People Directory

Our team is the heartbeat of our collaborative efforts, comprising diverse experts from various fields. Each member brings unique skills and perspectives, uniting to drive innovation and impact in the health sector. Together, we are more than just a team; we are a community committed to transforming healthcare across Africa.

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People Directory

Photo of Shaza Fadel

, PhD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Public Health Division; Faculty Co-Lead, Junior Faculty Development Program

University of Toronto, Dalla Lana School of Public Health

Photo of Dave Fenton

Assistant Director, External Relations

University of Toronto Scarborough, The BRIDGE

Photo of Dawit Wondimagegn Gebreamlak

, MD

Associate Professor, Addis Ababa University Consultant Psychiatrist, Tikur Anbessa Hospital Associate professor, Addis Ababa University, Co-chair and Director, Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration-TAAAC National Lead, African Health Observatory Platform- Ethiopia National Centre

Addis Ababa University

Photo of Damen Haile Mariam

, MD, PhD

Professor, School of Public Health

Addis Ababa University

Photo of Marian Bernice Kafui Adzoa Haligah

Master Scholar

University of Toronto, Ashesi University

Photo of Maarouf Borhan Hatab

Master Scholar

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, University of Toronto

Photo of Lisa Huehner

, M.A.

Marketing & Operations, University of Toronto Mississauga, IMIx Executive Programs

University of Toronto, Institute for Management & Innovation

Photo of Suying Hugh

, EdD

Program Manager, Mastercard Foundation

University of Toronto, Office of the Vice-President International

Photo of Dancan Irungu

, PhD

Dean, Graduate School and Director of Enterprises

Amref International University

Photo of Joseph Ndiritu

Director, Programs Delivery and Reporting

African Institute for Mathematical Sciences

Profile

Shaza Fadel, PhD

Assistant Professor, Clinical Public Health Division; Faculty Co-Lead, Junior Faculty Development Program

University of Toronto

Dr. Shaza Aladien Fadel is an Assistant Professor in the Clinical Public Health Division at the Dalla Lana School of Public Health and Centre for Global Health. At the Centre, she serves as  the Faculty co-lead of the Junior Faculty Development Program co-designed with the Moi University School of Public Health. She is an epidemiologist, immunologist, and public health professional working at the intersection of health service research and vaccine preventable diseases. Her program looks at the impact of vaccination programs across the life-course in improving equitable distribution of benefits to individuals and community-engaged evaluation of interventions that improve vaccine confidence.

Email Address
shaza.fadel@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Canada
Profile

Dave Fenton

Assistant Director, External Relations

University of Toronto Scarborough

Dave Fenton is the Assistant Director of External Relations with the Department of Management at the University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC).

He leads a team of relationship managers that support Management’s accredited co-operative education program, and oversees the curricular work-integrated learning (WIL) program through The BRIDGE. One such initiative includes the African Impact Challenge (AIC), launched in 2020 alongside through the African Impact Initiative.  The AIC empowers African youth to realize the change they wish to see in their communities through the development and launch of technology-driven social impact startups.  The AIC was recognized by the United Nations as one of the top 50 solutions in the 2020 Youth Solutions Report for Sustainable Development.  Dave has been published in Cooperative Education and Work-Integrated Learning Canada’s (CEWIL Canada) e-book “The Practice of Co-op and Work-Integrated Learning in the Canadian Context”, presented publications at the WACE International Research Symposium, the World Association of Cooperative Education (WACE) World Conference, the CEWIL Research Spotlight, and serves as facilitator of Global WIL Modules.  Dave holds a Master of Education from the Ontario Institute for Studies in Education (OISE) at the University of Toronto.

Email Address
dave.fenton@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
African Impact Challenge
Profile

Dawit Wondimagegn Gebreamlak, MD

Associate Professor, Addis Ababa University Consultant Psychiatrist, Tikur Anbessa Hospital Associate professor, Addis Ababa University, Co-chair and Director, Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration-TAAAC National Lead, African Health Observatory Platform- Ethiopia National Centre

Addis Ababa University

Dr. Dawit Wondimagegn is the former Chief Executive Director of the College of Health Sciences (CHS), Vice President of Addis Ababa University (AAU), Chair of AAU’s, Department of Psychiatry and Director of Graduate Programs for AAU, CHS in Ethiopia. Currently he is an Associate Professor of Psychiatry at AAU, a Consultant Psychiatrist, Tikur Anbessa Hospital, Co-chair and Director, Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration-TAAAC and the National Lead, African Health Observatory Platform- Ethiopia National Centre.

Through his numerous activities as a clinical and health systems leader, global mental health expert, IPT expert, and researcher, he is helping to decrease stigma and improve access to mental healthcare. An Assistant Professor of Psychiatry at AAU, he co-leads with Marci Rose the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration to develop post-graduate subspecialty training programs in numerous areas of medicine, primary care and nursing in Ethiopia.

He has published in the areas of global mental health, family medicine, medical ethics, psychotherapy knowledge translation, and post-partum depression. He was a primary investigator of two Grand Challenges Canada funded projects – The Biaber Project, to scale up screening and mental health care in Ethiopian primary care settings; and to engage with Ethiopian traditional healers, using a collaborative care model to increase the identification and treatment of psychiatric disorders. He has culturally adapted IPT for Ethiopia (IPT-E) and led IPT workshops for psychiatry residents at AAU and University of Toronto. The Biaber Project enabled the training of >500 Ethiopian primary care nurses in IPT-E.

