Charting Our Course Together:
Inspiration, Collaboration & Innovation

The Education Forum is PQMD’s annual members-only networking meeting and serves as an opportunity for members to learn from each other by sharing experiences and insights, working together through challenges, and discovering opportunities for collaboration. The meeting will be composed of compelling panels, working groups, and networking sessions that provide members the opportunity to dive deep into pertinent topics such as climate & health, health system strengthening, supply chain, and resilience in access to medicine.

SCHEDULE OVERVIEW

Please note: All times are Pacific Daylight Time (PDT)

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12:00pm   Executive Committee Meeting (for EC members only)

3:30pm     New Member Meeting (for member reps who joined since Oct. 2022)

5:00pm     Welcome Reception

Evening
Sector Dinners (details coming soon)

8:30am     Registration & Networking

9:00am     Charting Our Course Together

9:30am     The Evolution & Revolution of HSS + Working Groups

11:10am    Break & “Mind the Gap” Gallery

11:40am    New Member Spotlight #1

12:00pm     Lunch

1:30pm     Making Climate & Health Challenges Approachable + Working Groups

3:25pm     Break and Climate & Health Gallery

4:00pm     New Member Spotlight #2

4:20pm     Reflections

6:00-9:00pm
Member Dinner & Networking 

8:30am    Networking

9:00am    Welcome & Recap

9:10am     New Member Spotlight #3

9:30am    Expediting Efficiency: Supply Chain Coordination + Working Groups

10:55am  Break, Supply Chain Gallery & Warehouse Tours

11:40am   Sector Breakouts

12:30pm   Lunch & Committee Meetings

2:00pm    Group Photo

2:15pm     New Member Spotlight #4

2:35pm     Sustainability & Resilience: Interpreting for Complementarity Working Groups + Panel

4:20pm     Wrap Up & Reflections

4:30pm     Network Alignment

7:00-9:30pm
Santa Barbara Social

SESSION DESCRIPTIONS

12:00 – 2:00pm | EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE MEETING (Direct Relief)

(for EC members only)

3:30pm | NEW MEMBER MEETING (Mar Monte Hotel)

(for member reps who joined since Oct. 2022)

5:00pm | WELCOME RECEPTION (Costa Kitchen & Bar, Mar Monte Hotel)

EVENING | SECTOR DINNERS

Please contact your sector lead for more information on these plans.

• Ellen Rafferty, Corp Sector Lead: +1 (201) 312-7558
• Janet Thomason, NGO Sector Lead: +1 (832) 677-5175

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8:00am | Transportation Departs for Direct Relief

8:30 -9:00am | REGISTRATION AND NETWORKING

09:00 – 9:30am | CHARTING OUR COURSE TOGETHER

• PQMD Welcome – Chris Skopec, Executive Vice President of Global Health, Project HOPE
• Program Overview – EJ Ashbourne, Executive Director, PQMD
• Host Welcome – Thomas Tighe, President & CEO, Direct Relief

9:30 – 11:10am | CHARTING OUR COURSE: THE EVOLUTION & REVOLUTION OF HEALTH SYSTEMS STRENGTHENING

We open the meeting with a CEO level panel addressing what it truly takes to commit to HSS outcomes. NGO leaders will discuss perspectives from supply chain, infrastructure, and local governance accountability, as well as, the power of partnerships. Meeting participants will have the opportunity to work together in breakout sessions to work through strategies and solutions to address the building blocks of health system strengthening. We expect this to be an inspiring panel that ties together vision, goals, and implementation.

• 9:30 – 9:45am | Anchoring Ourselves: Field Perspective
  • Dr. Hande Arpat Cakir, Regional Advisor, Direct Relief
• 9:45 – 10:15am | HSS Visions, Investments, & Gaps: CEO Reflections
  • Susana Eshleman, President and CEO, Children International
  • Thomas Tighe, President & CEO, Direct Relief
  • Melissa Wu, CEO, Seeding Labs
  • EJ Ashbourne, Executive Director, PQMD (Moderator)

• 10:15 – 11:10am | Mind the Gap: Navigating HSS Strategies & Solutions Working Groups

Health Care Workers

• • • Susana Eshleman, President and CEO, Children International
    • Kyle Guerin, Director, CSR, Henry Schein

Diagnostics & Treatment Capacity

• • • Ellen Rafferty, Associate Director, Social Investing, BD
    • Melissa Wu, CEO, Seeding Labs

Infrastructure

• • • Damon Taugher, Vice President, Global Programs, Direct Relief
    • Suki McClatchey, Director, Global Citizenship & Policy, Abbott

Child & Youth Health

• • • Rhonda Bryant, Associate Director, Corporate Giving, Alcon
    • Justine Feighery, Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships, UNICEF USA

Investing in HSS

• • • Martha L. Kennard, Deputy Senior Vice President of Gift-in-Kind Operations, Americares
    • Blair Fields, Senior Director Charitable Patient Assistance Programs & President Amgen Safety Net Foundation, Amgen

11:10 – 11:40am | Break & “Mind the Gap” Gallery

Break and self-guided viewing of HSS Gap Gallery. Refreshments available while members peruse the output of the Mind the Gap: Navigating HSS Strategies & Solutions Working Groups.

11:40am – 12:00pm | POWERING OUR NETWORK: NEW MEMBER SHOWCASE

Learn about what our new members are proud to bring to the network.

• Kate Denton, Corporate Responsibility Associate Director, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
• Damian Morales, Director of Disaster Recovery, Good360

12:00 – 1:30pm | Lunch

1:30 – 3:25pm | CHARTING OUR COURSE: MAKING CLIMATE & HEALTH CHALLENGES APPROACHABLE

Climate change is the existential crisis of our time. It is here now and will only grow in scale and impact. It affects all of us. Whether tracking new infectious disease patterns and geographies, navigating the perma-crisis of disasters (floods, droughts, heatwaves), adjusting to vulnerable population migrations, countering growing ag impacts and food-insecurity, or mitigating risks to the bottom line – climate’s impact on human health can lead to organizational and individual gloom & doom paralysis. But we are at an inflection point and we must take action – both through business and programmatic mitigation and adaption strategies as well as internal organizational approaches.

We will start this imperative discussion with an intimate conversation from Pakistan – hearing from an International Rescue Committee colleague who has been on the front-line of the climate crisis and its impact on health. Following this front-line perspective, members will showcase internal strategic approaches before moving to shared-strategy working groups.

