Executive and Board Members

Professor Nighat Huda is acknowledged as the pioneer of medical education in Pakistan. Has immense contribution to community-oriented education for health professionals. Has special interest in women’s issues and women health. Has Experience of home schools for young women, skills development and health education programs for underprivileged women. Since 1991has been an integral part of WHTF activities. Passionate and committed to progress of women professionally, and promotes women’s health and well -being across diverse settings. Has publications in peer-reviewed journals. As an advocate for interprofessional collaborative practice, she has contributed chapter as a co-author, and editorials.

She has contributed through engagement in various activities at local, national and international levels on women’s issues alongside ensuring that medical students experience health needs of women’s population in primary care setting in particular. Currently, at national level, her affiliation with the National Committee for Maternal & Neonatal Health has supported education and training modules for adolescents on family planning, domestic violence, child marriages etc. During her early experience in university community partnership model, she has worked with underprivileged women and selected young women for training as Lady Health workers, and implemented women literacy programs

Past Contributions to WHTF: I am one of the original 4 founders of WHTF as an interest group in The Network: TUFH. I have been involved and contributing as the Chair, a founding board member of the formal organization, and participated in WHTF activities including strategic meetings, Board meetings; Co-chair of Program Committee; implemented WHTF workshops and presented research at TUFH international conferences. Participated in the WHTF research study proposal for the Sexual Violence Research Initiative (SVRI) Research Grant and identified co-investigators and communities in Karachi Pakistan; contributed as principal investigator on COVID-1 study in Karachi Pakistan. From TUFH platform, I implemented workshops on gender issues. Currently, I am contributor to TUFH Community of Practice for geriatrics population.

Future Contributions to WHTF: Contributing to WHTF sustainability will be my primary focus. I would like to help explore funding opportunities from impactful global institutions committed to advancing women’s health in low resource settings, promote partnership with institutions for research, advocacy and direct community engagement; collectively strategize actions towards increasing membership, active engagement of students, attracting emerging global leaders critical for future leaders transition.

I am an Egyptian university professor, a Fulbright alumna, and a researcher. Although I graduated as a physician, I shifted my career focus to teaching and research when I joined the Faculty of Medicine at Suez Canal University as a junior faculty member. I served as a coordinator for the medical students’ training program in Primary Health Care. This experience helped me develop expertise in Community-Based Education, which I further refined through a Master’s degree in Health Professions Education from the University of Illinois at Chicago and a PhD in Public Health with a focus on Medical Education. I also worked with the WHO/EMRO office as a consultant developing Community-Based Educational curricula for regional medical schools. I have approximately 40 years of experience teaching Public Health in both online and face-to-face settings across the USA, UK, and Egypt.

I worked as a project coordinator for community participation in health promotion in a poor rural area of Egypt. This experience, along with my travels to many countries around the world, opened my eyes to how poverty and disparity affect health, especially for women. During my Fulbright fellowship, I completed academically relevant studies in Women’s Health and International Health. I conducted various operational research projects focused on women`s health issues at both national and international levels, emphasizing Gender-Based Violence, Female Genital Mutilation, maternal and child health, and Reproductive Health. I also consulted on Female Genital Mutilation with the WHO and the Population Council.

Past Contributions to WHTF: I am one of the four founders of Women & Health, Together for the Future (WHTF), which began as a task force within the Network (TUFH) in 1991. Since 2004, I have attended every annual meeting, where I shared my research and developed educational materials for the women’s health learning package (WHLP). I have contributed to various research projects and presented at webinars. I am currently a board member and chair of the mini-grant program. As a past recipient of this mini-grant, I was able to help other mid-career health professionals and community members develop skills to implement interventions that promote women’s health in their communities.

Future Contributions to WHTF: I plan to keep supporting younger researchers and advocates in promoting women’s health in their communities. I will work with other members of the WHTF research group to seek funding for a women’s health scholarship program. This scholarship would give fellows the opportunity to gain education and skills through a structured curriculum.

Godwin N. Aja is a professor with over 30 years of experience in public health teaching, research, and community service. He is a graduate of Loma Linda University School of Public Health, California. His research interests include women’s health, health asset mapping, religion and health, interprofessional education, community partnerships and engagement in health research and social care, translation of public health research evidence into policy and practice, etc. His track record demonstrates a deep commitment to gender equity, community empowerment, and women´s health education—principles that align strongly with WHTF’s mission.

