CoMO Advisory Council nominees - June 2024
Please find below nominations submitted by members for the CoMO Advisory Council. Please ensure you have read these prior to voting for the representatives of your region, where applicable.
To vote, please click on the button below, the deadline for voting is midnight on Friday 28th June. Please note that all votes are anonymous.
Africa nominees
Dr Celine Osi
Why would you like to represent CoMO members on the Advisory Council? What would you hope to achieve over your two-to-three-year term?
I'm interested in representing CoMO members on the Advisory Council because I'm deeply committed to advancing CoMO's mission and making a remarkable difference in our goal to defeat meningitis by 2030. Being part of the Advisory Council would enable me to use my skills and experience to support the organization's objectives effectively. With my background as a public health physician, I believe I can advocate for policies, programs, and research initiatives that promote meningitis prevention, offer support to affected individuals and families, and advance research in effective surveillance systems for meningitis case. My dedication to collaboration, inclusivity, and community involvement closely aligns with CoMO's values. I'm excited to collaborate with other Advisory Council members, CoMO governance structure, and stakeholders worldwide to identify key priorities, develop innovative solutions, and drive positive change in the fight against meningitis. By representing CoMO members on the Advisory Council, I'm confident that together, we can achieve our goal of defeating meningitis by 2030. During my tenure on the advisory committee for the Confederation of Meningitis Organisations, I aim to achieve several objectives over the next two to three years: 1.Enhanced Awareness: Increase public knowledge about meningitis, including its causes, symptoms, prevention strategies with emphasis on meningitis vaccine uptake and the need to seek prompt professional medical care. This involves implementing educational campaigns, outreach initiatives, and collaborations with relevant groups. 2.Policy Advocacy: Advocate for policies supporting meningitis prevention, research, and access to care. This includes engaging with policymakers, proposing policy recommendations, and backing legislative efforts addressing meningitis-related issues. 3.Research Promotion: participate in research conducted by Meningitis Research Foundation to advance understanding of meningitis, vaccines, and treatments and address knowledge or resource gaps. 4.Global Collaboration: Foster collaboration and knowledge exchange among member organisations and other stakeholders at both national and international levels. This entails organizing conferences, workshops, and networking opportunities to share best practices and coordinate actions. 5. Advocate Support for Affected Individuals and Families: Provide assistance, resources, and advocacy for individuals and families impacted by meningitis, including survivors, caregivers. 6.Monitoring and Evaluation: Regularly assess the impact of our initiatives and activities, using feedback to refine strategies and ensure alignment with stakeholder needs. Through these efforts, I believe we can significantly reduce the global burden of meningitis, improve outcomes for affected individuals, and ultimately save lives.
What would make you a good representative on the CoMO Advisory Council? Please include details of any experience that you think would be relevant to the role, for example in patient advocacy or awareness-raising etc.
There are several qualities and experiences that I believe would make me a strong candidate for a representative or chair position on the CoMO Advisory Council: 1. Passion and Commitment: I am deeply passionate about the mission of CoMO and committed to making a meaningful difference in the lives of those affected by meningitis. My dedication to this cause is unwavering, and I am eager to contribute my time and efforts to advancing CoMO's goals as I have always done whenever I am called upon for media sensitization campaigns in my region. This I have also shown through my involvement in sharing social media tool kits and sharing of commitment video recording during the launch of the WHO investment case for meningitis. 2. Expertise and Background: With 10 years of experience as a Medical Doctor I bring valuable insights and skills crucial for CoMO's initiatives, whether in advocacy, policy, programs, or research. 3. Team Player: I understand the importance of working as a team to achieve great success. This I hold to high esteem. 4. Integrity and Accountability: I hold myself to high ethical standards and believe in acting with integrity and transparency in all my endeavours. I am accountable for my actions and decisions and am committed to upholding the trust and confidence placed in me by CoMO and its members. 5. Communication Skills: Effective communication is key to success in any leadership role. I am a strong communicator who can articulate ideas clearly, listen attentively to others, and facilitate constructive dialogue among stakeholders.
Why would you like to represent CoMO members on the Advisory Council? What would you hope to achieve over your two-to-three-year term?
