Program

Dr. Arie Ben-Josef

Lecturer

Frankfurt School of Finance and Management

Dr. Ben-Josef is the former Head of Consulting Services at Greentec Capital Partners, investing exclusively in African start-ups and SMEs. Leveraging over 25 years of international experience in development and the start-up ecosystem, with a special focus on healthcare and medical technologies, Dr. Ben-Josef has managed the execution of multi-annual major projects for clients ranging from private corporations to international development agencies, including Germany’s GIZ and France’s AFD. Additionally, he has overseen incubation and investment in several portfolio and publicly traded companies, gaining vast global knowledge and stakeholder familiarity. Since 2018, he has been lecturing at the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management teaching entrepreneurship, innovation management, social entrepreneurship impact investments, and guiding MBA students in their master thesis and first steps as entrepreneurs.

Arnaud Mourot

VP, Changemaker Companies

Ashoka

Arnaud leads Ashoka’s Changemaker Companies, a global initiative aimed at empowering companies to tackle global social and environmental issues, by enabling a culture of changemaking. Arnaud launched the operations of Ashoka France, Belgium and Switzerland in 2005 and played an active role in the recognition of the Social Entrepreneurship sector in Europe where they aim not only create short term tangible economic and social results, but also prepare organizations and their teams, to adapt to a fast and increasingly changing world. As former member of the French Olympic wrestling team, he also founded the NGO “Play International” and has contributed to the development of various social businesses in France.

Augustine Onoriode

Hospital Administrator and Business Development Manager

Silver Cross Healthcare & Diagnostics Center

Augustine is the Hospital Administrator and Business Development Manager at Silver Cross Healthcare and Diagnostics Center in Abuja. A seasoned healthcare executive with over a decade of experience in business development, administration, and customer service, he currently leads initiatives to enhance market presence and patient volume. Known for his strategic vision and leadership, Augustine has a proven track record of driving revenue growth and fostering long-term client relationships - alongside a master’s degree in environmental management and toxicology, a bachelor’s degree in zoology, and certifications in data analytics and marketing management.

Barbara Namigambo

Co-Founder

Mobiklinic

Barbara is a health technology entrepreneur, as well as Co-Founder and Chief of Operations for Mobiklinic - a fast-growing digital health company in East Africa that uses innovative tools to ease healthcare delivery and empower access. Alongside, Barbara is a strong advocate of women’s health & technology as a key driver to attain health equity. Supporting community health services through her role as a director of the Mobilklinic Foundation, the businesses’ social corporate responsibility arm.

Biganza Papy

CEO

Afia Pharma

Biganza is the CEO of Afia Pharma, a leading online pharmacy in Rwanda. Dedicated to making a meaningful impact in the industry, he combines business strategy, marketing and customer experience expertise with adept stakeholder management. What’s more, with a master’s in business administration and background in computer engineering, Biganza combines technical prowess with strategic acumen to drive company growth and empower accessible healthcare solutions.

Canisius Gakiza

CTO

Afia Pharma

Canisius is the CTO of Afia Pharma - whose mission is to make quality medications accessible, available, and affordable across Africe. Canisius’ primary responsibility is overseeing all technical aspects of the company - backed by over 15 years of working industry experience, alongside a master’s degree in computer science and technology from Xiamen University in China.

Dr. Charles Umeh

Executive Director

Parkers Mobile Clinic

Dr. Umeh is a distinguished medical doctor and public health expert with over eight years of experience in the healthcare sector. A family planning and telemedicine specialist, he has been pivotal in implementing numerous digital health projects - from a leading community-based health initiative, Parkers Mobile Clinic, aimed at improving healthcare services for vulnerable populations in Eastern Nigeria to co-authoring the essential textbook "The Fundamentals of Telemedicine and Telehealth”. Alongside his regular contributions to international conferences, Dr. Umeh’s exceptional contributions to healthcare have been recognized through several prestigious awards, including a Goethe Institute Ayada Lab Grant, Commonwealth Youth Council Covid-19 Grant, and the United Nations Global Compact Young SDG Innovator.

Dr. Chraish Miiro

Head of Research and Data

Mobiklinic

Dr. Miiro is Head of Research and Data for Mobiklinic - a fast-growing digital health company in East Africa that uses innovative tools to ease healthcare delivery and empower access. Combining significant research experience in digital health, community health and pharmacoeconomics, he has also brought his expertise to the international stage as a participant in the WHO Civil Society Engagement Commission.

