our leaders
Dr. Nobert Rakiro
Dr. Norbert Rakiro is a Physician and Public Health Specialist with 19 years’ experience in LMIC and conflict/post-conflict contexts, and expert in Health Systems Strengthening/HRH, Monitoring and Evaluation, MNCH, HIV/AIDS, TB, Malaria and Disaster Management. He has experience in non-profit governance, management and program implementation, and management consulting. He has served in national, regional and continental leadership and technical roles for health and related disciplines in state and non-state organisations, including government, global emergency and development organisations, health financing organisations, and International NGOs and Consulting firms. He has led several donor-funded projects, been the Principal for Public Health for QuintilesIMS/IQVIA in Africa, and served as a Public Health/Program Management/Monitoring & Evaluation expert for Gavi and the Global Fund grants in Southern, Eastern and Horn of Africa regions.
Dr. Rakiro is an associate of Alegre Associates, a DC based global health consulting firm, lead consultant in Herman Smith International (a health systems strengthening consultancy in eastern Africa), a resource person to the Young African Leadership Initiative (YALI) Eastern Africa Regional Centre, and a conference, leadership and motivational speaker.
Dr. Rakiro holds a Bachelors of Medicine/Bachelors of Surgery combined degree (MB.ChB) from the University of Nairobi, a Master in Public Health (MPH) from the Braun-Hadassah School of Public Health in the Hebrew University of Jerusalem, a postgraduate diploma in Emergency Preparedness and Response (Disaster Management) from the Rothberg International School/Hebrew University of Jerusalem, HIV Management training from University of California in San Francisco (UCSF), HRH Fellowship with the German International development agency GIZ, among other certifications. He is a member of the American Public Health Association (APHA), Kenya Medical Association (KMA), International AIDS Society (IAS), and the Kenya Association of Physicians against Tuberculosis and Lung Diseases (KAPTLD).
Ms. Melissa Rakiro
Melissa was born in Phoenixville, Pennsylvania, to parents Kenneth and Deborah. Her father is Kenyan and her mother is German-Irish of Pennsylvania Dutch decent. Raised in the suburbs of Philadelphia, she began studying music, theater, and violin at the age of nine, continuing her vocal studies at the Boyer School of Music in Opera, Jazz and Musical Theater.
In college, she studied at the University of Paris-Sorbonne and after appearing in student films, university productions and regional plays she graduated from Temple University's s Acting program in 2016 with a GPA of 3.7. She has since worked with off-Broadway theater company StagePlays Theater in New York City under director Thomas Ferriter, and made her feature film debut in Sickness (2016) directed by Brandon E. Brooks. Melissa holds her certification in Stage Combat and Stunts from the Society of American Fight Directors.
She most recently appeared in the ensemble of Julius Caesar as part of "Shakespeare in the Park" directed by The Public Theater's Oskar Eustis, and is filming her first principal recurring role in a Netflix Original series to be released Spring 2018. She will be appearing in the role of Juliet in the Lantern Theater Company's Romeo and Juliet presented at the Mandell Theater.
Melissa is passionate about youth and women empowerment among the under-privileged, with a focus on supporting education and mentoring for development of both academic excellence and inate talents and creativity. She is currently supporting the Henry Martin Foundation (a US 501c3 corporation) as well as Bridges of Hope non-profit organisation (in Kenya) in mentoring and leadership development programs targeting the youth, women and urban poor.
Education:
-Saint Joseph's University: Business Administration / Marketing -Peirce Business College: International Finance
-Attended Various International Business Related Courses -Extensive Training in Internal Banking Operations.
Memberships:
-World Affairs Council -World Trade Association of Philadelphia
-International Business Council, Philadelphia -International Business Forum, Philadelphia -International Visitors Council, Philadelphia.
Frequent Speaking Engagements:
-University of Pennsylvania, Wharton Export Network -Lehigh University, International Trade Program -Trade Mission Participation: -Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons, Calgary Canada -Contributed to the Philadelphia National Banks International trade Procedures Booklet Revision -Served on the Federal Bureau of Investigation's (FBI) White Collar Crime Task Force, with the Philadelphia Federal Reserve Bank, while with the US Department of Commerce, Bureau of International Trade.
NICODEMUS OCHAKO
Mr Nicodemus Ochako is a successful business owner who has earned the Top Rated Seller Award on eBay and Amazon online business stores. He runs his own Computers/Electronics business online on these two World Class online retailers. He also supplies several local and out of state small businesses with office and home computers, monitors, laptops and other electronics. He is currently based in Omaha Nebraska.
Mr Ochako has earned two Bachelor’s Degrees, first, Bachelor of Arts, Education from the University of Nairobi, Kenya; second, Bachelor of Science in Computer Information Systems with majors in Project Management from Bellevue University, Bellevue Nebraska, USA.
Mr. Ochako also holds a Master’s Degree in Business Administration with concentration in Finance, from Bellevue University, USA.
