Team & LeadershipPlanning Phase · 2026

The people building HEER Africa

We're a small founding team in our earliest stage, assembling an advisory board and institutional partners as we build.

6Leadership team
2Advisors seated
6Advisory seats open
4Partnership pathways
Leadership

The team

The people leading our research, partnerships, and strategy.

Praise Saint-John, Co-Founder of HEER Africa

Praise Saint-John

Co-Founder
Infectious DiseasesMolecular ResearchDiagnosticsGlobal Health
Olufunbi Olaoye, Co-Founder of HEER Africa

Olufunbi Olaoye

Co-Founder
Infectious DiseasesAntimicrobial ResistanceOne HealthGlobal Health
Varaidzo Mukwekwe, Strategic Lead at HEER Africa

Varaidzo Mukwekwe

Strategic Lead
Health SystemsAntimicrobial StewardshipFood SecurityUHC Research
Becky Isaac, Communications Lead at HEER Africa

Becky Isaac

Communications Lead
CommunicationsStorytellingHealth Advocacy
Grace Amole, AI and Data Lead at HEER Africa

Grace Amole

AI and Data Lead
Artificial IntelligenceData ScienceHealth Innovation
Kendra Smith, Communications Associate at HEER Africa

Kendra Smith

Communications Associate
Maternal HealthHealth EquityWASHHealth Communication
Advisory Board

Guidance from people who know the field

Our advisory board guides research direction, governance and partnerships. Two advisors are seated, and the roles below are the seats we are recruiting for first.

Seated advisors
Abdoulaye Dieng Sarr, Research Translation, Infectious Diseases & Strategic Partnerships Advisor

Abdoulaye Dieng Sarr

Advisory Board · Seated

Research Translation, Infectious Diseases & Strategic Partnerships Advisor

Bolanle Fadairo, Community Engagement Advisor

Bolanle Fadairo

Advisory Board · Seated

Community Engagement Advisor

Open seats
Open Seat

Public Health / Women's Health / Programme Advisor

Guides overall public health and programme perspective.

Open Seat

Scientific Strategy & Organizational Leadership Advisor

Guides research strategy and organizational direction.

Open Seat

Women's Health / Clinical Research Advisor

Guides research priorities on women's and maternal health.

Open Seat

Implementation Science / Health Systems Advisor

Helps translate research into practice within real-world health systems.

Open Seat

Data / AI / Digital Health Advisor

Guides our use of data and digital tools in research and outreach.

Open Seat

Policy / Government Relations Advisor

Connects our research to public health policy and government partners.

Interested in joining our advisory board? Get in touch →

Partnerships

Building partnerships across the evidence ecosystem

We are in early conversations with universities, hospitals, funders and health organisations. Confirmed partners will be listed here as collaborations are formalised.

Start a conversationRepresent an organization interested in partnering with us? Reach out and we will respond personally.
  • 01

    Universities

    Joint research, student mentorship, and academic collaboration.

    Talk to us →
  • 02

    Hospitals & Clinics

    Clinical partnerships and data collection sites.

    Talk to us →
  • 03

    Funders & Foundations

    Grant support for our first year of programming.

    Talk to us →
  • 04

    NGOs & Health Orgs

    Shared community reach and program delivery.

    Talk to us →