Dr Islam is BRAC's Senior Director Health & Humanitarian Crisis Management Programmes. He is an adjunct professor at the James P Grant School of Public Health at BRAC University & served as a visiting lecturer at the University of Tokyo (2002-2005) & at Harvard University (2008-2009).

He has served BRAC since 1993, leading organisation’s efforts to improve health equity & deliver quality primary healthcare across Bangladesh.His contributions span maternal health, communicable disease control, eye care, & disability services- particularly in remote & marginalised communities.Under his leadership, BRAC launched community-level presbyopia services in 2006, correcting the vision of over 2.5 million people.This was followed by a nationwide expansion of free & subsidised cataract surgeries in 2011, bringing sight-saving treatment to those most in need.

Dr Islam has spearheaded the establishment of BRAC Vision Centres across the country which are integrated facilities that provide accessible primary eye care services.In 2002, WB nominated the Global Development Network award for his PhD research on the cost-effectiveness of a TB control programme in Bangladesh.Internationally,he is a distinguished member of the WHO Civil Society Task Force on TB.He completed PhD in International Community Health at the University of Tokyo, Japan.He has contributed over 50 articles to international peer-reviewed journals & co-authored Making Tuberculosis History: Community-based Solutions for Millions

Hello, Im aaisha sanjayal, the permanent resident of kohalpur banke but recently im staying at kadaghari kathmandu. In tilganga My journey start when i was 12. Im the old patient of tilganga hospital since 2010.

I was a child who has occur from high myopia glass (-9) with poor eye sight. I try my best to cure my eye sight but it was just only a dream. Day by day and monthly by monthly as yearly to yearly my eyes getting poor so instead of decreasing its turned to increasing high myopia glass with -9 to -15. Likewise my power gets increasing constantly till -18. Now at this age of 25 its constant with -18 high myopia glass. I did 3 timea laser too cure my retina from blindness even did conjunctivitis injection on both rights to cure my illness.

This journey was the easy for me. I was worried if i turn to blind. My doctor raba thapa and dr sanduk ruit helps me abot in my journey. I was mentally ill coz of my eyes sight problem. I even work in INGO at psi/nepal in the post office operation trainee for 6 months. I try my best to evaluate my experience though im graduated student in BBA from excel business college. Time goes on!!

For now I can only share this much. I will continue my eye journey in the program.

Dr Geoffrey Wabulembo a dedicated professional works for Light for the World as senior expert for Eye health and neglected tropical diseases. His commitment to excellence and his deep understanding of eye health have earned him respect in the field. He is an inspirational figure through his work and relationships with colleagues and endeavours to participate in impactful work both locally and globally.

Geoffrey holds a PhD in optometry from the University of KwaZulu Natal, Master of Medicine in ophthalmology from Makerere University, Bachelor of Medicine form Makerere University, Diploma in Community eye health from the University London, and has received fellowship training in paediatric ophthalmology research from the university of California at Los Angeles.

In September 1999, Geoffrey was part of Ugandan delegation during the launch of the joint WHO and IAPB Vision2020 strategy in Beijing. Geoffrey has contributed to human resource development for eye health in the East African region and served as one of the examiners for the College of ophthalmologists of East Central and Southern Africa (COECSA). Geoffrey is an awardee of the Vision Excellence award by the IAPB.

With over 40 years of teaching experience spanning from primary to secondary levels, I have dedicated a lifetime to education, shaping young minds and contributing to academic growth.  Beyond the classroom, I was actively engaged in social work, awareness raising, and  I strongly advocated for establishing democracy in Nepal.

For 30 years, I played a significant role in the Teachers' Association, contributing to the advancement of Nepal’s education system. While actively involved in the teachers' movement, I also contributed to advancing the rights and welfare of teachers across Nepal.  My intellectual engagement extended to being a member of the Nepal Intellectual Council for three years, where I contributed to critical national discourse and policy dialogue.

I also served as Vice President of the Human Rights Protection Forum, Jhapa district, reinforcing commitment to justice and human dignity. Currently, I serve society in various capacities—as a member of Nepal Diabetes Association, Kathmandu, a member of Manohara Literary Society, a Managing Committee Member of Gandhi Adarsha Secondary School and the Chief Advisor of the Senior Citizen Society, Kadaghari.

I have been living with diabetes for the past 25 years. I am a proud father of five strong and independent daughters. My wife, Mrs. Bishnu Chapagain, has been the unwavering backbone of my health and overall success.

Natasha has led the campaigns and communications department at Sightsavers for nearly 5 years. Directing the organisation's global policy campaign strategy that operates at a global, regional and national level as well as leading the strategic communications functions, which includes media, social media, content and stories, external and organisational communications.

Recent campaigns include the Women Don't Get It International Women's Day campaign and the Equal World campaign that recently supported young advocates to call on world leaders to prioritise disability inclusion at the recent Global Disability Summit.

I am agricultural economist and had served as regional poverty alleviation and rural development specialist. Before joining UN i had served in Nepal Government as well as Tribhuvan University as faculty. Now i am retired and associated with few social organisation.

Dr. MacIntosh is a neuro-ophthalmologist and orbital specialist at the University of Illinois. He is also the Residency Program Director and Director of the Global Ophthalmology Fellowship.  He has a strong interested in teaching and education, both locally and globally to build capacity in the field of ophthalmology.

Dr. Luisa is a Colombian Optometrist, with PhD in education and society from La Salle University, she has experience in public health, research and education in the NGO eyecare sector for many years now and has postgraduate studies in ocular disease and pharmacology, She was coordinating IAPB LAT Region for the past 3 years, she is passionate about serving communitties in rural areas and is now working with Good Vision Latinamerica supporting the developing of Optpmetry and Eye care services in Colombia, Bolivia and Perú. Also she is advisor for CES University in Colombia and Academic peer for the Ministry of Education in Colombia.

Elizabeth Kurian is a leader in global eye health, with over three decades of experience spanning social development, research, policy, and governance. As the Chief Executive Officer and a Trustee of Mission for Vision, she is dedicated to advancing Universal Eye Health and driving sustainable development through innovative strategies and partnerships.

Previously, Elizabeth held key leadership roles at Nielsen and Sightsavers, where she served as CEO for India and later as Global Director for Advocacy. She has successfully led large-scale programmes in complex environments, shaping policy and practice to improve health outcomes.

Elizabeth is the Co-Chair of WHO’s Strategic and Technical Advisory Group for the SPECS 2030 initiative, is a Trustee of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), and an advisor on various boards and committees. Her contributions to the sector have been widely recognized through awards and publications.

Passionate about driving transformation, Elizabeth continues to champion universal eye health as a critical enabler of global health and development.

With over 30 years of progressive experience in the eye health sector, including 17 years with EssilorLuxottica. With proven expertise in both the optical industry and program development, Kris led the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation in Canada, where he directed impactful vision correction initiatives that positively changed the lives of hundreds of thousands of medically underserved people. Kris joined Operation Eyesight as Global Director - International Programs, where he leads the organization's successful teams in Africa and South Asia.  

Based in Ottawa, Canada, Kris also enjoys a wealth of experience in professional and government relations. He has engaged in advocacy at various levels to prioritize visual health and the importance of eye care. He has demonstrated strong leadership in developing multi-disciplinary teams in complex environments, instrumental in driving continued growth in impact and strengthening global partnerships. 

A graduate of Carleton University with further studies in psychology and neuroscience, Kris’s dedication to personal and professional growth complements Operation Eyesight’s approach to sustainable impact and community engagement.

Kuldeep Singh is the Asia Regional Director with Seva Foundation, leading programs and teams across Bangladesh, Cambodia, Nepal, and India. He has worked with the Government of India and in global consulting before venturing out into eye health. He is an Acumen Fellow and on the board of Vision 2020 India.

Cindy is currently President Elect of the World Council of Optometry and is a Past President of the European Council of Optometry and Optics. 

She has held a number of national roles which include President and Chair of the Board of Trustees of the College of Optometrists UK. She works in clinical practice as a Consultant Optometrist at Manchester Royal Eye Hospital, UK and is a Visiting Consultant at Mater Dei Hospital, Malta.

