Ademola Osigbesan

Ademola joined Unitaid in 2017, coming from Clinton Health Access Initiative, where he was an access programs manager in his native Nigeria. Ademola is a pharmacist, holds an MBA degree, and has a background in supply chain management, with a focus on HIV and viral hepatitis. Before taking his job with Unitaid, Amedola was already aware of what a positive impact the organisation’s projects were having, particularly in helping children living with HIV. “I was a pharmacist at an ARV (antiretroviral) clinic where I experienced first-hand the introduction of paediatric dispersible ARVs.”

Dessislava Tarlton

Dessie Tarlton joined Unitaid in 2017 with extensive experience in development project and grant management across Africa, Asia, and Eastern Europe. Previously, she held key roles at the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, Habitat for Humanity International, and UNDP, and began her career in strategic consulting and private equity in London and Moscow. As Technical Manager, Access, Dessie provides analytical and technical support to inform Unitaid’s approach and execution of sustainable strategies to increase and accelerate equitable access to health products. Dessie holds an International Organizations MBA from the University of Geneva and a bachelor’s in health and development economics from the University of Bath.

Katherine Blumer

Katherine Blumer is a program manager at Unitaid where she currently oversees Unitaid’s portfolio of Intellectual Property grants.  Previously she managed Unitaid’s Antiretroviral Optimization portfolio. Having worked in global health for over 20 years 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 a bachelor’s degree in communications, a master’s degree in organizational management and a master’s degree in public health.

Ambachew Yohannes

Dr. Yohannes has an extensive background in medical parasitology, epidemiology and public health. He has worked at the Ministry of Health in his native Ethiopia, and at the World Health Organization. In 2010 he joined Unitaid where his focus is malaria control. Dr. Yohannes holds master’s degrees in medical parasitology and public health and a PhD in health studies.

Romane Theoleyre

Romane, from France, has a background in programme management. She joined Unitaid in 2013, after working as a project manager at DMI Associates, a consulting firm that specialises in public policies and economic development. Romane holds a master’s degree in management from EDHEC Business School, and a master’s in economics from the University of St Andrews.

Eva Nathanson

Eva brings 20 years of public health experience with WHO, Sida, and Unitaid. She currently leads Unitaid’s initiative on inclusive, demand-driven partnerships. Previously, she coordinated Unitaid’s health innovation portfolios on malaria and tuberculosis. Eva also supported WHO in building political momentum on antimicrobial resistance through a UN Interagency Coordination Group. As a Health Advisor at Sida in Zambia, she managed health development cooperation efforts and worked to improve reproductive, maternal, newborn, child, and adolescent health. From 1998 to 2014, she contributed to WHO’s tuberculosis programme across the former Soviet Union, Myanmar, and WHO Headquarters. Originally from Sweden, Eva holds MSc degrees in Molecular Biology and in Health, Development, and Environment.

Smiljka de Lussigny

Smiljka oversees Unitaid’s portfolio of HIV molecular diagnostic and cervical cancer grants. She has extensive experience in programme management and HIV prevention, treatment and care. Originally from Serbia, Smiljka holds master’s degrees in pharmacy and public health.

 

Yamuna Mundade

Yamuna Mundade has over 20 years experience in public health and infectious disease control. Prior to moving to Unitaid in 2012, she worked at the World Health Organization where she was posted as Medical officer in countries such as East Timor, Papua New Guinea and the Western pacific Regional office. Currently she works on grant management and program delivery of grants in HIV and Malaria. Yamuna is a medical graduate and clinician from India and has degrees in Public Health and Epidemiology from the University of Queensland and in Experimental Therapeutics from the University of Oxford.