Our Leadership

Dr Gitahi joined Amref Health Africa on June 1, 2015. Until his appointment at Amref Health Africa, Dr Gitahi was the Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, Smile Train International, where he successfully established partnerships for long-term sustainability with various African governments. Prior to that he worked with the Nation Media Group, where he was the Managing Director for Monitor Publications in Uganda as well as General Manager for Marketing and Circulation in East Africa. He also held progressively senior positions at GlaxoSmithKline, Avenue Group and the insurance industry. Dr Gitahi has a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery and a Masters in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing.

Jonathan Dutton joined Amref Health Africa in 2014 and he is the Group Chief Finance Officer. He has previously worked as the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services at London Legacy Development/Olympic Park Legacy Company. He was also the Finance and Corporate service Director at Oasis Community Learning Group. In 1998 he was the Managing Director- Corporate Finance in Deutsche Bank. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting from the University of Wales. He also qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Chattered Accountants in England and Wales.

Starting off as a Flight Physician with AMREF’s Emergency Service, accompanying air ambulance flights in East Africa and beyond, Dr Vadera has been with AMREF Flying Doctors for the last 14 years. Dr Vadera obtained her Medical Degree from the Medical University in Hamburg, with specialisation in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine and Tropical Medicine. Her PHD is in Nuclear Medicine from the University in Marburg and she is certified in ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cadiac Life Support), PHTLS (Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support) and PALS (Paediatric Advanced Life Support-Instructor). Dr Vadera has close to 2,000 hours experience in the field of medical patient transport, including ground ambulance, air ambulance and helicopter rescue and is a member of the EURAMI (European Aero-medical Institute) Board of Director.

Anne-Marie Kamanye is the Executive Director of Amref Health Africa in Canada. She was appointed to the role in 2011, after serving as the organization’s Director of International Programmes since 2006. Committed to women and children’s rights, Anne-Marie has extensive experience in international development. As Executive Director, Anne-Marie is responsible for continued growth and development of Amref Health Africa in Canada, providing leadership and strategic direction, preparing and monitoring budgets, carrying out policies and procedures developed by the Board of Directors and collaborating and engaging with Amref Health Africa in Africa. Anne-Marie was awarded the African Canadian Woman Achievement Award by the Endless Possibilities and Hope Development Organization in 2007.

Desta Lakew joined as the Head of Fundraising, Africa in 2014. A certified fundraising executive with more than a decade of fundraising and marketing experience, she is responsible for establishing Amref Health Africa’s Fundraising Directorate for Africa to promote and support philanthropic giving by Africans for Africa. Prior to joining, she was the Director of Development at Open Door Foundation based in the USA where she also served as Director of Marketing from 2006. She is a founding board member of the NY-Westchester Chapter of the National Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She has served as the Director of Development for Interfaith Council for Action; Assistant Vice President of Maimonides Medical Center and conducted various consultancies with Business Call to Action, UNDP Secretariat; Public Health Innovation, Kenya and Centre for Multicultural and Community Affairs, Mt Sinai Hospital, New York. Desta holds a Master of Public Health, Bachelor of Arts and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).

Dr Ngatia joined Amref Health Africa about 26 years ago and within this time has held key positions within the organisation such as Acting Director General, Director of Programmes, Country Director and Chief Technical Advisor to various Ministries of Health in the region. He has led several consultancies on Amref Health Africa’s behalf for African governments, the World Bank, European Union, the World Health Organization, CIDA, SIDA, DFID and USAID. He has also authored several publications in community and public health and training of frontline workers. His academic accolades include a BSc in Rehabilitation Medicine, MEd in Medical Education and Public Health, and a PhD in Medical Education, Planning and Development from the University of Alberta in Canada. Dr Ngatia was honoured with the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) by HE Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya in 2010 for his contribution to Public Health and Community Development in Kenya and Africa.

Samuel Weru joined Amref Health Africa in May 2015. He previously worked for Oxfam Great Britain as the Regional Information Systems Manager for the Horn, East and Central Africa in charge of Information Technology operations in 8 countries and regional centre. His last appointment in Oxfam was that of Associate Country Director for Oxfam, Somalia where he successfully turned round the Programme through aggressive resource mobilization and strategic leadership. Prior to joining Oxfam, he served as the IT Manager for Practical Action, a UK based international charity that uses sustainable technology solutions to challenge poverty where he established a fully-fledged hub for the region. Samuel holds a BSc. in Computer Science and an MBA in Management of Information Systems (MIS), both from the University of Nairobi. He is currently finalising his Phd. programme in Strategic Information Systems with special interest in Open Innovation Ecosystems for organizational Capability, Agility and Performance.

