Michael Juma Aduol joined Fistula Foundation as program assistant in August 2023. He now serves as program officer for the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network in Kenya. Michael brings to the Foundation more than 18 years of experience in working for community programs. He holds a diploma in medical laboratory technology from the Kisumu National Polytechnic, and a diploma in social work and community development from Premese Africa Development Institute. He is currently pursuing a bachelor’s degree in sociology at the University of Nairobi.

Michael has a wide range of experience in the field of health and human services. He served as research assistant at Kenya Medical Research Institute, program coordinator at Disciples of Mercy, and HIV counseling and testing coordinator at INUKA International. He has conducted training in HIV counseling and testing, family planning, and results-based monitoring and evaluation. Michael is a proud father of five children, and he enjoys bringing a spirit of collaboration and a spark of innovation to his work.

Kelly Anderson, who joined Fistula Foundation in 2020 as senior director of philanthropy, is now vice president of philanthropy. In her work for the Foundation, Kelly focuses on strengthening relationships with our most generous supporters and on managing the communications that they receive from the Foundation. In her role as a vice president, Kelly will continue helping donors maximize the good that they can accomplish through their generosity. Before joining the Foundation, Kelly served as CEO of the Nepal Youth Foundation. Previously, she spent two decades serving in leadership roles at rape crisis centers on the East Coast and in the Midwest. Kelly holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology and communications from the University of Michigan.

Dr. Steve Arrowsmith joined Fistula Foundation as a medical advisor in 2010. A urologist by training, he has dedicated his career to providing care for women with fistula across Africa and Asia. 

He received his medical degree from the Medical College of Ohio. For 35 years, Steve has treated women with fistula throughout Africa and Asia. Over that period, he has helped establish three fistula centers in Africa, performed surgical repairs in 17 countries, and mentored dozens of fistula surgeons. 

Steve’s contributions extend beyond surgical practice. He served as a co-investigator for a World Health Organization clinical trial on catheter management after fistula repair. Additionally, he authored “Obstetric Fistula & Other Forms of Female Genital Fistula,” a seminal work published by the United Nations Population Fund and the Campaign to End Fistula. His academic contributions include numerous articles and textbook chapters on fistula repair. 

Despite his remarkable achievements, Steve humbly acknowledges the women with fistula as his most important mentors, drawing profound lessons and strength from their experiences. 

As a medical advisor for Fistula Foundation, Steve plays a crucial role in guiding and developing content for targeted surgeon webinar trainings. He also provides his expertise to support other training initiatives.

Dr. Fekade Ayenachew joined Fistula Foundation as a medical advisor in May 2024. He is an esteemed obstetrician and gynecologist from Ethiopia, and currently serves as a medical advisor to the International Fistula Alliance (IFA). 

Fekade has dedicated his career to advancing maternal health and eradicating obstetric fistula. His extensive experience spans over two decades, during which he has held various positions in both public and private healthcare sectors across Ethiopia. Fekade’s commitment to improving maternal health led him to become a fistula surgeon, and later medical director, at the Hamlin Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia, where he provided essential surgical care to women suffering from obstetric fistula. In his current role as a medical advisor to the IFA, Fekade continues his mission to end obstetric fistula by developing medical strategies, providing technical advice, and supporting projects such as the TERREWODE Women’s Community Hospital in Uganda. Additionally, he serves as an assistant professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Abebech Gobena MNCH, contributing to the development of fellowship programs and clinical teaching. 

As a medical advisor for Fistula Foundation, Fekade conducts partner site visits for monitoring and evaluation across East Africa and Angola. He offers clinical guidance and training, assessing surgical sites to ensure high-quality care for fistula patients.

Clément Lofumbwa Balilo joined the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as program officer in 2023. He provides technical and operational support to the network, and is based in Kinshasa. 

Clément is a medical doctor who specializes in epidemiology and disease control. He brings to Fistula Foundation more than 15 years of experience in the field of public health. In recent years, he worked for two international-aid organizations, Adventist Development and Relief Agency and United Methodist Committee on Relief. Previously, he worked for the Congolese government at the Ministry of Public Health. There, he coordinated the ministry’s sexual and reproductive health portfolio, including epidemic response and primary healthcare. Clément is passionate about improving the quality of patient care and advancing women’s rights.

