The 2026 Annual Convening will spotlight Africa’s greatest strength—its young people, bringing together young innovators, health leaders, universities, governments, and ecosystem catalysts to explore practical solutions to Africa’s PHC challenges.
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Research, Learning, and Impact Technical Advisor at Amref Health Africa; Adjunct Faculty at the Amref International University, School of Public Health
Amref International University
Master Scholar
Amref International University, University of Toronto
(Head, Health Systems Management)
Amref International University
Master Scholar
Amref International University, University of Toronto
CEO, Amref Health Innovation
Amref International University
, PhD
Dean, Graduate School and Director of Enterprises, AMREF International University
Amref International University
, PhD
Dean, School of Medical Sciences;
Senior Lecturer, Nursing and Midwifery Sciences
Amref International University
Profile
Yvonne Opanga, MSc, MGB Candidate
Research, Learning, and Impact Technical Advisor at Amref Health Africa; Adjunct Faculty at the Amref International University, School of Public Health
Ms. Yvonne Opanga is a Research, Learning, and Impact Technical Advisor at Amref Health Africa and also contributes to the training of healthcare workforce in her capacity as an Adjunct Faculty at the Amref International University, School of Public Health.
She is the secretary of the Amref Ethics and Scientific Review Committee, where she coordinates the activities of the IRB secretariat. She is a public health researcher with more than 12 years’ experience in implementation research, Impact evaluations, health systems research, and Bioethics.
Ms. Opanga has a keen interest in research that addresses emerging trends across the health system continuum in the context of Primary Healthcare. Her aim is to drive research that contributes to effective corrective measures addressing Contextual and systemic disparities, including operation bottlenecks affecting the functionality of Primary Health Care Systems in vulnerable contexts in Kenya.
Ms. Opanga has participated as a co-investigator in more than 20 studies and published 19+ publications in local and international peer-reviewed journals. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Foods, Nutrition, and Dietetics, a Master of Science in Public Health, a Post-Graduate Diploma in Biomedical Ethics (Research, Public Health, and Clinical Ethics), and she is currently pursuing a Masters in Global Bioethics with Anahuac University Mexico (Universidad Anáhuac).
My name is Harriet Tunu Baraka from Kenya, and I am a Mastercard Foundation scholar pursuing a Master of Health Administration at the esteemed University of Toronto.
I got the award through my former school, Amref International University and this transformative journey has been incredible. The Mastercard Foundation team has been very supportive, and my transition to Canada has been seamless. This journey will not only equip me with the necessary leadership skills for the healthcare industry, but it will also make me expand my network and create lasting memories. I am very grateful.
As a Mastercard scholar at the University of Toronto, I value the opportunities given to me and the exposure that the institution is giving me, in order to grow in the profession of health administration, improve my expertise and develop networks that will help me in my professional career hence making me be a better health administrator in the health care industry.
Ms. Mbindyo is the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Amref Health Innovations.
She is an experienced leader at the intersection of digital innovation, global health, and international development. She has extensive experience in driving complex program deployments in multiple countries, scaling innovations, and developing new business opportunities through innovative financing models in emerging markets. She has over fifteen (15) years of experience running and growing entrepreneurial ventures in the non-profit and commercial space, implementing access programs, and deploying innovative approaches for profit, purpose, and sustainability. Ms. Mbindyo is a Board Member of D-Tree and Qhala and is on the Advisory Board of Analytics for a Better World.
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.
Dr. Micah Matiang’i is a senior Lecturer at the Amref International University (AMIU) which only trains Human Resource for Health (HRH).
He currently heads the Directorate of eLearning (ODeL) in the university. In addition to academic work, Micah does implement Primary Health Care (PHC) centered projects more especially in the area of Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH). Micah is a commonwealth fellowship alumnus with interest in Health Systems Research (HSR) and disruptive training technologies. Micah has an experience spanning over 18 years in training HRH. He has background in BScN with a masters and doctorate in Public Health.
