Neema Mgana, PhD, has served with the United Nations systems in New York, Geneva, and Washington, DC for more than fifteen years, focusing on public policy and strategic partnerships for sustainable development and poverty reduction. Her expertise is in designing and implementing transformative partnerships involving the private sector, multilateral organizations, civil society, and other development partners.Â
Prior to joining the United Nations, she worked as the assistant director and later director of a global social entrepreneurship organization that identified and supported the world’s leading changemakers, and mobilized a global community that embraced these new frameworks for global impact.
As a serial social entrepreneur, she has developed and curated several initiatives and organizations, most with a focus on health systems and policy, youth empowerment, humanitarian assistance, and poverty reduction in Africa. In 2005, Neema was recognized as one of the 1,000 women jointly nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize.
Dr. Mgana has also worked in various senior positions, including as a program officer for East and Southern Africa at Firelight Foundation (USA), as a lecturer at the Institute of Finance Management (Tanzania), a health informatics consultant (Zimbabwe), and a program coordinator for Africa with the American Friends Service Committee (USA).
She received her PhD in international relations and diplomacy, a masters in global health with a certificate in humanitarian assistance, and a BSc in health informatics.