Darren Blankenship is glad to join Fistula Foundation as Database Administrator. Darren brings over twenty years of experience working with various Bay Area non-profits and educational institutions. His passion is for systems integration and data integrity, and he is excited to bring this to Fistula Foundation. He holds a bachelor’s degree from San Francisco State University. When he’s not working, he enjoys spending time with his family, reading science fiction, and catching up on recent developments in science and technology.

Kelly Brennan is a seasoned financial professional. Most recently, she was a Partner at Citadel Securities. She ran the global ETF business and specialized in helping clients to execute large trades in US and global exchange traded funds and equities. Prior to joining Citadel, Kelly managed several teams within Goldman Sachs Securities Division in New York for nearly thirteen years.

She joined Goldman Sachs in 2005 as an associate and was named managing director in 2010. Kelly started her career at Susquehanna International Group as an equity and equity derivatives trader. Kelly is an active member of Women in ETFs, Women in Finance and served on Goldman Sachs’ Women’s Network. She was on the advisory council for Goldman Sachs Hispanic/Latino Network. She has served as member of Two Together, a mentoring program for disadvantaged youth in Manhattan and volunteer for Puppies Behind Bars. Kelly earned a BA in Political Economies with a concentration in Molecular Cell Biology from the University of California, Berkeley, in 2000.

Dr. Andrew Browning joined Fistula Foundation as a medical advisor in 2019. Andrew is an Australian obstetrician and gynecologist specializing in fistula surgery and maternal health. He works closely with Fistula Foundation partners in multiple countries, including Tanzania, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Nepal.

Andrew has more than 20 years of experience in obstetrics and gynecology, with a particular focus on fistula surgery. He has performed thousands of fistula repair surgeries, restoring health and dignity to countless women. Previously, Andrew worked with the Addis Ababa Fistula Hospital in Ethiopia and is the co-founder of the Barbara May Foundation, which aims to improve maternal health in East Africa. His extensive field experience and dedication to maternal health have established him as a leading expert in fistula care.

In his role as a medical advisor for Fistula Foundation, Andrew oversees the monitoring and evaluation processes at partner sites across East Africa. He provides specialized coaching and mentorship to local healthcare professionals, ensuring the adoption of best practices and the delivery of high-quality care in fistula treatment and maternal health services. Andrew also reviews grant applications and reports to assess the skills of surgeons supported by Fistula Foundation, and promote the highest standard of care for surgical outcomes.

Emmanuel Chiluba is a Program Officer at Fistula Foundation’s Zambia office. He works with representatives of the Ministry of Health, assists in training and supervising Community Health Volunteers, and holds sensitization meetings for community leaders in Zambia’s Central Province.

Emmanuel holds a diploma in social work, and has over 18 years of experience working with both grassroots organizations and international NGOs. Before joining Fistula Foundation, Emmanuel worked with the Association of Lay Missionaries of Italy, the Churches Association of Zambia, and the Caritas Mpika Catholic Diocese.

Emmanuel believes that community activities need full commitment and participation to achieve our goal: to help the many vulnerable women still suffering from obstetric fistula.

Bwalya Magawa Chomba joined Fistula Foundation as program manager in 2017, and is now the program director for Zambia. She holds a bachelor’s degree in social work from Mulungushi University in Kabwe, Zambia, and a master’s in public health from the University of Lusaka (UNILUS). Bwalya is responsible for supporting referrals for fistula patients to partner hospitals, and serves as a key liaison between the hospitals and the community. In her role as director, she also strengthens partnerships with government ministries and community and faith-based organizations.

Bwalya has been working as a social worker and community development officer for 18 years. Most recently, prior to joining Fistula Foundation, she worked with the Ministry of Community Development and Social Welfare in Nakonde District. Bwalya has also worked with Caritas / Catholic Relief Services (CRS) Mpika Diocese. There, she served as a monitoring and evaluation officer, coordinating revisions of project strategies with key stakeholders, and ensuring a shared understanding of strategic and informational needs. During her tenure as district development facilitator with the NGO Africare Zambia, she learned about obstetric fistula and took up an active role in mobilizing fistula patients, successfully referring 200 women for life-transforming surgery.

Bwalya has always believed that local community participation is an important way to achieve sustainable development, particularly in the fight against obstetric fistula.