1. Having been a Member of Confederation of Meningitis Organisations for the last 6 years and having participated in most of the deliberations at annual Global conferences since 2019 to date and the World Meningitis Day working group for 3 consecutive years, I believe I have enough experience to steer the African region to greater heights by advising and taking up assignments by the Board of Trustees for another term. 2. My understating of the deliberate efforts being made by Confederation of Meningitis Organisations and Meningitis Research Foundation and World Health Organization in Defeating Meningitis by 2030. 3. My command of both oral, written English and Swahili. 4. Through my contacts during the World Meningitis Day outreach as a member of the working group, I am confident to make the less active members in the Africa region more participatory in the activities by instilling confidence of the future of defeating meningitis. 5. Encourage more new members to join Confederation of Meningitis Organisations 6. Assist members by guiding them in how they would convince their governments to participate in the meningitis course.
What would make you a good representative on the CoMO Advisory Council? Please include details of any experience that you think would be relevant to the role, for example in patient advocacy or awareness-raising etc.
1. My 6 years’ experience with Confederation of Meningitis Organisations. 2. My understanding of the Meningitis effects in the African region, to be specific Eastern Africa Member states of Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, South Sudan, Democratic Republic of Congo, Ethiopia and Somali. And more so the world through my participation in most of the forums organized by Confederation of Meningitis Organisations and Meningitis Research Foundation. 3. My Marketing and Research Experience of over 30 years in the following areas: • Markets Development planning • Strategic management and planning • Project design, appraisal and implementation • Monitoring and Evaluation of projects and programmes. • Market analysis of projects • Survey design and implementation 4. My command of both oral and written English 5. My understating of the deliberate efforts being made by and Meningitis Research Foundation, Meningitis Research Foundation and World Health Organization in Defeating Meningitis by 2030.
Dr Jeannière Tumusifu Manegabe
Why would you like to represent CoMO members on the Advisory Council? What would you hope to achieve over your two-to-three-year term?
I would like to represent the African members of CoMO on the advisory council because I am deeply committed to the fight against meningitis, a commitment that has been at the heart of my professional journey as a pediatrician. Winning the Children's Prize in 2020 for a project focused on meningitis prevention and treatment underscores my dedication and success in this critical area of public health. As a pediatrician, I have firsthand experience with the devastating impact meningitis has on children and their families. My work has involved not only treating affected patients but also implementing preventive measures and educating communities about the importance of vaccination. This dual approach has provided me with a comprehensive understanding of both the medical and socio-cultural aspects of meningitis. My leadership experience in various health initiatives, combined with the recognition from the Children's Prize, has equipped me with valuable skills in advocacy, coordination, and strategic planning. These skills have been instrumental in improving healthcare access and awareness in my community, and I am eager to apply them on a broader scale within CoMO. Serving on the advisory board will be an opportunity for me to learn from and collaborate with diverse meningitis organizations worldwide. Understanding the unique challenges and innovative solutions different countries employ will enrich my perspective and enable me to advocate more effectively for African members. This exchange of knowledge and experience will be invaluable in developing targeted strategies that address the specific needs of our region. I am particularly committed to: 1.Advocacy: Strengthening advocacy efforts to ensure meningitis prevention and treatment are prioritized in national health agendas across Africa. 2.Awareness: Enhancing public awareness campaigns to educate communities about the symptoms, risks, and importance of vaccination. 3.Collaboration: Fostering partnerships between CoMO members and other stakeholders to maximize resources and impact. 4.Support: Providing support and resources to families and individuals affected by meningitis, ensuring they have access to the care and information they need. By representing the African members on the advisory board, I hope to bridge gaps, share best practices, and contribute to the global mission of eradicating meningitis. Together, we can make a significant difference in the lives of those affected by this disease.
What would make you a good representative on the CoMO Advisory Council? Please include details of any experience that you think would be relevant to the role, for example in patient advocacy or awareness-raising etc.
