Joanita is a Program Associate for the Saving Brains portfolio. In this role, she supports strategic management of the portfolio, venture advisory platform support, innovations due diligence and leads negotiation of funding agreements as well as post-execution support for innovators throughout the course of their projects.

Joanita’s experience as a registered nurse in Kenya inspired her deep interest in global health. Prior to joining Grand Challenges Canada, Joanita was a project coordinator for a provincial HIV policy and research organization where she collaborated with research and community stakeholders to address HIV and other issues affecting the health and wellbeing of Black communities in Ontario. She volunteered at an AIDS service organization where she helped set up a newcomer women’s group to promote smoother integration and wellbeing. Alongside her volunteer engagements, Joanita worked on healthy communities initiatives in Ontario as a research and evaluation assistant.

Joanita completed Master of Science in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies from the London School of Economics and Political Science and an advanced diploma in Business Administration – Project Management from George Brown College.