Jhoanna Enriquez joined Fistula Foundation as digital strategist in June 2024. In this role, she focuses on creating new opportunities for growth across social and digital platforms. She brings to the Foundation more than five years of marketing experience, with an emphasis in social media, content creation, and building online communities. Previously, she worked in agency and in-house roles across the fashion, wellness, and technology industries. She is excited to return to the nonprofit world, where she began her career at an environmental organization. Jhoanna has a bachelor’s degree in English, with a minor in business, from the University of California, Riverside. She is also a certified yoga instructor.

Kate Grant joined the Foundation as its first chief executive in 2005. She led the expansion of the Foundation from supporting one hospital in one country, Ethiopia, to its current position as the global leader in fistula treatment. Today, under her leadership, the Foundation supports treatment partners in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia. Grant has formed partnerships with key organizations such as Astellas Pharma EMEA, Johnson & Johnson, Direct Relief, Engender Health, and The Life You Can Save (founded by Peter Singer). During her tenure as CEO, the Foundation has earned 16 consecutive four-star ratings from Charity Navigator, placing it in the top 1% of nonprofit organizations evaluated. It has also consistently earned an “A” rating from Charity Watch, has been named one of the top 50 charities in the United States by Consumer Reports, and has earned more than 700 five-star ratings on GreatNonprofits. Since Grant took charge of the Foundation, it has helped build new women’s hospitals in Bangladesh, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Kenya, and Tanzania, and has increased the number of surgeries that it supports annually by a factor of 20. In recognition of these achievements, Grant in 2014 was named Nonprofit Marketer of the Year by the American Marketing Association and American Marketing Association Foundation.

Before joining the Foundation, Grant served on the House Foreign Affairs Committee staff and as special assistant and deputy chief of staff at the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID). She also consulted to USAID’s mission in Tanzania, the Rockefeller Foundation, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative, and the Women’s Funding Network. Grant holds a master in public affairs degree, with a focus on international development, from the Princeton School of Public and International Affairs, where she was elected chair of the graduate student body. Previously, she was an advertising executive at two leading agencies—Leo Burnett in Chicago and FCB in San Francisco—and managed campaigns for Fortune 500 companies such as Clorox, Levi Strauss, and McDonald’s. She graduated with honors from the Haas School of Business at the University of California, Berkeley. She also completed the Executive Education Program in Nonprofit Management at Harvard Business School. Grant has served on several boards, including the Governing Board of Graduate Alumni of Princeton University. She regularly gives presentations about the Foundation’s work, and has lectured at Princeton University and Oxford University.

Thomas Huntington is currently studying to become a physician at the Indiana University School of Medicine. He previously worked as the developer of several mobile applications for Apple iOS, including Nightstand Central, an alarm clock app. He has contributed to colorectal and ovarian cancer research and has volunteered at a nursing home and homeless shelter. Thomas studied violin performance at the Colburn Conservatory of Music and earned a bachelor’s degree in neural science at New York University.

Kalumba Kaputa is a Program Officer at Fistula Foundation’s Zambia office. He collaborates with the Ministry of Health and local grassroots organizations, screening potential fistula patients and referring them to treatment centers for care in Zambia’s Luapula Province.

Prior to joining Fistula Foundation, Kalumba worked for 8 years as a Clinical Officer for the Zambian Ministry of Health, serving as a frontline health provider at Chilonga Mission General Hospital. He has also served in roles at the Mpepo Rural Health Centre and the Mpika District Health Office. Kalumba holds a diploma in Basic Clinical Medical Sciences in Mental Health and Psychiatry from the University of Zambia School of Medicine in Association with Chainama College of Health Sciences.

Kalumba strongly feels that unity and team work are essential for any organization to achieve its key objectives, especially in the fight against obstetric fistula.

Jameson Kaunda is the monitoring and evaluation officer at Fistula Foundation’s Zambia office. He is responsible for planning and implementing Zambia’s monitoring and evaluation (M&E) activities pertaining to community outreach; the identification, screening and referral of fistula patients; and tracking and reporting surgical, clinical treatment, post-repair follow-up and reintegration activity outcomes.

Over the past five years, Jameson has worked on a number of projects as a research assistant and M&E specialist focusing on HIV; malaria; water, sanitation and hygiene; and maternal and child health. He also previously worked at Africare as an M&E officer where he helped develop the organization’s Performance Monitoring Plan and M&E systems. Jameson holds a bachelor of arts in development studies from the University of Zambia, and is currently pursuing a master’s in public health at the University of South Wales in the United Kingdom. Jameson is honored to be part of the Fistula Foundation team – changing and transforming vulnerable women’s lives, wiping away their shame, and restoring their self-esteem and dignity in society.

