Co-founder & Coordinator, African Crossroad Development (ACD)

Assa is a global health specialist and advocate dedicated to advancing health equity and empowering women across communities. As a Co-founder and Coordinator at African Crossroad Development (ACD), she provides strategic leadership and technical oversight for community-based health promotion, disease prevention initiatives, and gender inclusion programs. 

With over eight years of international public health experience—spanning institutional roles at national and international levels, and with organizations such as PATH, Jhpiego, JSI, Johns Hopkins University, the World Health Organization (WHO), and the CDC—Assanatou brings expertise in immunization, disease surveillance, and health equity. She is currently a PhD Candidate in Maternal and Child Health at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where her research focuses on integrating life-saving adolescent health interventions. 

Assa’s passion lies at the intersection of rigorous science and grassroots engagement. Through her leadership at ACD, she drives sustainable health interventions and advocates for the development and leadership of women across all levels of society.

Apart from work, she enjoys spending time with children while helping develop their full potential. Assa enjoys dancing and traveling to learn and experience diverse cultures. 

Grace is currently the Marketing and Sales Manager at the Mande Hotel in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso.

Previously, she was in charge of the A’shop Network at April Oil Burkina S.A. She has worked in the sales department at the Palm Beach Hotel and the Palace Hotel in Ouagadougou, as well as in the Network Division at TOTAL and VIVO ENERGY in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. 

Grace is convinced that the vulnerable population deserves better living conditions and is passionate about assisting them to create a better world.

Grace has been a scholar of Talented Youth-BURKINA ENERGY. She holds a master’s degree in marketing from the University of “Aube Nouvelle” (previously ISIG) and a DTS in Hotel management.

Risna is the co-founder and director of Inter-Infrax SARL (Building for Sports) and ETS Rissinata Derma Commerce Général.

After working as an insurance agent at SONAR and as an assistant at BCEAO, she has decided to work for herself and created the ETS Rissinata Derma society in 2006.

Risna believed in entrepreneurship and thinks that we cannot, and do not all have to be civil servants. Her passion for women's development has driven her to reach out to those in need and help them make a living.

Risna has received several professional trainings in secretariat and in marketing.

Dalia Congo-Kaboré is an audit, internal control, and governance professional. She holds the CPA, CA and CIA designations.

With more than twelve years of experience gained in Canada and West Africa, she has worked across several sectors, including financial services, technology, and mining. Throughout her career, she has developed solid expertise in risk management, compliance, process improvement, and the delivery of strategic projects.

Dalia is also involved in social and community initiatives. She has notably contributed to Solidarité Union Coopération (SUCO), an organization that works to foster more supportive, inclusive, and sustainable communities. Through her engagement, she seeks to apply her experience and skills to concrete initiatives that promote empowerment and improve the living conditions of communities. 

Ida is the Head of Information Security and Compliance at VisualVault. She holds a master’s degree in Women’s and Gender Studies from Towson University in Maryland, with a particular focus on women’s health and sexuality.

She is an advocate for Social Policy and Women’s health with a passion for gender equality and social inclusion. Her research focused on key populations and adolescents’ sexual and reproductive health. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from Hunter College, the City University of New York. Ida is also a recipient of the City University of New York Award for Exemplary Service to the Community. She received this award from the Senator Shirley Huntley for her involvement in mentoring students in academic probation. She also received the Amelia Ottinger Award for Excellence in the Art of Debate from the Hunter college’ president Jennifer Raab.

As a general practitioner and coordinator of humanitarian and development projects, Rissanatou medical expertise with community engagement to serve vulnerable populations. With a Ph.D. in Medical Sciences from the University of Ouagadougou and a Master’s degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid from the KALU Institute (Madrid), she has built her career at the intersection of public health, development, and humanitarian action.

After completing extensive clinical training at Yalgado Ouédraogo University Hospital, she turned her focus to coordinating projects with a social impact. Since 2023, she has been leading educational initiatives in rural West Africa through African Crossroad Development (ACD), working to promote access to education and monitor progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals.