H.E. Dr. Walton Webson is the Permanent Representative of the Mission of Antigua and Barbuda and Founder/Co-chair of the UN Friends of Vision Group. Previously, Ambassador Webson worked for several international nongovernment organizations including Sight Savers International of the (UK), The Caribbean Council for the Blind, (Antigua and Barbuda), Hellen Keller International of New York and Perkins International.

At the UN, Ambassador Webson has served as President for UNICEF, chaired numerous steering committees and was the lead sponsor on two resolutions affecting the lives of persons with disabilities around the world and is considered as a champion on disabilities issues and a leading voice on issues of Small States.

Originally from Chile and based in Manila, Philippines, with an undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Concepcion, Chile, and a PhD in Psychology and Science Languages from University College London. With over a decade of professional experience, contributions span academia, government, and international organizations, including roles with the Chilean Ministry of Health, the University of Chile, and University College London.

International experience includes work with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs in New York, UNDP in Panama, and the WHO Western Pacific Office in the Philippines as a Consultant in Sensory Functions. Research focuses on social factors influencing outcomes for people with disabilities, combined with extensive expertise in public policy in sensory health, sustainable development, and evidence-based analysis. Current efforts at WHO concentrate on managing eye and vision, and ear and hearing care programmes to support regional member states at the Western Pacific Region.

Prof Nathan Congdon, MD, MPH, is Ulverscroft Chair of Global Eye Health at Queen’s University Belfast and Director of Research for ORBIS International. Prof Congdon is a Visiting Professor at Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) in Guangzhou, and was based there and elsewhere in China for nearly ten years. 

He received an AB degree from Princeton University and an MPhil from Cambridge, both in Oriental studies, and is fluent in written and spoken Chinese.  His medical and public health education and ophthalmology training were at Johns Hopkins University.

Prof Congdon’s work involves the design and evaluation of high-quality, low-cost models of eye care delivery in low and middle-income countries. He increasingly focuses on trials assessing the impact of vision care on development outcomes such as educational performance, workplace productivity and traffic safety.

Prof Congdon has received the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology’s highest prize for blindness prevention work in 2009, a Chinese government Thousand Man Plan award in 2011, a Wellcome Trust Investigator Award in 2021 and election to the Sigma Xi Science Research Honor Society in 2024. His research has been supported by the UK government MRC, Wellcome Trust, EU, World Diabetes Foundation, USAID, WHO, World Bank, the United States NIH, several NGOs and the governments of China and Hong Kong. He has over 340 peer-reviewed publications in journals including Lancet Global Health, BMJ and JAMA, and an H-index of 75.

Jennifer is a leader in the international not for profit sector and is recognised for her passion and commitment to eye health and gender equity and inclusion. 

Jennifer joined The Fred Hollows Foundation in 2016. In addition to managing sector engagement globally and leading advocacy efforts across The Foundation, she champions working to end gender discrimination in eye health and embed equity and inclusion in all aspects of The Foundation’s work. 

As a member of Women in Global Health Australia, Jennifer was elected to their Global Gender Equality in Health Leadership Committee and recently was selected to represent the Pacific Region on the newly formed international Women in Global Health Chapter Steering Committee.

Jennifer is a Trustee on the Board of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness where she chairs the Gender Equity Work Group. 

Jennifer has extensive experience leading a range of social marketing campaigns - raising awareness, changing behaviour and influencing key decision makers. She has worked across government, health, disability and international development sectors and has a reputation for fostering collaboration and delivering results by applying innovative strategic approaches to advocacy.

He Wei, MD, PhD, MBA, a national high-level talent, professor, doctoral supervisor, member of the Chinese People's Political Consultative Conference National Committee during 2008-2022, and President of Western Returned Scholars Association of Liaoning Province. Prof. He Wei is the Founder and President of He Eye Specialist Hospital Group, Founder of He University, Founder of He Vision Industry Group. Professor He Wei and his team have founded more than 120 eye hospitals and a chain of ophthalmology and optometry clinics in China.

Prof. He Wei is the Board Member of AOPT, Elected Trustee of IAPB, Board Member of OF, and Board Member of the former ICO. Prof. He Wei is the Deputy Chairman of China National Prevention of Blindness Technical Guidance Committee, Vice Chairman of the Ophthalmology Committee of the Chinese Geriatrics Society, Vice Chairman of the Ophthalmology Committee of the China Association of Medical Equipment, Vice Chairman of the Ophthalmology Committee, Chinese Medicine Industry-Education Integration Promotion Committee, Chairman of the Ophthalmic Pathology Sub-committee of COS , and so on.

Professor He Wei won the Excellence Vision Award and Outstanding Contribution Award of IAPB, Outstanding Contribution Award of APAO, Chinese Charity Award, Outstanding Contributor Award of Chinese Charity, Chinese Physician Award, Chinese Ophthalmologist Award, The Excellent Doctor of China.

Ralf Toenjes is an internationally recognized social entrepreneur, named by Forbes as one of Brazil’s most promising leaders on the Under 30 list and awarded Social Entrepreneur of the Year (Under 35). He is a United Nations Young Leader for the SDGs—one of only 17 chosen worldwide—and was recognized as a Global Influential Leader by AACSB and as Health Chair of Brazil’s National Youth Council. Ralf holds degrees in Business Administration and Economics from Insper and Law from USP.

As Co-founder and President of Renovatio, he leads one of Brazil’s most impactful organizations, eliminating barriers to eye care and eyeglasses access. Renovatio’s mobile eye clinics have reached over 500,000 people across Brazil, Mozambique, Haiti, India, and Guinea-Bissau. Ralf also co-founded Juntos Pela Visão, a national alliance dedicated to transforming eye care in Brazil. Beyond social impact, he teaches ESG at Insper and has spoken at the World Economic Forum, TEDx, and other global stages. A Fundação Estudar scholar, Ralf was invited to lunch with Warren Buffett, highlighting his growing international influence.

Subeesh Kuyyadiyil is a committed Public Eye Health professional with a diverse experience of more than 16 years. Core Strength includes building and management of high volume, high quality and financially self-sustainable eye hospitals and management of larger community based national and international eye care projects in challenging areas.

As a Mexican ophthalmologist and CEO of the Asociación Para Evitar la Ceguera en México (APEC), she is deeply committed to advancing eye health not only in Mexico but throughout Latin America. With this passion and dedication, she has served as the Regional President for Latin America for the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB), contributing to the ambitious goals outlined in the 2030 InSight initiative. Her training and experience uniquely position her to collaborate with the IAPB and help drive the necessary efforts to make real progress in Latin America.

She has led initiatives to combat blindness and visual impairment, working directly with governments, healthcare providers, and local communities. This hands-on experience has given her the perspective needed to understand the multifaceted challenges in Latin America, from limited access to care in rural areas to low awareness of eye diseases.

At the IAPB, she ensures political engagement at the international level, particularly in preparation for the First Global Summit on Eye Health in 2026. This summit will be crucial in advancing global eye health goals, requiring strong political support and a clear strategy for implementation. Her commitment to involving world leaders and decision-makers helps drive significant political change in Latin America’s eye health landscape.

Chimgee Chuluunkhuu is the Country Director for Orbis International in Mongolia, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing pediatric eye health infrastructure and services nationwide. Under her leadership, Orbis has expanded programs that deliver essential eye care to underserved rural communities and strengthen screening and treatment services for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) and diabetic retinopathy (DR). She also oversees school-based eye health initiatives, ensuring children receive the vision care they need for a brighter future.

She holds an MSc in Public Health for Eye Care from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM).

Civil Engineer and independent social entreprenuer with more than 10 years experience in health expeditions in remote indigenous, quilombolas and riverside communities in Brazil.

IAPB Latin America Sub-Regional Co-Chair, Co-founder and coordinator of Social Impact in Eye Health and also actively involved in implementing high-impact EyeCare programs in different NGOs in Brazil. Also collaborates in community empowerment for sustainable projects.

Professionally works as independent consultant in Project Management in the filed of healthcare engineering, management and health tech.