Cleo Kiros is the Founder and CEO of Wajirat Foundation—an organization that supports vocational and life-skills training for young adults in Ethiopia. Cleo also volunteers in different capacities with organizations that support women and children in the Bay Area and has previously served as a Fistula Foundation board member. She is very excited to rejoin.

Dr. Sunday Lengmang joined Fistula Foundation as a medical advisor in May 2024. He is a Nigerian fistula surgeon, trainer, and project director at Evangel Vesico-Vaginal Fistula Center, a Fistula Foundation Partner. Sunday received expert-level certification through the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO)’s Fistula Surgery Training Initiative, and is a FIGO Trainer for the Initiative. 

With more than two decades of experience, Sunday has dedicated his career to treating and training others in fistula surgery. He has performed numerous surgeries, specializing in treating fistulas deemed “inoperable,” and has developed innovative techniques for managing post-fistula closure complications. 

Sunday’s extensive work in Nigeria and internationally has solidified his reputation as a leader in the field of fistula surgery. He has provided expert-level surgery and training in countries such as Niger, Congo, Cameroon, Madagascar, Cote d’Ivoire, Mozambique, and Ethiopia. Additionally, he has contributed to policy development on fistula in Nigeria, and conducted site visits in Nigeria, Niger, and Liberia. 

As a medical advisor for Fistula Foundation, Sunday plays a crucial role in providing technical expertise and guidance. He conducts routine monitoring and evaluation at partner sites in Nigeria, offers targeted coaching and mentorship, and contributes to the overall improvement of fistula care.

Darren Lew is an engineering director at Apple with more than 20 years of experience working in software. He holds a bachelor’s degree in computer science and an MBA, both from Duke University. While living in Asia, Darren spent a year volunteering with a nonprofit organization that helped young adults recover from heroin addiction. Darren joined the Fistula Foundation board in 2024.

As Chief Operating Officer, Pam broadly oversees process and IT improvements across the Foundation’s Program, Fundraising, and Administrative functions. Pam joined the Fistula Foundation in 2018 as Director of Strategic Initiatives. In this role, she led the redesign of the Foundation’s web presence to expand the Foundation’s global community of supporters.

Pam brings 10+ years of experience working at the intersection of health, communications, and technology at Stanford Medicine, a leading academic medical center. As Digital Content Lead for Stanford Health Care, she led the content strategy effort to transform the healthcare system’s online user experience and better serve the needs of patients across the care journey. In 2017, she launched a digital content program, supporting care delivery across Stanford’s 250+ complex care clinics and primary care network. 

She also served as lead content strategist on two redesigns of the medical center’s web environment. Both projects received a national Award of Excellence by the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC), an industry top honor. 

Pam’s commitment to service-driven communications builds on her earlier experience as a journalist for the St. Louis Post-Dispatch and roles at the Haight Ashbury Free Clinic in San Francisco and Centro Adelante Campesino, a migrant farmworker center in AZ.  

Pam holds a BA in English from U.C. Berkeley and an MPH in Health Management and Policy from U.C. Los Angeles.

Habiba C. Mohamed is a part time program advisor, based out of Fistula Foundation’s Kenya office. Habiba joined the Foundation in 2014 as the outreach manager. In this role, she designed and spearheaded the community strategy for the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network in Kenya. Later, she was promoted to country director to oversee the entire network of hospital and community partners. In her role as regional director of programs, Habiba is responsible for the expansion of the treatment network model throughout the African region. She has since transitioned to a new, part-time role, allowing her to spend more time focusing on personal projects while still supporting Fistula Foundation.

Prior to joining Fistula Foundation, Habiba had worked in fistula programming for nearly a decade. She began her career as a veterinarian, assisting livestock farmers in western Kenya. Through her close contact with these rural communities, she became familiar with the socioeconomic challenges they experience and developed a passion for working with marginalized women. In 2006, she founded Women and Development Against Distress in Africa (WADADIA), a Kenyan nonprofit that advocates for women’s rights and reproductive health. While serving as lead director of WADADIA, Habiba also supported a community program funded by the United Nations Population Fund for six years, and served as a consultant program specialist for One By One, a US-based nonprofit focused on fistula treatment.