Based in Abu Dhabi, she also applies her experience to international humanitarian causes: as a volunteer with the Emirates Red Crescent since 2023, she has contributed to the “Bridges of Goodness” campaign in support of victims of the Syria-Turkey earthquake, as well as to Basmet Amal’s community programs.

A polyglot (French, English, Fula, and Mooré), Rissanatou moves with ease in multicultural environments, drawing on operational experience that spans from West Africa to the Middle East.

Noela brings over seven years of experience in banking and digital finance. She oversees Business Development at Wave Mobile Money in Ouagadougou, where she joined in 2021 as Treasury Manager. She is an international alumni from the University of Montana.

A health enthusiast, Noela coaches physical activity and advocates for preventive health on social platforms. She spoke at TEDx in 2024 on the link between diet, gut health, and mental wellbeing. Volunteering has been part of her life since her university years, from UNICEF to Pink October breast cancer awareness campaigns and, with Jeunesse Solidaire, COVID-19 relief for Ouagadougou's farmers' markets and displaced persons' centers.

Outside of work, she enjoys discovering locally made sustainable resources, traveling, learning cultural dances, and spending time with family and friends.

Noela has been a proud member of African Crossroads Development since 2018 and currently serves as its Treasurer.

Dr Samiratou Ouedraogo graduated with a doctorate in Pharmacy from Mohamed V- Soussi University of Rabbat in Morocco. After acquiring essential skills in Pharmaceutical Sciences, she was interested in gaining more experience in Epidemiology and Public Health. She continued her studies and graduated with a Master’s degree and a PhD in Epidemiology and Public Health from the University of Burgundy in France.

Samira has built capacities in the design, implementation and the evaluation of public health programs and interventions. Throughout her academic and work experiences, she has provided leadership and technical assistance on diverse projects in Sub-Saharan Africa (Burkina Faso, Mali, Cameroon, etc.), France, the United-Kingdom and Canada. Her specific areas of intervention include infectious diseases, cancers, maternal and child health. Her work has always been oriented toward socioeconomic inequalities related to health.

Samira is currently a Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Quebec national public health institute (INSPQ) and McGill University Health System Impact Fellow. She works on research and public policies promoting health.

She is also co-founder and scientific director of the African Group Organized for Research and Actions in Health (AGORAH).

Zara is currently a residential and commercial real estate broker at RE/MAX Plus. Previously, she was the general manager of Xpress Services, a company specializing in printing. Zara worked as a sales and marketing manager at a telecommunications and energy company in the ICT sector. She also worked as a project manager in the restaurant industry. Believing in entrepreneurship, she started her own business in partnership with her husband, which led to the founding of Xpress Services in 2017.

With a vision of reducing the unemployment rate, she is driven by job creation. For her, a company’s success is also measured by its ability to include and promote its employees. Her goal is to contribute to the economic and social development of the population, particularly women, in rural areas.

Zara holds a bachelor’s degree in development economics and a real estate broker’s license.

Mariam is a dedicated healthcare professional with 14 years of experience in the healthcare field. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New Jersey City University and a Master of Public Health from Walden University. She is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Nursing with a specialization in Psychiatric-Mental Health Nurse Practitioner (PMHNP). As a Clinical Care Coordinator at Rutgers Cancer Institute of New Jersey, she applies her clinical expertise and leadership skills to provide compassionate, patient-centered care to oncology patients.

Beyond her clinical work, Mariam is deeply committed to community service and improving the health and living conditions of women and children, particularly in underserved and rural communities. In her role as Outreach and Social Media Officer at Sandji CDC, a nonprofit organization dedicated to community development and empowerment, she supports initiatives that promote health equity, strengthen communities, and serve vulnerable populations

Madjalia is a financial controller and social entrepreneur with over a decade of experience in nonprofit finance. Born in rural Burkina Faso, she founded FarmSahel in 2019 to empower smallholder women farmers through financial literacy, regenerative agriculture, and access to clean water, transforming how rural communities build sustainable livelihoods.