Angela Mucheru is a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 16 years’ experience in mainstream HR, consultancy and advisory in blue chip companies and development agencies. She has led HR functions at Tetra Pak covering Africa and Middle East and at Commercial Bank of Africa with HR advisory experience gained at KPMG and most recently at her current role as Associate Director at Cedar Consulting. Her countries of experience include East Africa, South Africa, Nigeria, Swaziland, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Sudan, Senegal, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Angela holds an MBA in Strategic Management from United States International University - Africa (USIU-A) and a degree in HR from Daystar University and is a change management professional certified by PROSCI.

Dr Joachim Osur is the Director of Regional Offices and Field Offices at Amref Health Africa. He is a public health and reproductive health specialist with wide experience in health programming in the African context. He has contributed immensely to health systems strengthening in various countries, health policy development and advocacy and development of models that have impacted thousands of lives. Among others, he holds a bachelors degree in Medicine and Surgery, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and a PhD in reproductive health.

Frances joined Amref Health Africa UK as Chief Executive in August 2015. Frances has over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector focusing on leadership, strategy and communications. Her career reflects a passion for the promotion of access and inclusion for marginalised and disadvantaged groups, especially women and girls. In her role with Amref she continues to champion collaboration with communities which draws on local knowledge to find innovative and effective ways to increase access to healthcare. Frances was previously Director of Communications and Brand and Head of International Programme Engagement for Unicef UK. She also worked in Afghanistan to develop the communications strategy for the Ministry of Public Health’s Public-Private Partnerships programme to extend the provision of secondary and tertiary healthcare. From 2009 to 2012 Frances lived and worked in Swaziland, leading the evaluation of an experimental USAID-funded national HIV prevention programme and creating the communications strategy for the Ministry of Health for their new national Health Management Information System. Frances has an MSc in Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.

Jennifer joined Amref Health Africa in Canada in February 2012, bringing more than a decade of experience in directing communications and public relations programs in the non-profit sector. Jennifer oversees Amref Health Africa in Canada's external communications, including website, social media, newsletters and media relations. Before joining Amref Health Africa, Jennifer was Communications and Operations Director at Environmental Defence, a national environmental group. She previously worked in international development as the Public Relations Specialist for Plan Canada. Jennifer started her career as a journalist working for CBC Radio.

Dr Gitahi joined Amref Health Africa on June 1, 2015. Until his appointment at Amref Health Africa, Dr Gitahi was the Vice President and Regional Director for Africa, Smile Train International, where he successfully established partnerships for long-term sustainability with various African governments. Prior to that he worked with the Nation Media Group, where he was the Managing Director for Monitor Publications in Uganda as well as General Manager for Marketing and Circulation in East Africa. He also held progressively senior positions at GlaxoSmithKline, Avenue Group and the insurance industry. Dr Gitahi has a Bachelor’s degree in Medicine and Surgery and a Masters in Business Administration, majoring in Marketing.

Jonathan Dutton joined Amref Health Africa in 2014 and he is the Group Chief Finance Officer. He has previously worked as the Executive Director of Finance and Corporate Services at London Legacy Development/Olympic Park Legacy Company. He was also the Finance and Corporate service Director at Oasis Community Learning Group. In 1998 he was the Managing Director- Corporate Finance in Deutsche Bank. Jonathan holds a Bachelor of Science in Economics and Accounting from the University of Wales. He also qualified as a Fellow of the Institute of Chattered Accountants in England and Wales.

As the Country Director, Dr Ndirangu provides overall strategic leadership to the Country Programme, working with the Senior Management Team of Amref Health Africa in Kenya. Prior to this he worked as the Head of Programmes for Amref Health Africa in Kenya Country from January 2011 – October 2014 where he provided leadership in: strategic planning for clinical & diagnostics program; program development; programmatic performance management; quality improvement; monitoring & evaluation; staff development. Dr Ndirangu holds an Executive Master of Business Administration (2010); Master of Public Health (2006); Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (1996); extensive leadership development (2009 to 2011); Executive/Professional Coach accredited through the UK Academy of Executive Coaching (2014).

Starting off as a Flight Physician with AMREF’s Emergency Service, accompanying air ambulance flights in East Africa and beyond, Dr Vadera has been with AMREF Flying Doctors for the last 14 years. Dr Vadera obtained her Medical Degree from the Medical University in Hamburg, with specialisation in Emergency Medicine, Family Medicine and Tropical Medicine. Her PHD is in Nuclear Medicine from the University in Marburg and she is certified in ATLS (Advanced Trauma Life Support), ACLS (Advanced Cadiac Life Support), PHTLS (Pre-hospital Trauma Life Support) and PALS (Paediatric Advanced Life Support-Instructor). Dr Vadera has close to 2,000 hours experience in the field of medical patient transport, including ground ambulance, air ambulance and helicopter rescue and is a member of the EURAMI (European Aero-medical Institute) Board of Director.

