What We Do   |   Our Team

Carla manages VillageReach’s advocacy and communications work in the Democratic Republic of Congo. During the current COVID-19 pandemic, she is working with the Risk Communication and Community Engagement (RCCE) national sub-committee in ensuring that messaging for VillageReach’s activities are in alignment to key messages spearheaded by DRC’s government, particularly in the dissemination of reliable information. She supports advocacy and communications work for HealthChat, an effort to disseminate timely information to the public on COVID-19 via WhatsApp, and supports the deployment of COVID-19 remote training on mobile phones to health workers and community health workers.

Dr. Patou Musumari is the Deputy Country Director for VillageReach in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He is responsible for all program strategies and implementations in the country. From 2019 to 2021, Dr. Musumari worked across the WHO Kobe Centre’s portfolio on service delivery and health emergency and disaster risk management. He joined VillageReach in 2021 as an advisor, leading important projects including the assessment of the supply chain (SC) that yielded key recommendations such as SC redesign, and the optimization and the deployment of an eLMIS. Dr. Musumari is a medical doctor with a PhD in Medical Science from Kyoto University School of Public Health/Graduate School of Medicine. He is a specialist in global health and socio-epidemiology.

Freddy Nkosi is the Country Director for VillageReach in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). He plays a critical role in managing the relationship between VillageReach, the government of DRC, non-governmental agencies (NGOs) and donor partners. He also provides leadership and oversight for all program strategies and implementations in the country. Freddy has over 15 years of working in the development sector in areas such as health, governance, economic development, education and human rights.  In a previous role with African Monitor, Freddy worked in South Africa and coordinated large-scale programs in over 10 African countries. He is a nurse and has a Master of Business Administration (MBA).

As Director, Global Programs, Carla Blauvelt, based out of Malawi, supports the Vice President in the oversight of program quality and development of standards for program management across VillageReach programs and leads the multi-country Transitioning Well Initiative. In her previous role, Ms. Blauvelt was the Country Director for VillageReach in Malawi and managed a multidisciplinary team of over 70 employees. Prior to VillageReach, Carla was the Country Representative for The Carter Center in South Sudan. She also served as Research Coordinator for Maternal and Newborn Programs at Johns Hopkins University, developed Quality Assurance Standard Operating Procedures for Partners in Health in Peru, and helped coordinate a clinical vaccine trial for Rotavirus in Kenya.

Dr. Alinafe Kasiya is the Country Director for VillageReach Malawi and also the Program Lead for CCPF. Alinafe has over 15 years’ experience in health promotion, social and behavior change communication (SBCC) and international development in Malawi and within Sub Saharan Africa. Previously Alinafe has successfully managed projects in the areas of maternal and child health, malaria, nutrition, family planning, HIV and AIDS, sexual and reproductive health, gender and governance. Alinafe holds a PhD in Development Studies, specializing in governance and development, from SOAS, University of London.

Ndasowa Chitule has joined VillageReach as Deputy Country Director for Malawi. Ndasowa is a public health professional with over 18 years’ experience in the sector – including 12 years at USAID – working at national, sub national and community levels. Ndasowa has technical expertise in a number of areas including; health systems strengthening, health financing, digital health, NGO capacity development and sub granting, HIV and AIDS, Adolescent sexual and reproductive health and water, sanitation and hygiene. Ndasowa holds a Master of Science in Strategic Management and is currently studying for a Master of Science in International Public Health.

Upile Kachila is a senior program manager responsible for the overall implementation and transition of Chipatala cha pa Foni (CCPF) to Malawi’s Ministry of Health and Population. CCPF is a toll-free health hotline in Malawi that provides information and referrals over the phone on all health and nutrition-related topics. She also leads exploration efforts for Health Center By Phone’s replication in other countries. For two years, Upile was a technical advisor seconded to the Ministry of Health and Population. Prior to her role with VillageReach, Upile worked for Population Services International as a project coordinator for the Social Franchise Project. She holds a Master of Science in Global Challenges from the University of Edinburgh, specializing in Global Health, Environment and Development.

