Our experts

Grace is a distinguished lawyer with expertise in corporate and commercial legal practice. She has dedicated her career to navigating the complexities of financial regulatory systems and ensuring compliance with regulatory frameworks. In addition to her legal prowess, Grace is a passionate advocate for feminist macroeconomic analysis, in the thematic areas of care, business and human rights, sovereign debt and tax justice.

She has conducted extensive research individually and collaboratively aimed at integrating gender perspectives into economic policies. Her research emphasizes the importance of addressing gender disparities and promoting inclusive economic growth in the global south, particularly in Africa. Additionally, she holds a Master of Laws (LLM) in International Financial Law and Regulation from Strathmore University, a Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya.

Alexandra is a Research Associate at Weill Cornell Medicine in New York. She is the lead study coordinator for a Gates-funded study investigating the effects of gastrointestinal infections on the response to oral polio vaccine in children in Tanzania. She has worked on several qualitative research projects about intimate partner violence among adolescents and family planning in Tanzania. She is passionate about maternal and child health. She holds a BSc from Maastricht University and an MPH from Imperial College London. Find Alexandra’s publications here.

Unsia Hussain is a researcher and monitoring & evaluation (M&E) specialist in the charity sector, with experience working for organizations in both the UK and Canada. She focuses on developing systems and strategies to effectively demonstrate and communicate impact, particularly for marginalized groups. Her research interests include social norms and reproductive rights in South Asia.

Unsia holds an MSc in Development Studies from the London School of Economics and a BA in Philosophy, Politics, and Economics from the University of Reading.

Richard is currently completing his PhD at the UCL Institute of Education. His research examines the politics of education reforms in Indonesia, focusing on the interaction between political institutions and educational interest groups, and how institutionalisation has influenced teacher policy reforms overtime.

His broader research interests include education governance, school reform in developing countries, and the application of large language models in policy research. He has over a decade of combined teaching experience in schools and universities. His work extends to research consultancies and funded projects commissioned by national and multinational agencies. Richard holds an MA in Comparative Education from UCL.

Jiwon Lee is a researcher who began her career with a deep interest in advancing health equity in low- and middle-income countries. She has lived and worked in Asia and West Africa, contributing to Official Development Assistance (ODA) projects focused primarily on health equity, women’s empowerment, and peacebuilding. Recently, she relocated to London to pursue an MSc in Public Health for Development at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM). Her research interests include health equity, women’s empowerment, health systems, and policy development.

Sheree Marshall, MSc, is a global health professional with experience in health systems strengthening, mental health policy, routine immunization, and digital health in low- and middle-income countries. Based in New York, she is currently a Program Officer, managing large-scale, donor-funded public health programs across sub-Saharan Africa, with a focus on operational excellence, strategic coordination, and evidence-driven implementation.

Prior to her program management work, she conducted research at the Care Policy and Evaluation Centre at the London School of Economics, contributing to policy and economic evaluations in mental health and early childhood. She holds an MSc in Global Health Policy from the London School of Economics and a BA in Psychology from McGill University.

Grace is an economist with experience in research policy analysis and advocacy for economic justice. She has authored and contributed to several publications on fiscal policy including those that provide a link between tax, debt and other development aspects such as inequality, extractives, gender and youth. She has also worked closely with policy makers in Uganda and the East African Community to ensure pro-development outcomes in various economic policy processes. Grace has a profound passion and a strong determination to champion the use of a feminist lens in disrupting unjust, patriarchal power structures within the global economic architecture. Additionally, she aims to contribute towards the existence of structured spaces and meaningful involvement of African women in national, regional, and global policy spaces.

Victoria Olarewaju is a Public health/ Epidemiology expert. Her work focuses on maternal and child health, social determinants of health, gender inequality and vaccine hesitancy. She holds a Masters in Epidemiology from University of Basel, Switzerland. She has collaborated with diverse research groups and Non-governmental organizations in Switzerland, Nigeria and the Democratic Republic of Congo working on Malaria and HIV in Pregnancy. She is passionate about driving the translation of research findings to actual policy implementation through engagement with key organizational stakeholders. She supports the research group in the Gender, Society and Health unit at the Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute (Swisstph), Switzerland working on Vaccine Hesitancy and is currently a researcher at GH5050 with a focus on gender equality in global health and leadership.