Her leadership and FarmSahel's impact have been widely recognized. 2023 Women for Zero Hunger Finalist, 2023 Women Creativity in Rural Life Award, 2024 World of Difference Award, and 2024 Public Interest Registry .ORG Impact Awards Finalist for their work empowering thousands of women farmers across rural Burkina Faso.

With an associates degree in Community Health and a bachelor’s degree in public health Mrs kone Maimouna is very passionate in helping others. Mrs Kone currently works for MetroPlus Health Plan as a Health and Wellness Advisor where she case manages and coordinates the care plans based on the needs of the clients. This new position has grant Ms Kone a platform in the New City Health and Hospital and the opportunity to held health education workshops to educate other for better health management. Mrs Kone also takes part in different community events where healthy livings are promoted. The whole health care system can be intimidating and scary at time when you don’t know how to navigate your ways through it. When you are not familiar with the medical terminologies, or you don’t have health insurance. When you are undocumented, or you are just overwhelmed with your condition. Empowering and providing him with the tools and guidance is her goal. Besides working for Metroplus Ms Kone volunteers for Lincoln Medical Center for over a year and half. She stays engaged in her community as volunteer, a way for her to give back and promote a better living condition.

Mrs Nina Tapsoba is a Program Manager at PartnersGlobal. Previously, she was at Chemonics International, where she developed expertise in program management. Some of her past accomplishments include the organization and management of high-level flagship events such as the Global Civil Society Dialogue at the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UN Women) and her work as an Environmental Defense Fund Climate Corps fellow.

At PartnersGlobal, she serves as a Program Manager in the Sub-Saharan Africa team, providing the overall daily management of implementation on projects that focus on governance, conflict resolution, security sector reform and access to justice in the Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa countries. Nina also integrates her passion for women’s empowerment and democracy into the projects that she supports throughout the Sub-Saharan African portfolio.

Nina received her Bachelor in Urban Design from Florida Atlantic University, a Master in International Affairs, and a Master in Urban and Regional Planning from Florida State University. 

Mrs Mariam Sérémé is a Master in Public Health candidate at Walden University. She has a Bachelor of Science in Nursing from New Jersey City University and has been working as Registered Nurse for 6 years. She is currently working at Hackensack University Medical Center in New Jersey. 

Mrs. Sereme’s goal is to improve women and children living conditions in rural areas. She is the outreach and social media officer of Sandji CDC (a non-profit organization). She is a member of the Newark Community Collaborative Board and an intern at North Jersey Community Research Initiative

Dr. Kam Madibèlè is a pediatric trained in Burkina Faso and practicing at Charles De Gaulles Pediatric University-Hospital Center in Ouagadougou since 2012. He is the Head of the Vaccinology Unit. Currently, he is pursuing a Vaccines IUD at INSSA in Bobo-Dioulasso. He holds a Certificate in Leadership and Health Management from ISM Dakar.

He has experience in the management of associative movements and is involved in health since 2003, mainly interested in preventive health projects. His main themes are :

● Screening for sickle cell disease (30% of the population carrying at least one abnormal hemoglobin),

● The fight against hepatitis (10% of infections for hepatitis B and 16% of under-5 insufficiently protected),

● School health, with the dream of an annual medical visit for all the children in Burkina Faso

● The promotion of vaccination out of the Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI) (about 90% of children in Ouagadougou didn’t receive a vaccine outside the EPI);

Working for ACD is therefore a great opportunity to strengthen a Pan-Africanist spirit with Indigenous health solutions based on evidence for better health prevention

Éléonore holds a Master’s degree in public law with a specialization in constitutional law, philosophy of law, environmental law, banking and national law from the University Saint Thomas d’Aquin in Burkina Faso. She also has a Master's degree in International Law option humanitarian law, transnational law, organization law from Laval University in Quebec City, Canada. Like her training, Éléonore has solid experiences in both Africa and Canada. Experience gained on one hand in the legal field (law firm, notary firm, legal department in banks, insurance companies and even ministries) in Burkina Faso and on the other hand in international organizations in Canada. Multidisciplinary, by her training and experience, she works with multicultural teams.