Anne-Marie Kamanye is the Executive Director of Amref Health Africa in Canada. She was appointed to the role in 2011, after serving as the organization’s Director of International Programmes since 2006. Committed to women and children’s rights, Anne-Marie has extensive experience in international development. As Executive Director, Anne-Marie is responsible for continued growth and development of Amref Health Africa in Canada, providing leadership and strategic direction, preparing and monitoring budgets, carrying out policies and procedures developed by the Board of Directors and collaborating and engaging with Amref Health Africa in Africa. Anne-Marie was awarded the African Canadian Woman Achievement Award by the Endless Possibilities and Hope Development Organization in 2007.

Desta Lakew joined as the Head of Fundraising, Africa in 2014. A certified fundraising executive with more than a decade of fundraising and marketing experience, she is responsible for establishing Amref Health Africa’s Fundraising Directorate for Africa to promote and support philanthropic giving by Africans for Africa. Prior to joining, she was the Director of Development at Open Door Foundation based in the USA where she also served as Director of Marketing from 2006. She is a founding board member of the NY-Westchester Chapter of the National Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP). She has served as the Director of Development for Interfaith Council for Action; Assistant Vice President of Maimonides Medical Center and conducted various consultancies with Business Call to Action, UNDP Secretariat; Public Health Innovation, Kenya and Centre for Multicultural and Community Affairs, Mt Sinai Hospital, New York. Desta holds a Master of Public Health, Bachelor of Arts and is a Certified Fundraising Executive (CFRE).

Dr Ngatia joined Amref Health Africa about 26 years ago and within this time has held key positions within the organisation such as Acting Director General, Director of Programmes, Country Director and Chief Technical Advisor to various Ministries of Health in the region. He has led several consultancies on Amref Health Africa’s behalf for African governments, the World Bank, European Union, the World Health Organization, CIDA, SIDA, DFID and USAID. He has also authored several publications in community and public health and training of frontline workers. His academic accolades include a BSc in Rehabilitation Medicine, MEd in Medical Education and Public Health, and a PhD in Medical Education, Planning and Development from the University of Alberta in Canada. Dr Ngatia was honoured with the Order of the Burning Spear (EBS) by HE Mwai Kibaki, President of the Republic of Kenya in 2010 for his contribution to Public Health and Community Development in Kenya and Africa.

Samuel Weru joined Amref Health Africa in May 2015. He previously worked for Oxfam Great Britain as the Regional Information Systems Manager for the Horn, East and Central Africa in charge of Information Technology operations in 8 countries and regional centre. His last appointment in Oxfam was that of Associate Country Director for Oxfam, Somalia where he successfully turned round the Programme through aggressive resource mobilization and strategic leadership. Prior to joining Oxfam, he served as the IT Manager for Practical Action, a UK based international charity that uses sustainable technology solutions to challenge poverty where he established a fully-fledged hub for the region. Samuel holds a BSc. in Computer Science and an MBA in Management of Information Systems (MIS), both from the University of Nairobi. He is currently finalising his Phd. programme in Strategic Information Systems with special interest in Open Innovation Ecosystems for organizational Capability, Agility and Performance.

Angela Mucheru is a seasoned Human Resources professional with over 16 years’ experience in mainstream HR, consultancy and advisory in blue chip companies and development agencies. She has led HR functions at Tetra Pak covering Africa and Middle East and at Commercial Bank of Africa with HR advisory experience gained at KPMG and most recently at her current role as Associate Director at Cedar Consulting. Her countries of experience include East Africa, South Africa, Nigeria, Swaziland, Zambia, Namibia, Malawi, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, Djibouti, Sudan, Senegal, Pakistan, Turkey, Iran and Saudi Arabia. Angela holds an MBA in Strategic Management from United States International University - Africa (USIU-A) and a degree in HR from Daystar University and is a change management professional certified by PROSCI.

Dr Joachim Osur is the Director of Regional Offices and Field Offices at Amref Health Africa. He is a public health and reproductive health specialist with wide experience in health programming in the African context. He has contributed immensely to health systems strengthening in various countries, health policy development and advocacy and development of models that have impacted thousands of lives. Among others, he holds a bachelors degree in Medicine and Surgery, a Masters Degree in Public Health, and a PhD in reproductive health.

Frances joined Amref Health Africa UK as Chief Executive in August 2015. Frances has over 20 years’ experience in the not-for-profit sector focusing on leadership, strategy and communications. Her career reflects a passion for the promotion of access and inclusion for marginalised and disadvantaged groups, especially women and girls. In her role with Amref she continues to champion collaboration with communities which draws on local knowledge to find innovative and effective ways to increase access to healthcare. Frances was previously Director of Communications and Brand and Head of International Programme Engagement for Unicef UK. She also worked in Afghanistan to develop the communications strategy for the Ministry of Public Health’s Public-Private Partnerships programme to extend the provision of secondary and tertiary healthcare. From 2009 to 2012 Frances lived and worked in Swaziland, leading the evaluation of an experimental USAID-funded national HIV prevention programme and creating the communications strategy for the Ministry of Health for their new national Health Management Information System. Frances has an MSc in Development from the School of Oriental and African Studies in London.