Kate recently completed her PhD at SOAS’s Department of Economics, in collaboration with the Centre for Maternal, Adolescent, Reproductive & Child Health (MARCH) at LSHTM. Her research investigated the interface between maternal employment, health and wellbeing for home-based workers in Turkey, looking at the qualitative differences in experiences of women across the spectrum of informal and formal employment types. She also holds an MSc in Political Economy of Development from SOAS and a BSc in Economics from the University of Exeter. She was a co-founder of the SOAS Feminist Economics Network and has hosted research and networking events in conjunction with the International Association for Feminist Economics, the Women’s Budget Group and How Women Work. She has taught at the undergraduate level at SOAS and participated in outreach events with sixth-form students.

Lydia is a passionate young researcher with an interdisciplinary focus on cultural studies, gender studies, decolonisation, and political philosophy. Her previous work has primarily addressed the social determinants of health, aligning closely with her broader academic and professional interests. A central aspect of her work is translating theoretical insights into practical applications within educational frameworks and societal systems—a focus during her Master’s studies. Throughout her academic journey, Lydia has consistently applied her knowledge to real-world challenges. As a key member of the student council’s office for equality and diversity, she organized events to raise awareness about inequality, provided direct support and guidance to individuals impacted by these challenges, and actively advocated for inclusive policies at her university. Collaborating with various regional entities, she amplified her advocacy efforts beyond campus to create tangible change. She demonstrated leadership in community initiatives by leading youth programs during the COVID-19 pandemic, conducting workshops on diversity, gender equity, and racism, and volunteering globally with UNFPA Asia-Pacific on gender equity and disability inclusion projects. Holding a Master of Arts in Social Sciences with a concentration in Participation and Education Research, and a Bachelor of Arts in Liberal Arts and Sciences from University College Maastricht, she aims to bridge the gap between academia and policy-making to ensure that academic research has a meaningful impact on policies and practices that promote social justice and equity.

Emily is an environmental and resource sociologist specializing in sociological theory, climate change, philosophy, and political economy. Her research has spanned a wide range of environmental problems, including food insecurity and fisheries management. Her dissertation, An Existential Social Theory of Climate and Environmental Change, develops a framework to examine the existential meaning of contemporary social institutions that generate political and economic instability concomitant with climate and environmental change, through processes such as racialization, gender stratification, securitization, and nationalization. Find Emily’s publications here.

Dahye is an activist and researcher based in London and Berlin. Her research interests are gender/social norms, gender and global health, intersectionality, health inequality, SRH, Gender-based Violence and decolonisation. She engaged deeply with the migrant and refugee community while living in Berlin as an activist, hosting events and workshops with women and adolescents from the community. She holds a Master’s Degree in Development Cooperation. She has been engaged in research projects promoting adolescent girls’ SRH and Gender-based Violence in Uganda, South Korea, and Cambodia in recent years. Currently, Dahye is a PhD candidate at the Department of Global Health and Development in the Faculty of Public Health and Policy at LSHTM. Her project aims to explore how gender norms affect access to information and services related to Sexual Reproductive Health among South Korean adolescent girls and unmarried women.

Zahra Zeinali is a physician and global health researcher from Iran. She is currently pursuing a Doctorate in Global Health Leadership (DrGH) at the University of Washington in Seattle, Washington, USA. Zahra has worked with Global Health 50/50 as a researcher on different projects since 2019. She is on the editorial board of BMJ Public Health and PLoS Global Public Health. Zahra has previously worked as a researcher with the Johns Hopkins University on gender and intersectionality, a Fellow with the Rockefeller Foundation-Boston University 3-D Commission on Health Determinants, Data and Decision Making, with the WHO and Jhpiego on human resources for health policies; and with the International Federation of Medical Students’ Associations as a regional director. Her research is focused on operationalizing intersectionality in public health research, women’s leadership in health systems, and gender as a determinant of health. 

David is a research consultant with vast experience in health research, statistics, and data management. He is an advocate for youth participation in the implementation of Sustainable Development Goals in Zimbabwe. David works closely with government ministries, united nation agencies, research organisations, and civil society organisations in driving sustainable development agenda forward. He obtained his Master’s in Biostatistics and Epidemiology from the Midlands State University, Zimbabwe, with a concentration in infectious disease epidemiology. David is currently working with Global Health 50/50 as a researcher focusing on gender equality in global health leadership.