• 1:30 – 1:45pm | Anchoring Ourselves: Field Perspective
• 1:45 – 2:25 | Making Climate & Health Challenges Approachable: Internal Strategies

Participants will have the opportunity to hear from fellow PQMD members on how they have developed and actualized climate related strategies internally.

• • Climate Change & Humanitarian Health: Erica Tavares, Sr. Director, Institutional Development, International Medical Corps
  • Championing Climate Resilient W.A.S.H. Strategies, Kavita Sood-Isaacs, Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility and Global Philanthropy, Baxter International, Inc
  • Climate Action & Priorities: Disaster Risk Reduction: Abby van Horne-Brett, Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships, World Vision

• 2:25 – 3:25 | Climate & Health Challenges: Internal Shared-Strategies Working Groups

With such a timely topic on the agenda this working session will enable attendees to work together in facilitated groups to address organizational priorities in adjusting to this new found reality that effects our everyday work.

• • Evolving Climate Disclosure Requirements: Kate Denton, Corporate Responsibility Associate Director, Vertex Pharmaceuticals
  • Adapting Programming to Meet the Challenges of Climate Change: Erica Tavares, Sr. Director, US Programs & Advancement, International Medical Corps & Trina Newcomb, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, Medical Teams International
  • Partner Strategies: Abby van Horne-Brett, Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships, World Vision & Kavita Sood-Isaacs, Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility and Global Philanthropy, Baxter International, Inc
  • Environmental Sustainability: Simone Jones, Director of New Business, Mercy Ships

3:25 – 4:00pm | Break and Climate & Health Working Group Gallery

Break, refreshments, and self-guided viewing of the Climate and Health Working Group Gallery.

4:00 – 4:20pm | POWERING OUR NETWORK: NEW MEMBER SHOWCASE

Learn about what our new members are proud to bring to the network.

• Rhonda Bryant, Associate Director Global CSR and Partnership, Alcon
• Chelsie Ferguson, International Programs Specialist – GIK & Najibullah Noorzai, Gifts-in-Kind Specialist, Islamic Relief USA

4:20 – 4:30pm | DAY 1 REFLECTIONS

PQMD ED will recap Day 1 highlights and introduce Day 2 agenda

4:35pm | Transportation Departs for Hotel

 

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5:45pm | Transportation Departs for MOXI Museum

6:00 – 9:00pm | MAXIMIZING OUR COLLECTIVE “MOXIE”

• 6:00 – 7:30pm | SUNSET, NETWORKING & DRINKS
  • Networking Moderators: Jodi Allison,  Senior Vice President, Global Giving and Innovation, MAP International &  Mike Hogan, Vice President, Marketing & Development, Medical Teams International
• 7:30 – 9:00pm | MEMBER DINNER

9:00pm | Transportation Departs for Hotel

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8:00am | Transportation Departs for Direct Relief

8:30 – 9:00am | Coffee & Networking

9:00 – 9:10am | WELCOME & RECAP

Yesterday’s highlights and Day 2 overview.

9:10 – 9:30am | POWER OUR NETWORK: NEW MEMBER SHOWCASE

Learn about what our new members are proud to bring to the network.

• Valérie Philippon, Head, Managed Access Programs RDO, UCB
• Melissa Wu, CEO, Seeding Labs

9:30 – 10:55am | CHARTING OUR COURSE: EXPEDITING EFFICIENCY – SUPPLY CHAIN COORDINATION

The pandemic, global inequities, and climate change are exacerbating vulnerability and creating shifting “norms” within supply chains. To ground our discussion, we will first gain insight from a Project HOPE colleague in Ukraine. Next, PQMD supply chain and logistics leaders will discuss current trends and working through ongoing interruptions. They will also delve into how to forge opportunities to underscore better avenues for sustainable access to medicines, touching on agility, expanding capacity, and strategic partnerships. The panel will set the stage for members to roll up their sleeves and work together on good practices, innovations and approaches to current and forward-thinking supply chain mechanisms.

• 9:30 – 9:45 | Anchoring Ourselves: Field Perspective
  • Hoshang Mustafa, Ukraine Logistics Director, Project HOPE
• 9:45 – 10:05 | Supply Chain Trends, Interruptions, & Opportunities
  • Molly Salmon, Corporate Affairs Manager, Amgen
  • Stephanie Steege, Director of Humanitarian Programs, Airlink
  • Chris Skopec, Executive Vice President of Global Health, Project HOPE (Moderator)

• 10:05 – 10:55 | Supply Chain Resilience Strategies: Working Groups & Report Out

Challenging Operating Environments/Sanctioned Countries

• • • Molly Salmon, Corporate Affairs Manager, Amgen
    • Heather Watts, Director, Healthcare Industry Relations, Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC)

Partnership

• • • Thomas Cotter, Executive Director, Healthcare Ready
    • Stephanie Steege, Director of Humanitarian Programs, Airlink

Cold Chain

• • • Hank Handtmann, Association Director, Corporate Engagement & Strategy, Direct Relief
    • Kirsten Casteel, Director – Global Health Partnerships, Eli Lilly and Company

Risk Reduction

• • • Tanya Moore, Associate Director, Patient Access and Independent Education, AbbVie
    • Michael Brown, Senior Advisor, Gifts-in-Kind, ChildFund International

Coverage of Fluctuating Costs

• • • Heather Lee, Program Grants and Donor Relations Director, Heart to Heart International
    • Georgis Tzortzakis, Director of Finance and Operations, Edwards Lifesciences Foundation

10:55 – 11:40 | Break, Supply Chain Gallery & Direct Relief Warehouse Tours

Tour Guides: Doug Frolich & Odus Ratliff

Break and refreshments, rotating 20-minute tours of Direct Relief’s 130,000-square-foot distribution center, and self-guided viewing of Supply Chain Resilience Strategies: Working Groups Output Gallery.

11:40am – 12:30pm | SECTOR BREAKOUTS

NGO and Corporates will work with their peers on issues that are important and relevant. PQMD recognizes the importance of working together within your sector and these breakout groups will be led by Corporate and NGO sector leads Ellen Rafferty (Associate Director, Social Investing, BD) and Janet Thomason (Director of National Procurement, Project C.U.R.E).

12:30 – 2:00pm | Lunch & Committee Meetings

12:45 – 1:45 Committee Meetings

2:00 – 2:15pm | Group Photo

2:15– 2:35pm | POWER OUR NETWORK: NEW MEMBER SHOWCASE

Learn about what our new members are proud to bring to the network.