He has led and contributed to multi-country collaborations, capacity building initiatives, and policy advocacy projects focusing on maternal health, family planning, sexual and reproductive health, and psychosocial support for women and girls, especially in under- resourced and faith-based communities. As an academic leader, he has also mentored public health professionals, particularly women, and developed culturally relevant health education materials that address gender-specific health challenges

Previous Contributions to WHTF: First associated with Women’s Health Task Force in 2004. I received seven mini-grants and led several initiatives. I am a founding member of WHTF, Board Member and Treasurer since 2019, and Co-Chair of the WHTF Financial and Sustainability Committee. I contributed to several WHTF research initiatives.

Future Contributions to WHTF: I will continue to advocate for the regionalization of WHTF to promote wider participation and ensure sustainability. Through regional networks, WHTF membership and visibility is likely to extend beyond the Anglophone regions to include Francophone and Lusophone countries. I plan to seek ways for WHTF to partner with more local, national, and regional organizations to boost women’s health on the African continent and beyond.

Michelle Andipatin has a PHD in Psychology and is currently the Deputy Dean Research in the Faculty of Community and Health Sciences at the University of the Western Cape. She has a broad array of research interests that include but are not limited to: Women’s reproductive health, men and masculinities, alternate healing modalities, mental health and well-being, philosophical issues in science and research methodologies. Understanding and measuring social impact has become an important interest of hers. In addition to her role as Deputy Dean, she has also championed the Centre for Diversity in Psychological Practice since 2015-2023. As part of her Community Engagement, Professor Andipatin is involved in many projects related to women’s health, GBV and Quality of Life and Women’s Health. She is excited to assume the Executive Director position for Women and Health Together for the Future to support our activities to improve the health and health care of women.

I am a public health sociologist focused on women and children’s health. I developed one of the first school based health programs in USA in 1975, created the Community Based Education Program for medical students, developed community practica for public health students and created one of the first service learning programs. My research interests are health professions education, reproductive health, breast cancer, safe birth and delivery, and traditional community health practices. In addition to WHTF, I am Secretary of the Afghan Female Student Outreach, President of the Grand’Anse Health & Development Association Board and served in leadership positions of global health organizations including the World Federation of Public Health Associations, American Public Health Association and CORE Group. I have worked to improve community health in rural Haiti for 35 years. I am senior author of “The Health of Women/Mothers and Children,” in Understanding Global Medicine and Health, as well as articles about maternal and child health and other public health issues in Haiti, Ecuador and Sri Lanka and conducted research, program evaluation and training in over 50 countries. I received the 2018 Carl E. Taylor Lifetime Achievement Award from the International Health Section, American Public Health Association, honoring the visionaries and leaders in international health.

Contributions to WHTF: I am one of the 4 original founders of WHTF as an interest group of the Network Toward Unity for Health (TUFH) in 1991 and a founder of WHTF as formally incorporated in South Africa in 2019. I have served as WHTF Board Chair since 2019, led the Research Committee, developed several grant proposals, and led the Women’s Health Community of Practice in collaboration with TUFH. I have participated in most of the committees, moderated/ presented and participated in WHTF webinars, and represented the organization at global conferences. WHTF accomplishments during my period of leadership include developing a secretariat, website, increased organizational visibility, a new mini-grant program, restructuring due to fiscal limitations and broader board representation and development.

Future Contributions to WHTF: This is a critical time for establishing the sustainability of WHTF and I would like to find ways to gain ongoing financial support for our programs, including re- establishing the Mini grants, funded collaborative research and expanded membership. I would like to continue to contribute to research development and provide continuity to WHTF in ongoing organizational transitions.

Dr. Surekha Tayade, a 52-year-old female obstetrician and gynecologist, is currently serving as Professor and Unit Head at Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Sawangi (Meghe), Wardha, Maharashtra. She holds multiple degrees including MBBS, MD (OBGY), DNB, MNAMS, FICOG, FAIMER Fellow, FIME, ACME, PGDHHM, MPH, MEd (HPE), and PhD. Dr. Tayade began her academic career in 2002 at the Mahatma Gandhi Institute of Medical Sciences, Sewagram, where she served as a full Professor and Unit Head until 2019. Over her career, she has passionately mentored postgraduate students in both academic and surgical skills. She is also an accomplished author of multiple books, including The Update in Management of Postpartum Hemorrhage, and has received several honors including the Legend of Gynecology Award.