Jan Beagle is the Director-General of the International Development Law Organization (IDLO). She was elected by Member Parties on 13 November 2019 and took up her position formally on 1 January 2020. She was re-elected to a second four-year term in November 2023. Jan Beagle is a diplomat from New Zealand. Formerly, she served as the Under-Secretary-General for Management at the United Nations, and as Deputy Executive Director of UNAIDS. She has more than 30 years of experience in diplomatic, political, strategic, management and intergovernmental and interagency affairs, and has made important contributions in leading and advancing change management initiatives in the Secretariat and at the level of the United Nations system. Ms Beagle also serves as the Chair of the High Level Committee on Management. With a focus across the development, health, gender, human rights, peace and security and humanitarian spheres, Ms Beagle has consistently worked across sectors, promoting interlinkages for joined up strategic action. Ms Beagle is a leading advocate within the UN system for gender equality and gender parity. At UNAIDS she spearheaded the development and implementation of a Gender Action Plan which serves as an accountability platform to provide concrete measures to increase gender parity in UNAIDS, while forming the basis from which to strengthen organizational culture towards gender equality for all staff. She was one of the early appointed International Gender Champions–a leadership network that brings together senior female and male decision makers to break down gender barriers and served as a Co-Chair of the Champions Working Group on Change Management.

As Executive Director of the International Bar Association (IBA), Mark Ellis leads the foremost international organisation of bar associations, law firms, and individual lawyers. He is a Fellow of King’s College.

Prior to joining the IBA, he spent ten years as the first Executive Director of the Central European and Eurasian Law Initiative (CEELI), a project of the American Bar Association (ABA). Mark has also served as Legal Advisor to the Independent International Commission on Kosovo, and was appointed by OSCE to advise on the creation of Serbia’s War Crimes Tribunal.

Mark is a frequent speaker and media commentator on international legal issues. He has published extensively on international humanitarian law, war crimes tribunals, and the development of the rule of law, and his op-eds have appeared in The New York Times, The International Herald Tribune, The Huffington Post, and The London Times.

Dr Ellis conceived and launched the Southern African Litigation Center (SALC), and eyeWitness to Atrocities. He is also a member of the Council of Foreign Relations and serves on a number of boards, including the DLA Piper ‘New Perimeter’ pro bono project, the Leiden University ICC Moot Court Competition, the Robert F. Kennedy Human Rights UK, the Advisory Committee of the Lloyd N. Cutler Center for the Rule of Law, The Magnitsky Award Selection Committee, the Ukrainian Bar Ass. Human Rights Institute, and The CEELI Institute. He serves on the editorial board for The Hague Journal on the Rule of Law.

Hannele is a gender specialist with over eight years of experience working in international development, programme management and policymaking. Most recently, she has worked with UNDP in Eritrea and Kenya, strengthening gender mainstreaming and creating partnerships. Prior to that, she worked on gender-responsive development policy and coordinated CSO grants at the Finnish Embassy in Namibia and the Ministry for Foreign Affairs of Finland. She holds a Master’s degree in Business and Development from Copenhagen Business School.

Dr A.H. Monjurul Kabir, a political scientist, foreign policy, human rights, rule of law, access to justice and inclusive development expert, is Senior Adviser and Global Team Leader for Gender Equality, Intersectionality, and Disability Inclusion at UN Women HQ in New York. Prior to this, he was Senior Rule of Law Policy Adviser, and Chief of Asia-Pacific Section with UN Women HQ. Among others, he led the development of UN Women’s approach to inclusive South-South and Triangular Cooperation, and Disability Inclusion. Previously, he was UNDP’s Practice Team Leader and Policy Adviser for Governance and Human Rights for Europe and Central Asia. Dr Kabir served as the Global Policy Specialist at UNDP HQ, New York, leading its Governance Knowledge Management portfolio. Dr Kabir served as the UN’s lead Legislative Adviser to the Afghan National Assembly. He led the Governance Portfolio for UNDP Bangladesh.

Dr Kabir, currently an Honorary Research Scientist with Brandeis University, has authored several books, numerous research articles, blogs, and op-ed pieces in international journals, newspapers, and opinion portals on a range of critical global trends and issues. His most recent book Development Aid in Stable Democracies and Fragile States highlights challenges confronted by democratic institutions while discussing a blueprint for aid effectiveness. Dr Kabir holds an LLM in Human Rights Law (distinction), and PhD in Politics and Aid Effectiveness.

Stacey-Leigh Manuel is the Deputy Director of the Women’s Rights Division at Human Rights Watch, where she provides strategic leadership for global research and advocacy advancing gender justice, reproductive rights, economic justice, and freedom from violence. She leads cross-regional teams, oversees high-impact research and policy engagement, and represents the organization with governments, the United Nations, and regional bodies to advance legal and policy reform.