Azra Herceg is a dedicated EBO-certified ophthalmologist and public health advocate, with a strong commitment to fighting preventable blindness. Having served as the State Secretary at the Ministry of Health in Slovenia, she has played a pivotal role in shaping health policies at both national and international levels. As the coordinator of the Strategic Council for Healthcare at Slovenia's Prime Minister's Office, and the leader of Slovene delegations to the WHO General Assembly, UN General Assembly, and EPSCO Council meetings, her work experience extends beyond her clinical practice.

Her passion for eye health is deeply rooted in her medical background, including her specialization in ophthalmology at the University Medical Centre Ljubljana. Here, she has been actively involved in both clinical practice and research. Her primary research field includes keratoconus and specialized contact lenses where she's been successful in including crosslinking into medical practice at her institution.

Dr. Herceg's motivation stems from witnessing the profound impact that vision loss can have on individuals and communities. She is driven by a vision of a world where preventable blindness is eradicated and strives to make cutting-edge treatments accessible to all.

Raba Thapa MD, PhD is a Professor of Ophthalmology at National Academy of Medical Sciences (NAMS), and a senior consultant vitreo-retinal surgeon at Tilganga Institute of Ophthalmology (TIO), Kathmandu, Nepal. Currently, she is working as a head of vitreo-retina department and chief of research department at TIO. She has published over 60 articles in many peer reviewed journals..

She is working as a member of the diabetic retinopathy working group of International Agency for the Prevention of Blind (IAPB). She was consultant expert member of the ""Diabetic Retinopathy: A Call for Global Action A policy brief by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness and the International Diabetes Federation"".

She worked as a coordinator of development of National guideline for the management of diabetic retinopathy and development of advocacy strategy for integration of diabetic retinopathy in public health system in Nepal, endorsed by the Ministry of Health, Government of Nepal on 2017, supported by the Fred Hollows Foundation and World Diabetes Foundation.

She is working as a coordinator and focal person of diabetic retinopathy program at TIO. She is the principal investigator of Diabetic Retinopathy Registry in Nepal, started from July 2024. 

She has received many national and international research awards including Association of Research in Vision and Ophthalmology (ARVO) Foundation Collaborative Research Fellowship Award, 2022, USA.

Nadiya leads Public Affairs for the EMEA region at Santen, a global pharmaceutical company specializing in ophthalmology. In this role, she works to elevate eye health as a public health priority.

She has a background in international relations and previously worked in the global health and multilateral sectors. Nadiya is currently pursuing a Master’s in Social Innovation at the University of Cambridge, where she is exploring innovative approaches to addressing pressing global challenges."

Anna is the Director of Capability Building at IAPB, where she works to strengthen systems leadership across the eye health sector. With over a decade of experience leading coalitions for change across public, third, and commercial sectors internationally and in the UK, she specializes in designing initiatives that bring diverse stakeholders together to drive systemic change. Her background includes coordinating advocacy and systems change efforts in education and child rights, as well as expertise in public participation in policymaking.

She is also trained in leadership development and experiential education, with a particular interest in participatory methodologies such as Forum Theatre, Theatre of the Oppressed, and Legislative Theatre. Anna brings this diversity of experience to her working in supporting the eye health sector to develop the leadership and collaboration needed to achieve the goals of 2030 In Sight.

At just 26 years old, Samit Sakib Gore is transforming affordable eye health through innovative, sustainable solutions. As Director of Operations and Innovation at Vision Friend Sakib Gore, he has scaled it from a first-generation self-funded initiative to a global model. His work has reached 1,217 villages in rural India, impacting millions through free eye tests, cataract surgeries, and screenings for glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

Inspired by his father, Sakib Gore, and a realization during the COVID-19 pandemic, Samit co-founded Vision Friend Eyewear in 2022, ensuring affordable spectacles while funding free eye care. Knowing affordability alone wasn’t enough, he co-founded VCU (We See You) Series, offering ultra-affordable eyewear at just $0.38 exclusively to NGOs, governments, and social enterprises worldwide. His initiatives address uncorrected presbyopia, a leading cause of vision impairment affecting over half of adults over 35, with women disproportionately impacted in low- and middle-income countries.

His Young Eyes initiative targets myopia prevention in schools, aligning with WHO & IAPB’s Specs 2030 goals. Recognized as an IAPB Systems Leader, Samit is on a mission to expand his impact to 100,000 villages globally, proving that sustainability just not charity is the key to ending vision impairment. We have made eyewear affordable, but we need organizations & partners to make it accessible. We see you. We see the change you’re making. Let’s see together."

Brad Wong is the Chief Economist at the Seva Foundation, President of Mettalytics, and a Non-Resident Fellow at the Center for Global Development. With a background in applied economics, his research focuses on identifying highly effective uses of development resources.

In eye health, Brad’s work focuses on quantifying the broader societal benefits of vision restoration and integrating them into economic evaluation. He led the first systematic review of the non-health benefits of refractive error and cataract correction, demonstrating that the social return on investment in eye care rivals some of the most impactful interventions in global health and development.

Brad continues to advance the case for vision as a high-impact, cost-effective intervention, ensuring that eye health is recognized not just as a medical issue, but as a critical driver of economic and social well-being.

As the Director of Global Primary Care and Country Director for India at Cure Blindness Project, I lead the organization’s initiatives to enhance access to eye care and prevent blindness worldwide. With over twenty years of experience in the development sector, I possess the skills to navigate complex local and global initiatives and create sustainable solutions for preventable blindness. My expertise includes strategic networking, corporate social responsibility, and project management.

For the past six years, I have been involved in strategizing and executing eye care interventions globally, collaborating with local communities, governments, and stakeholders to develop region-specific solutions. In my dual role, I act as a bridge between on-the-ground implementation in India and global strategies that drive our mission forward.

I am passionate about promoting sustainable development, inclusive growth, and community upliftment. I aim to make a lasting impact on millions affected by preventable blindness, whether in India or other regions where we work. Through strategic planning and collaboration, I focus on improving access to eye care, reducing vision loss, and ensuring no one is excluded from the pursuit of better health and quality of life. Preventing blindness is not only a health issue, but also a means of empowering individuals to realize their full potential.

I am a public health ophthalmologist working in public health and international eye health. As a Global Medical Advisor, I support the development of sustainable and scalable eye care program, cataract quality improvement programs and lead the development and implementation of clinical governance, human resource development and strengthening quality of eye care across the countries where foundation works. I have more than 16 years of experience in clinical and surgical management of eye diseases and have performed more than 80,000 ocular surgeries including 65000 cataract surgeries and have an extensive experience in developing and delivering surgical training programs as well as overseeing the training of optometrists, residents, and nurses.

I have completed M.Sc. in Public Health for Eye Care from LSHTM and have been trained as Institute of Health Care Improvement (IHI) Improvement coach. I have developed and delivered training of trainers on quality improvement‚ minimum standards for cataract services, five-year cataract quality improvement roadmap, cataract quality improvement workshops in various Asian and African countries. My current focus is on improving and strengthening quality of cataract services, building capacity on cataract quality improvement methodologies, and monitoring the quality of eye care services.

Gopal Prasad Pokharel is a distinguished ophthalmologist with over 40 years experience in ophthalmology and public health. He holds an MD in Ophthalmology from All India Institute of Medical Sciences and Master of Public Health from Johns Hopkins University. He also completed Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship at Johns Hopkins University.

Pokharel played a key role in establishing Mechi Eye Hospital as the Founder Chairman. He has held significant positions, including Member and Secretary of Nepal Eye Hospital's management committee, and currently Chairman of the hospital. Additionally, he served as the chairman of the Institutional Research Review Board and Member of the Management Committee at NNJS and as a Technical Advisor for the Lions Global SightFirst Program in Nepal and Bangladesh.

Pokharel has worked with national and international organizations like the Government of Nepal, WHO, and the National Eye Institute in the USA. His professional work includes pioneering blindness prevention and refractive error surveys in Nepal, India, China, Chile and South Africa. He has earned prestigious awards including the Carl Kupfer International Award for Prevention of Blindness and the Lifetime Achievement Award from the APAO.