Past Contributions to WHTF: Dr. Tayade has been an active member of the Women’s Health Task Force (WHTF) since 2013 and is a founding member of Women’s Health Together for Future. She has received two WHTF Mini Grants to implement gender-based violence reduction programs in rural India and was honored with the Savitri Bai Phule Achievement Award in 2018. She has mentored two GHETS Mini Grant awardees as a senior mentor and has served on the WHTF Board of Directors since 2019. She was elected Vice President and serves as Program Committee Co-Chair.

Future Contributions to WHTF: My commitment is as follows : Program opportunities: I will work to identify and develop new program opportunities that address pressing women’s health needs, ensuring they are feasible, impactful, and aligned with WHTF’s mission.

Collaboration building: I plan to strengthen partnerships with organizations /institutions to co-create projects and share resources for greater reach and effectiveness.

Resource identification: I will try to identify fundraising opportunities as well as opportunities for diverse speakers for our programs

I am a public health physician and academic with over 20 years of experience in health systems, global health, and public health education. I currently serve as Associate Professor and Director of the MPH Programme at the University of Birmingham Dubai. My professional journey spans academia, health policy, and international collaboration with organizations including WHO, UNDP, and ministries of health across Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. I am one of the founding members of the WHTF. I also serve as Chair of the Board of Directors of the Irish Global Health Network and sit on the boards of other international health organizations.

As a founding member and active Board member of WHTF, I have consistently contributed to the organisation’s governance and strategic development. I led the recent constitutional review process, including the design of board election and have supported organizational planning and positioning efforts. My strengths lie in governance and strategic planning. I am committed to advancing WHTF’s mission and values through creative and pragmatic solutions that ensure the long-term viability of WHTF’s work and partnerships.

Past Contributions to WHTF:

• Led the development of the updated election timing and eligibility framework.
• Chaired the Governance Committee, supporting constitutional reform and strategic alignment.
• Provided input on strengthening international partnerships and engagement.
• Actively participated in board meetings and internal development initiatives.

Future Contributions to WHTF: If re-elected, I will focus on advancing the long-term sustainability of WHTF through strong governance, innovation, and strategic foresight. My priority will be to help shape a resilient organizational model that aligns vision with operational realities, ensuring that WHTF remains both relevant and impactful in a changing global landscape. I will contribute to strengthening board effectiveness, fostering knowledge exchange, and positioning WHTF as a thought leader in the field of women’s health. This will include promoting a sustainability-oriented approach to governance and exploring innovative models for organizational growth and resilience.

Jean Berchmans Uwimana, MD, MPH, MBA, is a Rwandan physician and global health advocate currently serving as a Senior Data Analyst and Modeler at Johns Hopkins University. He brings over a decade of experience advancing sexual and reproductive health, health equity, and youth-led innovation across Africa and in the U.S. He is the co-founder of Healthy People Rwanda, Rwanda Medical Doctors for Choice, Flavors of Family Planning. He has served as WHTF board member since 2022 and is a former mini grantee. Jean blends clinical training with public health and business acumen to drive community-centered solutions in women’s health and social justice.

Past Contributions to WHTF:

1. Proven leadership and commitment to WHTF as Board Member since 2022, contributing to grassroots partner engagement, research and program development, and fundraising.
2. Expertise in SRHR, gender equity, youth engagement, and health innovation, with over 10 years of experience.
3. Successfully implemented a WHTF-funded male engagement initiative in Rwanda.

Future Contributions to WHTF: I will contribute to grant proposal writing to support WHTF fundraising efforts, participate in research and community of practice work, and represent youth voice in Board meetings. I will help expand the WHTF presence in Africa; and help identify speakers and programs.