Habiba is currently working towards her Ph.D. in Counseling Psychology at Kenyatta University. She holds undergraduate and master’s degrees in the same subject from Mt. Kenya University, and has a higher diploma in Social Work and Community Development. Her research on the psychological effects of obstetric fistula has been published in the International Journal of Sciences, and the verbal screening tool she developed has improved identification of fistula cases.

Nelson Musa is program director of the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network in Kenya. He brings fourteen years of experience in organizing and community health. Prior to joining Fistula Foundation, Nelson worked as an organizer for Jhpiego, and currently partners with WADADIA (Women and Development Against Distress in Africa), a key Fistula Foundation Partner in Western Kenya.

Nelson holds a Higher Diploma in Psychological Counseling from the Kenya Institute of Professional Counseling, as well as a Certificate in Management from the Kenya Institute of Management.

Clement G. Ndahani joined the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network (FFTN) in Tanzania as program manager in 2023. He is responsible for providing strategic direction for the network, and for planning, organizing, leading, and supporting program activities. 

Clement holds an advanced diploma in health services administration and a master’s of business administration degree from Mzumbe University in Tanzania. He brings to the Fistula Foundation more than 20 years of experience in managing public health programs. Most recently, he managed the largest fistula program in Tanzania at Comprehensive Community-Based Rehabilitation in Tanzania (CCBRT). Previously, he facilitated and coordinated fistula projects in six hospitals that were sub-grantees of an initiative funded by Vodafone Foundation and the U.S. Agency for International Development. In those roles, he worked to overcome barriers to treatment that women with fistula face, coordinated meetings for fistula experts across Tanzania, and collaborated with the Tanzanian Ministry of Health to put obstetric fistula on the national agenda. 

At another point in his career, Clement managed a large HIV/AIDS and disability project that was implemented in seven regions and 15 districts throughout Tanzania. Earlier, he managed development programs for World Vision Tanzania. Today, Clement is proud to help implement Tanzania’s National Fistula Eradication Strategy through FFTN in Tanzania.

Dr. Dolorès Nembunzu joined Fistula Foundation as a medical advisor in May 2024. Dolorès is a French-speaking Congolese obstetrician-gynecologist and expert fistula surgeon at St. Joseph’s Hospital in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC).

Dolorès has more than 35 years of experience in the field of medicine, and has specialized in fistula surgery for the past two decades. Over the course of her career, she has performed thousands of fistula repair surgeries, and has been a key figure in training other surgeons in the DRC. Dolorès has also held various leadership roles, including project director for the Momentum Safe Surgery in Family Planning and Obstetrics project with EngenderHealth and project manager for the Fistula Care and Fistula Care Plus projects. Her extensive work in maternal and reproductive health has established her as a respected expert and advocate in her field.

As a medical advisor for Fistula Foundation, Dolorès conducts monitoring and evaluation visits for partner sites across the region. She also offers coaching and mentorship to healthcare providers, ensuring the delivery of high-quality care to women suffering from obstetric fistula.

Katie Nerod joined Fistula Foundation as communications associate in April 2024. In that role, she supports content development for donor stewardship and solicitation efforts across print and digital media. Before joining the Foundation, Katie worked as an elementary school teacher in Menlo Park, California, and served in a project management role at a pharmaceutical company.

Katie holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Vermont and a master’s degree in health communications from Boston University. She has experience in developing communications for nonprofit organizations where she has volunteered. Katie brings to her role a passion for improving global health and advancing gender equity.

Dr. Esther Njoroge-Muriithi joined Fistula Foundation as chief growth officer for Africa in November 2023. She brings to the Foundation more than 15 years of experience in global health programming, with a focus on strategy development and execution, program expansion, advocacy, and nonprofit governance. In her role at the Foundation, Esther leads the expansion of fistula programming across the continent of Africa. She is based in Nairobi, Kenya.

Before joining Fistula Foundation, Esther served as senior vice president of global medical programs at Smile Train. In that role, she spearheaded the strategic direction and implementation of quality, safety, education, training, and capacity building of cleft lip and palate treatment programs across 70 countries. She has deep experience in strengthening health systems and in forging partnerships with national, regional, and global stakeholders from governments, civil society organizations, private sector partners, nongovernmental organizations (NGOs), and donors.

