Young Leaders

The Touch Foundation's Young Leaders are exceptional young professionals from near and far who are dedicated to helping us achieve our mission to improve the health of people in sub-Saharan Africa.

To date, we have two Young Leaders chapters. Our New York chapter boasts over 200 active members and a Michigan chapter was formed by volunteers in August 2009. We are interested in identifying individuals who are willing to spearhead chapters across the globe.

Click here to see a short video that features a recent Young Leaders event in New York. Click here to join our Young Leaders group on Facebook.

Members of our Young Leaders group have the opportunity to:

• Take practical action to make a difference in the lives of people in sub-Saharan Africa
• Raise awareness of our work and engage in a meaningful, global cause
• Devise, promote and attend events that appeal to young professionals, such as cocktail and dance parties, documentary film screenings and comedy shows
• Socialize and network with other young professionals in the New York City area

Young Leaders Executive Committee

This management team has been selected to provided leadership to the greater Young Leader group as a whole, create goals, engage and encourage the group as well as design and implement activities and events.

If you are interested in joining us or starting your own chapter, please email us. We are always looking for dynamic new members. Short of time? If you would simply like to be kept informed of upcoming events, we can add you to our email list, click the link below.

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Lemar is a Corporate Finance Analyst at Barclays Capital. He graduated from Middlebury College with a B.A. in International Politics and Economics. His coursework focused on international and economic development as well as political systems in sub-Saharan Africa. Lemar is a native of Kingston, Jamaica and has worked with Americans for Informed Democracy, the People Speak and Nothing but Nets.

Michael  is a clinical fellow in neonatology-perinatology at the New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center. He graduated from Harvard University with an A.B. in Psychology. He received his M.D. from the Weill Cornell Medical College and completed his residency training in pediatrics at the New York Presbyterian Hospital - Weill Cornell Medical Center, during which time he spent 4 weeks at Weill Bugando Medical Center, Mwanza, Tanzania.

Matt is currently an Associate at 3i growth capital in New York. Prior to joining 3i, he was a Business Analyst at McKinsey & Company. He has worked with the Touch Foundation since 2006 and is also involved with a variety of other non-profit organizations. He serves on the board of MAPP International and has advised on strategic planning for Reach Out and Read of Greater New York. He graduated with high honors from Princeton University with a degree in Politics.

Bradford works for JL McGregor & Company, a boutique China-focused research and advisory group.  Before joining JLM, Bradford worked for NanoComposites Inc, a nanotechnology materials group.  He has been involved with the Touch Foundation since its inception and also sits on the board of Cambodia's Children Education Fund. He holds a BA in English Literature from the College of William & Mary.

Amani hails from Tanzania, and is a graduate of both Yale College (B.Sc.Biochemistry), and Yale School of Public Health (MPH, Global Health). He currently works as a clinical trial analyst with Schering Plough Research Institute in New Jersey. In the past, he has been heavily involved in field and lab based epidemiology research, with main focus on HIV-AIDS and AIDS-related cancers. Amani also writes a public health column for a local Tanzanian magazine.

Olivia Over the past few years, Olivia has offered her time as a volunteer on various causes focused in Africa, most recently joining the Touch Foundation in 2008 as an Executive Leader.  Professionally, she's worked in the American Paintings Department at Christie's Auction House and as a client manager with one of NYC leading advertising-based research firms.  Currently, Olivia works for Greyscale Productions, an art lending organization focused on private and semi-private placement of artwork for emerging and mid-level artists.  Originally from Chicago, she is a graduate of McGill University in Montreal, Canada and holds a B.A. in Humanistic Studies.

Harper is an honors graduate of the Tisch School of the Arts at New York University, where she majored in modern dance. Following graduation, she danced professionally for three years, while also developing the programs for several major productions. The end of her dance career dovetailed with the commencement of a management position with BR Guest restaurants where she recently co-led the opening of a flagship restaurant. Currently, she is the general manager of Tia Pol, a restaurant in West Chelsea. Since leaving professional dance, she has continued to work in the non-profit sector with organizations such as the Touch Foundation and City Harvest.

Malissa is currently the Director of Events for the boutique, high-end, event company, Mary Giuliani Catering & Events. She has six years of events experience in New York with André Balazs hotel QT, New York Magazine, and diverse freelancing projects with the Mosaic Foundation, Annual Lifetime of Caring Awards Gala and fundraising for the Phelophepa African Health Train. Prior to events management, Malissa worked in the fashion industry. Malissa graduated with honors from the University of Connecticut with a B.A in Communications and has worked with the Touch Foundation Young Leaders for more than a year.

Jordan has a broad set of experiences in global health.  In addition to working with the Touch Foundation and the Tanzania Ministry of Health on the Twiga project to double medical professional training capacity across Tanzania, he has collaborated with the Clinton HIV/AIDS Initiative, UNAIDS, the Zambian Ministry of Health, and the Gates Foundation on a variety of projects as an Engagement Manager at McKinsey & Company. He has also worked extensively with leading multinational health care companies on emerging market strategy, corporate strategy, and R&D. Jordan received an AB in Biochemical Science, magna cum laude, from Harvard University where he conducted research in molecular biology under Dr. Dennis Kasper.  Currently, he is an MD candidate at Columbia College of Physicians & Surgeons.

Joanna is a first-year medical student at Mount Sinai School of Medicine, where she was admitted through the Humanities and Medicine Program. She graduated from Stanford University with a BA in Human Biology and an area of concentration in International Health and Development. Previously, she interned at The New York Academy of Medicine and PSI, an international social marketing NGO based in Washington, DC. She has also spent time studying comparative health systems at Sciences Po in Paris, France.

Jake works in international finance as an officer at The Bank of New York Mellon. Prior to this, he served in the Clinton administration as a speechwriter and chief aid to top economic advisors, which included coverage of and travel in Africa. Jake earned his Bachelor of Arts with honors in International Relations with certificates in African Studies and International Development from Michigan State University. He also earned his advanced degree from Columbia University's School of International and Public Affairs. Jake is active at the committee level in planning and fundraising for several non-profit organizations, including The Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. He is also a DJ for upscale fashion, art, and charity events (many African focused) and freelance writer, publishing both a blog and feature article in 2008 about his experiences in West Africa.

Dan is a Director at AllianceBernstein, a global investment management company. He is responsible for developing the investment message and product platform for the firm's Blend Solutions portfolios. In addition to his involvement with Touch, Dan also works with the New York Foundling Hospital, a New York based agency dedicated to helping children in need. Dan earned a BA cum laude in Economics from the College of the Holy Cross.

Michael Beasley is currently a medical student at Michigan State University's College of Human Medicine.  He is also a Registered Polysomnographic Technologist employed with Sleep Diagnostics of Michigan, where is he is responsible for the treatment of patients with various types of sleep disorders.  Previously, Michael lived and worked in Shinyanga, Tanzania as a Peace Corps volunteer where he was active in educational and health promotion activities for secondary school students throughout the Lake Zone.  He holds a B.S. in Zoology from Michigan State University.

Mwavisu Beasley is a Tanzanian national currently pursuing her Bachelor's degree in Medical Technology from Michigan State University.  Her family's ancestral home is Tarime, which is in the Lake Zone's Mara region.  Mwavisu spent much of her childhood growing up in Mara and Shinyanga, before finishing secondary school on the coast at Tanga Technical Seconday School.  She married Michael in 2004 and they have two daughters together.  Mwavisu intends to attend medical school upon completion of her undergraduate work and then looks forward to dedicating herself to the development of her home country.