I believe I would be an excellent representative and Chair on the CoMO Advisory Council due to my extensive background in pediatric healthcare, patient advocacy, and public health initiatives. My career as a pediatrician has provided me with invaluable insights into the clinical and personal challenges faced by children and families affected by meningitis. This experience, combined with my leadership skills and recognition with the Children's Prize 2020, uniquely positions me to contribute effectively to the Council. Relevant Experience: 1.Clinical Expertise and Advocacy: • As a pediatrician, I have treated numerous cases of meningitis, giving me a deep understanding of its medical complexities and the urgent need for timely diagnosis and intervention. • I have been a vocal advocate for vaccination, conducting workshops and community outreach programs to educate parents and caregivers about the importance of immunization in preventing meningitis. 2.Project Leadership: • Winning the Children’s Prize in 2020 for my meningitis-focused project demonstrated my ability to design and implement effective health interventions. This project not only reduced meningitis incidence but also increased community awareness and engagement. • I have led several health campaigns, coordinating with healthcare professionals, local authorities, and non-governmental organisations to improve health outcomes. 3.Awareness-Raising Initiatives: • I have organized numerous public health campaigns aimed at raising awareness about meningitis. These initiatives included educational seminars, distribution of informational materials, and the use of social media to reach a wider audience. • My efforts have significantly increased public knowledge about the signs and symptoms of meningitis, leading to earlier diagnosis and treatment. 4.Collaboration and Networking: • My work has involved collaborating with various stakeholders, including governmental health departments, international health or-ganizations, and community leaders. These collaborations have been crucial in mobilizing resources and support for meningitis prevention and treatment. • I have established strong networks with other healthcare professionals and organisations dedicated to fighting meningitis, which would be invaluable in fostering partnerships and sharing best practices within CoMO. 5.Leadership and Strategic Planning: • My leadership roles have required strategic planning, resource management, and the ability to inspire and motivate teams. These skills are essential for effectively guiding the Advisory Council and ensuring that our initiatives are impactful and sustainable. • I am experienced in setting goals, developing action plans, and monitoring progress, ensuring that our efforts are aligned with CoMO’s mission and objectives. Commitment to CoMO’s Mission: I am deeply committed to CoMO’s mission of reducing the burden of meningitis globally. Serving as a representative and Chair on the Advisory Council would allow me to advocate more effectively for the needs of African communities, share successful strategies, and contribute to the global effort to combat meningitis. My clinical background, advocacy experience, and leadership skills make me well-suited to this role, and I am eager to bring my passion and expertise to the CoMO Advisory Council.
Mohamed Samura, Children Advocacy Forum Sierra Leone (CAF-SL)
Why would you like to represent CoMO members on the Advisory Council? What would you hope to achieve over your two-to-three-year term?
My ultimate reason for representing CoMO members on the Advisory Council is centred around leveraging my experience and passion to influence significant decisions, policies and initiatives that will contribute in empowering and supporting CoMO members to be able to efficiently embark on interventions that are geared towards defeating meningitis within their respective regions. Key among the major achievements I’m looking forward to realize includes: 1.Strengthened feedback mechanism where CoMO members' interests, submissions will be effectively solicited and communicated with the Advisory Council. 2.Establishment of strong networking opportunities which CoMO members will also leverage to support their work. The aforementioned anticipated achievements are centered around optimizing the functionality of CoMO membership in all its operational regions.
What would make you a good representative on the CoMO Advisory Council? Please include details of any experience that you think would be relevant to the role, for example in patient advocacy or awareness-raising etc.
