Led by Executive Director Lelio Marmora, the secretariat staff manage the day-to-day operations of the organization and implement the policies approved by the Unitaid Executive Board. More information on the functions of the secretariat can be found in these by-laws.
Hosted by the World Health Organization (WHO) and based in Geneva, Switzerland, the operations of the secretariat are administered in accordance with Unitaid’s constitution and WHO rules.
Unitaid – Global Health Campus,
Chemin du Pommier 40, 5th floor,
1218 Grand-Saconnex
Geneva, Switzerland
Tel: +41 22 791 12 00
Fax: +41 22 791 48 90
E-mail: unitaid@who.int
Wale’s background is in project and grant management. Before joining Unitaid in 2016, he was deputy director of the Global Maternal and Newborn Programme at the Clinton Health Access Initiative. Olawale is from Nigeria and holds a bachelor’s degree in cell biology and genetics, and a Master of Public Health.
Ana is from Spain and has ten years’ experience in programme management. She has worked in grant management for multiple international organizations. Ana holds a Master of International Business Management and a post-graduate degree in international cooperation and project management. She joined Unitaid in 2016.
Denitza joined Unitaid in June, 2018. She is an experienced and results-driven program manager, researcher and evaluator, in fields spanning sexual and reproductive health, and economic development. Most recently, she served as senior program officer at the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in New York, where she led the development and implementation of interventions to reach underserved populations with clinical and educational services. She also oversaw the organization’s HIV and Zika programmatic portfolio in Latin America and the Caribbean. Originally from Bulgaria, Denitza holds a bachelor’s degree in economics and a master’s in public affairs with a focus on international development.
Irina has worked extensively in international development organizations, specializing in finance, business services, risk and compliance. She has held posts at a spectrum of United Nations agencies, including the World Health Organization and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees. In 2009, she joined Unitaid. “I’ve become very passionate about what Unitaid does. It’s a very interesting mandate, and important for humanity,” Irina says. “What matters to me is contributing to make life better for everyone.” Irina is from Armenia, holds an MBA from the IE Business School in Madrid, is a chartered certified accountant (ACCA), and holds a university degree in English language and history.
Oana works in administration and project support. Before joining Unitaid, she worked as a field trials manager in disease vector control. Oana, a native of Romania, holds a bachelor’s degree in biology and is enrolled in clinical trials post-graduate studies at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Carole has more than 20 years of experience in administration and building management. She worked at the World Health Organization before joining Unitaid in 2011. Carole is from France and holds a bachelor’s degree in psychology.
Draurio, a physician, has worked for two decades in epidemiology, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis and public health. Before joining Unitaid in 2015, he headed the TB programme in Brazil’s ministry of health. Draurio is from Brazil and holds a degree in medicine and a post-graduate degree in public health.
Anne-Line has more than 10 years’ experience working in public health in international organisations. Before joining Unitaid in 2017, Anne-Line held positions at the World Health Organization with the Global Malaria Programme and the Expanded Programme on Immunization, and at the Global Fund. She has also worked in the NGO sector in programme management and resource mobilization. Anne-Line holds a bachelor’s in anthropology, and master’s degrees in international relations and international public health.
Katherine has held positions with the United Nations Environment Programme, UNAIDS, the Center for Global Development, the World Health Organization and the Health Metrics Network. She holds master’s degrees in organizational management and public health. She is from the United States.
Mailys came to Unitaid in 2017 with a background in project finance, including a post at the UK Green Investment Bank in London, which seeks to accelerate the country’s transition to a greener economy. As a project finance senior associate, her role was to make investment decisions on renewable infrastructure projects involving offshore wind, energy from waste, waste recycling, biomass and energy efficiency. At Unitaid, her role is to ensure that grant money is used efficiently, and in line with agreements.
She is French, holds a master’s degree in finance, and speaks English, French and German.
Vincent has worked in strategy consulting and healthcare for 10 years. He was a principal at Boston Consulting Group before joining Unitaid. He holds a master’s and PhD in quantum physics.
Caroline joined Unitaid in 2016, after six years with the World Health Organization’s Global Polio Eradication Initiative. She has also worked as a cardio technician at Geneva’s Clinique des Grangettes Cardiology Centre. A native of Switzerland, she holds a diploma from the Swiss Health and Social Care Centre.
