Introducing the NEST360 Technical Advisory Team
Written by: Sara Desai, and Carrie Noxon
We are pleased to announce a new NEST360 governance structure (Figure 1), which includes the NEST360 Steering Committee and the newly formed NEST360 Technical Advisory Team (TAT), with support from program managers.
Alongside NEST360’s country and multi-disciplinary leaders, the TAT will provide expert guidance to the NEST360 team toward achieving its objectives and strategic priorities. These individuals have a coordination function between the program and relevant partners at the national, regional, and global levels.
We proudly welcome the NEST360 TAT and introduce their respective roles:
Aba Asibon, MPH
Implementation Domain Expert
Aba has been part of the Rice360 family for over 10 years, most recently serving as the NEST360 International Programs Director until 2021. Her public health experience includes designing, implementing, and evaluating evidence-based programs to strengthen health systems. Aba holds a deep understanding of the NEST360 program, having worked closely with our partners and various stakeholders. Aba joins the Technical Advisory Team as the implementation domain expert, where she will bring her vast experience to guide program activities across our NEST countries and beyond.
Danica Kumara, MA
Health Technology Management (HTM) Domain Expert
Danica began her journey with NEST360 from its launch in 2019 as part of 3rd Stone Design. She was integral to establishing Hatch Technologies, setting up operations and strategic partnerships in their first year. Danica has in-depth knowledge of maternal and newborn care medical devices in low-resource settings. She has significantly contributed to medical device development, sales, marketing, launch, and distribution over the last 15 years. Danica’s role on the Technical Advisory Team as the HTM domain expert will draw on her proficiency in developing and implementing technology and distribution solutions across global settings and her remarkable knack for creative problem-solving.
Dr. Natasha Raygaan Rhoda. MBChB, FCPaed, Certificate in Neonatology
Neonatology Domain Expert
The newest member of NEST360, Natasha is well-known in the global newborn care community. She was previously the neonatal care improvement advisor to the National Department of Health (South Africa), and occupies the Head of the Clinical Unit post at Mowbray Maternity Hospital at the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Natasha joins the Technical Advisory Team as the neonatology domain expert. She is an empathetic clinician with experience across sub-Saharan Africa as a strategic planner, clinical trainer, and policy maker in neonatal health. Natasha is an advocate for evidence-driven neonatal care and is passionate about achieving equity and equality in newborn care.
Please join us in welcoming Aba, Danica, and Natasha as members of the NEST360 Technical Advisory Team. This dynamic trio will champion our continued efforts to improve coverage and quality care for newborns across sub-Saharan Africa.
*an earlier version of this article referred to the NEST360 Technical Advisory Team as the NEST360 Secretariat but has since been updated.
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