Charles is responsible for the monitoring and evaluation plan for the Pharmacy Assistant Training program. Charles has extensive monitoring and evaluation experience. He most recently worked with Research Triangle International as an EMIS (Education Management Information System) and M&E Advisor where he worked with the Ministry of Education Science and Technology to strengthen their information systems, improved the monitoring and evaluation of Ministry initiatives and worked to improve data quality throughout the country. Charles has worked with various organizations such as JICA, UNDP, and UNV in different capacities. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from the University of Malawi, Chancellor College.

With a background in planning and management, experience in the private sector and NGO sector logistics, Alvaro brings a new set of skills and experience to the Mozambique team. Alvaro will lead the HERMES modeling work and the subsequent national supply chain system re-design. He will also lead our work around private sector engagement. Prior to VillageReach, he worked for several years with private sector companies including Unilever as a Logistician Supply Chain Manager, and later as a Supply Chain Director for PSI.

As Mozambique Country Director, Rotafina is responsible for the overall management of VillageReach operations in Mozambique, including serving as the organization’s primary representative to government. Rotafina has vast knowledge and experience in the development sector, and more recently within the humanitarian sector. In her previous role, as Oxfam’s Country Director in Mozambique, she led a successful humanitarian response for Cyclones Idai and Kenneth. Prior to coming to VillageReach, she was also Operations Manager for CDE Southern Africa, managing a portfolio of projects in nine Southern African countries. Rotafina holds a PhD in Business Administration (International Markets), an MSc in Finance and Banking in Emerging Markets, and a BCOM in Commerce and Business Administration.

As Mozambique Advisor of Response Coordinator for the COVID-19 response, Lorna is responsible for leading the strategic planning and the Operationalization of the public health emergency operations center (PHEOC), providing hands-on residential support requests and coordination of technical assistance, developing and implementing the learning agenda and handover plan, leading the reporting and communications. Lorna has vast knowledge and experience in the implementation and coordination of operational research, heath surveillance, preparedness and response of public health emergencies and natural disasters for more than ten years working for the Ministry of Health. In her previous role, as Chief of Surveillance the Department at the Ministry of Health in Mozambique, Lorna successfully led the preparedness and response to several public health emergencies such as cholera, measles, polio and rabies. She also led the establishment of discussion forum’s with MOH and partners. Prior to joining VillageReach, she was also lectured Emergency Response, Epidemiology and Surveillance at the Higher Institute of Health Sciences (ISCISA).  Lorna holds an MPH (Masters of Public Health).

Aida brings a nuanced understanding of what it takes to introduce new vaccinations to Mozambique and can draw on her experience managing program implementation with government officials, funders and other civil society organizations. She works closely with Mozambique’s Ministry of Health and provides technical assistance and strategic guidance to government officials. She also leads and manages the implementation of VillageReach programs in Mozambique, including the Drones for Health program, electronic immunization registries and new interventions as part of VillageReach’s COVID-19 response. Prior to VillageReach, Aida worked for Malawi’s Ministry of Education School Health Department. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and Social Science and a Masters of Public Health from Curtin University of Technology in Western Australia.

Aaron Aggrey joined VillageReach from Chemonics Liberia, where he served in two different roles as a Forecasting and Supply Planning specialist and Monitoring & Evaluation officer. He has been providing TA to the Ministry of Health Liberia for the last 5 years and he brings with him a breadth of expertise in warehousing, distribution, forecasting and managing digital technologies. Before joining Chemonics, he worked for ACDI/VOCA as Monitoring and Evaluation Officer on the LAUNCH Project supporting farmer groups and ensuring agriculture activities were reported through digital devices for timely reporting.