Dr. Chris Silali

CEO

GenePlus Global Limited

Dr. Silali is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at GenePlus Global Limited, a leading marketer and distributor of animal health products and farm equipment. He has over 15 years’ experience in agribusiness having worked with various top agricultural organizations in Kenya. Dr. Silali is a Bachelor in Veterinary Medicine and Surgery and holds a master’s degree in Business Administration.

Christian Bausch

Associate Director for Social Engagement

Boehringer Ingelheim

Christian is an Associate Director at Boehringer Ingelheim Social Engagement, an impact investing vehicle dedicated to supporting Social Businesses that provide health solutions to vulnerable communities and their animals. With over six years of experience as a strategy and management consultant, he specializes in open innovation and digital technologies. Christian is keen to connect with fellow impact investors, social entrepreneurs, and anyone ready to address the world's most urgent social challenges.

Dr. Christopher Imbaya

Senior Manager Making More Health, Sub-Saharan Africa

Boehringer Ingelheim

Christopher is a Doctor of Public Health (PhD) with 25 years’ experience in the pharmaceutical industry in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). He has held various leadership positions in pharmaceutical sales, marketing and social innovation in health. Christopher currently leads the Making More Health social business across SSA which includes the Rising Stars and the Business Accelerator among other initiatives in the region.

Eddine Sarrokh

Innovation and Impact Investment Lead

Philips Foundation

Eddine is the Innovation and Impact Investment Lead for the Philips Foundation, an organization dedicated to reducing healthcare access inequality for underserved communities through meaningful innovation. Drawing on over 23 years of experience in technology development - including Senior Advisor in Innovation & Technology for the UN, and the mind behind the Philips Africa Innovation Hub, he works closely with social entrepreneurs to develop impact investment pipelines. A multidisciplinary member of leading industrial institutions, his focus is on promoting innovation for the underserved, specifically priority health and well-being needs in Africa.

Elleny Mvwenzolo

AFRIKA KOMMT! Fellow, Making More Health

Boehringer Ingelheim

Elleny is a project manager within the sustainability social team for Boehringer Ingelheim, who brings a wealth of experience from the environmental sustainability sector, and a deep understanding of water conservation techniques, sanitation standards and hygiene promotion strategies. A dedicated and experienced professional, her track record includes managing projects and promoting environmental sustainability within diverse teams, Most notably, designing and implementing sustainable solutions to significantly improve the environmental health conditions for communities in Kenya.

Ese Onemiye

CEO

Silver Cross Healthcare & Diagnostics Center

Ese is the Founder and CEO of Silver Cross Healthcare & Diagnostics Center, specializing in hospital restructuring, due diligence evaluation, strategic planning, and implementation. As well as providing expert advice and assessing the viability of potential investments in healthcare and education in Nigeria, she has also supported clinical research trials and drug development programs across multiple therapeutic areas in the United States. Combining extensive policy and project experience with a deep interest in innovative technology-driven healthcare solutions, Ese is truly passionate about creating opportunities to bridge the gender gap for women in leadership roles and encourage female representation within the healthcare industry in Nigeria.

Harriet Kamashanyu

Founder and Executive Director

Rhythm of Life Uganda

Harriet is the Founder and Executive Director for Rhythm Of Life - Uganda, a local NGO that works to empower commercial female sex workers (CSWs) and their daughters in the red light districts of Kampala, Kabalagala. Through her extensive educational background and leadership experience, including her current studies towards a Master’s degree in International Relations & Diplomatic Studies and her current role as the Coordinating Ambassador for One Young World East Africa, Harriet is passionate about promoting health care, treatment and education accessibility for these women. Supporting them to change their future and realize their dreams, in spite of stigmatization and discrimination.

Ikechukwu Arthur Anoke

Founder and CEO

Zuri Health

Ikechukwu Arthur Anoke is the Founder and CEO of Zuri Health, a multi-award-winning health tech company, dedicated to delivering the best universal healthcare experience on demand. Passionate about healthcare access and women's empowerment, Ikechukwu brings extensive board-level experience across a variety of industries - including becoming Group CEO of MTech Communications PLC at 27, transforming it into Africa's largest music content aggregator while expanding into 17 countries.