Dr. Shayna Cunningham is an Assistant Professor in the Department of Public Health Sciences (DPHS) at the University of Connecticut School of Medicine with over 20 years of experience in global and domestic public health. Dr. Cunningham’s research advances health equity for structurally marginalized populations, particularly in maternal and child health. She is an expert in mixed-methods research and community-based participatory research. Her current work is focused on developing and evaluating interventions to improve perinatal outcomes and reduce the burden of non-communicable diseases among women.

Dr. Cunningham received her PhD and MHS from Johns Hopkins School of Public Health. Prior to joining DPHS, she was a faculty member in the Department of Social and Behavioral Sciences at the Yale School of Public Health. Other work experiences include serving as a Program Officer for the Global Development and Population Program at the William & Flora Hewlett Foundation, Senior Research Associate and Director of Data Products and Services at Sociometrics, and Public Health Officer for the International Rescue Committee. She has a strong record of grant funding, published extensively, and received awards for her community-engaged scholarship and teaching.

Dr. Cunningham brings deep and diverse experience in research, program implementation and evaluation, and capacity building in women’s health. Her work consistently centers the voices of marginalized communities and promotes equity through practice-based and participatory approaches. Her expertise in health systems strengthening, maternal and reproductive health, and public health education would be an asset to the Women and Health Together for the Future (WHTF) Board. As a WHTF member and active participant on the Research Committee, Dr. Cunningham has demonstrated commitment to the organization’s mission. She is eager to contribute her skills in strategic planning, interdisciplinary collaboration, and evidence-informed decision-making to advance WHTF’s mission of promoting women’s health and leadership across contexts.

Past Contributions to WHTF: I have been a WHTF member since 2020. I have served on the Research Committee for the past 2 years, helping develop several grant initiatives, and presented in WHTF sessions at UBUNTU in 2024.

Future Contributions to WHTF: I plan to continue serving on the Research Committee, contributing to the development and advancement of high-quality, collaborative research initiatives that align with WHTF’s mission and strategic priorities. In addition, I will support the organization’s financial sustainability by contributing to fundraising strategies, cultivating partnerships, and identifying grant opportunities that strengthen our resource base. I am also eager to contribute to strategic planning efforts to help shape WHTF’s long-term vision, priorities, and impact.

I’m a medical doctor, public health specialist, and implementation research scientist with a PhD in Global Health from Trinity College Dublin. I’m the founder and director of the Global Health System Leadership programs at the University of Birmingham Dubai. With 20 years of experience in leadership, advisory, and academic roles, my work has contributed to global and national health workforce reforms, including the ILO-OECD-WHO’s Working for Health Program (2017-2021) and Action Plan (2022–2030) and key roles in Sudan’s Federal Ministry of Health. I led national workforce strategies, developed performance measures for midwives, and facilitated Sudan’s first bilateral health agreement with Ireland. I served in advisory roles with WHO, TDR, and the Global Health Workforce Network. My research focuses on decolonising global health education, health systems strengthening, reproductive health, and workforce migration and performance with a commitment to advancing global health security and universal health coverage.

As a female from Sudan, first and foremost, I am aware of the misfortunate situation that less privileged communities, refugees and internally displaced people (IDPs) face. I understand the context, the socio cultural realities and geo-political dynamics that interplay with the day-to-day decisions that influence health and shape health systems. As a medical doctor and global health researcher, I am driven by a deep personal and professional commitment to advancing women’s health and leadership. My journey with WHTF began during my MPH studies, and the values of the organization have remained closely aligned with my own ever since.

With over 20 years of experience in health systems reform, policy advising, and academic leadership—including work with WHO, TDR, and national ministries—I bring strategic insight and a collaborative spirit. I’ve contributed to WHTF through initiatives like the PEER study, the TUFH Health Workforce Academy.

Past contributions to WHTF: As a member for one year, I led a webinar on Closing the Women’s Health Gap through health systems reform and co-chaired the Women’s Health Community of Practice.

Future contributions to WHTF: As a board member, I aim to join WHTF grow its global influence by strengthening partnerships, amplifying women’s voices in health leadership, and advancing inclusive, evidence-based approaches to health equity.

Kamayani Bali is a Human Rights lawyer, Clinical psychologist, journalist, women´s rights activist, voice of the violated and social media expert. Presently she is an independent Trainer on Gender, Health and Human Rights . As a Passionate Mental Health Advocate, she is working as Outreach Director with emotional support helpline and the Suicide prevention Helpline, Ankahee, as well as conducting sessions on mental health with women prisoners.