With numerous scientific publications and memberships in professional organizations like the Nepal Medical Association and Nepal Ophthalmic Society, Dr. Pokharel is a respected figure in ophthalmology and public health.

Tigist Tulu Gelashe serves as the Program Manager for Outreach and Quality at the Cure Blindness Project in Ethiopia, where she plays a pivotal role in advancing eye care services and addressing preventable blindness. Tigist graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Optometry from the University of Gondar in 2014 and later earned a Master’s Degree in Project Management from Lunar University in 2024.

Her academic achievements have provided her with a solid foundation in strategic planning and program leadership.Her public health experience includes collaboration with five national and international organizations to address backlogs of trachomatous trichiasis (TT) and cataracts, particularly in Ethiopia's Amhara and Southern regions. In these efforts, Tigist served as both a supportive team member and lead the outerach team, showcasing her expertise in community-based eye care initiatives.

Tigist continues to scale impactful programs that enhance eye health services. Her dedication has positively influenced countless lives across Ethiopia, Her work aligns with the mission of eliminating preventable blindness and promoting sustainable eye care solutions. By fostering partnerships and sharing best practices, Tigist continues to scale impactful programs that enhance eye health services. Her dedication has positively influenced countless lives across Ethiopia, particularly in underserved communities, as she leads efforts to ensure access to affordable and high-quality eye care.

Casey launched the movement at the World Economic Forum’s Davos Summit in 2019 and since then has signed up 500 multinational organisations with a combined revenue of over $8 trillion, employing 20 million people worldwide to radically transform the business system. The membership includes 36 of the FTSE 100 companies, 46 of the Fortune 500 and 28 of the Nikkei.

Appointed President of the IAPB in 2021, Caroline also sits on several diversity and inclusion boards to include L’Oréal, Sanofi and Sky and is a much sought-after speaker. Caroline has received an honorary doctorate as well as multiple awards and accolades for her work as a disability activist.

He pursued his education in Nigeria, Austria, and London, specialising in Ophthalmology and Community Eye Health.

After practising in Nigeria for eight years, he returned to Pakistan, holding prominent roles in blindness prevention and community ophthalmology.

Since 1997, he has served as the Medical Advisor for CBM, focusing on inclusive eye health and neglected tropical diseases from Cambridge, UK.

Qureshi holds leadership positions in various organisations, including the Eastern Mediterranean Region Alliance for Trachoma Control and the Ophthalmology Foundation Board.

In 2021, he was appointed Vice President of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

His contributions have earned him prestigious awards, such as the Prince Abdulaziz Bin Ahmed Al Saud Award, the Champalimaud Vision Award, and the IAPB Vision Excellence Award.

Fellowship in Pediatric Ophthalmology and Adult strabismus - completed from University of Utah, USA and Aravind Eye Hospital,India MD Ophthalmology form Tribhuvan University, Nepal MBBS from Lady Hardinge Medical college, New Delhi

IAPB is the overarching alliance for the global eye care sector with more than 200 members from the NGO and corporate sectors worldwide leading the effort to provide eye care to more than a billion people who do not have access.

He has senior leadership experience in a number of major organisations, and a background in developing international policy, building effective partnerships, and tackling complex and controversial international issues.

He joined IAPB from OPM Group, a UK-based research and engagement consultancy, where he was Chief Executive. Before that he led on strategy at the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB). He previously worked for the UK’s Foreign and Commonwealth Office where he had a range of roles including postings to India and senior policy positions on counter narcotics, Afghanistan, and international intellectual property policy. He began his career in the UK’s National Health Service, spending 10 years developing primary services in south London.

She works in research and capacity strengthening in global eye health with a focus on improving eye health in low and middle income countries (LMICs).

Amanda currently holds the position Director of Strategic Initiatives with the Fred Hollows Foundation. For the past 8 years, Amanda has also held the elected position of Chair of the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) in the Western Pacific region. She is the Chair of the Political Engagement Group for the Vision Summit and Co-chair of the Refractive Error Core Strategy group. Amanda is also a Foundation Committee member of the WHO SPECS Initiative.

Her professional background includes many years in the corporate world at Procter & Gamble and Bain & Company and experience in clinical quality improvement as a leader at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital. She earned her BA at Princeton University and holds an MBA from Northwestern/Kellogg. K-T believes in the power of collaboration to tackle the world's toughest challenges and looks forward to working together with others to help ensure that everyone everywhere has access to quality vision care.

Over half of these patients receive care either free or at steeply subsidised rates through internal financing. In 1992, he co-founded Lions Aravind Institute of Community Ophthalmology, which has mentored over 380 hospitals and trained over 2,600 eye-care professionals from across the globe.

He has been an advisor on several national and international bodies including WHO. He was IAPB’s Southeast Asia’s Regional Chair and was the Founder President of Vision 2020 India. He is or has been on the Board of Aurolab, Acumen Fund, Seva Foundation and Indian Institute of Management-Calcutta.

Clinical A/Prof Anna CS TAN is a master clinician, avid researcher and advocate for the visually impaired, women in ophthalmology and young ophthalmologists. She currently is the Director of Global Eye Health for the Singapore National Eye Centre and leads numerous projects and initiatives to improve eye health in the ASEAN region.

Prior to that, He also spent eight years in the blindness disability sector promoting the human rights of people who are blind or vision impaired and was recognised with a Victorian Government award in 2014 for his leadership in disability advocacy. In his role with The Fred Hollows Foundation over the past eight years, Brandon has been responsible for advancing global eye health norms and policy through multilateral platforms such as the WHO and UN General Assembly. He is a current Board Director of Vision 2020 Australia and a member of Blind Citizens Australia.

He currently chairs the Vision 2030 and Beyond and the Global Health Committee of RANZCO; is a director of Vision 2020 and a member of the International Engagement Committee of RACS. In 2000, he initiated the East Timor Eye Program, to establish a self-sufficient national eye care program for the people of Timor Leste. Twenty-five years later, the is run by the Timorese government and, in the last decade, the prevalence of blindness in Timor Leste has decreased from 7.7% to2.9. Nitin is a founding member of the St John Ophthalmic Association, the global arm of St John Eye Hospital in Jerusalem. served as Hospitaller and was recently invested as a Knight of the Order of St John. In recognition of his service, Nitin has been awarded: The Order of Australia; The Order Timor Leste; The RANZCO Distinguished Service Award and College Medal; The APAO Distinguished Service Award and Meritorious Service Award for the Prevention of Blindness; Companion of the RACS and The Pride of Australia Role Model Award. He was Hobart Citizen of the Year in 2013.

Ms. Paula has presented as a speaker in many prestigious Optometry and Public health platforms. She is currently working as the Chief Operations Manager, with Optometry Confederation of India which was established as a Self-Regulatory body for the profession of Optometry in India.

OCI aims to address the problem of inaccessibility, unavailability, and affordability of eye care services in rural /semi urban landscapes of India through Optometry intervention and create awareness about the profession of Optometry.

She has been into community optometry for almost a decade now and believes that her education in social work has helped a lot to connect with the community and develop new strategies on service delivery and advocacy for the profession.

Currently, she is Head of Gender Advocacy and Engagement at The Fred Hollows Foundation, where she champions gender equity in eye health globally. Her leadership has influenced policy, such as developing a gender and eye health brief with UN Women and organising advocacy events at the UN Commission for the Status of Women.

As Vice-Chair of Sutton Vision, Louisa has spearheaded strategic development and fundraising efforts, raising over £1m to support individuals with vision impairment living in the London borough of Sutton. Her past roles include Global Lead for Partnerships at the British Council and Head of UK Funding at Save the Children UK, where her innovative strategies significantly exceeded targets.

A skilled strategist and coalition-builder, Louisa is passionate about fostering systemic change through collaboration. She holds an MA in Cyberculture and Law from Macquarie University and a BA in History and Political Science from the University of Melbourne. Louisa’s leadership journey is defined by her commitment to inclusion, innovation, and impact.

