop TB Partnership to promote private sector, digital tools and new diagnostic tools. In addition, Shibu represented PATH on the WHO Core Group on Private Public Mix (PPM) and the Stop TB-led Working Group on New Diagnostics, and published articles in peer-reviewed journals on PPM, diabetes, and TB and health systems. Shibu worked at all levels of the health system, from a primary health center to secondary and tertiary teaching hospitals, in health care delivery and in management of the national TB program. As a survivor of tuberculosis and a physician, he now wants to streamline the delivery of health services that is resilient to pandemics and improve the quality of services.

Simon Mwangi has more than five years of experience working on education, employment, disability, marginalization and inclusion. He is currently the Program Manager for the COVID -19 Recovery and Resilience Program, focusing on inclusive education and inclusive livelihoods. Previously, he served as Program Manager for the professional fellows’ program on inclusive development and as Project Assistant for the Inclusive Disability Employment Project at HI. He volunteered in inclusive education support in informal settlements in Kenya as a teacher support. Prior to joining HI, he was the chair of an organization he founded at Kenyatta University which advocated for the rights of people with disabilities and creates awareness in local communities. Through his strong leadership and interpersonal skills, he has built meaningful relationships with relevant stakeholders so that the projects and programs he has initiated and supported are successful and sustainable. He has awakened the spirit of volunteerism, innovation, advocacy, community service, and activism. His collective efforts in community service were recognized by the Kenyatta University student governing body and awarded Community Service Person of the Year. He recently participated in the Young Africa Leadership Initiative Fellowship in the Public Management track. He enjoys and aspires to focus on young people with disabilities. He believes it is important to put people at the center of development so that progress is equitable and broad-based and people can actively participate in social, economic, and political change.

Susan Silika is committed to supporting young women in Malawi to achieve economic independence and build their leadership potential. Susan joined CAMFED Malawi as a Finance Manager and later became the Head of Finance. After gaining a deep understanding of CAMFED’s programs, Susan transitioned to Operations and was promoted to Operations Director shortly before assuming her current role as a National Director in 2022. Susan oversees CAMFED’s holistic interventions that serve the education of the most marginalized girls and young women. She works closely with the Ministry of Education – including on academic catch-up programs in the wake of the COVID -19 pandemic – and with CAMFED’s Association of Women Leaders on its governance structures, supporting the network’s activities, and creating an ecosystem in which young women can thrive and become independent and influential. Susan holds a Chartered Management Accounting Qualification from the Chartered Institute of Management Accountants in the UK. She holds a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration from at the University of Malawi, Polytechnic, and a master’s degree in Business Administration from the Eastern and Southern Africa Institute of Management (ESAMI).

Yesani Kapanda is a development worker with a master’s degree in Project Management from at University of Bolton. He has nine years of professional experience in implementing development projects. He has managed big projects on health, education, water and sanitation, gender, and social support. His special interest is in researching innovative interventions that address the needs of vulnerable people. Currently, Yesani is the Director for Strategic Partnership and Grants Acquisition at Partners in Health, where he strategically leads the organization in grants acquisition processes through business development, and develops strategic partnerships. Previously, he worked for Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO) in different portfolios, rising to the position of Programme Manager. At VSO, he led implementation of an innovative Education Technology program aimed at improving literacy and numeracy levels among early grade learners, working hand in hand with the Ministry of Education. Yesani has also worked as a Program Manager for Marie Stopes International, where he was managing both clinical staff in the implementation of project activities aimed at reducing and preventing HIV infections, as well as increasing availability and choice of quality family planning services among young women. Yesani has also worked with Concern Worldwide and local organizations on sexual and reproductive health rights, safe motherhood, and water and sanitation. In his free time, he likes to offer pro bono services to Community Based Organizations (CBOs), especially on building their capacity in the areas of resource mobilization.