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Photo of John Nkengasong

Executive Director for Higher Education, Collaboratives, and Special Initiatives, Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation

Director, Collaboratives and Special Programs, Mastercard Foundation  

Mastercard Foundation

Photo of John Nyagaka

Chair, Young Leaders' Table

University of Toronto

Photo of Lisa A. Robinson

, MD, FRCPC, FASN, FCAHS

Dean of Medicine, Vice-Provost Relations with Health Care Institutions, Temerty Faculty of Medicine

University of Toronto

Photo of Joshua Ebinabo

Program Manager, African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge

Photo of Osaretin Obano

Executive Director, African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge

African Impact Challenge

African Impact Challenge, The BRIDGE, University of Toronto, University of Toronto Scarborough

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Ambassador John N. Nkengasong is the Executive Director for Higher Education at the Mastercard Foundation

John Nkengasong

Executive Director for Higher Education, Collaboratives, and Special Initiatives, Mastercard Foundation

Mastercard Foundation

Ambassador John N. Nkengasong is a distinguished virologist and global health leader with more than 30 years of experience in public health. He currently serves as the Executive Director for Higher Education at the Mastercard Foundation, where he oversees the Foundation’s higher education and health workforce development portfolios.

Previously, he was the U.S. Global AIDS Coordinator and the Senior Bureau Official for Global Health Security and Diplomacy (GHSD), leading U.S. efforts to strengthen global health security and manage infectious diseases, including HIV/AIDS. He was the founding Director of the Africa CDC, where he established it as a key autonomous health agency and coordinated Africa’s COVID-19 response, securing vaccines for the continent. He held critical roles at the U.S. CDC and contributed extensively to global health diplomacy.

He holds a B.Sc. from the University of Yaoundé, an M.Sc. from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp, and a Ph.D. from the University of Brussels, and leadership training certification from Harvard’s Kennedy School.

Recognized among Time’s 100 Most Influential People in 2021, Ambassador Nkengasong has received numerous awards, including the Virchow Prize for Global Health. He is a member of the National Academy of Medicine and the Vatican Pontifical Academy of Life.

Email Address
jnkengasong@mastercardfdn.org
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Governance
Executive Steering Committee
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Ashley Collier

Director, Collaboratives and Special Programs, Mastercard Foundation  

Mastercard Foundation

Email Address
acollier@mastercardfdn.org
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Governance
Executive Steering Committee
Profile
John Nyagaka headshot for Africa Health Collaborative

John Nyagaka

Chair, Young Leaders' Table

University of Toronto

John Nyagaka is a recent graduate of the Master of Health Informatics at the University of Toronto as a Mastercard Foundation Scholar.

He is from Kenya, and his journey has taken him across Africa and internationally.  He holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Ashesi University in Ghana. Furthermore, he has had the privilege to develop hands-on professional expertise in digital health, data science, education, technology, and financial services.

Email Address
jm.nyagaka@mail.utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Kenya
Program
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Governance
Executive Steering Committee
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Lisa A. Robinson of the University of Toronto Temerty Faculty of Medicine and Africa Health Collaborative

Lisa A. Robinson, MD, FRCPC, FASN, FCAHS

Dean of Medicine, Vice-Provost Relations with Health Care Institutions, Temerty Faculty of Medicine

University of Toronto

Dr. Lisa Robinson began her service as Dean of the Temerty Faculty of Medicine (Temerty Medicine) and the Vice Provost, Relations with Health Care Institutions at the University of Toronto (U of T) on July 1, 2024.

She is a Professor in the departments of paediatrics, biochemistry, and the Institute of Medical Science at U of T. She is also a Staff Physician and former Head of the Division of Nephrology at The Hospital for Sick Children (SickKids) and a Senior Scientist in the Program in Cell Biology at the SickKids Research Institute. Her research integrates molecular biology, cell biology, advanced microscopic techniques, and biochemical approaches to advance the understanding and treatment of kidney disease. Dr. Robinson holds a Canada Research Chair (CRC) Tier 1 in Vascular Inflammation and Kidney Injury.

In addition to her focus on research and innovation, Dr. Robinson has a deep commitment to education and mentorship. She is the founder and former director of Kids Science, a SickKids Research Institute program that provides opportunities for middle- and high-school students to improve their understanding of science and technology, and to make positive educational and career choices. In 2014, she launched the Student Advancement Research (StAR) Program, a SickKids summer research program for high school students.

Email Address
lisa.robinson@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Canada
Governance
Executive Steering Committee
Profile
Joshua Ebinabo

Joshua Ebinabo

Program Manager, African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge

Joshua Ebinabo is the Program Manager for the African Impact Initiative’s flagship program, the African Impact Challenge. He works closely with cross-functional teams to plan and execute the program, ensuring a seamless experience for founders from application through acceleration.

In his role, Joshua has led the transformation of the program’s bootcamp, redesigning and upgrading its structure to provide stronger resources, clearer pathways, and greater value for participating founders. He oversees program timelines, stakeholder coordination, mentor engagement, and performance tracking, ensuring milestones are met and outcomes are impact-driven.

Through strategic planning and continuous improvement, Joshua strengthens the African Impact Challenge as a high-impact accelerator for emerging entrepreneurs across Africa.

Email Address
joshua.ebinabo@africanimpactinitiative.com
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
African Impact Challenge
Profile
Osaretin Obana

Osaretin Obano

Executive Director, African Impact Initiative

African Impact Challenge

Osaretin Obano is a dedicated innovator and ecosystem builder passionate about transforming healthcare entrepreneurship in Africa. As Executive Director at the African Impact Initiative, University of Toronto, he plays a pivotal role within the Africa Health Collaborative, where he focuses on turning visionary ideas into tangible, life-changing healthcare ventures.

With a strong background in technology, business development, and startup investing, he applies a practical, results-driven approach to supporting early-stage health innovators. His work involves nurturing high-potential healthcare startups, fostering strategic partnerships, and providing the tools and guidance needed to scale impactful solutions across the continent.

Through the Africa Health Collaborative, he bridges the gap between entrepreneurial ambition and real-world implementation, helping to build sustainable ventures that address critical healthcare challenges. His efforts are centered on creating lasting impact by empowering entrepreneurs who are poised to redefine health outcomes in African communities.

Email Address
osaretin@africanimpactinitiative.com
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
African Impact Challenge