After serving Tanahun District for 2 years he was transferred to Kanti Children’s Hospital and in 2007 joined MD Pediatrics Residency at Institute of Medicine Maharajgunj Medical Campus, Tribhuvan University and completed it in 2010. He has served as different roles as a Medical officer and consultant Pediatrician at Kanti Children’s Hospital. Since 2013, He has served as Chief Consultant Pediatrician, chief of Unit, Head of Department as well as Director at Kanti Children’s Hospital as well as Associate Professor of Pediatrics at Kanti Children’s Hospital - Pediatrics Department of Pediatrics of NAMS. He did his Master of Public Health as an Australia Awards Scholarship at University of Melbourne in 2019 and he also served as Director of Child Health Division with leads National Immunization Program, Community based IMNCI and Childhood Nutrition and during COVID 19 pandemic led Epidemiology and Disease Control Division of Department of Health Service and now as chief of Policy Planning and Monitoring Division Ministry of Health and Population and National Focal point for Eye Health in Nepal.

Imran obtained his Doctorate in Optometry concurrently with an MSc in Low Vision Rehabilitation from Salus University and completed a residency from the University of California, Berkeley. His interest in international eye care led him to complete a Masters in Public Health (MPH) from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, and completed a Masters in Business Administration from the EuroMBA consortium. He has held faculty positions in the U.S., New Zealand, and the Netherlands.

Sabrina's growing professional expertise includes health economics and public health research, advocacy and policy analysis. She is dedicated to advancing eye health initiatives and improving public health outcomes.

She works closely with her team to implement innovative solutions and drive impactful projects, fostering a collaborative and supportive environment.

A prolific researcher, she has authored 188 peer-reviewed publications and led key projects, including the SN DREAMS, SMART India project and currently ICMR funded SMART (AI enabled) Diabetic Retinopathy Outcomes and Pathways. Dr. Rani has played a vital role in DR screening programs, optometrist training, and rural eye health initiatives. She has received multiple accolades, including the Nigerian Ophthalmology Society President Lecture Award (2022). She holds faculty positions at the University of Rochester. Her expertise extends to community eye health and AI-driven teleophthalmology solutions.

She has served in the Directorate of Non-Communicable Diseases for more than 14 years, and for the last 10 years, she has been focusing on the prevention and control of sensory and functional impairment. She is also active in joining projects and collaborating with several INGOs in the field of eye health.

Khanna has led multiple studies, including the cohort of Andhra Pradesh Eye Disease Study (APEDS) – a milestone study. He has to his credit over 200 peer-reviewed publications, is on the editorial boards of several journals, and has been awarded several prestigious research grants (including Wellcome) for his work focusing on studying the outcomes of different interventions as well as on geriatric and child eye health.

A recipient of the IAPB Eye Health Leader Award and Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology's Blindness Prevention Award, Dr Khanna has vast experience in leading capacity building initiatives, and working as consultant for both national and global organizations, including IAPB and WHO.

Satish Mishra is an Occupational therapist by training with a Diploma in Business Management from India, along with a Master’s in Public Health and Doctorate of Public Health from the United Kingdom.

Over the course of his two and half decade career, Satish has worked to increase access to health care for people with disabilities; strengthen rehabilitation services and improve access to assistive products; and build the evidence base for disability, rehabilitation and assistive technology. Satish has worked in over seventy countries across the globe, including low- and middle- income countries, in both humanitarian and developmental contexts. His previous work focused on strengthening policies and service delivery for people in need of rehabilitation and assistive technology, including people with disabilities, older people, people with noncommunicable diseases, and people with various other health
conditions. Satish has authored several publications on the topics of disability, rehabilitation and assistive technology.

So far, she has developed an excellent publication record with over 140 manuscripts published in prestigious journals (such as Nature Communication, JAMA Network Open, Stroke, Lancet eClinicalMedicine and Ophthalmology), and attracted more than 1600 citations. She has given poster and oral presentations at international and national conferences. A/Prof Zhu has been successful in securing $1.5 Million AUD funding as CIA. She has received prestigious awards, such as Australian Global Talent, Victoria Fellowship and Top cited author in Wiley.

A rising academic global ophthalmologist, Mattan graduated valedictorian from the Technion Medical School and achieved the highest national score on Israel’s Ophthalmology Residency Exam. He has published extensively, authored book chapters, and serves as Clinical Coordinator for the Global Retinoblastoma (RB) Study. His research spans global eye health priorities, including barriers to cataract surgical coverage in LMICs, RAAB-based surgical outcomes, trachoma, malarial retinopathy, and RB.

Mattan facilitated the Silk Road RB Project, enabling Afghan children with RB to access life-saving care in Pakistan. As Co-Chair of the IAPB Humanitarian Response Working Group, he advocates for integrating eye health into emergency frameworks, establishing referral pathways, and expanding specialized training in resource-limited regions.

Committed to addressing epistemic injustice in global health, Mattan empowers researchers in the Global South. Currently pursuing an MSc in Public Health for Eye Care at LSHTM, he continues to drive innovation and advocacy in global eye health. He was recognized with the 2023 David Hunter Cherwek, MD Award for his contributions to advancing equity worldwide.

She is the Head of Community Ophthalmology Division and a Continuing Education, Research and Community Engagement Coordinator in FMUI/RSCM. She serves as an editor at Ophthalmologica Indonesiana Journal. She was former chairs of Community Ophthalmology Interest Group of IOA and General Secretary of Indonesia National Committee of Prevention of Blindness (Komatnas). As an International Agency for Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) Indonesia Country Chair, she has been involved in conceptualizing national action plans for blindness and visual impairment management with the Ministry of Health and all national and international stakeholders.

Today, as a Programme Management Lead at Peek, Keitumetse is committed to advancing global efforts to improve access to eye care, ensuring that no one loses their vision unnecessarily. She supports Peek’s partners in developing and implementing impactful eye health programmes aimed at addressing the eye health need in their communities, schools and workplaces.

Driven by a strong desire to improve people’s overall wellbeing, she leverages her experience in eye health to drive innovative solutions that create lasting social impact.

Additionally, he serves as an expert in the ophthalmic optics committees within the International Standards Organizations and as a Senior Collaborator in the Global Burden of Disease project at the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation.

As an Optometrist by training, Raul possesses extensive experience in engaging with key decision-makers to influence public health policies at both national and international levels. His work focuses on improving global eye care standards and ensuring access to quality vision care for all.

In his 10 years’ experience at Safilo, he covered different roles in Product Creation and Development Department in Italy and US, before being nominated as Global Sustainability Manager in 2022. He is now based in Padua, Italy. Simone holds his master’s degree in Materials Engineering as well as a bachelor’s in Industrial Engineering both obtained at the University of Trento - Italy, where he worked as a Research Assistant for 1 year after the graduation before moving to Safilo.

My career is marked by strategic and technical leadership across high-impact programs in health systems strengthening, health equity and resource optimization, health economics, health policy and planning, and maternal and child health. I am adept at leading diverse, multi-disciplinary teams to achieve exceptional outcomes through visionary leadership and strategic direction. My experience extends to program management, capacity building, quality of care improvement, policy advocacy, and operations research ensuring that programs not only meet but exceed expectations.

I excel in strategic planning, business development, partnership building, and organizational learning, with proven expertise in grants management and monitoring and evaluation. Currently serving as the Country Representative for the Coalition for Clear Vision in Kenya, I spearhead the coordination and strategic implementation of eye health NGO's, working closely with MoH, driving impactful change and fostering collaborations that strengthen community health systems.

Gail Grant works as an External Affairs Director, Intercontinental Region for AbbVie, a global biopharmaceutical company. Gail has worked in healthcare policy advocacy for Healthcare providers, medical professionals and the Pharmaceutical industry. She has successfully driven public health campaigns to introduce legislative reform in the UK as well as shaping national dialogue on healthcare sustainability and capacity building, with a particular interest in patient education, advocacy and access to treatment.

Jacqueline Grove has over 15 years of experience in the vision sector, previously with Luxottica Retail and currently with National Vision Inc. Her roles have been quite diverse ranging from SVP of Store Operations, Training and Development, DEIB and Philanthropy.

In 2020, Grove took over as President of National Vision’s Charitable Foundation, 20/20

Quest, and leads National Vision’s efforts to end the Global Vision Crisis.  In 2021, Grove was named one of Vision Monday’s Most Influential Women in Optical.