• Kelly Benoit, Associate Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Hikma
• Thomas Cotter, Executive Director, Healthcare Ready

2:35 – 4:20pm | CHARTING OUR COURSE: SUSTAINABILITY & RESILIENCE – INTERPRETING FOR COMPLEMENTARITY

Resilience and sustainability are paramount and omnipresent in the development and disaster lexicon, yet if we are not aligned on what defines success in sustainability and resilience, how can PQMD achieve our collective mission to “promote sustainable access to quality health care in underserved communities and populations in crisis”? During this session PQMD members will be challenged to co-create a shared language and consider resilience and sustainability targets through the lens of PQMD’s 5 pillars: Disaster Response, Humanitarian Assistance, Knowledge and Innovation, Health System Strengthening, and Donation Guidelines.  We encourage participants to approach this session from organization sector and alliance perspective, Following the working groups, we will come back together to chart our collective way forward.

• 2:35 – 3:45 | Sustainability & Resilience Working Group
  • Disaster & Health Systems Strengthening: Tom Cotter, Executive Director, Healthcare Ready & Ann Matz-Tirado, Consultant; Matz-Tirado Global Philanthropic Consultant, LLC; Matz & Roeder Consulting, LLC
  • Guidelines and Knowledge & Innovation: Julie Jenson, Director of International Product Access, Global Health, and Social Impact, Pfizer & Hannah Dean, Programmes Manager, International Health Partners
  • Climate & Humanitarian Assistance:
  • Jodi Allison,  Senior Vice President, Global Giving and Innovation, MAP International & Darnelle Bernier, Vice President, Medical Donations Program, CMMB
• 3:45 – 4:20 | Sustainability & Resilience Panel
  • Darnelle Bernier, Vice President, Medical Donations Program, CMMB
  • Tom Cotter, Executive Director, Healthcare Ready
  • Julie Jenson, Director of International Product Access, Global Health, and Social Impact, Pfizer

4:20 – 4:30pm | WRAP UP & REFLECTIONS

PQMD Chair & Executive Director provide their reflections & carry-forwards on the two-day meeting.

4:30 – 4:45pm | Network Alignment

4:45pm | Transportation Departs for Hotel

 

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7:00 – 9:30pm | Santa Barbara Social: Wine Down in the Funk Zone (Optional)

Let’s toast to new and renewed connections by sharing some delicious wine in the heart of Santa Barbara’s Funk Town at Fox Wine Co. (120 Santa Barbara St, Santa Barbara, CA 93101).  Adjacent boutique tasting rooms, cafes, galleries, and shops are available for self-exploration. Everyone can meet in the lobby at 6:30pm and walk over together or 6:45pm for those who want to use ride-share.

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LOGISTICS & MEETING INFORMATION

MEET OUR SPEAKERS

More speakers to be announced soon!

Jodi Allison, Senior Vice President, Global Giving and Innovation, MAP International

Jodi Allison joined MAP International, a Georgia based non-profit that provides life-changing medicines and health supplies to people in need, 23 years ago. She has always worked in the Corporate Relations division at MAP, being promoted to Director of Corporate Relations in 2010, Vice President, Global Giving in 2014 and Senior Vice President, Global Giving and Innovation in 2022. In this role, she serves MAP’s mission of providing essential medicines and health supplies to the world’s most vulnerable communities. She is responsible for leadership and management of the Global Giving team, securing donated medicines, health supplies and cash gifts and developing strategic and annual operating plans to achieve and resource global commitments. She is also responsible for innovation and growth strategies to help MAP International meet its strategic plan to significantly increase its impact around the globe.

Jodi attended Georgia Institute of Technology and Middle Tennessee State University to receive her International Affairs degree with minors in Public Relations and History. When she is not trying to save the world, you will find Jodi with her two boys and adorable pug at the beach where she lives in Tampa, FL.

Elizabeth (EJ) Ashbourne – Executive Director, PQMD

As Executive Director of PQMD, Elizabeth (EJ) Ashbourne is responsible for furthering PQMD’s commitment to championing and advancing standards in medical supply and service donations by developing the vision, strategy, and execution of the organizations five pillars of work.

Prior to joining PQMD, EJ was most recently the Managing Partner for EJA Consulting, a small private firm specializing in strategic planning, fundraising, international development and joint venture support, mission driven event management, and all aspects of non-profit turn-around. Prior to that, EJ spent 17 years at the World Bank in a number of senior level positions, in the areas of private sector partnerships, global public health, infectious disease, and health management information systems.

Additionally she was a senior operations officer in the Office of Corporate Reform and Human Resources. In the area of health, EJ held the position of Lead, Global Health Information Programs for the World Bank and the Health Metrics Network at the World Health Organization; led the work on eHealth and mHealth in the Health Anchor of the Bank, and contributed to research on a common metric for donor agencies, development partners and countries to measure their investment in health information. At the World Bank, she also spent many years working closely on issues specific to engaging the private sector in the fight against HIV/AIDS as the focal point for private sector partnerships with the World Bank’s Africa Region HIV/AIDS programs. Her role was to develop and implement the mechanisms through which the private sector can access financial and technical resources from the Bank’s initial 2billion dollar investment in HIV/AIDS.

She has also worked for World Learning as a Country Director, overseeing a wide range of USAID capacity building programs in Eastern Europe and served as senior coordinator for international cooperative education programs at American University among other positions. EJ holds an MA in International Education, with an emphasis on Organizational Management from American University in Washington, DC and a BSc in Communications and History from Ithaca College, Ithaca, NY.

Christina Becherer, Global Director of Strategic Partnerships, Children International

Christina Venessa Becherer has more than 16 years of experience in partnership building, strategy and impact across civil society, private and public sectors. Demonstrating a constant passion for people, purpose and the development of equitable, inclusive communities, Christina effectively leads complex multi-country programs, builds trust among global teams and fosters radical collaboration.

Before joining Children International as Global Director of Strategic Partnerships in January 2022, Christina led private sector engagement in 24 countries as Director of Global Corporate Partnerships at ChildFund International for 8.5 years. Previously, she was Director of Development at Sustainable Harvest International and International Journalist with the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development. Program work she’s championed has been featured in a National Geographic documentary and received global recognition, such as the 2015 Clinton Global Citizen Award for emergency response mobilization in Liberia and Sierra Leone during the Ebola crisis.

Christina currently serves as Chair of PQMD’s Disaster and Humanitarian Response Committee and member of the Executive Board. She holds a certification in Social Impact Partnership Design from Georgetown University and a certificate in Humanitarian Response to Conflict and Disaster from HarvardX, as well as a B.A. in Broadcast Journalism from Webster University.

