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Beyond the Pitch: The Stories Driving FemSTEM Africa 2025

In Kigali, six women took the stage — each carrying a story shaped by experience. From newborn survival to menstrual health and maternal care, their ventures were more than ideas; they were solutions born from lived realities.

AfyaFest 2025 

Hosted by Amref Health Africa Who Can Participate  Participants will include invited student-led teams and early-stage entrepreneurs from Ghana, Kenya, Rwanda, South Africa, Ethiopia, Senegal, Zambia, and Canada—ensuring a rich mix of perspectives and experiences.  The Experience Three days. One goal: Transform ideas into impact.  FAQ We’re spotlighting solutions in four urgent health priorities:  Maternal […]

Photo of Achieng’ Aling’

, Dr (Med)

Healthcare Programs Director

African Leadership University

Photo of Joseph Ferenbok (PhD)

, PhD

Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine MSc HENT UofT Academic Director

University of Toronto

Photo of Kimberly Crasta (MHSc)

, MHSc

MSc HENT Instructor, Faculty of Medicine MSc HENT Program Officer

University of Toronto

African Women Innovating in Health Care

This year, FemSTEM Africa engaged over 200 health innovators and enthusiasts through a series of events, concluding in a pitch competition and interactions with seasoned entrepreneurs. The five-part event series was organized by the University of Toronto’s Health Innovation Hub (H2i) in partnership with Social Enterprise (SE) Ghana, Sustineri Attorneys,  supported by funding from the […]

Photo of Leila Serwaah Khalid

, LLB, MA, PMP

Communications Officer, Africa

Africa Secretariat, Office of the Vice-President International, University of Toronto

Photo of William Ohene Annoh

Assistant Director - Adei Research Studio; Co-Lead, HENT Pillar

Ashesi University

Profile

Achieng’ Aling’ , Dr (Med)

Healthcare Programs Director

African Leadership University

Dr. Achieng’ Aling’ is a medical doctor and global health professional with a background in health workforce and health systems strengthening. She currently serves as Healthcare Programs Director at African Leadership University (ALU), where she leads the African Health Collaborative, focused on building the next generation of health leaders through entrepreneurship, workforce development, and primary healthcare innovation. She has supported health program implementation across Africa, working closely with governments and partners to design and deliver locally led solutions, particularly in maternal health and health workforce strategy. A trained obstetrician-gynecologist with an MSc in Global Health Delivery, she is also a proud WomenLift Health Fellow committed to advancing women’s leadership in African health systems.

She is deeply passionate about menstrual health equity and champions the integration of menstrual and hormonal health into leadership and policy spaces, ensuring these often-overlooked issues are part of the conversation in shaping resilient health systems.

Profile Type
Staff
Country
Rwanda
Governance
Project Implementation Committee
Profile

Joseph Ferenbok (PhD) , PhD

Associate Professor, Faculty of Medicine MSc HENT UofT Academic Director

University of Toronto

Dr. Ferenbok is an Associate Professor of Laboratory Medicine and Pathobiology and the founder & faculty member of the Translational Research Program, a professional master’s that trains students to harness creative problem-solving for health sciences innovation. He is the Course Director for Projects in Translational Research and Methods in Practices and Contexts and the Instructor for the Translational Thinking module.

He also co-founded the Health Innovation Hub (H2i), an initiative that fosters translation, innovation, and commercialization of “Health Matters,” and founded the Ideation Clinic, which helps people across disciplines generate and refine innovative ideas. Dr. Ferenbok additionally serves as the UofT’s Academic Director and Instructor for the MSc in Health Entrepreneurship at KNUST in Ghana.

Driven by collaborative problem-solving, he seeks to systematically mobilize knowledge to design more effective, person-centric interventions spanning diagnostics, therapeutics, procedures, and behaviour change. Dr. Ferenbok aims to enhance health outcomes for individuals and communities by embracing diverse perspectives and unconventional approaches.

Email Address
joseph.ferenbok@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Faculty
Country
Canada
Profile

Kimberly Crasta (MHSc) , MHSc

MSc HENT Instructor, Faculty of Medicine MSc HENT Program Officer

University of Toronto

Kim is a healthcare innovator, researcher, and mentor dedicated to improving access and equity for underserved communities. She holds a Master of Health Science in Translational Research and a Public Health Policy certification from the University of Toronto (U of T), blending policy and clinical insights to address health system inefficiencies. At Toronto General Hospital, Kim co-leads projects to optimize clinic flow and resource allocation, using electronic health records to enhance patient care and support frontline teams.

A passionate traveller, Kim has visited more than 40 countries across North America, Europe, Africa, and Asia—immersing herself in local communities and embracing their diverse cultures, traditions, and histories. These global experiences shape her commitment to health equity and drive her collaborative work in Africa.

Kim also co-leads the summer bootcamp for healthcare venture founders in the African Impact Challenge and serves as the UofT’s program officer and instructor for the MSc in Health Entrepreneurship at KNUST in Ghana.

Email Address
kim.crasta@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Canada
Profile

Leila Serwaah Khalid, LLB, MA, PMP

Communications Officer, Africa

Africa Secretariat

Leila Serwaah Khalid is a seasoned communications and brand expert with over a decade of experience driving impactful narratives across diverse industries and continents. She has a proven track record of transforming brands into thought leaders, securing high-profile media placements in outlets such as BBC, CNN, Time Magazine, and Reuters.

Leila has excelled at leading dynamic marketing teams and executing successful multimedia campaigns that drive awareness, enhance reputation, and expand customer bases across African and European markets.


Her expertise spans strategic planning, digital marketing, content development, and public relations.


Currently, she serves as Communications Officer for Africa at the University of Toronto, where she spearheads communication strategies for the Africa Health Collaborative, collaborating with 10 institutional partners.


Leila holds a Master’s degree in Communication Studies from the University of Ghana, a certification in Marketing Management from the University of Stellenbosch, and a Bachelor of Laws from KNUST, Ghana. She is also a certified Project Management Professional by the Project Management Institute.

Email Address
leila.khalid@utoronto.ca
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Ghana
Profile

William Ohene Annoh

Assistant Director - Adei Research Studio; Co-Lead, HENT Pillar

Ashesi University

William Ohene Annoh is the Assistant Director, Adei Research Studio at Ashesi University, Ghana.

Email Address
william.annoh@ashesi.edu.gh
Profile Type
Staff
Country
Ghana
Governance
HENT Pillar Advisory Committee