Previously, Stacey-Leigh worked in the Public Health Program and Strategic Initiatives at Open Society Foundations. In the Public Health Program, she led and managed work on sexual health and reproductive rights for marginalized communities in Western Europe and Southern Africa, partnering with civil society organizations to advance access to care, legal protections, and community-led responses. In Strategic Initiatives, she worked on a multi-year, multi-region “China in the World” initiative focused on understanding and responding to China’s expanding global role, including its impacts on economic justice, climate accountability, democratic governance, and human rights in the Global South, and supported coordinated advocacy and policy engagement across regions.

She also served as Program Manager for EQUIP-NJ, a New Jersey-based initiative advancing health equity and dismantling structural racism through trust-based, participatory grantmaking and ecosystem building with grassroots and advocacy organizations across the state.

Stacey-Leigh began her career as a human rights lawyer in South Africa, leading strategic litigation and policy advocacy on gender-based violence and sex workers’ rights and engaging with international human rights mechanisms, including CEDAW. She holds a Master of Laws in Public Law from the University of Cape Town and has spent her career working at the intersection of gender justice, public health, and institutional accountability.

Matt Meyer is a distinguished law firm leader and strategist renowned for championing innovation, responsible business, and social impact. Recognised as one of Europe’s most innovative lawyers by the Financial Times and recipient of the Managing Partners’ Forum award for Best Strategic Leadership in 2019.

Currently serving as Kingsley Napley’s Managing Partner, Matt previously served as Chief Executive of Taylor Vinters for 15 years, guiding the firm through significant growth and transformation. Following Taylor Vinters’ merger with Mishcon de Reya, he joined the Management Board, chaired the Impact Department, and led the responsible business team, advancing the firm’s commitment to sustainability and positive societal outcomes.

Matt is a committed educator, an executive coach, and holds the position of Affiliated Lecturer at the University of Cambridge, where he lectures to postgraduates about the law firm as a business. He also serves an Advisory Council Member at Harvard Business Review. He is an accredited Mediator, Associate of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

As Founder of The Zebra Project, Matt Meyer has built a platform uniting business leaders, academics, and policymakers to tackle key societal challenges. Under his leadership, The Zebra Project drives purposeful, sustainable business through initiatives like the Zebra Talk podcast and cross-sector workgroups. Matt’s vision is to challenge conventional business models, promote responsible leadership, and redefine success by sustainable value and positive impact.

Dr Khadija T. Moalla is an internationally awarded leader in Development, Human Rights, and Gender Equality, with over 30 years of experience, including 12 years as a senior United Nations executive. She holds a PhD in International Development Law (University of Paris V), and is recognized for spearheading policy, legal, and social innovations on gender justice and governance across Africa, the Middle East, and beyond.

Dr Moalla has delivered high-impact training, masterclasses, and keynote lectures in over 60 countries across five continents and is a certified Global Practitioner Coach in Radical Transformational Leadership. She has published more than 250 articles and 15 scientific papers in Arabic, French, and English, and speaks these languages fluently, enabling broad engagement in international forums.

Her honors include the UN General Assembly President’s Leadership Award, the South-South Global Expo Excellency Award (Geneva), and the European Union Lina Ben Mhenni Freedom of Speech Award. Dr Moalla serves as Lancet Commissioner on Gender and Global Health, is a founding member of the World Economic Forum’s New Middle East Gender Parity initiative and the Global Legal Network, and advises the Arab Parliament.

Dr Moalla continues to shape global dialogue as an advisor, educator, and advocate for inclusive governance, gender parity, and social justice.

Amina Oyagbola is an Independent Director and Business Management Consultant with over 35 years of experience in legal practice, human resources, and corporate management in Nigeria. She previously served as the Human Resources and Corporate Services Executive at MTN Nigeria, where she led strategic transformation initiatives. Her career spans HR strategy, legal consulting, women’s empowerment, banking, oil and gas, and telecommunications.

Amina is the Founder and Chairperson of WISCAR (Women in Successful Careers), a leading gender empowerment and mentoring network for professional women. She is also the Managing Consultant at AKMS Consulting, a Partner at Oyagbola Chambers, and a Chevening Scholar. She holds degrees from Ahmadu Bello University, Trinity College, Cambridge, and Lancaster University, and is an alumna of INSEAD, London Business School, IMD, and Harvard Business School.