Kelly Benoit, Associate Director, Corporate Social Responsibility, Hikma

Kelly Benoit has spent nearly a decade living and working in New York City. She’s built her career in social impact and communications, including working at The Clinton Global Initiative, the JPMorgan Chase Institute, and the Gerhson Lehrman Group. She is currently the Associate Director of Corporate Social Responsibility for the Americas at Hikma Pharmaceuticals, a global generics pharmaceutical company.

She is fortunate to work in a space that leverages corporate assets to help those in need at the local and global levels. In addition to managing non-profit partnerships, overseeing annual giving campaigns, and employee volunteerism, she also manages a global medicine donation program that supports thousands of vulnerable patients annually.

Outside of her career, Kelly maintains her passion for writing as a contributor on Collective World and Thought Catalog and published her debut novel, …with a splash of Kay in June 2023. She lives with her partner, Mario and rescue Boston Terrier, Alvin just outside of Manhattan. She loves spending time with friends, staying active through exercise and outdoor activities, reading non-fiction about society, culture, and psychology, and learning more about the world through travel.

She believes the world is more connected than we know, that humanity shares more similarities than differences and aims to seek this beauty everywhere she goes.

Michael Brown, Sr. Advisor, Gifts-in-Kind, ChildFund International

Michael Brown joined ChildFund International in 2011 to coordinate logistics for ChildFund’s newly started GIK program. ChildFund International’s purpose is ensuring that children grow up healthy, educated, skilled and – for all the rest to come true – safe.

During his tenure, Michael created the logistics and supply chain infrastructure to transparently manage flows of GIK products from donors to recipients. Michael has also been deeply involved in the valuation of GIK products as well as internal compliance projects at ChildFund. Michael is currently the Senior Advisor, Gifts-In-Kind and is responsible for maintaining the integrity of ChildFund’s GIK inventory and product controls across countries, managing relationships with GIK donors, and building in-country capacity.

Michael has an extensive background in freight forwarding and logistics holding a customs brokerage license, APICS supply chain certification, and is a member of the New York Bar. Michael is a graduate of Miami University and Syracuse University.

Rhonda Bryant, Associate Director, Corporate Giving Social Impact & Sustainability, Alcon

Rhonda Bryant is Associate Director, Corporate Giving. Rhonda oversees Alcon’s charitable donations through its two foundations, Alcon Cares and Alcon Foundation, and serves as secretary on both foundation boards.

Rhonda joined Alcon in March 2005. Prior to her current role, Rhonda held various roles within Alcon’s Corporate Giving department, supporting in-kind and monetary donation programs, and employee engagement and volunteering.

Rhonda is based in Fort Worth, Texas.

Hande Arpat Çakır, Regional Advisor, Direct Relief 

Hande Arpat Çakır is a medical doctor based in Türkiye who has been working in the humanitarian sector for more than eight years professionally and more than fifteen years voluntarily. She worked as the Project coordinator of “Strengthening Access to Sexual and Reproductive Health and Sexual and Gender Based Violence Services for Syrian and Other Refugees thru Women and Girl Safe Spaces (WGSS)/Women Health Counselling Units Project” between 2015 and 2016 with the UNFPA. From 2016 till February 2023, she worked with International Organization for Migration (IOM), UN Migration Agency, as Migration Health Physician. She had been responsible for migration health assessments, medical movements coordination, pre-departure medical screenings, vaccination programs, TB-screening programs/case management, STDs screening/case management and vulnerable case management who might need protection; also supporting IOM’s Emergency Department as an SRH trainer and staff well-being trainer, and supporting the UNDSS as the SSAFE Training’s First Aid Trainer.

Just after the devastating Feb-23 EQs in TR and NWS, she started to work with Direct Relief as the Regional Advisor.

Dr Arpat Çakır’s medical approach depends on the social determinants of health and right to healthcare on the basis of human rights. She holds Emergency Obstetric Care (EmOC), Minimum Initial Service Package for Reproductive Health in Emergencies (MISP), Clinical Management of Rape, Prevention of GBV, Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT), Family Planning and use of Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) for HIV, Emergencies and Health, FCCS and ACLS certificates.

Kirsten Casteel, Director – Global Health Partnerships, Eli Lilly and Company

Kirsten Casteel joined Eli Lilly and Company in 2003, serving in the parenteral manufacturing quality assurance and human resources organizations. She is currently a member of Lilly’s Social Impact team where she is responsible for Lilly’s US-based Global Health partnerships, as well as product donations.

Kirsten carries a deep passion for community service. Kirsten volunteers weekly at her church’s Grace Care Center and previously led nine teams from her church on week-long mission trips serving those without homes on the streets of New York City. She has served as the Chair of Lilly’s United Way Campaign in 2014 and 2016. She also has led Grace Church’s volunteer initiatives with the Wheeler Center for Women and Children in Indianapolis, served as a volunteer with Food Rescue in central Indiana and been a project leader in her church’s Weekend of Service volunteer activities.

Thomas Cotter, MPH, Executive Director, Healthcare Ready

Tom Cotter, MPH, serves as executive director of Healthcare Ready, bringing more than a decade of global health readiness and response expertise to expand nonprofit’s mission-driven work addressing health equity. Healthcare Ready is a nonprofit organization established in 2007 to help strengthen the US healthcare system and assist all communities in planning for, responding to, and recovering from disasters and disease pandemics. Cotter assumed this role in June 2022.

Over his 15-year career as a public health and emergency management professional, Cotter has piloted and launched innovative international strategies to localize emergency response operations and build sustainable response functions worldwide. Most recently, Cotter served as the director of emergency response and preparedness for Project HOPE, a renowned global health and humanitarian relief organization. Prior to that role, he developed and managed public health and emergency response programs in several countries for non-profit organizations.

Cotter’s educational background is heavily focused on public health and emergency response. He has a Master of Public Health degree from Boston University School of Public Health and a certificate from Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health. Cotter received his Bachelor of Arts in Public and Community Service Studies at Providence College in Rhode Island and attended the University of the Philippines as part of an international research team focused on the socioeconomic determinants of health. Cotter has also served as an emergency response coordinator for the U.S. Department of Health & Human Services since 2013.