Bvudzai is the Senior Technical Advisor for Research & Advocacy at VillageReach. Based in Cape Town, South Africa, most of her work is centered in Mozambique, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Malawi. Driven by an interest to witness meaningful and sustainable change in underserved communities, she is responsible for generating evidence from the organization’s work to improve access to health care at the last mile and to use that evidence for advocacy. More recently, she has taken a keen interest in understanding the notion of scaling and sustaining social innovation in health through government to ensure cohesive integration in health systems and sustainability – what makes it work, in what contexts and how? Bvudzai studied public health in Zimbabwe and South Africa up to doctorate level. All of her work experience in the past 11 years has been in public health research with a goal to inform policy and practice – advising governments, donors and NGOs and previously as an academic.

As Vice President, Partnerships & Impact, Claudia leads the Communications, Advocacy, Resource Mobilization and Research, Evidence & Learning teams for the organization. Working in close collaboration with the Global Programs teams and country office leadership, she refines and implements strategies to ensure that VillageReach is improving how products and services are delivered to the most under-reached communities. Claudia has 25 years of working experience in public health in roles such as a Technical Expert, Manager and in Senior and Executive Leadership. Claudia has worked for the Governments of South Africa and Sierra Leone; Local, Regional and International NGOs; the United Nations; Catholic Relief Services; the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria and recently Centre for Communication Impact.

Edmond has close to 15 years of experience in non-profit consulting and full-time employment, with 10 years of this on Grant Writing in the Public Health and Health Systems Strengthening space. Beyond his expertise in Fundraising through Grant Proposal Writing, he also hones skills and competencies in Project Management, Organizational Development and Capacity Building methods such as Training delivery, Coaching, Mentorship and Signposting. Edmond’s technical fields of expertise are within the domains of HIV, SRHR, MNCH, Disability, Gender, Youth and other social development domains that subsumes the safeguarding of human welfare.

He holds M.Sc. Health Systems Management, B.Sc. Public Health, PG.Dip. Project Management, and certifications in Project Management for Development Professionals (PMD Pro Level-1) and Leadership Development Program (LDP) training and coaching. He draws his professional memberships from Health Systems Management Association (HeSMA) East Africa chapter, the Global Association of Fundraising Professionals (AFP Global), Kenya Association of Fundraising Professionals (KAFP) and Kenya Digital Health Coalition (KDHC).

Edwin is a Digital Health specialist leading the team responsible for a portfolio of innovations including digital supply chains, health hotlines, lab sample tracking, and other patient-centered, technology-enabled health care delivery. Before joining VillageReach, Edwin spent over 26 years in the health care, science research, micro finance, and education sectors. His previous role was as Deputy Director for Strategic Information for the Family AIDS Care and Education Services (FACES) program in Kenya. Edwin is a member of the Kenya Health Informatics Association (KeHIA), has an HND in Computer Science from the Technical University of Mombasa and has earned several Global Health related professional certifications from the University of Washington.

Tapiwa Mukwashi is a global health supply-chain expert with more than 15 years of private sector and international development experience across sub-Saharan Africa. As Director, Global Technical Team, Tapiwa ensures that VillageReach has the high-quality technical assistance needed to support its country teams, global partnerships, and program portfolio. Tapiwa played a central role in guiding the organization’s supply chain programs, in conducting supply-chain cost bench marking, supporting integration of different health-product supply chains in Mozambique, and supporting PPE procurement and delivery for CHWs through the COVID-19 Action Fund. Tapiwa is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport (FCILT). He earned an MSc in Shipping and Transport from Netherlands Maritime University.

Erin leads VillageReach’s Research, Evidence and Learning team and its Monitoring and Evaluation community of practice, engaging stakeholders in data-driven decision making. Erin has expertise in research execution and evaluation methods in immunization programs, public health supply chains, human resources for supply chain, and health systems strengthening initiatives. Prior to joining VillageReach, Erin worked in various public health and nonprofit organizations, including in Uganda for the United States Peace Corps. Erin holds a Master of Public Health in Community Oriented Public Health Practice and Master of Social Work in Community Centered Integrative Practice from the University of Washington. She received a Bachelor of Science in Community Health from Western Washington University.