She served as Senior Research Officer with the Centre for Enquiry into Health and Allied Themes (CEHAT) on issues of health, human rights and women rights, especially on the issue of sex selective abortions and the right to abortion. As Chevening Scholar at the Institute of Commonwealth Studies at the London University she worked with Interights on a research project on honor killings in Asia and with Amnesty International on a campaign on domestic violence with special reference to the grass root NGOs in the developing world. She was the Asia Regional Focal Point Officer of the International Federation of Health and Human Rights Organization, South Asia Advocacy Coordinator for the Women´s Health Rights Partnership Project of the Asia Regional Pacific Resource and Research Centre for Women (ARROW), based in Malaysia. She has several published papers. She works with many other health and human rights movements and trains judges, students and civil society activists.

Contributions to WHTF: I joined the Women Health and Task Force in 2005 and was a founding member of the Women and Health Together for the Future in 2019. I led the Social Media Committee, building the presence of WHTF across various platforms, including the website, Facebook, LinkedIn, Twitter, and Instagram. This has helped strengthen our digital outreach and led to the recruitment of a social media intern to further expand our online engagement. I serve on the Governance Committee, participated in the WHTF 6-country COVID-19 study, and have presented papers for WHTF in TUFH conferences, reflecting the impact and relevance of our initiatives. I have contributed to educational modules focused on critical topics such as sex selection, abortion, and mental health. I have also led advocacy campaigns around women’s health, including impactful campaigns on key dates: International Women’s Day, World Health Day, and World Mental Health Day. I represent WHTF in the TUFH Communities of Practice on Autism and Mental Health.

Future Contributions to WHTF: I want to continue shaping WHTF’s social media strategy, support fundraising efforts, and contribute to securing new research projects. I aim to co- develop innovative, participatory strategies to enhance member involvement across regions. This includes increased student engagement, collaborative events, improving online presence and outreach.

Dr Mohamed Moukhyer is an Associate Professor of Public Health, Health Promotion, and Health Professions Education. A medical doctor by training, he holds an MPH and a specialist Master’s in Health Professions Education from Maastricht University, as well as a PhD in Public Health. Over the past 25 years he has built a versatile career as an academic, consultant, and adviser on adolescent and reproductive health, health promotion, and health-system strengthening.

Dr Moukhyer has advised the Sudanese Federal Ministry of Health, WHO, UNFPA, UNAIDS, and the Netherlands Red Cross on youth reproductive health and wider health- promotion strategies. His scholarly work, spanning adolescent health, quality of care, and community-based health promotion, has been widely published, and he serves on the editorial board of African Primary Health Care and Family Medicine. In addition, he served as an EC member of TUFH representing EMRO region. Across posts in universities, government ministries, and international organisations on several continents, Dr Moukhyer has consistently championed evidence-based approaches that place women’s and young people’s health at the centre of policy and practice.

Contributions to WHTF: I first joined Women and Health Together for the Future (WHTF) at the birth of its initial phase, when it was called Women and Health Task Force during the 2003 TUFH Conference in Eldoret, Kenya, and I have stayed involved ever since attending annual TUFH meetings, taking part in WHTF sessions around the globe, implementing mini grants and serving on both the programme and governance committees. In those roles I have helped plan activities, moderate webinars, recruit speakers, and revise the amendment of the constitution. Currently participating in Women’s Health Community of Practice for Women’s Health. A couple of years ago I witnessed the WHTF becoming an independent organization, located in Western Cape University in South Africa.

Future Contributions to WHTF: Looking ahead, I will deepen that commitment on three fronts:

1. Membership growth: living in Maastricht positions me to bring fresh European voices into WHTF and strengthen links with universities and NGOs across the region.
2. Resource mobilisation: I plan to explore new fundraising and donation avenues so we can expand our project portfolio and scholarship support.
3. Programme development: I will collaborate with like-minded organisations to create projects focused on women’s health and to organise stand-alone WHTF conferences, either independently or in partnership with academic institutions.

With a blend of long-term institutional memory and a drive for new initiatives, I am ready to help WHTF grow its impact in the years ahead.