Immanual Momanyi

Advisory Lead

Villgro Africa

Immanuel is an Advisory Lead at Villgro Africa, responsible for over 20 healthcare projects in Sub-Saharan Africa with businesses, investors and development partners. Sharing insights gained through engagements with over 50 healthcare stakeholders - from governments to private healthcare players and development partners, his work has included advising on African market dynamics and helping clients understand the human impact potential of their innovations. Additionally, he empowers pipeline growth, investment analysis and post-investment support for Villgro Africa's portfolio companies.

Jacqkline Perry

Clinical Director

Kenusa Medical

Jacqkline has over 20 years of nursing experience, beginning her career as a certified nurse assistant and then onto a licensed practical nurse, before earning her BS in Nursing. She believes in building a long-lasting and trusting relationship with patients and their families. Jacqkline is the Clinical Director at Kenusa Medical, a Kenya-based social enterprise that builds and operates dialysis centers, with the goal of improving the quality of life for kidney patients by helping to increase access to renal care in East Africa.

Dr. Joseph Olowe

CEO

Doktorconnect

Dr. Olowe is the CEO of Doktorconnect, a preventive medicine platform seeking to make healthcare more accessible for Africans and Americans. Dr. Olowe brings over 30 years of experience in allied health and wellness, including a BSc in Physical Therapy, an MSc in Health Sciences, a Doctor of Physical Therapy, and an MBA.

Malte Pielhau

Director, HR Transformation Practice

EY

Through a passion for people, Malte drives large-scale transformations to shape effective people strategies, customer-centric HR organizations and customer-centric service delivery. He is an advocate of adapting a mindset and way of working that is required for environments of constant change.

Manuela Pastore

Associate Director, Making More Health Community Activation

Boehringer Ingelheim

Manuela has been actively involved in our Making More Health initiative for more than a decade. She is deeply committed to addressing global health challenges and improving access to healthcare in underserved communities. Manuela actively engages with local communities, understanding their unique needs and developing sustainable systemic solutions to meet them.

Maryam Bello

Co-Founder

Parkers Mobile Clinic

Maryam is CEO of ITIS 4 Development and a visionary Co-Founder of Parkers Mobile Clinic - a groundbreaking initiative that utilizes telemedicine and AI technology during climate-induced disasters to provide resilient healthcare for over 100,000 underserved and displaced people. A UN Global Compact Ambassador and Technovation Youth Representative at COP27, Maryam’s contributions have been widely recognised internationally. But whether representing Nigeria at the African Youth Climate Assembly, a UNDP Youth4Climate Sparking Solutions Finalist and beyond, her ultimate goal as a global influencer is always to empower youth, advocating for sustainability and catalyzing change through disruptive technologies.

Megan Mukuria

Founder and CEO

ZanaAfrica Group

Megan is the Founder and CEO of ZanaAfrica Group, a social enterprise working to promote and scale-up African-led innovation. She is an Ashoka fellow, Making More Health fellow, and Harvard alumni, bringing 23 years of senior-level leadership in Kenya for leading system change start-ups focused on women and communities. As the youngest President of a Rotary Club in Kenya, Megan sowed the seeds for ZanaAfrica with several global firsts, including a National Sanitary Pads Campaign in 2006, entrenching sanitary pad provisions into Kenya's budget for school girls in 2008, the first Menstrual Hygiene Policy in 2013 and expanded access to primary healthcare services. Today, her and her team serve over 200,000 customers annually with a national reach.

Moyosore Terebo

Co-Founder

Ren Healthcare

Moyo is a patented mechanical engineer, drawing on 16 years of experience within a wide range of industries. An alumnus of Texas Tech University and The University of Ilorin, his current focus is on the development of sustainable and scalable companies and partnerships in Sub-Saharan Africa.

Naledi Magowe

Co-Founder

Brastorne Enterprises

Naledi is the visionary leader, Co-Founder and Chief Growth Officer of Brastorne. An organization whose unwavering commitment to closing the digital divide within rural African communities has transformed over 4 million lives across Botswana, Cameroon, Guinea and the Democratic Republic of Congo, through mobile solutions that empower the underprivileged in rural Africa with knowledge, resources, and connectivity. An award-winning thought leader, Naledi’s extensive experience in technology for development projects, strategy, and communications has left a legacy of innovation and impact. Serving as a shining example of what is possible when we use technology for the greater good.