A Fellow and former Chair of the Africa Leadership Initiative – West Africa, Amina is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM), CIPD (UK), and the Chartered Institute of Directors (CIoD), where she serves as 1st Vice President. In 2023, she was appointed to the Presidential Council on Support to Women and Girls in recognition of her leadership in advancing gender equality and inclusion.

As a barrister in England and Wales, Joshua Purser enjoys a varied practice, prosecuting and defending weighty matters across a broad spectrum of criminal law. He brings a sharp wit and a forensic attention to detail to all cases in which he is instructed. Joshua has experience in complex conspiracy cases involving child sexual exploitation, County Lines drug supply, serious organised crime and homicide both led and acting as junior alone.

In addition to his work in the law, Joshua contributes a great deal of his time to equality and diversity. He represents the Midlands Circuit on the CPS/Bar Diversity & Inclusion Group as well as the LGBTQ+ Sub-Committee of the Birmingham Law Society. He is a fierce advocate who brings his expertise in court to bear on policy-focused initiatives geared towards bringing about reforms that promote inclusion, advance gender equality and strengthen the growth and representation of the profession for all.

Melene Rossouw is a legal professional and civil society activist with over 17 years of experience spanning the non-profit, consulting, and public and private sectors. She is an admitted attorney of the High Court of South Africa and holds both an LLB and an LLM in Public and Constitutional Law from the University of the Western Cape, where she specialised in Socio-Economic Rights and Intergovernmental Relations. She also completed the Civic Engagement Program in the United States, hosted by the US Department of State.

Throughout her career, Melene has held a range of influential roles, including attorney, legal researcher, Cabinet Committee Secretary, Special Advisor to the Minister, and Ministerial Spokesperson. She currently leads the Personal Support and Advisory Services Unit for the Deputy President of South Africa. Her professional journey includes service in some of the country’s most esteemed institutions, such as the Constitutional Court of South Africa, the Western Cape High Court, The Presidency of South Africa, and various national ministries.

In 2017, Melene co-founded Women Lead Movement and through its grassroots initiatives in gender justice and human rights advocacy, the organization has earned wide recognition both locally and internationally. Melene, as a senior consultant to the Clooney Foundation for Justice also contributed to a comprehensive research study ‘Barriers to Justice: Gender-Based Violence in South Africa’, highlighting systemic breakdowns and proposing reforms spanning justice, health and judicial sectors.

Internationally recognised for her leadership, Melene was selected as an Obama Leader in Africa by the Obama Foundation, a Mandela Washington Fellow by the US State Department, and a Women in Leadership fellow by the Spanish Development Agency. She has also contributed thought leadership to platforms such as the Future Africa Forum and the National Democratic Institute (NDI) on matters of democracy and constitutional law in Africa, amongst others.

Hon. Commissioner Janet R. Sallah-Njie, a legal luminary, serves as the Managing Partner of TORODO Chambers, a premier law firm in The Gambia. She also imparts her legal expertise as a Lecturer at the Gambia Law School and holds the esteemed position of Commissioner on the African Commission on Human and Peoples’ Rights. Notably, she was appointed as the Special Rapporteur on the Rights of Women in Africa at the 69th Ordinary Session of the Commission and is currently the Vice-Chairperson of the Commission.

Recognised as a Woman of the Year 2022 by She Awards, Commissioner Sallah-Njie champions women’s rights with fervour and dedication. Her illustrious career spans over three decades, marked by many achievements and accolades. With qualifications including LLB (Hons), BL (Hons), LLM (Hons), and a Post Graduate Diploma in Legislative Drafting, she is a seasoned legal practitioner and a fervent advocate for women’s rights.

Throughout her career, she has held various pivotal roles within the public service of The Gambia, culminating in her position as Solicitor General and Legal Secretary. Commissioner. Sallah-Njie’s unwavering commitment to human rights advocacy is evident in her instrumental role in championing legislative reforms to empower women and promote gender equality.

Beyond her legal practice, Commissioner. Sallah-Njie has spearheaded numerous initiatives and served in key capacities, including as Chairperson of The Gambia’s Competition and Consumer Protection Commission and as a Consultant to UN Women and the Commonwealth Secretariat. Her extensive expertise in women and gender rights, access to justice, and good governance underscores her profound impact in shaping legal frameworks and promoting social justice.

Commissioner Sallah-Njie, a trailblazer in her field, continues to advocate for the rights of women and marginalized groups, embodying a steadfast commitment to advancing justice, equality, and human rights in The Gambia and beyond.