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Parting Words: A Q&A with Grand Challenges Canada co-CEO Jocelyn Mackie
For the past 11+ years, Jocelyn Mackie has put her considerable talents to work at Grand Challenges Canada. For the past five years, she has served as co-CEO with Dr. Karlee Silver, drawing on her business acumen, legal training, and commitment to global health in service of funding bold innovations with big impact in more […]
Bidding Farewell to GCC’s Summer Fellows – Reflections and Advice from the 2023 Cohort!
As summer comes to an end, Grand Challenges Canada is bidding a bittersweet farewell to the latest cohort of Fellows who brought so much fresh perspective and experience to each of their teams. A group of knowledgeable, passionate and innovative young people, they made invaluable contributions to GCC’s mission, and never ceased to amaze us […]
The Health Finance Coalition welcomes an ecosystem catalyst grant of $500,000 CAD from Grand Challenges Canada
We are delighted to announce that the Health Finance Coalition (HFC) has received an ecosystem catalyst grant of CAD $500,000 from Grand Challenges Canada. This critical investment will help strengthen health systems in sub-Saharan Africa. While Africa is home to 16 percent of the global population and 23 percent of the global burden of disease, […]
Meet 20 Innovators Supporting Youth Mental Health Around the World
In partnership with Global Affairs Canada, Grand Challenges Canada has awarded $250K CAD in seed funding for 20 mental health innovations in low- and middle-income countries. More than half of the 20 selected innovations are youth-led and aim to tackle mental health challenges using digital technology, storytelling, and community-based care. Many of the innovations are […]
Grand Challenges Canada Celebrates Appointment of Karlee Silver as CEO, Bids Farewell with Gratitude to Co-CEO Jocelyn Mackie
Toronto, Canada – June 27, 2023 – Grand Challenges Canada (GCC) announced the appointment of Dr. Karlee Silver as CEO, effective September 11, 2023. The board expressed its gratitude to co-CEO, Ms. Jocelyn Mackie, who has decided to step down and embark on her next adventure after 11 years with the organization. Under their leadership […]
Ghana Health Service and partners issue call for African innovations to address maternal and newborn health
— Country Innovation Platform Ghana Pilot will support local innovations with $2MCAD in seed funding to address maternal and newborn health in six priority regions across Ghana — June 14, 2023 (Accra) — Ghana Health Service (GHS), in partnership with USAID’s Center for Innovation and Impact (CII) and USAID/Ghana, Grand Challenges Canada (GCC), AMP […]
Health Finance Coalition Announces First Close of AfricInvest Managed Transform Health Fund
Washington, DC, June 7, 2023– The Health Finance Coalition today announced the close of the first $50 million for the pan-African Transform Health Fund (THF) managed by AfricInvest. With the first close, the THF will begin investing in innovative models to improve access, affordability, resilience, and quality of healthcare in Africa. The Fund is a […]
GCC-funded smartphone blood pressure innovation, OPTiBP, receives recognition by WHO
High blood pressure during pregnancy is associated with a multitude of maternal health risks, including pre-eclampsia, hypertension, and early death. Women with a history of high blood pressure during pregnancy have more than twice the risk of premature death from heart disease making it essential to measure and track blood pressure, especially in low-resource settings […]
Devex: Grand Challenges Canada and other non-profits embrace the four-day work week
Increasingly, there’s been buzz around the idea of moving away from the traditional 9-5, Monday-Friday work model, especially in innovative sectors and non-profit organizations. With more employees working from home, growing discussions around employee mental health and work-life balance, and growing disenchantment with the five-day work week model, the four-day work week has been hailed […]
Saving and improving newborn lives by Scaling Up ‘Kangaroo Care’
An estimated 15 million babies – more than 1 in 10 – around the world every year are born too early. Premature births can lead to a higher rate of infant mortality or a lifetime of disability, including learning disabilities, and visual and hearing problems. By providing funding and support to innovators like Dr. Nathalie […]