Dr. Oluwafemi Sekoni

Co-Founder

Ren Healthcare

Dr. Femi has worked as a physician and a management consultant and has led health system strengthening projects across different countries in Africa. He founded Ren Healthcare in 2021 with a core mission of enhancing the availability and cost-effectiveness of care for individuals with kidney ailments. Ren Healthcare offers an artificial intelligence-based system that detects patients with potential kidney disease risks, links them with specialists, and delivers affordable dialysis care.

Ralf Tepel

Development Consultant

Ralf is the former Executive Director and current board member of the Karl Kübel Stiftung für Kind und Familie, a German private NGO dedicated to social justice home and abroad. Currently, he works as a freelance development consultant, drawing on extensive project planning, monitoring and implementation experience to support national and international partners throughout the so-called "Development World".

Rob Beyer

Co-Founder and Executive Chairman

Villgro Africa

Rob is the Co-Founder and Executive Chairman of Villgro Africa, bringing a unique combination of seasoned experience in business, social entrepreneurship, education and technology. A visionary leader, Rob has lived in Kenya for over 20 years - meaning he’s familiar with the unique challenges entrepreneurs face in sustainability and scaling within the African context, and passionate about supporting innovation that builds more sustainable livelihoods.

Snider Mugese

Head of Incubation and Finance

Villgro Africa

Snider is the Head of Incubation and Finance at Villgro Africa. With a strong background in financial engineering, and a wealth of experience in early-stage startup incubation and program development - she excels at guiding startups through their growth journeys. Particularly passionate about empowering female-led enterprises, Snider is committed to fostering innovative and sustainable ventures that create a positive impact on society, often providing invaluable support in scaling operations and securing funding. Overall, her expertise and dedication make her a key driver in nurturing the next generation of transformative businesses in Africa.

Tanja Vermeer

Global Lead for Employee Wellbeing

Boehringer Ingelheim

Tanja is passionate about collaboration between teams, organizations and communities. After running her own consultancy company, she decided to dedicate her time and effort to healthcare in 2015. In her current role at Boehringer Ingelheim, she is the Global Lead for Employee Wellbeing and was part of the Volunteering Strategy team, aiming to connect social entrepreneurs and employees for impact and innovation in health.

Timothy Nzioka

Executive Director

Sustainable Interventions for Development Enhancement

Timothy is Executive Director of Sustainable Interventions for Development Enhancement, a Pan-African organization that helps enhance economic, social, and environmental development for sustainable wealth creation within the private sector and local communities in Africa. A development economist with a master’s degree in Entrepreneurial Studies, Timothy has over 3 decades of experience across many Sub-Saharan African countries - including providing technical support to the USADF as their Director of Program Operations for Africa, leading partnerships with host governments, and conceptualizing, designing, and developing special initiatives across the USADF.

Verah Omariba

Leader

Core Health & Wealth

Verah is the Leader of Core Health and Wealth, advocating and championing transformation in underserved communities to drive sustainable solutions within Kenya and Sub-Saharan Africa. Passionate about co-creation, collaboration, partnerships, and systems thinking - she facilitates attitude change to enable an environment where everybody, including women and girls, have a chance to flourish.

Vibha Varghees

CEO

Vikasana

Vibha is the CEO of Vikasana, an NGO and non-profit dedicated to empowering social development for the under-privileged sections of society in Karnataka State, India through sustainable improvement. Drawing on her years of experience in child rescue operations, rural community mobilization, farming cultivation and conservation - Vibha has been invited to speak at schools, colleges, and universities across the country. Tackling topics from the Indian Constitution through to children and women’s laws, and environmental protection, while remaining a counsellor, field officer, project coordinator and more for Vikasana at the same time.

Zain Samdani

Founder and CEO

ExoHeal

Zain is the Founder and CEO of ExoHeal, a Med-Tech start-up that aims to provide affordable and effective rehabilitation devices and services for paralyzed patients. Inspired after witnessing his uncle suffer a stroke and paralysis at an early age, Zain founded ExoHeal at just 15 - designing and prototyping a therapeutic glove that mimics muscular motion to move the paralysed limb. Today, he has built a 4-member international team, been mentored by Microsoft CEO, Satya Nadella, and partnered with a therapeutic centre to help over 50 patients regain sensations and recover 30% faster - with plans to expand into clinical trials and other countries soon.