Email Address
dawit.wondimagegn@aau.edu.et
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Ethiopia
Governance
Executive Steering Committee
Profile

Damen Haile Mariam, MD, PhD

Professor, School of Public Health

Addis Ababa University

Damen Haile Mariam, MD, MPH, PhD, is a Professor of Public Health and Health Economics at the School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Professor Damen is registered as a Consultant Community Health Specialist with the Federal Ministry of Health (serving as member and consultant within various national and international professional committees). In addition, he is a fellow of the Ethiopian Academy of Sciences.  

He is currently serving as Dean of the School of Public Health, Addis Ababa University (since 2019); Regional Editor (Africa) for the South Eastern European Journal of Public Health (since 2014); and Member of Ambo University Board (since 2022).  He has also served as: President of the Ethiopian Public Health Association (2001-2005); Member of the Executive Board of the World Federation of Public Health Associations (2003-2006); and Editor-In-Chief of the Ethiopian Journal of Health Development (2009 – 2016).

Email Address
damen_h@hotmail.com
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Ethiopia
Governance
HEMP Pillar Advisory Commitee
Profile

Marian Bernice Kafui Adzoa Haligah

Master Scholar

University of Toronto

I am Marian Bernice Kafui Adzoa Haligah from Ghana, honored to be a Mastercard Scholar at the University of Toronto, where I am specializing in Health Informatics. 

This scholarship has validated my academic dedication and fueled my passion for bridging healthcare and technology. What I’ve treasured most as a Mastercard Scholar is the global network of like-minded individuals, dedicated to making impactful changes. Every day, I’m reminded of our collective potential and am profoundly grateful for this transformative journey. With the foundation laid by the Mastercard Scholars program, I’m empowered to make lasting impacts in healthcare through informatics.

Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Ghana
Programs
Master of Health Informatics Regular (MHI)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Maarouf Borhan Hatab

Master Scholar

Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology

Receiving the scholarship has been a transformative experience for me.

What I value most about it is the access to invaluable information that has made adapting to life as an international student remarkably easy. The constant support I receive from the scholarship program is truly remarkable; it’s as if they anticipate my needs before I even realize them. Moreover, the connections I’ve been able to make through this opportunity have enriched my academic and personal journey. It’s a testament to the scholarship’s commitment to my success, and I am incredibly grateful for the doors it has opened in my life.

Profile Type
Scholar
Country
Canada
Ghana
Programs
Master of Financial Insurance (MFI)
Mastercard Foundation Masters Scholar program
Profile

Lisa Huehner, M.A.

Marketing & Operations, University of Toronto Mississauga, IMIx Executive Programs

University of Toronto

Lisa Huehner is responsible for Marketing & Operations at IMIx Executive Programs, a division of the Institute for Management & Innovation at the University of Toronto Mississauga.

In her current role Lisa manages all marketing activities as well as various professional development certificate programs. One of the programs Lisa is managing is the Certificate of Effective Healthcare Management, which is part of the Health Ecosystems Pillar. 

Before Lisa joined the University of Toronto, she worked for an international software company focusing on creating strategic partnerships and delivering global marketing initiatives. Lisa holds a Master’s degree from the University of Waterloo (Canada) as well as the University of Mannheim (Germany). Throughout her professional life, Lisa has always enjoyed working in a global setting and collaborating with partners from all over the world.

Email Address
imi.executiveprograms@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Program
IMIx
Profile

Suying Hugh, EdD

Program Manager, Mastercard Foundation

University of Toronto

Suying Hugh is the Program Manager for the Mastercard Foundation Scholars Program.

In her role, Suying oversees the day-to-day management of the scholarship and the students. A dedicated student life professional, Suying’s many years of experience focuses on enhancing the student experience and more specifically the international student experience. Her research interests focus on migration and the movement of talent. As the Program Manager of the Scholars Program, she understands the commitment of the scholarship to developing human capacity in Africa.

Email Address
suying.hugh@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Governance
HECO Pillar Co-Lead
Profile

Dancan Irungu, PhD

Dean, Graduate School and Director of Enterprises

Amref International University

Dr. Dancan Irungu is the Dean Graduate School and Director of Enterprises at Amref International University.

He holds a BED (Business & Mathematics) an MA in Project Management & Planning and a Doctorate in Business Administration and Management. He is a scholar and an expert in Entrepreneurship, Corporate strategy, Organizational Development (OD), and Project Management. He has been a member of think tank, technical advisor and lead consultant for projects funded by GOK, World Bank, Global Fund, UNDP, USAID and European Union.  Dancan has a passion for social economic empowerment and transformation of the youth of Africa through enterprises development. 

Email Address
Dancan.Irungu@amref.ac.ke
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Kenya
Governance
HEMP Pillar Advisory Commitee
Profile

Joseph Ndiritu

Director, Programs Delivery and Reporting

African Institute for Mathematical Sciences

Joseph Machaka Ndiritu is an esteemed Programme Management Professional with a robust 15-year track record in leading transformative programs across diverse socio-economic landscapes.

Currently, he serves as the Director of Programs Delivery and Reporting at the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS). In this capacity, Joseph manages a variety of programs spanning several African countries, oversees substantial budgets, and leads teams with a broad range of cultural and professional backgrounds to achieve their goals. His experience extends to roles at the African Virtual University (AVU), Heifer International, CARE International, and the Ministry of Agriculture in Kenya, where he refined his expertise in monitoring and evaluation, knowledge management, as well as food security and community-centric climate change adaptation strategies.

Joseph possesses a strong academic foundation in economics, leadership, and management, complemented by professional qualifications in instructional design & performance improvement, project management, and monitoring and evaluation. His skill set includes strategic planning, financial management, and proficiency in leading culturally diverse teams. Joseph’s commitment to generating positive change is evident in his impressive accomplishments in program management and fundraising, as well as in the development and deployment of innovative tools that empower communities and foster resilience.

Country
Kenya