As an individual who’s passionate and committed to promoting maternal, child, youth and adolescent health, through advocacy, social mobilization and communications, over a decade, I believe in equity, efficiency, transparency and accountability, collaboration, humility and gratitude. I have served as a civil society representative in the National Kombra Network Executive Council for over six years. This network is one of the biggest renowned social mobilization networks in Sierra Leone, with a membership of over 5000, and it has been established in all 16 districts across Sierra Leone. The composition of its membership includes (a) Religious Leaders (b) Market Women (c) Media-Journalists (d) CSOs (e) Traditional Healers. One of the core mandates of this centered around promoting reproductive, maternal, neonatal, child and adolescent health, through social mobilization and communications (community engagement, awareness raising etc). I’m also serving as a steering committee member of several civil society alliances on nutrition, immunization, family planning etc, which includes Scaling Up Nutrition and Immunization Civil society Platform (SUNI-CSP- one of the SUN networks in Sierra Leone), RMNCAH+N Civil Society Coalition (Related with GFF), TAAC Coalition. Furthermore, I’m also a technical working group member of: (A) World Meningitis Day, facilitated by Confederation of Meningitis Organisations (CoMO)- Meningitis Research Foundation (B) Sierra Leone National Food Systems, Nutrition for Growth Commitments, Nutrition Fair, coordinated by SUN Secretariat, Office of the Vice President, (C) World Food Day, coordinated by Ministry of Agriculture Forestry and Food Security. Few among the interventions I have contributed to at national, regional, district and chiefdom/ward levels includes: • Robust advocacy campaigns for the ministry of health to include meningitis among its priority diseases in Sierra Leone. • The development and implementation of several national documents including (A) Sierra Leone National Food Systems Synthesis Report which contains recommendations on the pathways to ensure sustainable access to safe and nutritious foods for all (a national action plan will be developed to implement these recommendations), (B) Sierra Leone Multi Sector Plan to Reduce Malnutrition by 2025, Pioneered by SUN Secretariat Office of the Vice President, Ministry of Health (Directorates of Food and Nutrition, and Reproductive Health and Family Planning) Funded by Irish Aid (C) The Costed Implementation Plan for Family Planning. Funded by USAID • Actively participated in numerous nutrition advocacy and social accountability interventions which includes (A) Sierra Leone Breastmilk Substitute Act of 2021 which is geared towards regulating the marketing of breastmilk substitute in Sierra Leone, (B) Nutrition Budget Tracking 2019 and 2020 (C) The Sierra Leone Tobacco and Nicotine Control Act.
Dr. Obinna Ebirim
Why would you like to represent CoMO members on the Advisory Council? What would you hope to achieve over your two-to-three-year term?
I would like to leverage my past and current experience on advisory boards to serve as the African representative and this would be an opportunity to be a voice for African members in the council. I will be able to share ideas on how to promote CoMO objectives in the African region and ensure that more African members are engaged. At the end of my term on the advisory council, CoMO activities in Africa would have expanded and there would be more active African members working towards the attainment of CoMO’s objectives in the region.
What would make you a good representative on the CoMO Advisory Council? Please include details of any experience that you think would be relevant to the role, for example in patient advocacy or awareness-raising etc.
I will be a good representative because I will actively reach out to members in the region to seek their opinion and guidance. Consequently, my presentation to the council will not be my subjective opinion but the objective thoughts of members in the region. I have over a decade of experience in public health, the majority of which were on advocacy and awareness raising on infectious disease and immunization. I have served on the board of governors of Robert Gordon University Aberdeen (2017-2018) and am currently a member of Advisory Group to the Infectious Disease Campaign Team at Wellcome Trust.
Pete Rowlands, Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa NZ
Why would you like to represent CoMO members on the Advisory Council? What would you hope to achieve over your two-to-three-year term?
Representing CoMO members on the Advisory Council is a significant responsibility that I am eager to undertake. I am deeply committed to public health and advocacy, particularly in the fight against meningitis. As a father who has experienced the devastating impact of meningitis firsthand—losing one child to the disease and supporting another who is a survivor—I am driven by a personal commitment to this cause. For over 21 years, I have supported meningitis charities, raising significant funds and awareness. Some key Objectives for My Term would include: Enhance Member Engagement: Facilitate open communication and integrate member feedback to ensure their voices influence strategic decisions. Promote Education and Awareness: Continued educational campaigns to inform the public about prevention, early detection, and treatment options. Strengthen Partnerships: Build strong partnerships with global health organisations, governments, and stakeholders to support CoMO’s initiatives. Support Research and Innovation: Facilitate funding and collaboration opportunities for researchers to advance innovative solutions. Monitor and Evaluate Impact: Implement robust monitoring and evaluation frameworks to measure the impact of CoMO’s initiatives. I believe my personal experience and professional background equip me to effectively contribute to the Advisory Council, ensuring CoMO’s activities are strategic, impactful, and responsive to their member needs.
What would make you a good representative on the CoMO Advisory Council? Please include details of any experience that you think would be relevant to the role, for example in patient advocacy or awareness-raising etc.
