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.

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.

Oana Baban

Oana works in 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.

Robert Matiru

With 20 years of experience in international development, Robert has an accomplished track record in leadership and senior management positions establishing and implementing strategies that have delivered significant impact and return on investment. Robert currently leads the Program Division at Unitaid, responsible for planning, developing and implementing a complex portfolio of health product innovation investments valued at US$ 1.3 billion. Before joining Unitaid in 2012, he served as Head of Operations and Vaccine Deployment for the World Health Organization’s H1N1 Pandemic Response and as Chief Operating Officer of the Global TB Drug Facility. Robert is a dual Kenyan-Canadian citizen and holds a bachelor’s degree in international relations and a master’s in international development

Kate Hencher

Kate is a seasoned strategic leader and operational manager, bringing 23 years of experience delivering health and social development interventions in diverse, multi-country and multi-cultural settings. Prior to joining Unitaid in 2015, Kate worked for Population Services International, where she supported country teams implementing large-scale HIV, TB and malaria programmes across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. Kate also spent several years working for the British Red Cross in the UK, managing volunteer networks and overseeing community-led emergency response, recovery, and resilience-strengthening services. Kate’s management style draws upon academic training in development anthropology, and is anchored by her field experience and fundamental passion for equitable and impactful social change.