In addition, Grove heads The Coalition for Clear Vision, an international and country-level coalition in Kenya aimed at demonstrating tangible achievement of uncorrected refractive error coverage rates. She is also involved with the WHO Specs Normative and Private Sector workstreams.

She resides in Cincinnati, Ohio in the US, and loves to travel, camp, boat and hike any chance she gets.

Originally from Chile and based in Manila, Philippines, with an undergraduate degree in Rehabilitation Sciences from the University of Concepcion, Chile, and a PhD in Psychology and Science Languages from University College London.

With over a decade of professional experience, contributions span academia, government, and international organizations, including roles with the Chilean Ministry of Health, the University of Chile, and University College London. International experience includes work with the UN Department of Economic and Social Affairs in New York, UNDP in Panama, and the WHO Western Pacific Office in the Philippines as a Consultant in Sensory Functions. Research focuses on social factors influencing outcomes for people with disabilities, combined with extensive expertise in public policy in sensory health, sustainable development, and evidence-based analysis. Current efforts at WHO concentrate on managing eye and vision, and ear and hearing care programmes to support regional member states at the Western Pacific Region.

EDUCATION: B. Optom, Elite School Of Optometry, Chennai, India,

M.S., Clinical Optometry, Pennsylvania College of Optometry at Salus University, Philadelphia, USA, FCOVD – I, COVD, USA, FALAF, Australia, PhD, Chitkara University, India, Pursuing FNORA, NORA, USA

PRESENT POSITIONS: Principal, Sankara College of Optometry, Bangalore, Mentor, Optometry, SEFI, Adjunct faculty, Pennsylvania College of Optometry, Salus University, USA, Member, curriculum task force committee, MOHFW, GOI, Member, expert, ICAHP (Ophthalmic Sciences) MOHFW, GOI, President, Association of Schools and Colleges of Optometry, India

Caio Abujamra is an executive and entrepreneur in visual health in Brazil since 2019. After his father's passing, he assumed the presidency of the Suel Abujamra Institute, rescuing it from a severe financial crisis. Under his leadership, the Institute became Brazil’s largest provider of ophthalmic care for the SUS, quadrupling its service volume and earning global recognition, including acceptance into the World Association of Eye Hospitals (WAEH). 

In 2024, he was named *Young System Leader* by the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) for his transformative impact on visual health. He founded *Aldeia em Foco*, the largest Indigenous visual health initiative in Brazil, using AI, teleophthalmology, and portable equipment to provide care without requiring Indigenous people to leave their territories. In 2024 alone, the project conducted over 10,000 consultations, donated 6,000 eyeglasses, and performed 280+ surgeries. 

As co-founder of *Juntos pela Visão*, an alliance of multiple NGOs dedicated to expanding access to visual health in Brazil, he has spearheaded innovative, high-impact initiatives that revolutionized eye care, establishing the country as a global reference in overcoming barriers to visual health."

Oteri Eme Okolo MSc (PHEC), FMCOphth, FWACS. Dr. Okolo Oteri Eme is a visionary public eye health ophthalmologist with expertise in policy development and analysis, program management, coordination, and advocacy.

A recipient of many prestigious awards, including Hooper Prize: Best Dissertation Public Health in Eye Care, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London 2022,  and highly commended finalist, International Alumni of the Year, PIEoneer Awards 2024 UK. Academic awards in Nigeria include E.O Akinsete Best Candidate National Postgraduate Medical College (NPMCN) part II Examination 2012, Majekodunmi Award: Best dissertation NPMCN part II Examination 2012, Oyin Olurin Award: Best candidate NPMCN part I Examination 2009, Dr. Oteri has carved a niche for herself in the eye health sector.

Recently, she was appointed associate faculty at the Ariadne Lab Havard T.H Chan School of Public Health/ Bingham Children and Women’s Hospital and awarded a fully funded scholarship to the globally acclaimed Global Health Care Leaders Programme 2024-25 session at the prestigious Havard Medical School.

Currently, Dr. Oteri serves as National Coordinator at the National Eye Health Programme, Federal Ministry of Health, and Social Welfare, driving innovation and excellence for eye care services.

Fiona is a health policy adviser with Sightsavers covering areas such as eye health, inclusive data, climate and health and health equity. She works to ensure that eye health is included in broader health and development conversations at a global level in the UN and WHO and ensuring that equity is at the heart of the discussions. She leads engagement for Sightsavers with the WHO SPECS Network, the Friends of Vision UN group, the IAPB advocacy group and on UK government engagement through Action for Global Health.

Having initially trained as an optometrist, Fiona previously worked at Mzuzu University teaching optometry in Malawi, worked with the Irish government development agency (Irish Aid) on EU development aid engagement and currently serves on the Women in Global Health Ireland core team working to advance gender equity in health leadership.

Joy Koech is the Head of Inclusive Health Programmes at CBM. As a Public Health Specialist, she brings extensive experience in Public Health Programming and Health System Strengthening in low and middle-income countries. Joy is a dedicated advocate for health equity and enhancing access to care. She is passionate about building and strengthening resilient health systems in these regions, where she contributes to developing and implementing standards that promote inclusive health practices.

In her work with Inclusive Health Programmes, Joy advocates for health systems that are accessible and equitable for all, particularly for individuals with disabilities. She believes that health system strengthening, digital health innovations, and good health governance, when combined, can significantly improve health outcomes for all.

Joy has also been actively involved in advocacy efforts, working with various stakeholders to promote inclusive health policies and practices. She has successfully led campaigns to raise awareness about the importance of accessible healthcare and has collaborated with government agencies and non-governmental organizations to influence policy changes that benefit communities.

Sarah Khor specializes in international alliance development, advocacy, and government affairs in the healthcare and pharmaceutical sector.

She spent ten years working in the EU Brussels policy environment before shifting focus to an international level, where she has worked in various global pharmaceutical companies, developing and implementing government affairs and advocacy strategies. Sarah is currently Director at the global biotech company, Amgen, and is responsible for international rare diseases government affairs activities.

Ameer Abou Adela is an optometrist with nine years of experience in advancing public health and optometry. He holds a BS in Optics & Optometry from the American University of Science and Technology (AUST), an MBA from Sagesse University, and is pursuing a PhD at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN).

As the Founder and President of the Vision Care Association (VCA) and the VOSH International Lebanon Chapter, Ameer has led impactful programs in public health, research, awareness, legislation, and education. Under his leadership, VCA has supported over 16,000 individuals with eye care services.

Ameer has built alliances across Pakistan, Sudan, Somalia, Lebanon, and Saudi Arabia to fight blindness, even amid regional instability. Notably, he united optometry leaders at Saudi Arabia’s 2024 Optometry Conference to foster collaboration.

His clinical experience includes roles as Chief Optometrist at the Lebanese American University Medical Center (LAUMC) and Ophthalmic Photographer at Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi (CCAD). He is a member of the American Optometric Association, College of Optometrists, and a mentor in the Optometry Program of Advocacy & Leadership (OPAL).

Ameer’s leadership earned him the 2023 WCO Young Leader Award and recognition as the 2024 Ambassador of the Saudi Society of Optometry. He represents the Eastern Mediterranean Region on the WCO Board of Directors

Mr. Gorkhaly, Country Director of Eye Care Foundation Nepal has been working in eye care sector since last three decades. Graduated from Delhi University, India and holds Master of Business Administration and Master of Development Management from Asian Institute of Management, Manila Philippines.

With his long standing experience and expertise, he has been actively involved in different Eye Hospitals in Nepal. He is a board member of Himalaya Eye Hospital, Pokhara. He was instrumental in establishing Mechi eye hospital, Jhapa and represented ECF as one of the board member in the hospital. He is the Treasurer of Nepal Eye Hospital, the oldest eye hospital in Nepal. Anil also represents in the High-Level committee of Eye Health, a national level steering committee under the leadership of Secretary Ministry of Health and Population.

He attended short course on Eye health and VISION 2020 planning at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. Management training for Eye Care Manager from LAICO Madurai, India. 