Hilary joined VillageReach to support the human resources team, bringing almost a decade of experience in progressively responsible HR leadership roles in both the US and Canada. Most recently, Hilary worked as the Director of Human Resources at University Presbyterian Church. Hilary’s professional HR background includes proficiencies in employee relations, compensation, benefits, staffing, organizational design, training and staff development, performance management, payroll and human resources information systems. Hilary has a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations and Latin American Studies from the University of British Columbia and an M.A. in International Business, from Cologne University of Applied Sciences.

Jennifer Crouch is responsible for securing unrestricted philanthropic support for VillageReach. She has fifteen years of experience working in non-profit fund development, with a particular interest in creative capital structures. Prior to VillageReach, Jennifer led a stakeholder engagement team at Global Partnerships, a non-profit impact investor. She has also held positions as Development Director at Seattle Tilth, a sustainability organization and as Assistant Director of Development at The Overlake School. Jennifer holds a Bachelor of Arts from James Madison University, a Master of Arts from the University of Washington, and a certificate in sustainable business from Presidio Graduate School.

Joseph is responsible for developing and applying high-impact private sector partnerships, capacities, and best practices to VillageReach’s work. Joseph comes to VillageReach with deep private and public sector expertise in areas of supply chain, product development, strategy, organizational design, information systems and large-scale transformation. Joseph was previously a Partner at PRTM Management Consulting and a Principal in PwC’s Strategy & Operations Practice. He is a co-author of the book Strategic Supply Chain Management: The 5 Disciplines for Top Performance. Joseph received a Master of Arts from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy with a focus on International Business, International Economics and Technology Management, and a BA in Political Science and French from Louisiana State University.

Luciana has spent more than 18 years managing and implementing global health and development programs and leading complex program evaluations. With experience in the US, Europe and 25 countries in Africa, her work has focused on conducting primary research in health centers and communities, and facilitating the integration of innovative technologies in resource-limited settings to accelerate health, social and economic outcomes. Areas of technical focus include: evaluation design and data analysis, health supply chains, drones for health, lab sample transportation, infectious diseases including malaria and HIV, and clinical research.  Prior to her time at VillageReach, Luciana worked for the Institute of Human Virology (IHV) at the University of Maryland School of Medicine, Management Sciences for Health (MSH), the USAID Mission for Guinea and Sierra Leone, the International Partnership for Microbicides and CIGNA Corporation. Luciana holds a Master’s in International Relations (Global Development Policy) from the Maxwell School of Citizenship and Public Affairs at Syracuse University and a Bachelor’s in Mathematics from Hamilton College. She lived in West and Southeastern Africa for 4 years and speaks several languages including French.

Mariam Zameer focuses on improving equitable access to health care and health financing at VillageReach. She leads the Health Systems Team using systems thinking to work on: equity, community health, human resources for health, health financing, and governance. Her work at VillageReach spans working with Pakistan EPI to improve their immunization supply chains, costing CHW supply chains in Liberia, designing modeling tools for Mozambique, and COVID-19 vaccine delivery. Mariam brings a civil society perspective to Gavi’s Immunization Supply Chain Steering Committee (iSC2). Mariam grew up in Pakistan, and has worked closely with communities there. She has a BSc (Honors) in Economics and Masters in Public Policy & Governance. She is a Doctor of Public Health candidate at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

As a global health and innovation development expert, Olivier leads a portfolio of innovations to improve healthcare access at the last mile in low/middle-income countries. Olivier’s 17+ years of experience working in Africa makes him savvy in navigating local challenges and influencing strategic partnerships to achieve sustainable health outcomes. As a director in VillageReach private sector engagement group, Olivier develops and manages strategic partnerships with the private sector. He also leads the Outsourced Drone Transport programs in Mozambique, Malawi, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Central African Republic. Before joining VillageReach, Olivier has managed health information and laboratory systems implementations in Haiti and West Africa, and served as Operations Manager of the HIV Vaccine Trials Network (HVTN) Endpoints Laboratory at Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center. Olivier holds a PhD in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Liège in Belgium.