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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Neeta as Global Business Coalition’s Senior Manager of Member Relations, Neeta enhances GBC's membership network by working closely with member companies to develop a customized approach to the fight against HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria. She services existing members and engages new companies, particularly those in the pharmaceutical, biotechnology, healthcare, and consulting industries. Prior to joining GBC, Neeta consulted for a variety of clients in the life sciences and healthcare industries at Deloitte Consulting, including large and mid-tier pharmaceutical companies and non-profit/for-profit health plans, on strategic and operational issues. In addition, Neeta has experience working in health systems financing with the World Health Organization as well as serving as a business analyst at AmeriChoice of New York. Neeta holds a BA in Biology and Economics from the University of Virginia, and an MPH from Columbia University, with a concentration in healthcare policy and management.

Michelle is currently a Subcontracts Manager at the International Center for AIDS Care and Treatment Programs, and responsible for subagreements in Nigeria and Ethiopia. Previously, Michelle was a research associate at the Spinal Muscular Atrophy Foundation, where she worked on grants management, donor relations, communications and website development. Michelle also served as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Tanzania, where she developed and taught programs in HIV/AIDS care and prevention, public health and life skills in the Mtwara region. Michelle received her BA from Barnard College in neuroscience and behavior. She has been a Touch Foundation Young Leader for over a year.

Sancia works for Global Business Coalition advising member companies on the design and implementation of HIV/AIDS, TB and malaria programs. Working across multiple industries - including travel & tourism, consumer products and financial services - Sancia works to expand and increase corporate involvement on the three diseases through the convening of industry working groups and roundtables; collective action campaigns; and the development and dissemination of technical tools and corporate best practices. Prior to joining GBC, Sancia served as youth advisor on several political campaigns in Jamaica where she helped to increase youth voting rates in target constituencies across the country. Sancia earned a B.A in International Relations and French from Wesleyan College in Macon, Georgia. While there, Sancia served as President of Nu Omega Chapter of Alpha Kappa Psi Business Fraternity, spearheading activities for a local HIV/AIDS center that provided housing and employment for people living with HIV/AIDS.

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.

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.

Ella is currently an Associate at Pro Mujer International in New York. Prior to joining Pro Mujer, she was an investment banking analyst at the healthcare-dedicated investment bank, Leerink Swann, as well as a financial analyst in the Structured Finance Group at Goldman Sachs. She graduated from Duke University with a B.S. in Biology and a B.A. in Economics, and speaks Russian and Spanish.

Davis currently works at Greenhill Capital Partners, a private equity fund in New York. He has worked with the Touch Foundation since 2009 and is also involved with Student Sponsor Partners and a variety of other non-profit organizations in the area. He holds a MSc in Finance and Economics from the London School of Economics and an A.B. in Economics from Princeton University

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.

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.

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.