Dr. Monika Pendukeni
Council Chairperson – Welwitchia University Dr. Monika Pendukeni is a distinguished Human Resource Strategist, higher education leader, and public health professional with over 25 years of executive experience across Namibia’s healthcare, public service, and higher education sectors. She is Co-Founder of Welwitchia University and the Welwitchia University Group, and currently serves as Chairperson of Council of Welwitchia University and Board Chairperson of the Group, providing strategic governance and safeguarding the institution’s founding vision and long-term sustainability.A visionary institutional builder, Dr. Pendukeni has been central to Welwitchia’s evolution from a health training centre into a fully-fledged, multi-campus university with strong regional and international partnerships. Her leadership has strengthened governance, quality assurance, and innovation in simulation-based health sciences education, contributing to the graduation of over 4,000 professionals and enrolment growth beyond 7,500 students.She was recently appointed by the President of the Republic of Namibia as a Member of the National Health Task Force, contributing to high-level health policy and system-strengthening initiatives. Previously, she served as General Manager: Human Resources, Training and Development at the Namibia Institute of Pathology and held senior roles within the Ministry of Health and Social Services.Dr. Pendukeni holds a Master’s degree in Public Health, postgraduate qualifications in Human Resource Management, and an Honorary Doctorate in Human Resource Management. In 2023, she was named among the Top 50 Namibians of Merit and appointed Namibian Ambassador of Indian Education and Science. Speakers >> Dr. Monika Pendukeni
Dr. Chris Barasa
General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer, Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK) Dr. Chris Barasa is a Medical Doctor, Health Systems Specialist, and senior health leader with over 18 years of experience in HIV programming, Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child and Adolescent Health (RMNCAH), Primary Health Care, and Health Systems Strengthening in Kenya and the region. He currently serves as the General Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Christian Health Association of Kenya (CHAK),where he provides strategic leadership to a National network of Faith-based Health institutions (Hospitals, Universities, Medical Training Colleges, Community Based Organizations) delivering essential services in support of Universal Health Coverage. Dr. Barasa has held senior leadership roles on large USAID- and CDC-funded health programmes, including as Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party for multi-million dollar HIV, RMNCAH, and health governance initiatives. He has lectured Global Health, Public Health and Health Systems Management at the University of Nairobi, Mt Kenya University and Amref International University. Dr. Barasa holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBChB) and a Master of Medicine in Obstetrics and Gynaecology from the University of Nairobi, a Master of Public Health in Health Systems Management and Policy from the Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, and a Master of Business Administration in StrategicManagement. He has additional postgraduate training in advanced HIV management, research methodologies and statistics, leadership, and executive coaching. He is currently a PhD candidate in Reproductive Anatomy, with a research focus on onco-fertility and health systems, particularly fertility preservation among childhood cancer survivors and persons living with sickle cell disease. Membership: Dr. Chris is a member of the Kenya Medical Association (KMA), Kenya Obstetricians and Gynaecologists Society (KOGS), the Kenya Medical Practitioners’ and Dentists Council (KMPDC), the Alliance for Health Promotion (AHP) and the Global Health Partnership (GHP) and committee member the International Federation of Gynaecologists and Obstetricians Speakers >> Dr. Chris Barasa
Prof. Alice Lakati
Associate Professor of Public Health and Epidemiology & Deputy Vice Chancellor for Research, Innovation, and Community Extension – Amref International University, Kenya Professor Alice Lakati is a seasoned epidemiologist and public health expert with more than 20 years of distinguished performance. She is the first and current Director of Research and Community Extension at Amref International University, an affiliate of Amref Health Africa. She has led design and implementation of research and evaluations of programs in multiple countries across Africa. She has taught in private and public universities in Kenya, Uganda and Ethiopia. She has served on various expert committees including the World Health Organization. At Amref International University, Professor Alice Lakati has served in several capacities including acting Vice-Chancellor and founding Dean, School of Public Health and Graduate School. She is a dynamic, strategic leader who has not only taught but mentored students and colleagues. Her academic qualifications include a PhD in Epidemiology. She is passionate about education, public health nutrition, community health and the impact of climate change on livelihoods. She is widely published, and her publications include breastfeeding and employment, among others. Speakers >> Prof. Alice Lakati
Dr. Jane Mate-Rodrigues
Consultant Pediatrician and Lactation Specialist – M.P. SHAH Children’s Hospital Dr. Jane Mate-Rodrigues is a consultant pediatrician based at the M.P. SHAH Children’s Hospital in Parklands, Nairobi. In addition, she has trained as a breastfeeding and lactation counselor and works in collaboration with the Kenya Association for Breastfeeding (KAB) to support mothers through the breastfeeding journey. She has also trained as an early nutrition specialist and has successfully initiated an ongoing nutrition program at the hospital to educate caregivers on young child and infant nutrition. She is a member of the Kenya Paediatrics Association (KPA) and KAB. Speakers >> Dr. Jane Mate-Rodrigues
Josephine W. Munene
Maternal, Infant & Child Health and Nutrition Specialist – Circle of Care Foundation, Kenya Josephine W. Munene is a Maternal, Infant & Child Health and Nutrition Specialist with over 15 years of experience in advancing breastfeeding and newborn care in Kenya and East Africa. She is a founding member of the Kenya Association for Breastfeeding and a technical advisor on Maternal, Infant, and Young Child Nutrition (MIYCN). She holds an MSc in International Development and is also a Certified Lactation Support Professional, La Leche League International Leader, and Certified Infant Massage Instructor (IAIM). She frequently collaborates with the Ministry of Health, universities, and INGOs to strengthen postpartum care and infant feeding initiatives. Passionate about bridging evidence, policy, and community practice, Josephine is committed to empowering health professionals to become catalysts for change. She currently serves as Executive Director at Circle of Care Foundation, a Board Member at Global Newborn Solutions (a U.S. start-up innovating newborn care solutions), and the Kenya Chapter Representative for the International Association of Infant Massage. Speakers >> Josephine W. Munene