Hannah Dean, Programmes Manager, International Health Partners

Hannah has worked in the global health sector for the past 10 years and has experience in coordinating a number of disaster responses as well as maintaining and building partnerships across the NGO, corporate and government sectors. She has worked for International Health Partners (IHP) since 2017 and is IHP’s Programmes Manager. She oversees the partnership with 16 NGO partners working across different regions, therapeutic areas and areas of programmatic focus. Hannah also leads on a multitude of strategic project portfolios to improve IHP’s programmatic scope, impact and operational efficiency.

Hannah has a Bachelor of Sciences degree in Biomedical Sciences and qualifications in Project Management, Security Awareness & First Aid (SAFA) HEAT training & Disaster Preparedness.

Kate Denton, Corporate Responsibility Associate Director, Vertex Pharmaceuticals

Kate Denton is a strategic and results-oriented leader with more than 15 years of experience in corporate responsibility, ESG and community affairs. Kate currently serves as the Corporate Responsibility Associate Director at Vertex Pharmaceuticals where she leads Vertex’s ESG reporting, stakeholder engagement and pilot product donation program. Prior to joining the ESG team, Kate helped to launch the Vertex Foundation, where she was responsible for all employee giving and volunteering initiatives for more than 5 years.  

Kate comes from a science background, receiving a B.S. in Microbiology from New Mexico State University and M.S. in Molecular and Cellular Biology from the University of Washington. She is passionate about STEM education, global health and giving back to the community.

Susana Eshleman, President and CEO, Children International

Growing up in Bahia Blanca, Argentina, Susana Eshleman cultivated a philanthropic heart and a mind for business on trips with her grandfather to the poorest parts of town to help others. At 16, she came to the United States as a foreign exchange student with a scholarship to study at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. There, she earned a bachelor’s degree in international business and management. Susana also holds a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from the Harvard Business School.

During a 16-year career with Hallmark Cards, Inc., Susana held various marketing leadership positions and helped transform the corporation’s marketing strategy. She joined Children International’s board of directors in 2004 and served as a board member for 10 years before becoming president and chief executive officer in 2014. In 2017, Susana was named to Ingram’s magazine’s “50 Kansans You Should Know” annual list, recognized for her efforts to evolve Children International’s holistic approach. She works to realize the organization’s vision: Bringing people together to end generational poverty.

Justine Feighery, Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships Development , UNICEF USA

Justine is the Senior Director of Corporate Partnership Development with UNICEF USA (UUSA), where her portfolio includes the health, pharma and biomed sectors. She has over 15 years of experience in strategy development to support fundraising with global corporations. Justine has lived and worked in the US, Singapore and Nepal, developing collaborative and transformational multi-million-dollar partnerships that improve the lives of women and children around the world. Prior to joining UUSA in 2019, Justine held a similar role with Save the Children, and started her fundraising career with the Aga Khan Foundation. She enjoys creating strong and transparent relationships with her corporate counterparts, to develop long term, highly impactful and mutually beneficial collaborations.

Justine has a Master in Public Policy from George Washington University and resides in sunny San Diego, California.

Chelsie Ferguson, International Programs Specialist – GIK, Islamic Relief USA

Chelsie Ferguson is a dynamic professional with a passion for humanitarian assistance and emergency disaster relief. With six years of experience in healthcare and regulatory affairs, she has consistently demonstrated a knack for healthcare equity and social justice.

Currently serving as International Programs GIK Specialist at Islamic Relief USA, Chelsie is at the forefront of its many global projects to reach those in need.

Chelsie’s commitment to continuous learning and growth is reflected in her recent admission into Purdue University’s Public Health program and aspires to ultimately earn a PhD in Global Health Development. She is eager to connect with like-minded professionals and exchange ideas, explore potential collaborations, and contribute to the ever-evolving landscape of the humanitarian sector.

Kyle Guerin, Director, CSR, Henry Schein

Kyle Guerin is currently the Director of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), at Henry Schein. He oversees the Henry Schein Cares team helping to advance their health equity programs and initiatives to “help health happen” and supporting Henry Schein in its vision and commitment to fulfill our responsibilities as a global corporate citizen within our five pillars: empowering Team Schein to reach their potential, advancing health equity and expanding access to care for underserved communities, accelerating environmental sustainability, strengthening, and diversifying our supply chain, and maintaining strong ethical governance.

Kyle has more than 15-years’ experience in health care and CSR work. Most recently, he served as the Director of CSR at Pacific Dental Services (“PDS”), among the United States’ largest dental support organizations, and as the Executive Director of the PDS Foundation, a separate nonprofit. While at PDS, Kyle was responsible for creating and leading all volunteer programs geared towards improving overall health through improving oral health. During his time there, PDS team members provided over 250,000 volunteer hours and $86 million in donated dental services globally. For the PDS Foundation, Kyle led the strategy, direction, and fundraising efforts.

Kyle’s background is in Marketing & Events, as he previously worked executing large scale experiential events for Chrysler, Jeep, Dodge, the Detroit Pistons and with legendary former UCLA basketball Coach John Wooden but really found his passion in the field of Corporate Social Responsibility and helping people make each day their masterpiece.  Kyle is married with two boys and is a die hard Michigan State Spartan.

Hank Handtmann, Association Director, Corporate Engagement & Strategy, Direct Relief

Hank Handtmann serves as Associate Director of Corporate Engagement at Direct Relief, with areas of responsibility focusing on partnerships around oncology, cardiology, and non-communicable diseases.  Having worked for companies at various stages of the drug development and distribution cycle, Hank brings a unique background and understanding of the pharmaceutical industry. He manages Direct Relief’s relationships with several international coalitions including the World Heart Federation and the City Cancer Challenge.  A past graduate of Claremont McKenna College, Hank spent the past decade preforming site management, project management, marketing, and business development roles for biotechnology and clinical trial companies including Stemedica Cell Technologies and StudyKIK.

Mike Hogan, Vice President, Marketing & Development, Medical Teams International

Described by his colleagues as “hungry, humble, and smart,” Mike brings extensive strategic leadership skills and non-profit philanthropy experience to Medical Teams. He worked in development for International Justice Mission (IJM) for 11 years, playing an instrumental role in growing the organization from $18 million to $70 million in private income. Prior to his time at IJM, he earned his MBA at Santa Clara University. The last few years, Mike joined Habitat for Humanity in Portland, directing its development team and overseeing major gifts, annual giving, corporate, foundations, digital marketing, and a capital campaign. Mike and his wife Katie live in Portland, Oregon with their two children.

Julie Jenson, Director Global Health & Social Impact, Pfizer, Inc.