I bring a diverse and robust background that spans military strategy, international business leadership, and business improvement, all of which have equipped me with the skills necessary to be an effective representative on the CoMO Advisory Council. Relevant Experience Highlights: Military Background: With a background working at a strategic level, I possess strong leadership, strategic planning, and crisis management skills. These are crucial for addressing the complex challenges faced by the CoMO network. Business Leadership: As a former director of an international construction company, I have experience in managing large teams and projects, driving performance, and navigating cross-cultural environments. Currently, as the Head of Business Improvement in a horticulture business, I focus on enhancing operational efficiency and implementing strategic initiatives. Advocacy and Awareness: Having received support from Meningitis Now, following the untimely death of our son, we as a family pledged to raise funds and awareness for this devastating disease. Over the past 21 years, I have led numerous fundraising campaigns and awareness initiatives, in both the UK and now in NZ, demonstrating my long-term commitment to the cause. Leadership and Collaboration: Demonstrated strong leadership skills, leading multidisciplinary teams and building partnerships with various stakeholders. Personal Commitment: As a father who has experienced the impact of this devastating disease personally twice, I am passionately committed to this cause. My advocacy work and fundraising over the past 21 years reflect this dedication. Global and Local Focus: With a strong desire to support the global organisation and my home country of New Zealand, I am committed to making a difference on both fronts. As a current Trustee of the Meningitis Foundation Aotearoa NZ, I believe that my extensive experience in strategic roles, combined with my personal commitment to combating meningitis, makes me a strong candidate for the Advisory Council. Being a member of the Advisory Council is part of my continued journey to support those affected by meningitis and to contribute to CoMO’s mission. I am committed to driving initiatives that improve awareness, advocate for better policies, and support those affected by meningitis, ensuring their voices are heard and their needs are met.
Dr C P Ravi Kumar, Brain Child Trust
Why would you like to represent CoMO members on the Advisory Council? What would you hope to achieve over your two-to-three-year term?
I am well-suited for the Advisory Council due to my extensive background in neuroscience and dedication to improving the lives of those affected by infectious diseases. I have actively contributed to the meningitis community through volunteer work and collaborations with local healthcare organizations. My efforts include conducting educational workshops and awareness programs for healthcare professionals and the public, focusing on meningitis signs, prevention, and timely intervention. I am particularly passionate about enhancing Men C vaccination, especially among youth. I hope CoMO will help secure support from industry leaders like Sanofi. Leveraging my experience in community engagement, I can assist the council in fostering partnerships, organizing events, and spreading awareness about meningitis on a broader scale.
What would make you a good representative on the CoMO Advisory Council? Please include details of any experience that you think would be relevant to the role, for example in patient advocacy or awareness-raising etc.
Strong analytical and communication skills for effective collaboration. Proven ability to listen, respect diverse perspectives, and contribute to decision-making. Ready to brainstorm solutions and support evidence-based strategies against meningitis.
Christine Bennborn, Meningokockfonden
Why would you like to represent CoMO members on the Advisory Council? What would you hope to achieve over your two-to-three-year term?
I have currently executed the position as a representative for Europe for two years and would like to continue as a representative for Europe, hence applying for re-election. I believe that I, with my corporate background as a CFO and manager on the top level and from previous board positions, will continue to make a great contribution to CoMO’s Advisory Council. I am used to working with strategic issues, overseeing processes, making decisions, evaluating business cases, creating and evaluating budgets, reading and writing executive reports and presentations etc. all of which I believe is needed in an organization like CoMO. If given the opportunity to be re-elected I am convinced that I will continue to be a great representative for Europe in the Advisory Council.
What would make you a good representative on the CoMO Advisory Council? Please include details of any experience that you think would be relevant to the role, for example in patient advocacy or awareness-raising etc.
I have executed the position as representative for Europe for two years, so I know what commitment I take if I am chosen. As a person, I am a strong leader and a good team player and I am known to be an excellent listener. I am loyal, reliable, dedicated and committed to my work, I am proactive and analytic, and I love new challenges. I have a strong will, am not afraid to take decisions and I am direct and honest. I also strive to create order by establishing rules, structures and clear roles and I am an excellent organizer who always has more than one thing going on at the same time.
Why would you like to represent CoMO members on the Advisory Council? What would you hope to achieve over your two-to-three-year term?