In 2016, Esther was named one of the Top 40 Under 40 Women in Kenya by Business Daily. She also received the Foundation Director of the Year Award at the Rotary Sam Awori Awards for 2020–2021. Esther serves as the chair of the board at Garden of Hope Foundation, and previously served on the boards of Rotary Club of Nairobi-Lang’ata, Zaza Divas International and the Health NGOs Network (HENNET). She has also served on the G4 Alliance Permanent Council and the civil society engagement mechanism for UHC2030 (CSEM) Advisory Group.

Esther holds a degree in medicine from the University of Nairobi, as well as a master of public health degree from Moi University. She is passionate about children’s and women’s health and empowerment, and in her free time she enjoys mentoring young men and women, performing community service, and spending time with her husband and three children.

Dr. Itengré Ouédraogo joined Fistula Foundation as a medical advisor in May 2024. Itengré is a French-speaking Burkinabe general surgeon trained in Cuba who holds a degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid. He currently works with Association Renaissance (ARENA), a Fistula Foundation Partner in Burkina Faso, where he leads fistula treatment and prevention programs. 

Itengré has extensive experience in maternal healthcare and fistula surgery. He began his career at the teaching hospital Bobo-Dioulasso in Burkina Faso, and later joined a United Nations Volunteers program, serving under the United Nations Population Fund in Niger. His interest in fistula surgery was sparked in 2008 after meeting Dr. Wall Lewis and Dr. Steven Arrowsmith from the Worldwide Fistula Fund. Trained by Dr. Steven Arrowsmith and Dr. Andrew Browning, he served as the medical director of the Danja Fistula Center in Niger for six years, performing numerous fistula repairs and training other doctors. Since 2018, through his nonprofit organization ARENA, he has established a medical center in Burkina Faso that treats more than 200 women annually, and trains doctors and midwives in fistula prevention and surgery. 

Itengré has also contributed his expertise to Mercy Ships, performing fistula repairs in Congo, Madagascar, and Guinea. He has served as a consultant for Fistula Foundation in Chad and Madagascar, and has been a speaker in clinical webinars to improve care for fistula patients. He is certified by the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) as a FIGO Trainer, is an associate member of the FIGO Committee on Obstetric Fistula, and is the current executive secretary of the International Society of Obstetric Fistula Surgeons. 

As a medical advisor for Fistula Foundation, Itengré supports partner site visits for monitoring and evaluation in Madagascar and Burkina Faso. He provides clinical guidance and training, assessing surgical sites to ensure high-quality care for fistula patients.

Jaya Patten joined Fistula Foundation in August 2024 as a philanthropy associate. In this role, she works to cultivate strong relationships with our generous donors. Before joining the Foundation, Jaya worked in project management for a healthcare software company and with various nonprofits to support their fundraising and community outreach efforts.

Jaya holds a bachelor’s degree from Case Western Reserve University in political science and women and gender studies. As part of her studies,  she researched fistulas, female genital mutilation, and period poverty. Jaya is committed to helping donors maximize their impact, and to advancing social justice and healthcare equity through their support.

Lindsey Pollaczek joined Fistula Foundation in 2014, initially based out of Nairobi, Kenya. She now serves as chief program officer, overseeing the Foundation’s programs in over 20 countries in Africa and Asia. Amongst her accomplishments is leading the successful Action on Fistula program in Kenya, and launching a countrywide program in Zambia that have collectively provided over 15,000 fistula surgeries and strengthened national capacity for treatment, prevention, and rehabilitation.
Prior to joining Fistula Foundation, Lindsey worked with the humanitarian organization Direct Relief, overseeing the organization’s Maternal and Child Health portfolio, where she designed and implemented programs to improve access to essential health services for women and children, particularly the right to a safe pregnancy and delivery, and treatment for obstetric fistula. Lindsey holds a MPH in Community Health Sciences from UCLA and is a Senior Fellow with the Atlantic Fellowship for Health Equity, a program that supports global leaders working to combat health disparity and promote equity.

Charlotte is an obstetrician/gynecologist and internationally accredited fistula surgeon through the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO). She is also a public health specialist, with an MPH from Johns Hopkins University focusing on women and reproductive health. She is currently faculty at the School of Medicine Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at Kenyatta University in Kenya, as well as the School of Public Health Department of Population and Reproductive Health.

Prior to her position at Kenyatta University, Charlotte was a program manager for the maternal and neonatal health program at the Reproductive and Maternal Health Services Unit, Ministry of Health in Kenya. She has over 16 years of clinical experience and has practiced as an obstetrician/gynecologist and public health specialist for various organizations in and out of Kenya.