Julie Jenson is a Director on Pfizer’s Global Health & Social Impact team, where she leads the company’s strategy for international medicine and vaccine donations. In addition to donations, she partners with NGO’s and global health stakeholders to improve health care delivery in under-resourced communities. Julie also supports Pfizer’s response to humanitarian emergencies and disasters.

Prior to her current role, Julie spent 10 years in Pfizer’s manufacturing and supply division where she developed an interest in the intersection of technology, supply chain and public health. She has worked at three of Pfizer’s manufacturing sites and still partners extensively with the internal and external supply network.

Julie holds a Master’s in Public Health from Columbia University and BA in Supply Chain Management from Michigan State University.

Martha L. Kennard, Deputy Senior Vice President of Gift-in-Kind Operations, Americares

Americares Deputy Senior Vice President of Gift-in-Kind Operations Martha L. Kennard oversees the organization’s global distribution of more than $1 billion in medicine and supplies to an average of 85 countries annually. She is also responsible for managing the coordination of international and domestic aid shipments for Americares emergency responses.

Since joining the organization in 2005, Kennard has also served as Americares director of gift-in-kind process management and vice president of global program operations, where she developed and managed the organization’s process for acceptance and allocation of medical resources donated by more than 200 pharmaceutical and medical supply companies.

Prior to joining Americares, Kennard worked in the private sector for 15 years in a number of operations and logistics roles with multinational companies including Kraft Foods Group and Cummins, Inc.

Kennard earned a Master of Public and Private Management from Yale School of Management, a Master of Arts in religion from Yale Divinity School and a bachelor’s degree in English and religion from Dartmouth College.

Heather Lee, Program Grants and Donor Relations Director, Heart to Heart International

Heather Lee currently serves as the Program Grants and Donor Relations Director at Heart to Heart International, located in Lenexa, KS. Prior to her current role, she held the position of Director of Disaster Response, overseeing many of Heart to Heart International’s humanitarian efforts to include Hurricanes Harvey, Maria, and Dorien.

In addition to her work at Heart to Heart International, Heather also worked as a consultant to the Maryland Department of Health in support of their COVID-19 Recovery program and served as an aviation officer in the US Army.

Heather holds a bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Seattle University and earned her Master of Business Administration from Webster University.

Ann Matz-Tirado, Consultant; Matz-Tirado Global Philanthropic Consultant, LLC; Matz & Roeder Consulting, LLC

Ann Matz-Tirado has more than 23 years of experience serving as a consultant in the Corporate Responsibility and Global Philanthropy space.  Ann has held consultant positions at AbbVie, Abbott Laboratories, Baxter and currently now with Becton Dickinson (BD), AstraZeneca, and Direct Relief.  Her experience has been in building, implementing and managing long-term, multi-million-dollar philanthropic cash, volunteerism and product donation programs focused on health, disaster relief, education and employee engagement within the U.S. and throughout the developing world.

In her time with Abbott and AbbVie, Ann led efforts setting both companies’ strategy and direction for humanitarian product donations and disaster preparedness and response efforts.  In addition, including the work at AstraZeneca, Baxter and BD, she advises on product donations and access to health programming as well as disaster and emergency relief efforts, evaluating appropriate and effective responses supporting numerous NGO partners.  Ann also creates, manages and implements in person and virtual skills based employee engagement volunteer efforts at BD.

Most recently, Ann joined the nonprofit humanitarian organization, Direct Relief, consulting on their Corporate Engagement team.

Ann holds a Master of Arts in Human Relations from University of Oklahoma, and a Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications from Towson University.  She currently resides in San Antonio, Texas.

Suki McClatchey, Director, Global Citizenship & Policy, Abbott

Suki McClatchey serves as Director, Global Citizenship and Policy for Abbott. She is responsible for managing and developing programs with not-for-profit organizations that address global needs in the area of access to health. She also oversees the company’s disaster relief efforts and product donations programs. Before assuming her current position in 2006, Suki was the manager of Abbott’s Prevention of Mother-to-Child-Transmission of HIV/AIDS donations program. Prior to this, she conducted pharmaceutical and nutritional market research in Abbott’s international pharmaceutical division.

Suki joined Abbott after spending three years with the World Health Organization (WHO) in Geneva, Switzerland. During her time at WHO, her primary responsibility was to research and report on the global impact of micronutrient malnutrition on the health and wellbeing of vulnerable populations. Suki received her Master’s in Public Health with a focus on international maternal and child health from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill.

Tanya Moore, Associate Director, Patient Access and Independent Education, AbbVie

Tanya Moore has worked at AbbVie for 28 years, most of this time has been within the commercial organization. She has extensive experience in US Market Access, Trade, and Patient Services marketing which has given her the opportunity to understand the payer and trade landscape and how this affects patient access and affordability.  Tanya recently has taken the experiences to her new role within Corporate Responsibility where she works across the Patient Assistance Program, Global Product Donations, support of independent charitable copay foundations, and more.  

Tanya enjoys spending time with her family, watching crime shows, and loves Chicago sports!

Damian Morales, Director of Disaster Recovery, Good360

Damian Morales is Director of Disaster Recovery for Good360. In this role, Damian manages Good360’s disaster-focused nonprofit & governmental strategy and partnerships. Prior to joining Good360, Damian served as the Disaster Services Manager for OneStar Foundation and Association Administrator for Texas Voluntary Organizations Active in Disaster (VOAD). Damian serves on the National VOAD Advocacy, Long-Term Recovery and Donations Management Committee(s). Damian holds a Bachelor of Arts from Vassar College and Master of Public Health in Health Policy and Management with a concentration in Emergency Preparedness from New York Medical College.

Hoshang Mustafa. Ukraine Logistics Director, Project HOPE

Hoshang Mustafa is a Kurdish citizen from Iraqi Kurdistan, with over 10 years of experience working in supply chain departments for various INGOs covering different countries. His work started in his hometown, Erbil, in 2014 – responses included providing humanitarian aid to Syrian refugees, and emergency crisis response after the invasion of Iraq by ISIS.

His international humanitarian experience began in 2019, working in various countries in the Middle East and Africa. Hoshang began working with Project HOPE at the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, helping organize supply chain logistics to support aid to millions of Internally Displaced Persons and Ukrainian refugees in neighboring countries.

Trina Newcomb, Director of Corporate & Foundation Relations, Medical Teams International

Trina has a 15-year career in international humanitarian program leadership. She has an MA in Refugee Protection and Forced Migration from the University of London.

