Our team consists of public health, humanitarian, and development professionals working to safeguard the sexual and reproductive health and rights of women and girls and equip them with the information and dignified, sustainable menstrual health solutions, such as Menstrual Cups, necessary to thrive within their communities and pursue their ambitions, regardless of the context.

WoMena Uganda

Nakalema Shamirah – Executive Director

Evelyn Akello – Administrative Officer

Ruth Namagembe – Accountant

Diana Nalunga – Project Manager

Agnes Akech – Junior Project Manager

Ssanyu Angella – Project Officer

Kemigisha Linda – Project Officer

Arinda Hellen Byamukama – Project Officer

Our Board

Theresa Wesseler

WoMena Board Member

Theresa studied Sinology in her Bachelor’s and spent longer periods of time working and studying in China. Currently, she is pursuing a Master’s degree in Business and Development studies, focused on business opportunities in emerging economies. Theresa has been engaged in various social organisations and projects in the past and is extremely passionate about making a change in the world.

Marianne Tellier

Co-founder / Board Chair

Marianne has worked full-time on WoMena’s activities in Uganda and now supports WoMena’s executive arm. She currently works on health financing in low income settings at the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis & Malaria and has worked on grant management on 8 African portfolios since 2011. Marianne has done research and published in the areas of Family Planning and Menstrual Management and brings research, management, health policy, health care financing, and health programming experience to WoMena. In addition to the Global Fund she has worked and done research in Benin, China/Tibet, Tanzania & Uganda for UNFPA, GIZ, DANIDA, the University of Copenhagen and other NGOs.

Maria Hyttel

Co-founder and Board Treasurer

Maria is a Public Health professional from University of Copenhagen with a holistic view on health and strong dedication to improve the lives of the most vulnerable. She has conducted research and published in the areas of Family Planning and Menstrual Management and strives in her work to link research to impact-oriented health programmes. Her work experiences with NGO partnerships, research and development assistance in Tanzania, Niger, Uganda, and Benin has provided her strong competencies in project implementation, monitoring & evaluation, trainings, advocacy, programme analysis, youth policy, HIV/AIDS and health insurance for rural populations.

Sylvie Anne Genier

WoMena Uganda Board Secretary

“I have been fascinated by Africa since I was a child. My private life as well as my professional environment including studies is now focused on Africa.” In Uganda and Ghana, Sylvie had insights into the country’s health systems as a midwife, and she has visited other countries on the continent privately. With her Msc studies in Global health, Sylvie currently focuses on the health system of different LMICs. Since a few years ago, Sylvie spends most of her time in Uganda.

Lene Østergaard

WoMena Board Member

Lene has worked with development programming with the UN, CARE, and Rainforest Foundation as researcher, project coordinator, Technical advisor, Program Director and ED. She has worked in the fields of economics, poverty eradication, natural resources management, civil society strengthening, human rights and gender equality.

Masiko David

WoMena Uganda Board Member

David has over 19 years of experience in Programme and Organization Development specifically in the areas of Heath Sector Planning, Human Rights and Gender Justice. He is a former Uganda Country Representative for Against Malaria Foundation an International NGO supporting governments in Africa to fight Malaria. He is currently a Founder and Chief Strategist for Butali Consulting and Advisory Services; an international consulting firm providing Programme and Organization Management services. Because of his experience in gender justice and health rights he has learnt over the years to appreciate Menstrual Hygiene Management as he believes this will go a long way in removing gender-based barriers, stereotypes and promote better health outcomes for the girl-child.

Caroline Mukidi-Wandera

WoMena Uganda Board Member

Caroline is the Founder/Chief Executive Officer of Spellbound Ltd. with a focus on strategic business management, advisory and training, located in Kampala, Uganda. She has worked in senior management positions in Eastern Africa, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda, and Juba, for over 20 years leading teams in Broadcast Media, Events, Promotions, Sales & Marketing, and Advertising industries.
Caroline is a Rotarian and has volunteered on local projects in Uganda. She is also a member of Women on Boards Network Kenya. She sees Menstrual Health Management as one of the key ways to both emancipate and empower the girl child and women as a whole.

Akiko Ida

WoMena Uganda Board Member

Akiko is a highly experienced development professional with a strong background in public health. She has worked with Japan International Cooperation Agency, WHO and UNFPA in Africa, Asia and Middle East. Her work focuses on Women and Children’s Health, Universal Health Coverage, Quality of Hospital Care, and most recently on Covid-19 response. In addition to her managerial experience, Akiko has published in the areas of health policy, reproductive health, gender, pediatric care and child-friendly hospital management. As an advocate in health of the marginalized populations, Akiko brings her experience in health policy, management and research to WoMena.

Keith Diniz

WoMena Board Advisor

Keith has over 20 years’ experience in senior management roles specialising in Process Reengineering, Productivity Improvements and Organizational Development undertaking assignments for a of number of international and Pan African organisations as well the NGO and United Nations sector.