Since 2016, Charlotte has served as the lead surgeon for Fistula Foundation’s outreach at Bomu Hospital in Mombasa, Kenya.

Keerthana (Kee) Rajagopal joined Fistula Foundation as associate program manager in August 2022. Kee holds a master’s in public health from the University of California Berkeley and a master’s in health administration from Pennsylvania State University. In her role on the programs team, Kee supports grantmaking and helps strengthen partnerships with our global network of fistula care providers.

Kee has 10 years of experience in global and domestic health programs. She started her career at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, in the United Arab Emirates. There, she led project management and implementation for a hospital-wide electronic health record system. She then worked as a management consultant and led several change management healthcare projects at Deloitte in Boston. Most recently, Kee worked at the California Department of Public Health (CDPH), where she oversaw the Title V Block Grant Fund for the Maternal, Child and Adolescent Health Division.

Kee is passionate about elevating equity and moving the needle on pressing health issues. Kee grew up in India and currently lives in California with her husband and her three-year-old daughter.

Jing Shi joined Fistula Foundation as finance manager in November 2022. She brings to the organization more than 15 years of accounting and finance experience in the nonprofit sector Previously, Jing served as senior accountant, accounting supervisor, and finance manager at several nonprofits. In those roles, she oversaw day-to-day financial operations, developed a deep knowledge of finance and budgeting, and worked with multiple budget managers and grant managers. She also honed her ability to analyze and compile complex financial data to support management planning and decision making. Jing earned a Certificate of Advanced Accounting Proficiency from the Leavey School of Business at Santa Clara University and holds a master of public administration degree from California State University, East Bay.

Gillian Slinger is a Midwife and holds a BSc in Health Management, an MSc in Public Health, and a Teaching Certificate. After completing her Nurse and Midwifery training in the UK, Gillian worked as a Midwife for 10 years in French speaking Switzerland, before joining Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF/Doctors Without Borders) and Save the Children as a field Midwife and Trainer in numerous countries, including Mali, Chad, DRC, Kenya and Sierra Leone. As part of her MSF duties, Gillian managed maternal health programs in more than 20 countries across Africa and Asia, and had an active role developing projects for women with obstetric fistula.

In the last 15 years, she has become an international activist for fistula and her involvement in fistula work has increased considerably, taking her to New York for 4 years to head the global Campaign to End Fistula with UNFPA, where she was instrumental in establishing the UN approved International Day to End Obstetric Fistula, and bringing her to the International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics (FIGO) in London in 2014 to undertake her present role, leading the FIGO Fistula Surgery Training Initiative.

Gillian also teaches in the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine and has recently served on the Board of Directors of MSF Switzerland.

Alexa Smith joined Fistula Foundation as president in September 2024. In this role, she provides expertise and leadership to help achieve the Foundation’s ambitious goals. When the current CEO, Kate Grant, steps down in 2025, Alexa will assume the role of CEO.

Alexa brings to the Foundation more than 20 years of strategic leadership, fundraising acumen, and proven results. Before joining the team, she served as director of major gifts at the NAACP Legal Defense Fund, the nation’s premier civil rights organization. There, she led the major gifts program nationwide.

She is a former corporate lawyer and hedge fund executive with a passion for international development and advancing human rights, which began with a summer abroad in Togo, West Africa, as an undergraduate.  Alexa has used her expertise in management, organizational development, and strategic and business planning to help launch organizations to outsized success.

Alexa has also served as a director and advisor to several organizations, including the New York City Parks Foundation and The Feminist Press. She currently serves on the board of the UC Law San Francisco Foundation (formerly UC Hastings). Alexa holds a bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences/International Relations from UC Berkeley, a juris doctor degree from UC Law San Francisco, and a master’s of laws degree from Harvard Law School.

Dr. Shershah Syed joined Fistula Foundation as a medical advisor in May 2024. Shershah is a Pakistani obstetrician and gynecologist, and an outspoken advocate for women’s rights, girls’ education, and safe motherhood practices. In 1991, Shershah founded the Pakistan National Forum on Women’s Health, a Fistula Foundation partner.  