I’d like to help CoMO and its members be more effective at stopping meningitis and sepsis. Working with CoMO and its members, we can ensure the current regional members are well-supported to drive change in their areas. Using the expertise within CoMO head office and MRF, and within the members themselves, I’d like to work to help them be a stronger and louder voice for change. We need to support regional coordinators and regional advisory committee members to canvass members’ needs and priorities, and feed those in both to CoMO’s advisory council and to CoMO head office/MRF. We can then take those into account, ensuring that all of CoMO’s plans and initiatives are meeting CoMO’s and the membership’s needs. I currently have a similar role as Chair of the RCOG’s Women’s Network, an important part of which is ensuring the RCOG hears and incorporates the perspective of both the Women’s Network and of the college’s service users in their work. Many CoMO member organisations are small and volunteer-run (which is brilliant, and exactly how I started GBSS). However, it does mean their capacity and income are low. With MRF and CoMO’s guidance and support, these organisations are well-placed to grow and help deliver the WHO Roadmap. The patient voice is so powerful and can be used to drive change – I would like to be a part of helping members to do that. The WHO Roadmap is very important in defeating meningitis, ideally by 2030. With group B Strep being one of the 4 pathogens highlighted in it, there’s increasing focus on developing a GBS vaccine and introducing/ implementing resource appropriate prevention. I would like to bring my knowledge and expertise of GBS and the surrounding landscape to increase CoMO’s members’ knowledge and understanding of this area. I have been privileged to chair CoMO’s Advisory Council and, as a result, be a MRF Trustee. These roles have enabled me to champion the patient voice and ensure CoMO is well-represented and heard at the highest level within MRF. The next few years are so important as CoMO becomes more and more an integral part of MRF, and I am keen to be involved in that process, ensuring the original values of CoMO continue to be upheld.
What would make you a good representative on the CoMO Advisory Council? Please include details of any experience that you think would be relevant to the role, for example in patient advocacy or awareness-raising etc.
I have extensive experience of serving on and supporting Board-level committees, both through my role as CEO and Trustee of GBSS, as Women’s Voices Lead/Chair of the Women’s Network at the RCOG and as a long-standing member of the Pregnancy & Baby Charities Network, a grouping of around 40 charity CEOs working to improve care before, during and after pregnancy. I have a public profile in the health space, having been awarded an MBE in 2012 for services to child health, a Fellowship of the RSA in 2020 and a Fellowship Honoris Causa of the Royal College of Obstetricians & Gynaecologists in 2021. I have a passion for championing and representing the patient voice, which complements my belief that organisations work best in partnership. As an example of this, in my role as CEO of GBSS I developed a first-of-its-kind partnership with the RCOG in 2017, during their most recent update of the GBS Greentop guideline. This involved ensuring the patient voice was reflected throughout the guideline and in co-writing a joint information leaflet (a first of its kind partnership for the RCOG, which has now been implemented as standard practice). I have been a member of the RCOG's Women's Network since 2017, a Vice-Chair from 2018 and Women’s Voices Lead/Chair of the Women’s Network since 2023. In those roles, I sit on multiple College committees, including Council and chairing their Disciplinary, Removal and Reinstatement Committee. I have extensive experience developing relationships with a broad range of stakeholders including third sector organisations, professional bodies, parliamentarians and NHS organisations. My influencing work led the NIHR to fund the world-leading GBS3 trial of screening (for which I am coapplicant and joint PPI lead). Beyond GBS3, I have been a coapplicant on several other GBS research studies, working with the teams to ensure the patient & public involvement is as meaningful as it should be, and ensure the studies are successful. I was delighted to be part of the WHO’s technical taskforce in developing the meningitis roadmap. In partnership with other key patient groups including CoMO, MRF and Meningitis Now, I ensured the WHO committed to appropriate aims and objectives around preventing GBS meningitis – including interim plans ahead of a GBS vaccine, and once a vaccine is available. I am used to chairing and attending meetings with multiple stakeholders and wide-ranging agendas. Over the 25 years since GBSS was established, I have seen the huge difference that patient organisations and the patient voice can make to local, national and international policies and practices. I would bring that experience, plus my expertise in GBS and the GBS landscape to CoMO, to help us all work together to defeat meningitis by 2030 and beyond.