Kay Kutschkau
Lead Knowledge Management & LactaHub Project – Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation, Switzerland Kay Kutschkau leads LactaHub and Knowledge Management at the Family Larsson-Rosenquist Foundation (FLRF), where he focuses on empowering people with evidence-based knowledge that drives real-world impact. Since joining FLRF in 2017, he has created, launched, and continuously developed LactaHub – a free online platform for breastfeeding knowledge – implemented as a partnership project with The Global Health Network, University of Oxford. He holds a master’s degree in media, communications, and economics from Freie Universität Berlin, Germany. His career began in the digital division of one of Germany’s largest publishing houses, where he developed strong expertise in digital knowledge dissemination, strategy, and innovation. At FLRF, he applies this experience to building global partnerships, shaping knowledge management strategies, and creating effective channels for knowledge exchange in the fields of breastfeeding and maternal and child health. He is also a core team member of the Swiss Knowledge Management Think Table. He is passionate about collaboration and advancing ways to ensure knowledge reaches those who need it most. Speakers >> Kay Kutschkau
Dr. Chantell Witten
Health Systems Strengthening Director – Ilifa Labantwana, South Africa Dr. Chantell Witten provides organizational and technical leadership to drive and direct the 0–2 strategy for Ilifa Labantwana in building and supporting responsive care for children aged 0–2 years, by supporting policy and programme development aligned with the Road to Health Book, and specifically to the pillar Love, Play & Talk. The Road to Health Book is the policy and tool for the package of services for children aged 0–5 years, which also includes pillars for Nutrition, Protection, Routine Care, and Extra Care. Dr Chantell Witten is recognized as a subject matter expert in the field of infant and young child feeding, both globally and nationally, in South Africa. Chantell brings a wealth of experience working across multiple sectors and within multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural teams. Chantell has more than 10 years’ experience in public health nutrition, spanning research, policy, programme design and implementation, and publication. Speakers >> Dr. Chantell Witten
Esther Kimani
Childbirth Educator, Doula & Lactation Specialist Esther Kimani is a passionate Childbirth Educator, Doula and Infant Care Specialist based in Nairobi, Kenya. She holds multiple certifications, including Lamaze Certified Childbirth Educator (LCCE), DONA-certified Birth Doula and Trainer DONA CD|BDT and Spinning Babies Parent Educator (SpBCPE). Esther is also an approved Lamaze Trainer and a Certified Lactation Specialist (CLSC), specializing in infant nutrition as a Certified Infant Feeding Specialist as well as an Infant and Young Child Nutrition Counsellor (IYCF). Additionally, she is a Certified Infant Massage Instructor (CIMI) and holds a Bachelor’s in Education from Kenyatta University, as well as a postgraduate diploma in Child Study and Human Development. Esther currently serves as the Chair of the Membership of Lamaze International and serves on the board of DONA International as the Director of Global Development. With over 17 years of experience, Esther leads Mom 360 Support, a practice committed to helping parents navigate their parenting journey from pregnancy through birth and beyond. She empowers parents with the knowledge, confidence, and care they need every step of the way. Speakers >> Esther Kimani
Veronica Kirogo
Director of Nutrition and Dietetics Services, State Department for Public Health and Professional Standards, Ministry of Health, Kenya Veronica Kirogo is a registered Nutritionist with extensive experience in policy development, program implementation, and multisectoral coordination to improve nutrition outcomes in Kenya. As the Director of Nutrition and Dietetics at the Ministry of Health, she leads national nutrition policies and strategies, including the Kenya Nutrition Action Plan (KNAP), with a strong focus on maternal, infant and young child nutrition. A champion of breastfeeding advocacy, Veronica has been instrumental in advancing breastfeeding protection, promotion, and support through key policies such as the Breast Milk Substitutes (Regulation and Control) Act, Baby-Friendly Hospital Initiative (BFHI), human milk banking, and workplace breastfeeding support programs. She has also played a crucial role in strengthening community-based breastfeeding interventions such as Baby-Friendly Community Initiative (BFCI), ensuring equitable access to skilled breastfeeding counseling for all mothers, especially in vulnerable settings. Recognizing the ethical challenges in breastfeeding interventions, Veronica has been at the forefront of addressing issues such as unethical marketing of breast milk substitutes, and access disparities for working mothers and marginalized communities. Her work integrates public health ethics principles to balance individual autonomy, public health responsibility, and commercial influences, ensuring breastfeeding promotion is both equitable and rights-based. Speakers >> Veronica Kirogo
Mili Karina
Nurse Midwife, IBCLC, Kenya Mili Karina is a Maternal, Newborn and Child Health Consultant, Midwife, Registered Nurse, and Board Certified Lactation Consultant with over 18 years of experience across maternal and infant health, breastfeeding systems, and workforce strengthening. She holds a Master of Public Health from the University of Liverpool, a Bachelor of Nursing from Curtin University, and a Diploma in Midwifery, with additional training in monitoring and evaluation, childbirth education, doula care, bereavement support, and infant feeding. She is the Founder of Nurturing Moms Ltd, where she leads the design and delivery of maternal and infant health programs focused on education, workforce support, and improved continuity of care across pregnancy, birth, and the postpartum period. Her work supports health programs, organizations, and communities to strengthen breastfeeding support, maternal nutrition, and quality of care. Mili Karina is recognised for her leadership, communication, and ability to translate guidance into practical support for health workers and families, and was named Health Ambassador of the Year by the Afri Glo Choice Women’s Awards in 2023. Speakers >> Mili Karina