One Young World Academy Series - Global Health

Emeritus Professor Rose Gana Fomban Leke

Emeritus Professor Rose Gana Fomban Leke is a renowned Cameroonian immunologist and parasitologist, Fellow of CAS, AAS, and TWAS. She served as Head of Department and Director of the Biotechnology Centre at the University of Yaoundé I until 2013. She chairs the National Medical Research Institute (IMPM) and serves on numerous national and international scientific committees.

She has received major honors including the AU Kwame Nkrumah Scientific Award (2011), ASTMH International Honorary Fellowship (2015), and the 2023 Virchow Prize for Global Health. In 2024, she won the L’Oréal-UNESCO Women in Science Award for Africa and the Arab States. She was named a 2018 Heroine of Health and featured as ICON #24 in Forbes Africa (2021).

Professor Leke chairs the GAVI Independent Review Committee and the MIM Secretariat, and has held key roles with WHO, including chairing the African Commission that declared Africa wild polio-free in 2020. Her research focuses on malaria immunology, and she is a strong advocate for global health and health systems strengthening. Through the HIGHER Women Consortium, she mentors emerging scientists and promotes STEM education for girls across Cameroon.

Magalie Laguerre Wilkinson

Magalie Laguerre-Wilkinson is a multiple award-winning journalist. She served as Vice President of News Programming and Executive Producer of NICK NEWS at Paramount/Nickelodeon until November 2024. Prior to joining Nickelodeon, she worked for 60 MINUTES, America’s most watched news program, for 16 years. She produced stories for the late Ed Bradley and Bob Simon as well as Lesley Stahl, Anderson Cooper and Oprah Winfrey. She was the lead producer on one of the broadcast’s most memorable and inspiring stories about an orchestra in the heart of Africa, the Kimbanguist Symphony Orchestra in the Democratic Republic of Congo which won Peabody and Emmy accolades.

Magalie has reported from the far corners of the world and covered countless domestic stories. Her Haitian roots have made her an invaluable producer on CBS News coverage of the country, including an Emmy-winning 60 MINUTES report on the deadly earthquake there in 2010.

Magalie also served as a correspondent for the “60 Minutes” online franchise, “60 MINUTES Overtime” and for CBS News. In addition, she was a reporter for CUNY-TV” and co-hosted the Carnegie Council’s digital franchise, “Ethics Matter”. Magalie also serves as moderator and master of ceremonies for a number of events including The French Institute/Alliance Française, The Voices of Faith Women’s Conferences at The Vatican, The Haitian Ladies Network and The American Friends of Rabin Medical Center, among others. Before joining 60 MINUTES, she worked as an associate producer and producer for anchorman Tom Brokaw at NBC News. Magalie lives in New York City with her husband, Bruce. They’re parents to two daughters, Juliette and Joséphine.

Isaiah Owolabi

HACEY established in 2007, is committed to eliminating malaria in Nigeria by focusing on vulnerable groups, particularly pregnant women and children under five, using the ABCD principle: Awareness of risk, Bite prevention, Chemoprophylaxis, Diagnosis, and prompt treatment.

To date, we have distributed over 200,000 long-lasting insecticide-treated nets to pregnant women and mothers of young children. More than 30,000 pregnant women have received Intermittent Preventive Treatment in Pregnancy (IPTp) with sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine. Through community outreach, we’ve reached over 50,000 people with malaria testing and raised awareness about prevention and the importance of testing before treatment.

Our efforts include social and traditional media campaigns reaching over 1,000,000 Nigerians with malaria prevention and management messages, training programs for community leaders, and support for government malaria initiatives, integrating them with broader health interventions. We achieve this through strategic partnerships with the private sector, government, nonprofits, media, and community leaders to maximise impact and scale.

Carol Pandak

Carol Pandak is the Director of Rotary International’s PolioPlus program. She directs all aspects of Rotary’s polio eradication effort and serves on multiple committees and management groups of the Global Polio Eradication Initiative. Her work has taken her all over the world where she has participated in polio immunization campaigns and high-level technical meetings.

Carol is the staff liaison to Rotary’s International PolioPlus Committee and works closely with the partners in the Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI) including WHO, UNICEF, US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and Gavi, the Vaccine Alliance.

David Heymann

David Heymann is a medical doctor and epidemiologist, and Professor of Infectious Disease Epidemiology at LSHTM. From 1989 to 2009 he held various leadership positions in infectious diseases at WHO including polio eradication, and in 2003 headed the WHO global response to SARS in his role as executive director of communicable diseases. In 1976, after spending two years working in India on smallpox eradication, he was a member of the CDC (Atlanta) team to investigate the first Ebola outbreak in DRC and stayed on in sub-Saharan Africa for 13 years in various field research positions on Ebola, monkeypox, Lassa Fever, malaria and other tropical diseases after which he was seconded by CDC to WHO.