Shershah has more than three decades of experience in obstetrics and gynecology. He founded the Koohi Goth Women’s Hospital in Karachi, Pakistan which provides high-quality emergency care for poor, rural women, free of charge. His extensive experience is complemented by numerous books and publications on midwifery and safe motherhood.  

As a medical advisor for Fistula Foundation, Shershah contributes a unique perspective on priority needs and challenges in the south-Asia sub-region. He is a passionate advocate working to promote high standards of care and best practices in fistula treatment and prevention.

Pascal M. Vahwere joined the Fistula Foundation Treatment Network in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) as program manager in 2023. Pascal holds a medical diploma and a master’s degree in family medicine from Protestant University of Congo. He brings to the Fistula Foundation more than 15 years of experience in public health. For five years, he worked for the International Rescue Committee (IRC). At IRC, he held positions that included senior manager of infection prevention and control (during outbreaks of Ebola), head of health projects (with a focus on reproductive health, maternal health, and primary healthcare), and acting field coordinator. 

Previously, Pascal worked as a medical doctor for 11 years at hospitals in the DRC. At those facilities—Heal Africa Hospital, Lume Hospital, and Oicha Hospital—he cared for patients in the maternity and pediatrics departments, as well as the emergency room. During that period, he saw many victims of sexual assault, and worked with fistula surgeons, nurses, and patients.

Pascal is passionate about transforming the lives of women affected by fistula, and is honored to help restore their dignity and their sense of hope. He uses his positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage colleagues to work hard and to succeed.

Lara Veldman joined Fistula Foundation as program associate in August 2023. She holds a bachelor of education degree from the University of Virginia and a master’s in public health degree, with an emphasis on global health, from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. Lara brings to the Foundation experience in health and gender equity from her work as program associate at Rural Forward, a program that builds capacity for solving health challenges in communities across North Carolina. Previously, she was an intern at EngenderHealth, a nonprofit that advances sexual and reproductive rights. In her role at Fistula Foundation, Lara works to help partners provide as many women as possible with life-changing fistula repair surgeries.

Alyssa Vu joined Fistula Foundation as donor relations associate in June 2024. In that position, she handles donor inquiries, builds and maintains donor relationships, and acts as a liaison between donors and the Fistula Foundation team. Prior to taking on this role, Alyssa was a communications intern at the Foundation. During her internship, she gained valuable experience in the nonprofit sector, and learned about the workings of the Foundation. Alyssa is a graduate of San Jose State University, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in advertising, with an emphasis in marketing communications. Alyssa is an advocate for global women’s health, and is passionate about being part of something bigger than herself.

Tarah Walker, who joined Fistula Foundation as senior writer for marketing communications in July 2021, took on the role of director of communications in January 2024. Tarah holds a masters of strategic communications from American University, and a bachelor of arts in journalism and mass communications from the University of Iowa. Prior to joining the Foundation, Tarah was the public relations manager at ACT, the global education nonprofit. She has more than seven years of experience in nonprofit communications, including media and public relations, content marketing, and internal communications. In addition to her public relations role at ACT, Tarah led communications for ACT’s internal volunteer organization, facilitating donation drives for women’s organizations in Iowa, like the Domestic Violence Intervention Program, and generating positive broadcast coverage for ACT. She has volunteered for women’s organizations like the Iowa Women’s Foundation, using her communications expertise to promote economic self-sufficiency for women and girls. In her role as director of communications, Tarah oversees content development and project management for the Foundation’s campaign communications, including solicitations and stewardship. She is proud to use her gift for communications to empower donor action and transform the lives of women across the world.

In September 2023, Donalda joined Fistula Foundation as director of fundraising operations. She has worked for more than 25 years at nonprofits in fields such as higher education, healthcare, parks and recreation, libraries and literacy, environment and science education, and community and public television. Her experience as a nonprofit professional includes database management, volunteer coordination, grant writing, major-donor engagement, fund development, planned giving, corporate and community partnerships, direct mail, strategic planning, and organizational development. During her years in public broadcasting, Donalda regularly hosted live television, and wrote scripts for nationally distributed PBS pledge breaks.

Donalda received a bachelor of science degree in music from the University of Colorado at Denver, and she holds a Certified Fund Raising Executive (CFRE) credential. She has served on the board of the Silicon Valley chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals since 2019. Donalda deeply values the relationships that she builds through fundraising and through working with people in her community. Her favorite pastimes include moviegoing, reading, listening to classical music and British dance music, visiting museums, and attending airshows.