More than a job, Law is a passion since childhood. That is why Eleonore went to study and work in the legal field. Through her studies in Burkina Faso, she learned that for wider actions, one needs to understand the international aspect of the law. Subsequently, she pursued a Master in Law with a specialization in International and Transnational Law L.L.M at the University Laval, Canada. Through her studies and professional experiences, her convictions have been strengthened, helping the marginalized is her goal, helping them live better and above all, helping them make things happen.

Mrs Fadima Diallo is the Pedagogical Coordinator for Burkina Field Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program (BFELTP). Fadima provides mentorship and academic direction to graduate students. She supervises the day-to-day operations of BFELTP and liaises with faculty members and staffs, the Center for Disease Control, African Field Epidemiology Network and the West African Health Organization. 

Fadima was an active member of the American Red Cross. She previously took on a role in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso with the United Nations Development Program working on HIV. She also promoted emergency medical care in Cape Town, South Africa with the African Federation for Emergency Medicine.

In her spare time, Fadima dedicates her time to volunteering at a secondary school. She works to improve their informatic and data storage system. She is also interested in adolescent and youth sexual and reproductive health. Her goal is to improve patient access to adequate health care. 

Fadima holds a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry from Washington Adventist University and a Master of Public Health, Epidemiology and Global Health from Columbia University.

Ina est chercheur, titulaire d’un doctorat en biologie moléculaire et virologie. Les travaux d’Ina portent sur l’identification de biomarqueurs de l’hôte et du virus associés à l’infection persistante par le HPV, dans le but d’améliorer le dépistage précoce, la stratification des risques et la prévention des cancers gynécologiques liés au HPV. Ses travaux associent la virologie moléculaire, l’épidémiologie des populations et des approches de recherche translationnelle, en mettant particulièrement l’accent sur les populations africaines sous-représentées. Entre 2017 et 2021, Ina a exercé comme spécialiste en application (Hématologie/Hémostase) chez le représentant au Burkina de Sysmex, leadeur mondial en Hématologie. Elle a par ailleurs bénéficié d’une formation en Diplomatie en sciences en 2024 à Trieste en Italie qui lui permet d’avoir une vision axée sur les rôles que peuvent et doivent jouer la Science dans la société. Avec près de 10 ans d’expérience, Ina est engagé à mettre ses compétences et connaissances au service des autres et des causes qui peuvent faire faire bouger les lignes. 

Rachida Mahamadou Oumarou is a doctor and healthcare professional committed to improving public health, strengthening health systems and promoting health equity. Her career combines experience in medicine, pharmaceutical regulatory affairs, administrative coordination, community engagement and organizational leadership.

She is currently Head of Regulatory Affairs and Administrative Co-coordinator at DAHAICO LTD Niger, where she is involved in managing pharmaceutical regulatory dossiers, the registration processes for healthcare products and liaising with health authorities and institutional partners.

Rachida is also a member of African Crossroad Development (ACD) and co-founder of Women in Global Health Niger. She has also contributed to the activities of the NGO Labizey Hallassa, notably through community awareness-raising, prevention and screening initiatives, including a free screening campaign that raised awareness and screened over 450 people.

She holds a Doctor of Medicine degree and defended her thesis on non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in diabetic patients. Her career and commitments reflect her interest in medicine, public health, health policy, access to healthcare products and community development, with a particular focus on women, young people and underserved communities.

Gaelle Koanda is a Senior Global Sox Compliance Analyst. Before joining Arrow Electronics she was respectively business analyst at Coca Cola, an officer at the federal reserve bank of Atlanta and also an information system consultant in healthcare at Coalfire.

She is an active member of AAUW (American Association University Woman) with a passion in entrepreneurship. Helping the disadvantaged population to be independent is her objective.

