Katie Fernandez – Head of Programs
Katie oversees all of Lifebox’s programmatic work and is part of the Lifebox Leadership team. She has worked in the development and humanitarian sectors for over 15 years. She has coordinated and supported the management and implementation of programs covering a broad range of themes, including health, livelihoods, gender, HIV and AIDS, governance and humanitarian response. Katie has lived and worked in countries from Southern Africa to Latin America.
Katie holds a B.A. with Honors in Law from the University of Cambridge and an MSc. in Development Studies from the School of Oriental & African Studies at the University of London. She is also a PRINCE2 accredited Project Manager. |
Senait Bitew Alemu – Head of Programs for East Africa
Sena it Bitew is Lifebox’s Head of Programs for East Africa, responsible for the design and delivery of programmes and strategic plans for Lifebox across the region. Senait is a nurse by training and has extensive experience of working in the hospital and healthcare sector. Based in Addis Ababa, Senait worked on the development of Lifebox’s Clean Cut Program in Ethiopia and is part of the Lifebox leadership team. |
Dr. Selam Amare Equbazgi – Program Officer
Dr. Selam Amare is a Medical Doctor, graduating from the Hayat Medical College, School of Medicine in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Based in Addis Ababa, Selam supports Lifebox’s programs in East Africa and is part of the Lifebox Clinical Team. Selam has previously worked as a medical doctor and Vice Medical Director at Al-borg Internal Medicine Specialty Clinic. Selam is also a committed volunteer at the Love and Care orphanage.
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Milena Abreha Kebedew – Program Assistant
Milena is based in Addis Ababa and provides program and administrative assistance to Lifebox’s work in East Africa. With a background in events and project management, Milena joined the Lifebox team in 2019. Milena has a BA in Geography and Environmental Studies from Addis Ababa University.
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Bella Lima – Program Coordinator
Bella oversees Lifebox’s programs in Latin America as well as supporting the program team with day-to-day functioning of operations and logistics. Bella previously worked at First Aid Africa and holds an MSc in Africa and International Development from the University of Edinburgh, and an MA in Translating and Interpreting from Heriot-Watt University.
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Dr. Tihitena Negussie Mammo – Global Clinical Director
Dr. Tihitena Mammo is an Associate Professor of Pediatric Surgery and a Consultant General and Pediatric Surgeon. As Global Clinical Director, Tihitena provides clinical leadership across Lifebox’s programmatic work. Tihitena has worked at the Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital for more than 14 years and has served as the hospital’s Operation Room Theatre Director. Tihitena was part of the clinical team implementing Lifebox’s Clean Cut Program in Ethiopia and is part of Lifebox’s Clinical team.
Tihitena has served in different leadership positions – including as Chair of the national Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in Ethiopia, Coordinator of the CPD centers at Addis Ababa University’s College of Health Sciences, and the Ethiopian Medical Association (EMA). Tihitena has also been a member of EMA’s Executive Board, as well as the Surgical Society of Ethiopia. |
Mansi Tara – Program Manager
Mansi manages Lifebox’s projects across South Asia, with a particular focus on India, as well as providing oversight on Lifebox’s training content. She previously worked in India on a Global Fund project to prevent parent to child transmission of HIV and health skills projects.
Mansi is a dentist by background and holds an MSc in Public Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. |
Rémy Turc – Program Manager
With a background in logistics, Rémy joined Lifebox in 2013 to oversee the distribution of Lifebox’s medical devices worldwide and develop programs in French and Portuguese speaking countries. Rémy now manages Lifebox’s Medtech development – from project conception to distribution. |
Dr. Thomas Weiser – Consulting Medical Officer

Dr. Thomas Weiser is a general and trauma surgeon, a surgical intensivist, and an Associate Professor of Surgery at Stanford University Medical Center. His research is focused on evaluating the role surgical care plays in the delivery of health services in resource-poor settings. From 2006-2009 he was part of the World Health Organization’s Safe Surgery Saves Lives program which developed the Surgical Safety Checklist. Tom leads the Lifebox Clinical team and has previously served on the Lifebox Global Governance Council. |
Communications
Kitty Jenkin – Head of Communications

After five years of managing Lifebox’s programs in Latin America, Kitty leads Lifebox’s communications, responsible for the development and implementation of Lifebox’s global communications strategy. Kitty joined Lifebox from an award-winning environmental charity where she led the charity’s programs and communications. She is a prolific writer and has had pieces published in numerous publications. Kitty holds a First-Class Bachelor’s degree in Philosophy from the University of Exeter. |