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Titilayo is a seasoned international development expert with over 13 years of experience in designing and executing programs that advance women’s economic empowerment, sexual reproductive health and rights, and social justice at local, national, and international levels. Her work in non-profit organizations has included contributions to global projects at the United Nations, Pathfinder International, and The World Bank.
An accomplished author and recipient of several prestigious awards, Titilayo has been honored with the 2022 UN Women Chicago Champions Award, the 2021 Mandela Washington Fellow recognition by the United States government as an exceptional young leader from Sub-Saharan Africa, and the 2019 Future Women’s Award for African Women Social Worker.
Titilayo is a renowned expert in Gender Based Violence and serves as the founder of the Boundless Hands Africa Initiative, a nonprofit organization. Her exceptional leadership and management skills, coupled with her expertise in handling projects and budgets from diverse funding sources, make her an invaluable asset in the field of international development.
Alongside her dedicated team at Boundless Hands Africa, Titilayo has successfully empowered women and transformed survivors into empowered individuals rather than victims of abuse, a passion she relentlessly pursues. Her unwavering commitment lies in creating an equitable society where women are not only empowered but also educated to prevent abuse, ultimately fostering a thriving community for all.
Dr. Nashwan Al Othman is an endocrinologist, global health advocate, and human rights activist from Syria. He has accumulated over 18 years of experience in non-profit organizations management by planning, executing, managing, and auditing projects in partnership with international agencies including but not limited to IFRC, UNDP, WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, and UN Women.
With focus on implementing Sustainable Development Goals in fields like global health, gender equality, youth empowerment, and corporate social responsibility, the impact of Dr. Othman's work was reflected on several communities locally, regionally, and internationally. Dr. Othman received numerous awards and recognitions for his work, including the United to Beat Malaria Most Outstanding Champion and Junior Chamber International JCI Senatorship.
Dr. Othman is a member in UN Women USA, and United Nations Associations of the United States of America and currently serves as United Nations Associations Global Goals Ambassador and United Nations Foundation Champions Council Member.
Dr. Monika Sawhney is presently working as a Tenured Associate Professor at the University of North Carolina in Charlotte, NC, USA. Dr. Sawhney also served as an Associate Professor and Director of the Bachelor of Public Health Program at Marshall University. She also served as a Clinical Associate Professor with Marshall University’s Joan C. Edwards School of Medicine (Department of Cardiology Services). Dr. Sawhney also serves as an adjunct and visiting professor with the Public Health Foundation of India and the Global Institute of Public Health across reputed academic institutions in India.
Currently, Dr. Sawhney is collaborating (in the areas of teaching, research, and field-based assignments) with grassroots non-governmental and governmental organizations as well as educational institutions across the United States and selected low and middle-income countries with an overall aim to reduce health disparities and strengthen health equity with a focus on access to health care and eradicating diseases (neglected tropical, non-communicable, and communicable diseases). In the course of her career, Dr. Sawhney also worked as a consultant for UNICEF, WHO, and John Snow Inc. for health equity and disparities assignments. Working in Georgia, West Virginia, and North Carolina, in collaboration with community-based organizations, she designed and implemented various health research assignments (breast cancer, HIV, and reducing disparities in health care outcomes)
Dr. Monika’s professional and research interests primarily focus on reducing health inequities and related disease burdens from non-communicable diseases and their interaction with communicable diseases more so among the disadvantaged population in hard-to-reach areas and those faced with health disparities. Working on various projects in her areas of interest Dr. Sawhney has developed and sharpened her skills in program/project management and administration, monitoring and evaluation, research and human resources management for the health sector, and communication, training, and presentation skills.
Some of the recent Health Equity related research assignments Dr. Sawhney has been involved with focus on – (i) Working with the National Science Foundation (NSF’s) I-corps program, assessing health technology for infectious diseases, (ii) Gender dimensions of Tuberculosis in Tanzania, (iii) Health systems strengthening to improve the burden of disease from non-communicable and communicable diseases across low and low-middle income countries (iv) Gender dimensions of Tuberculosis in Tanzania, and (v) Health systems strengthening to improve the burden of disease and health disparities from non-communicable and communicable diseases.
Dr. Sawhney has research, field, teaching, and program-related experiences in the varied areas of health equity in countries such as Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, China, Costa Rica, Ethiopia, France, India, Kenya, Norway, Poland, Switzerland, Tanzania, Turkey, and the United States of America.
Jemila Bwanhot founded Alimaj Essentials in 2020 with a mission to help black women embrace and care for their hair with the best of nature’s ingredients. Before launching, Jemila researched the specific hair struggles of black women and also drew from her own experiences. This enabled her to birth an intentional brand that is people-oriented and customer-focused.
Born in Damascus, Syria, Sally’s innate curiosity about different cultures, and ability to speak 4 languages set her on a remarkable path of discovery. In 2012, she embarked on a transformative journey that led her to the vibrant United States.
After completing her high school education in Syria, she attended Passaic County Community College in New Jersey. Her early academic pursuits were centered around biology.
In 2016, Sally’s passion for effecting change led her to found the pioneering Syrian Medical Students Association (SMSA). Her role as a youth leader sparked her interests in social justice and sustainable development. In 2017, Sally was nominated to represent an international student organization at the United Nations, a pivotal moment that redirected her studies toward political science.
Sally graduated in the top 10% of her class with Magna Cum Laude honors, earning a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Rutgers University. Her pursuit of knowledge extended beyond the classroom; she studied abroad at Oxford, UK, immersing herself in seminars focused on environmental politics, international law, conflict resolution, and peacebuilding.
In 2021, Sally earned a Master of Arts in International Relations from Rutgers University with a focus on human security.
Currently, Sally serves as an adjunct professor of politics and philosophy at Passaic County Community College, where she imparts her knowledge and passion to the next generation of thinkers. Beyond the classroom, she represents the Syrian Forum at the United Nations, channeling her advocacy efforts onto a global stage.
Rooted in her Circassian heritage, Sally’s commitment to her cultural identity is evident through her extensive volunteer work with Circassian organizations. Her leadership and dedication led her to serve on the executive boards of two organizations.
Sally’s journey from Damascus to the world stage exemplifies her resilience, adaptability, and relentless determination to make a meaningful impact on both local and global communities. As a scholar, advocate, and educator, Sally’s story continues to inspire individuals across borders to embrace diversity and work towards a more just and harmonious world.