Gaelle has a master in information system audit and control and a bachelor in finance from Georgia State University.

Martine Bouda, MPH, is a Nutrition, Public Health, and Food Systems Specialist with over six years of experience in the design, coordination, and management of nutrition, health, and food security programmes in humanitarian and development settings across West, East, and Central Africa, particularly in Burkina Faso, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Burundi. She holds a Master of Public Health in Nutrition from Senghor University in Alexandria, Egypt, and a Bachelor's degree in Human Nutrition and Food Technology from Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Burkina Faso

Currently serving as Project Coordinator and Nutrition Technical Advisor with FAO in Burundi, she leads food security and nutrition interventions under a joint FAO-UNICEF-WFP programme aimed at combating malnutrition. Through UN Nutrition initiatives, she also facilitates inter-agency efforts to strengthen nutrition governance, advocacy, coordination, and collective action. Previously, she held leadership and management positions with several leading national and international organizations, including FAO, NGO GRAINES, Global Development Community Burundi (GDCB), Humanity & Inclusion, Help – Hilfe zur Selbsthilfe, and Save the Children International. Her expertise spans nutrition-sensitive food systems, infant and young child feeding, prevention and management of acute malnutrition, multisectoral coordination, monitoring and evaluation, research, and strategic partnership development. She is committed to strengthening linkages between agriculture, health, WASH, social protection, and education to sustainably improve nutrition outcomes and the well-being of vulnerable populations. 

Valentin is a Public Health & Health Supply Chain and Logistics professional with more than 22 years of experience in Public Health systems strengthening, supply chain management in the national and international level.

In collaboration with International NGO like  John Snow Incorporated (JSI/USA/Washington DC), International Trachoma Initiative (ITI/USA/Georgia), Helen Keller International (HKI Mali & Burkina Faso), Pan African Institute for Development (IPD/AOS), Christian Children’s Fund of Canada (CCFC/Burkina Faso); Mr. Valentin has led Technical Assistance efforts that improved health systems and supply chains in Burkina Faso, Niger, Togo, Côte d’Ivoire, DRC, Benin, Guinea, Gambia, Cameroon, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Mauritania Comoros, Mauritius, Seychelles & Madagascar.

He also worked for more than 11 years at all levels (districts, regional, hospital, and central) of Burkina Faso Ministry of Health as Pharmaceutical Procurement and Supply Chain Manager. At this position Valentin brought Technical support in health commodities management, health workers training and health system strengthening.

From 2016 to 2018 Valentin was the Monitoring & Evaluation Advisor in USAID Global Health Supply Chain –Procurement and Supply Management Project in Burkina Faso.

Before joining UNFPA Madagascar in 2021, Valentin was Regional Supply Chain & Health System Strengthening Advisor (From April 2018 to January 2021) in  USAID West Africa Regional Office (Burkina Faso-Niger-Togo – Mauritania-WAHO) Global Health Supply Chain Technical Assistance Francophone Task Order Project (focus on Family Planning and Reproductive Health).

In UNFPA Madagascar (2021-2023) Country Office, including Comoros, Seychelles and Mauritius, he was in charge of Family Planning/Reproductive Health Commodity Security, Family Planning Programme and Drone Project Coordinator to distribute FP/RH commodities to marginalized populations   in hard to reach areas. 

From 2023 to present Valentin is the Sub Saharan Africa  Women’s Empowerment and Demographic Dividend (SWEDD+) Regional Project Senior Technical Coordinator based in  Dakar. 

Currently, Valentin had a PhD in Public health with Pharmacy studies as a baseline, he hold a MBA in Project Management, Master’s degree in Logistic & Transport, from the International Institute of Management of Ouagadougou/ Foundation Mercure of Belgian. In addition to that he hold a Master’s degree in International Cooperation and Humanitarian Aid from Kalu Institute (Spain) and other Master’s degree in Quality-Security-Environment Management from the University of Ouagadougou.