Trina has led humanitarian programs and emergency response work in Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Central America, including work to respond to the outbreak of Ebola in Liberia and the Nepal earthquake in 2015, the Syrian refugee crisis in Lebanon, Greece, and Serbia in 2013-2016, the displacement and return of Yazidis in Kurdistan in 2016-2018, and the influx of Rohingya refugees to Bangladesh in 2018-2019. She has also worked extensively in East Africa, supporting UNHCR and PRM programming in Burundi, Tanzania, and Uganda, primarily.

Trina transitioned from humanitarian response program leadership to managing relationships with foundations and corporate partners in June 2022. Trina understands the crucial role partnerships play in the impact and sustainability of working with displaced and vulnerable populations around the world and now works to align the passions and interests of existing and potential new partners with the work of Medical Teams International.

Besides her humanitarian work, Trina’s passions include tennis, dogs, international travel, and hiking.

Najibullah Noorzai, Gifts-in-Kind Specialist, Islamic Relief USA

Najibullah Noorzai (Najib) is the Gifts-in-Kind Specialist at Islamic Relief USA. In this role, Najib manages IRUSA’s in-kind program by collaborating with partner organizations to source and deliver the needed medicines, medical supplies, and equipment to developing countries. Najib began his career in international development in 2004. He worked with several international development organizations including the European Union Delegation to Afghanistan, the United Nations agencies, and Blumont, Inc. He has a master’s degree in international development from the American University, Washington D.C., and a master of law degree (LL.M.) from Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Valérie Philippon, Head, Managed Access Programs RDO, UCB

Valérie has over 20 years of experience in Research, Development, Medical Affairs and Managed Access Programs. She received her PhD in Microbiology from the University of Paris Cité, France and moved to the Boston area in 1994 to complete a post-doctoral fellowship at Harvard School of Public Health. She has held a variety of Medical Affairs roles successively at Therion Biologics, Idenix, Vertex, AVEO Oncology, Cubist Pharmaceuticals, Shire, Takeda and is currently the Head of Medical Scientific Communications and Managed Access Programs in UCB Rare Disease Organization.

Ellen Rafferty, Associate Director, Social Investing, BD

Ellen Rafferty manages many of BD’s international, national and local corporate giving programs – including cash grants and product donations for BD and the BD Foundation. She also executes the strategy for the Company’s signature strategic philanthropy programs in the United States, which focus on expanding access to healthcare among vulnerable populations.

During her 20-year tenure at BD, Rafferty has developed and led multi-year volunteer service trip programs, which have deployed teams of BD employees to work in partnership with NGOs to strengthen the capacity of health systems in Peru and Mexico, to provide preventive care to at-risk patients.

Rafferty also directs BD’s worldwide product donation program and manages relationships with the nonprofit organizations that ensure the efficient and effective deployment of the Company’s medical products and financial support, during times of disaster and for ongoing needs.

Locally, at BD’s headquarters location in Franklin Lakes, N.J., Rafferty launched a program to empower employees to serve as liaisons to various local nonprofit organizations.

Prior to joining BD, Rafferty worked at The Economist Intelligence Unit and the McGraw-Hill Companies. She serves on the Executive Committee of the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (PQMD). She is a former advisory board member for the American Cancer Society in northern New Jersey; past vice president of the DACKKs Group for Supportive Housing, and past board member for Family Promise of Bergen County. She is an active member of the Chief Executives for Corporate Purpose and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Foundation.

Rafferty earned a bachelor’s degree in business from Fairleigh Dickinson University.

Rafferty was recognized with the Woman of Action Award by the YWCA of Northern New Jersey in 2019.

Molly Salmon, Corporate Affairs Manager, Amgen

Molly Salmon is responsible for inventory and demand management for Amgen’s US Patient Assistance Program. She supports patients outside the US by leading Amgen’s bulk medicine donation program, concentrating on building strong partnerships and operational efficiency to maximize access to Amgen’s medicines globally.

In her previous role, Molly worked on Amgen’s Global Trade Compliance team establishing sanctions and anti-boycott compliance programs. She also spent several years in Amgen’s Global Supply Chain and Operations organizations in program implementation and management roles. Has a bachelor’s in business administration from City University of Seattle.

Chris Skopec, Executive Vice President of Global Health, Project HOPE

Chris Skopec is the Executive Vice President of Global Health at Project HOPE and holds over 25 years of experience in global health, humanitarian aid, and international development programs around the world.

At Project HOPE, Chris leads the organization’s global health programming and emergency and humanitarian aid responses, overseeing a staff of more than 800 in 25 countries. In this role, Chris is responsible for a diverse range of longstanding global health programs and has led comprehensive responses to the war in Ukraine, the COVID-19 pandemic, the earthquakes in Türkiye and Syria, and the migration crisis in the Northern Triangle, to name a few.

Chris currently serves as the Board Chair for the Partnership for Quality Medical Donations (PQMD). He previously served three years on the Inter-Agency Standing Committee (IASC) Emergency Directors Group (EDG) – the highest-level humanitarian coordination forum of the United Nations system – where he sought to strengthen the humanitarian architecture in crisis contexts around the world.

Chris holds a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology from the University of California, San Diego; and a Master of Arts in Russian and East European studies from Georgetown University.

Kavita Sood-Isaacs, Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility and Global Philanthropy, Baxter International Inc.

Kavita Sood-Isaacs is the Senior Manager, Corporate Responsibility and Global Philanthropy at Baxter International Inc. In this role, she supports Baxter’s Mission to Save and Sustain Lives through management of Baxter International Foundation signature partnerships, disaster relief investments, and product donations. She is also a member of Baxter’s Corporate Responsibility Council helping set and advance their global corporate responsibility strategy.

Kavita previously served as Chair of PQMD’s Disaster Relief and Humanitarian Assistance Committee. Prior to joining Baxter Kavita spent years working in the international non-profit sector forging cross-sectoral philanthropic partnerships. She has worked with organizations such as RefuSHE, the United Nations Foundation, and the Chicago Council on Global Affairs. A graduate of Washington University in St. Louis, she has lived and worked extensively in developing countries and knows international development from the ground up.

Stephanie Steege, Director of Humanitarian Programs, Airlink

Stephanie Steege is Director of Humanitarian Programs at Airlink, leading operations connecting nonprofit partners and the aviation sector to deliver disaster responders and supplies in the wake of humanitarian crises worldwide.