He has published over 275 peer reviewed articles and book chapters, is editor of the Control of Communicable Diseases Manual, and is an elected member of the UK Academy of Medical Sciences and the US National Academy of Medicine. In 2009 he was named an Honorary Commander of the Most Excellent Order of the British Empire for services to global health.

Shudufhadzo Musida

Shudufhadzo 'Shudu' Musida is an Author and Mental Health Champion, whose journey is rooted in a deep commitment to humanitarian causes, shaped by her childhood experiences and an unwavering desire to uplift her community. Crowned as Miss South Africa in 2020, she transformed her title into a platform for meaningful change, dedicating her advocacy to mental health and sustainable development.

Shudu's journey is deeply rooted in her belief in the transformative power of education. This belief was the bedrock of her academic pursuits, culminating in a Bachelor of Social Science degree in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Pretoria, followed by an Honours degree in International Relations from the University of Witwatersrand.

As the first Regional Champion for Eastern and Southern Africa with UNFPA, Shudu has become a force for sexual reproductive health rights and mental health. Her impactful work extends to the written word, with two authored books on mental health earning her well-deserved recognition.

Emmanuel Eegbroko

Emmanuel is the founder and CEO of inocul8.com.ng, an organization dedicated to helping African families access preventive healthcare interventions, including polio immunisations. Under his leadership, Inocul8 has increased access to oral polio vaccines (OPV) and inactivated polio vaccines (IPV) for thousands of Nigerian children.

TThe organisation operates mobile services to bring polio immunisations directly to children and provides access point immunization clinics where families can walk in to get their babies immunised. Inocul8 has trained over 1,000 health professionals on immunisations and is at the forefront of combating vaccine hesitancy towards polio vaccines, reaching over a million caregivers with accurate information annually.

Additionally, Emmanuel spearheaded the development of app.cowva.com, a technology platform that aids in vaccine education, appointment reminders, vaccination documentation, efficient operations, and maintaining immunisation records.

Sunday Olyel

Olyel, from Northern Uganda, is the Director of a disability rights organisation called PESA-Africa. Before the age of one, Olyel contracted polio which made both his legs powerless. As a result, Olyel was discriminated against by his community, fellow pupils at school, and even by his own family. His organisation, PESA-Africa (Persons with Special Abilities - Africa), promotes inclusion, education, advocacy, and employment for people with disabilities.

Her Excellency Toyin Saraki

As Founder-President of The Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Her Excellency Mrs Toyin Ojora Saraki is a global advocate for women’s and children’s health and empowerment, with over two decades of advocacy covering reproductive, maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health; ending gender-based discrimination and violence; and improving education, socio-economic empowerment, and community livelihoods in sub- Saharan Africa.

Mrs Saraki is the Inaugural and Emeritus Global Goodwill Ambassador for the International Confederation of Midwives (ICM); special adviser and member of the Independent Advisory Group (IAG) of the World Health Organization’s (WHO) Regional Office for Africa (AFRO), was named by Devex as UHC Global Champion, is the UNFPA Nigeria Family Planning Champion, the Save the Children Newborn Health Champion for Nigeria; and is a Global Champion for the White Ribbon Alliance for Safe Motherhood.

Mrs Saraki is a member of the International Steering Committee ICPD25 and was appointed the inaugural WHO Foundation Global Health Ambassador in 2022. Mrs Saraki currently sits on the Board of Trustees for Seed Global Health, the Leadership Council of Africa Reach and the Global Advisory Board of the World Humanitarian Forum. Recently, in 2024, Mrs Saraki was appointed a World Economic Forum Champion for Global Health and the Honorary Patron of LifeLine International.
 

Vimbai Masiyiwa

Vimbai Masiyiwa, is a 29-year-old businesswoman and co-founder of Batoka Africa, a purpose-driven hospitality company and the first black female-owned Safari Lodge group in Africa. In her role as co-founder and Creative Director, she has led the strategic repositioning of Batoka Africa for investments in Zimbabwe and the expansion in Sub-Saharan Africa. Her mission is to create sustainable social enterprises in the travel industry to empower communities and reimagine travel. She is working towards the development of the African tourism industry as a whole, changing the narrative around Africa.

Testament to realising her vision, Vimbai was named as part of the Forbes 30 under 30 2024 cohort - a list celebrating influential and pioneering young African entrepreneurs. Having spent most of her childhood in South Africa, Vimbai strives to empower the African dream of success through ecotourism and hospitality, particularly through the Tesse Fund. By contributing 10% of revenue from guest stays to the fund, Batoka Africa employees can spearhead projects that uplift their local communities.