He was awarded at the Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology assembly meeting held in Busan South Korea. APAO presented him with the Outstanding Service in the Prevention of Blindness Award-2012 recognizing his vast contribution in the field of preventing and curable blindness.

Anil served as Country Manager for Eye Care Foundation, Cambodia for two years and now he is responsible to supervise and monitor the Eye Care Foundation programs in Tanzania.

Jeff serves as Chief Marketing Officer of Cure Blindness Project. A seasoned brand strategist and marketer, Jeff believes brands have the power to move people - and therefore to make incredible impact in the world. With experience in a variety of settings from advertising agencies to brand consultancies to multi-national corporations to NGOs, Jeff has had the opportunity to help dozens of brands hone and amplify their unique stories to connect with audiences around the globe.

Prior to joining Cure Blindness Project, Jeff led global marketing, communications and engagement for OneSight and the OneSight EssilorLuxottica Foundation, and spent many years working as a brand consultant at agencies like Spicefire, Interbrand, and Doner Advertising. Jeff holds a bachelor’s degree and MBA from Miami University where he continues to be a guest lecturer on the topics of branding and innovation.

Sangchul Yoon (MD, Ph.D.) is a Professor at the Graduate School of Public Health, Catholic University of Korea. A board-certified ophthalmologist specializing in cornea and preventive ophthalmology, he earned his Ph.D. in Public Health from Yonsei University, South Korea.

Sangchul is a global health professional with over 20 years in bridging the gap between laboratory research and real-world application, with a focus on quality care and innovative technologies such as digital health to enhance healthcare accessibility and efficiency. In particular, his work has revolved around advancing global health initiatives in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs), including deploying digital health programs in rural areas across countries like Malawi, Bangladesh, Morocco, Nepal, Cambodia, Indonesia, and Vietnam.

From Hastings, Aotearoa/New Zealand, Mrs Cowan is a descendent of Ngāti Kahungunu and Ngāti Porou Iwi (tribes), and is the Chief Executive Officer of Kāpō Māori Aotearoa (KMA). Her work in indigenous eye health spans over thirty years, with her representations including: Eye Health Aotearoa Trust; RANZCO Māori and Pacific Eye Health Committee; RANZCO Māori Data Working Group; Eye Health National Clinical Network; IAPB IPSIG; United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Independent Monitoring Mechanism Governance Group; United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities New Zealand Disabled People’s Organisation (DPO) Coalition.

Mrs Cowan’s focus lies in fostering Te Ao Māori (Māori world view) centred approaches and Te Tiriti o Waitangi (Treaty of Waitangi Māori version) grounded social, education, health and wellbeing models that centre on the lived experiences of kāpō (blind, vision impaired, low vision and deaf blind) Māori and their whānau (immediate and extended family).  Her most recent collaboration was the completion of the Society’s ‘Declaration on Engagement and Exchange’, a guideline on how to work with kāpō Māori and their whānau.

About KMA:  Established in 1983, KMA is an indigenous led, national charity founded by kāpō Māori and their whānau.  KMA aspires to supporting kāpō Māori, their whānau and communities’ wellbeing and prosperity.

An ophthalmologist dedicated to making high-quality eye care accessible to those who need it most.

Mehran Memon, Assistant Director Information Technology, Certified Master Trainer IT Lead Peek Projects Pakistan and Focal Person for safeguarding at the SIOVS, Pakistan, stands out as a forward-thinking leader who is passionate about driving systems change within eye health. With a strong focus on inclusivity, innovation, and collaborative problem-solving, Mehran has dedicated his career to building resilient, patient-centered eye care systems in Pakistan and beyond.

Since joining SIOVS in 2017, Mehran has implemented pioneering projects that directly contribute to the advancement of global eye health. Under his leadership, SIOVS adopted the Peek software-powered solution, which has expanded comprehensive eye care services across Sindh province.

A highlight of Mehran’s achievements is his role in deploying Peek Capture technology in more than 5,700 schools, establishing connections to over 80 health facilities and transforming eye health access for young populations. This network screened over 1.3 million people and referred more than 150,000 individuals to specialized care, reflecting Mehran’s dedication to impactful, community-centered healthcare. His contributions have earned recognition from Pakistan’s National Committee for Eye Health as a district model, underscoring his influence on the future of eye health in Pakistan and beyond.

Beyond his technical expertise, Mehran’s work in safeguarding has been instrumental.

Bharti Janyani began her journey in Community Eye Care in 2015. She is currently associated with Sewa Sadan Eye Hospital, where she leads the Community Ophthalmology department. In her role, she oversees community eye care initiatives, manages 39 primary eye care units, and facilitates optometry education and ophthalmic training programs.

By training I am community ophthalmologist, working in the field of eye care since last 30 years. I got Australian leadership award to get training in teleophthalmology at Lion institute Perth Australia. Currently working in CBM international as Senior Programme Manager Inclusive health and looking after eye health portfolio in Pakistan which includes peek powered programmers in 7 districts of the country. I have also qualified as RAAB trainer from London School of hygiene and Tropical Medicine in 2023.

Dr Elanor Watts studied BMBCh Medicine at the University of Oxford, and MSc Public Health for Eye Care at the International Centre for Eye Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, receiving the Hooper and Gordon Johnson prizes for highest GPA in school. She works clinically in Ophthalmology in Scotland, and received the Royal College of Ophthalmologists Elizabeth Hunt medal for refraction.

She has worked with Peek Vision as a research consultant since 2020, with a focus on near vision screening and presbyopia correction; and with the Livelihood Impact Fund Eyeglasses Initiative as a technical advisor since 2023. Elanor has a special interest in improving global access to presbyopia correction, in line with the WHO SPECS 2030 Initiative.

Ting Fang is an Ophthalmology Resident at the Singapore National Eye Center. As a part of the Singhealth Artificial Intelligence and Digital Health team, she works closely with engineers to explore and integrate digital technology into healthcare and Ophthalmology. She has published in several peer-reviewed journals on global and clinical eye care, and invited to speak at several international research conferences, including the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology 2024 Education Course and the 38th and 39th Asia-Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology Congress.

She also has a strong interest in global eye health. From her undergraduate years, she has been actively participating in community outreach, including community eye screenings, tutoring and befriending programs. Currently as part of the Singapore National Eye Center Global Eye Health (SNEC-GEH) committee, she is motivated to gain exposure and contribute to the initiatives in collaborating with regional and international partners to make eye care more accessible, through innovation and capacity building.

We are honoured to invite Anshu Taneja, an award-winning social entrepreneur and the driving force behind VisionSpring in India since 2013. Under his leadership, VisionSpring has expanded its impact twelve-fold, providing clear vision to over 1.2 million people annually and transforming lives through better learning, earning, and safety. With over 8 million eyeglasses distributed and a $2.6 billion economic impact, his work has been widely recognised.

Anshu has received prestigious accolades from the University of Oxford, the British Council, and multiple leadership awards. Anshu was recently recognised with the India UK Achievers Honours for his contributions to society, policy, and law.

Fatima Zehra is a program management professional with over a decade of experience in eye health, human resource development, and disability-inclusive healthcare. She has been instrumental in strengthening health systems through strategic planning, policy development, and innovative program implementation, ensuring equitable and sustainable healthcare for marginalized communities.

She has led high-impact initiatives in collaboration with governments, international NGOs, and healthcare organizations, improving access to quality eye care for millions of people in underserved regions. An optometrist with a Master’s in Project Management, she also holds specialized training in Global Eye Health and Planning and Managing Eye Care Services from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. As a national master trainer for Inclusive Eye Health and Safeguarding in Pakistan, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening the health workforce and promoting disability-inclusive practices.

She has contributed to the development of Pakistan’s national allied visual sciences curriculum and an Inclusive Eye Health module. Her expertise in trachoma mapping, service assessments, and participatory evaluations was instrumental in Pakistan being declared trachoma-free by WHO in 2024.

Her contributions have earned global recognition, including the Eye Health Hero Award (2020) and the Young Systems Leader Award (2024) from the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB).