She joined the Airlink team in 2013 after earning a degree in International Relations from Humboldt State University in her home state of California. In her first two years at Airlink, she helped the organization more than double the value it delivers to its nonprofit partners annually and has now helped the organization deliver more than $10M in airfreight and logistics value to nonprofit organizations globally. Today, she leads a team of humanitarian experts that helps nonprofit organizations transport passengers and aid cargo to humanitarian emergencies around the world, overcome a wide variety of logistical challenges beyond air transport, and build their own logistics knowledge and capacity.

Stephanie lives in North Carolina with her husband and two dogs. In her free time she enjoys cycling, as well as hiking in the nearby Blue Ridge mountains.

Damon Taugher, Vice President, Global Programs, Direct Relief

Damon Taugher, Vice President, Global Programs, Direct Relief, began his career at Direct Relief in 2003 after graduating from the University of California Los Angeles, where he received degrees in Political Science and Geography.  Damon founded Direct Relief’s program in the United States, which became the first nonprofit organization licensed to distribute prescription medicines to all 50 states and is now the largest of its kind in the country.  Today, Damon oversees Direct Relief’s strategic global initiatives, which are aimed at growing support for its network of thousands of healthcare facilities in 100 countries.  Charitable support is generated from 100 healthcare companies and foundation donors, who contribute through a variety of programmatic initiatives, including the provision of more than $2 billion in medical aid annually.

Erica Tavares, Sr. Director, Institutional Development, International Medical Corps

A dynamic and politically savvy fundraising professional, Erica Tavares leads partnership development and private fundraising efforts at International Medical Corps, a global humanitarian organization that has delivered more than $2.2 billion in health care services over 30 years in more than 70 countries. A results-driven leader, Erica manages and motivates diverse teams to work together on fundraising opportunities to achieve breakthrough results. With over a decade in fundraising, major gifts, corporate partnership development, gift-in-kind, special events and direct marketing, Erica leads a growing team to increase revenue and mobilize resources to meet organizational goals. She specializes in jumpstarting new fundraising channels for growing organizations. Erica was previously a member of the management team at Women for Women International, helping to grow their annual revenue from $1 million to more than $30 million in less than 10 years. She has also worked with the Democratic National Committee and received her BA from American University.

Thomas Tighe, President & CEO, Direct Relief

During Tighe’s tenure, Direct Relief has been named among the world’s most innovative nonprofits by Fast Company, has been rated by Forbes as being 99 percent efficient or better in fundraising since 2001, won the Peter F. Drucker Award for Nonprofit Innovation, the CECP Director’s Award, the Esri President’s Award for GIS innovation, the Office of the Surgeon General’s National Leadership and Partnership Award, and became the first U.S. nonprofit to obtain NABP Drug Distributor Accreditation to distribute Rx medications in all 50 U.S. states.

From 1995 to 2000, Tighe served as Chief of Staff and Chief Operating Officer of the Peace Corps, overseeing day-to-day operations of the agency’s worldwide programs and a resurgent growth to a 27-year high. From 1993 to 1995, Tighe served as Associate General Counsel of the Peace Corps, negotiating bilateral agreements to initiate Peace Corps programs in South Africa and China. From 1989 to 1993, he served as Associate Counsel on the U.S. Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs, conducting oversight and developing legislation related to veterans’ mental-health care, special disability programs, drug and alcohol treatment, and services for homeless veterans. Tighe also handled collateral duties related to foreign aid and the Peace Corps.

A 1982 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley, Tighe received a J.D. in 1985 from the University of California, Hastings College of Law, and an Honorary Doctorate of Laws from Hobart and William Smith Colleges in May 2003. He served as a Peace Corps Volunteer teacher in rural Thailand from 1986 to 1988. He was selected for the Aspen Institute’s 2003 class of Henry Crown Fellows, was on the editorial advisory board for Pacific Standard Magazine, and is a member of the Pacific Council on International Policy. He was named to the Nonprofit Times Power & Influence Top 50 (2021), Executive of the Year in 2006 by the South Coast Business and Technology Forum. He has also served as a visiting professor at the University of California, Santa Barbara’s graduate program in Global and International Studies.

Abby van Horne-Brett, Senior Director, Corporate Partnerships, World Vision

Abby van Horne-Brett is a Director of Corporate and Foundation Partnerships in Health & Nutrition at World Vision. She is based in New York, and has been with World Vision since 2011, during which time she has worked alongside several members of PQMD as they partner with World Vision in joint programs around the globe.

Her focus at World Vision is on developing strategic partnerships to support World Vision’s health and nutrition programming with product and financial resources, as part of their community development in nearly 100 countries around the world. Abby holds a B.A. in Communications from Marist College, and an M.A. in Media Ecology from New York University. Prior to joining World Vision, Abby worked as a public relations advisor for pharmaceutical and consumer health brands.

Heather Watts, Director, Healthcare Industry Relations, Health Partners International of Canada (HPIC)

Heather began working as the Director of Healthcare Industry Relations for Health Partners International Canada (HPIC) in March 2020. She obtained her B.A. and LL.B. degrees from the University of Toronto and was called to the Ontario Bar in 2001. She practised as an intellectual property attorney in the pharmaceutical and healthcare spheres for nearly 20 years before deciding it was time for a career change.

Heather holds an LL.M. in International Development and International Trade Regulation from the University of Toronto and a Professional Certificate in Nonprofit and Voluntary Sector Management from Ryerson University. Committed to lifelong learning, also recently completed a Graduate Diploma in Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability at the University of St. Michael’s College/Toronto.

As an avid traveller, Heather’s proudest moment came when she visited the country of Chad in May 2023 – her 193rd country of 193 UN countries.

Dr. Melissa Wu, CEO, Seeding Labs

Melissa P. Wu, PhD is the Chief Executive Officer and a co-founder of the nonprofit organization, Seeding Labs. Seeding Labs envisions a world where locally-led science empowers developing countries to build brighter, healthier, and more equitable futures. It was established in 2008; Melissa was named CEO in 2019. At Seeding Labs, Melissa drove the expansion of their flagship Instrumental Access program, redesigning the program for efficiency and building out the implementing team. It now has a global footprint of more than 100 universities in 39 countries. She leads the organization’s efforts to leverage the private sector’s resources for greater investment in local scientific research infrastructure to drive sustainable development.

Melissa’s career has focused on increasing the participation of diverse populations in scientific research. She previously held positions at the Harvard Office for Diversity, Inclusion, and Community Partnership; Journal of Emerging Investigators; and the BioBuilder Educational Foundation. She spent over a decade in research at labs across the US, with a focus on studying tissue development. Melissa earned a PhD in Cellular and Developmental Biology from Harvard University and holds an SB in Biology from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.