Vimbai also champions mental health and is a member of the Future Mental Health Collective, Kokoro Change, and serves in an advisory capacity for globally renowned organisations including the Africa Hospitality Investment Forum. Vimbai graduated with a BSc in Computer Information Systems from Bryant University, and a MSc in Entrepreneurship and Entrepreneurship sciences from University College London. She is currently based between London and Cape Town. She is the second eldest daughter of Tsitsi Masiyiwa and Strive Masiyiwa, a philanthropist and international business leader.

Mamello Makhele

As a Master of Public Health graduate with a background in Nursing, Midwifery, Gender Equality, and Public Health Policy, Mamello is steadfastly committed to enhancing maternal and child health within Lesotho's marginalised communities. She proudly served as the Global Leader for Lesotho with SheDecides, Board Member and Co-chair of the Safe Abortion Action Fund, and played an instrumental role with the Southern Africa AIDS Dissemination Service.

Dr. Estelle Monique Sidze

Dr. Estelle M. Sidze is a leading demographer specializing in maternal, newborn, and child health (MNCH) in Africa. She heads the MNCH and maternal mental health research portfolio at the African Population and Health Research Center (APHRC), promoting evidence-informed decision-making and African research leadership.

Dr. Sidze has led numerous large-scale research and advocacy projects focused on ending preventable maternal and child deaths by addressing social, structural, and household-level barriers, particularly among vulnerable groups such as young women, migrants, and the urban poor. She is principal investigator for several pioneering studies, including the Grand Challenges-funded Building Strong Minds project, the USAID-supported NAWIRI longitudinal study, and the NIH-funded JAMO project on maternal mental health in Nairobi slums.

As a technical lead for the Countdown to 2030 initiative, she advises on coverage and equity analyses across 26 African countries and co-authored its forthcoming Lancet report. Dr. Sidze also co-chairs the Union for African Population Studies (UAPS) family planning and sexual and reproductive health panel, which supports intellectual exchange and mentorship for African researchers. Her work is driven by a commitment to ensuring that decision-makers across sub-Saharan Africa have access to quality data to achieve equitable, inclusive health services and fulfill the SDG pledge to leave no one behind.

Dr Shireen Ghezel

Dr. Shireen is a highly accomplished GP and educator with a passion for empowering individuals to make informed decisions about their health and well-being. She graduated with Distinction in Medicine from Imperial College London in 2010, where she also earned a BSc in Gastroenterology, developing a deep understanding of gut health. She is a member of both the Royal College of Physicians and the Royal College of General Practitioners and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Medical Education from UCL. In September 2025, she will begin a Diploma in Dermatology to further expand her expertise in skincare.

Dr. Shireen has a special interest in Dermatology, Women’s Health, and Mental Health. She takes a holistic approach to care, combining her medical knowledge with her passion for beauty and wellness to help individuals look and feel their best. Her commitment to education and empowerment extends to her social media platforms, where she has built a large, engaged community on both Instagram and TikTok. As a GP and a mother of two young boys, Dr. Shireen brings a relatable perspective to her content, sharing insights from her personal and professional life. She creates varied and educational content, focusing on topics such as skincare, health, beauty, and parenting.

Dr. Shireen is experienced in giving talks, speaking on panels, participating in filming days, and supporting brands by attending events. She is deeply passionate about building authentic, longstanding relationships with brands that align with her values. Her collaborative approach and ability to connect meaningfully with her audience make her a trusted partner for brands in skincare, health, beauty, and wellness.

Phyllis Kyomuhendo

Phyllis Kyomuhendo is a passionate Ugandan social entrepreneur and innovator with seven years of experience in the social-innovations sector. Phyllis has a master´s degree in Public Health, and is a medical radiographer by profession. She is also the director and co-founder at the Ugandan startup, MSCAN.

Through MSCAN, she and her team develop low-cost mobile ultrasound devices to combat maternal and neonatal mortality in low resource settings. MSCAN has so far scanned over 10,000 pregnant women and detected over 1300 life threatening complications in pregnant women across East Africa. For this work, Phyllis has been profiled by CNN, BBC, Google, Meaningful Businesses 100, to mention but a few.

In 2018, Phyllis received an award as the overall young Achiever of the year in Uganda. The award was handed over by the current President of The Republic of Kenya, H.E Willian Samoei Auto. Phyllis is a 2019 Mandela Washington Fellow, a 2019 One Young World Summit Ugandan delegate, and a 2023 Global Good Fund Fellow. She was also awarded the Women in Tech Award at The GITEX Africa conference in 2023. She also mentors young girls under the STEM Queens program in Uganda.