Jissa James is a global eye health and development professional with over 15 years of experience in strategic partnerships, knowledge-sharing, and advocacy. As Senior Knowledge Manager at IAPB, she drives the development of knowledge tools, oversees the IAPB member engagement groups, and supports capability-building for 2030 In Sight, ensuring engagement, inclusivity and impact.

Previously, she led professional development at India Vision Institute, shaping multidisciplinary programs across India. An optometry educator turned global health advocate, Jissa holds a bachelor’s in optometry and is pursuing a master’s in global health policy at LSHTM. She also holds certifications in global blindness, systems thinking, project management, and women’s leadership in climate action. Passionate about leveraging evidence-driven insights and contextual design, she specializes in developing innovative, scalable, and inclusive solutions for knowledge exchange, advocacy, and stakeholder engagement.

Sarity Dodson is Director of Research & Evidence, at The Fred Hollows Foundation. The Fred Hollows Foundation undertakes and supports health services research that improves the quality, productivity and accessibility of eye care for those living in low resource settings. Dr Dodson is a health services researcher and behavioural scientist with a particular interest in WASH for trachoma elimination, and enablers of citizen participation in healthcare and health behavior, across settings and cultures.

Mary González Suriel is a Dominican ophthalmic surgeon, trained in the anterior segment at the Autonomous University of Santo Domingo (UASD) and specialized in Oculoplastics and ophthalmic pathology at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM). Currently, she practices at the Association to Prevent Blindness in Mexico (APEC), an ophthalmic center that positively impacts around 150,000 people annually through consultations, surgeries, and studies.

At APEC, she leads the comprehensive ophthalmology department and prioritizes medical consultations, in addition to being affiliated with the ophthalmic trauma department. She also coordinates the teleophthalmology project, aimed at remote communities without access to visual health services. Her career includes international collaborations and clinical missions in countries like the Dominican Republic, focusing on blindness prevention.

Recognized for her professional excellence, she has been nominated and was a finalist for the National Youth Award in the Dominican Republic on three occasions. She is a co-author of an emergency and ocular trauma manual distributed free of charge in Latin America and is currently an adjunct professor at the University of La Salle in Mexico. She is certified by many cientifics associations.

Dr. González Suriel was named by the IAPB as young system leader Host and Mentor 2024, She is deeply committed to clinical practice, research, and education in ophthalmology.

Musabbir Alam has been a program management, finance and operation specialist with 17 years of experience in international development and corporate organizations. His expertise spans financial governance, strategic planning, and operational leadership in complex, multicultural environments. Alam has a proven track record in financial oversight, stakeholder engagement, and embedding ownership across management teams to drive efficiency and accountability. As Country Manager for The Fred Hollows Foundation (FHF) Bangladesh, he navigated the organization through critical transitions, ensuring project success despite global challenges.

He has led high-value donor-funded programs, secured compliance with national and international regulations, and represented FHF in high-profile forums, including national media. Alam has played a key role in strengthening financial systems, program enhancement, improving decision-making processes, and building capacity among teams and partners. His passion for innovation and strategic vision continues to drive impact the country program, global health and development. Currently serving as the Cluster Director for Bangladesh, Pakistan, and Myanmar, Alam leads initiatives that drive innovation, sustainability, and lasting impact.

With 20 years of experience in the development sector and more than 15 years in the eye health arena, I oversee the complete execution of West Bengal programs, aligning them with Sightsavers India's goals. As the financial steward, I manage the state budget and ensure responsible resource allocation. I also play a central role in directly overseeing and guaranteeing effective implementation, contributing to the overall success of the programs.

My focus on stakeholder engagement allows me to initiate opportunities for program expansion within the state and establish vital connections with authorities to ensure sustainability and growth. I consistently deliver impactful outcomes while strategically leading program delivery within the policy framework and aligning with strategic goals. Complemented by professional training in Leadership and management, Eye Care Program Management, WHO Health Systems Framework, and Social Inclusion of Persons with Disabilities, I have also presented and published various papers on gender & eye health and innovative approaches to eye health.

I have a proven track record in cross-functional collaboration and team leadership and have played a pivotal role in establishing long-term agreements with crucial state departments, as well as providing valuable technical expertise to the Government of West Bengal and designing strategic documents for impactful eye health programs.

Jonathan is Policy and Advocacy Manager at Vision 2020 Australia, where in the last five years he has campaigned for the independence and inclusion of people who are blind or have low vision. From 2018 to 2021 he edited the quarterly magazine for Blind Citizens Australia. He also works as a freelance  writer and accessibility consultant.

Dr. Lopez graduated from the Faculty of Medicine at the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM) in 1995. He completed a residency in Ophthalmology and a Fellowship in Vitreo-Retinal Surgery at UNAM, followed by a second Fellowship in Ocular Inflammatory Diseases at the Institute of Applied Ophthalmobiology in Valladolid, Spain, in 2003.

Dr. Lopez worked in the Vitreo-Retinal Department of the Hospital de Nuestra Señora de la Luz, where he trained ophthalmology residents and fellows while improving healthcare for underserved populations in Mexico City. He has served as secretary and coordinator for the Medical Education Committee of the Mexican Ophthalmology Society and as vice-president and president of the Mexican Center for Ocular Inflammatory Diseases.

As Managing Director of the Mexican Institute of Ophthalmology (IMO), he grew patient consultations from 15,000 to 100,000. He established the IMO’s Reading Center, telemedicine program, and satellite locations serving underserved communities. He is involved in research, mentoring theses on uveitis, retina, and epidemiology, co-authoring publications, and organizing a national Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) study. In 2016, he was named an Eye Health Hero by the IAPB.

Ophthalmic surgeon, strabismologist. Master's degree in neurosciences. Master's degree in research ethics. Former president and current advisor mexican society of ophthalmology. Academic of the mexican academy of pediatrics. Certified by the mexican council of ophthalmology.

• Professor of neurostimulation and neurofacilitation. Mora technique diploma course.
• Professor of the annual course-workshop on amblyopia and visual impairment since 2000
• President of the mexican center of strabismus 1999-2022
• 2023 president, and 2024 advisor to the mexican society of ophthalmology
• Head of the strabismus service. ""20 de noviembre"" national medical center, issste.
• Jury president, mexican council of ophthalmology
• Board of directors of the international strabological association
• Member of the editorial committee of the mexican journal of ophthalmology, reviewer of archives of the spanish society of ophthalmology and reviewer of the journal of military health. Government of mexico.
• Ambassador of the international myopia institute
• Co-chair of the panamerican woman committee
• Life president of amblyopia comission of clade
• Coordinator of comission of community leaders

Member of: ISA, ESA, WSPOS, Hands (hydreocephalus soc), PAAO, Clade, SMO, IMI, IAPB, CME, AMOP, SOPLA, Cerebral Palsy Soc.

In her work, Katri aims to ensure that all people can live healthy lives, equity becomes a reality, and the power of inclusive partnerships is leveraged for more impact.

Katri is International Director of Impact and Advocacy at Light for the World, an NGO for disability inclusion and eye health, where she leads on organizational strategy and is responsible for institutional partnerships, advocacy, programme quality and systems change, impact and learning, technical advisory services, and global communications. She is a member of the supervisory board of Wemos, an NGO working on health justice, and on the advisory board of BMJ Public Health.

She previously worked at the German Federal Ministry of Health, where she was lead for the German G7 Presidency (health track) and health lead for G20. She has worked at the World Bank, where as a member of the leadership team she headed external relations (governance, fundraising, partnerships, and communications) for the Global Financing Facility for Women, Children and Adolescents (GFF). At Save the Children, a non-governmental organization with offices in 120 countries, she was a member of the global executive leadership team and headed global advocacy, policy, and campaigning.

Katri is Finnish by nationality. She is a mother of four, and is based in Berlin/Germany.

May Ho is an Australian registered optometrist working in public health and international eye health.  She graduated from optometry at the University of Melbourne, where she also gained her PhD. May is in the Medical Team at the Fred Hollows Foundation as Optometry and Primary Care Adviser. She is based in Melbourne, Australia.

May is working on the implementation of The Foundation’s refractive error strategy and its integration into program activities, including as part of cataract surgery quality improvement. She has worked on the development of sustainable eye care programs in various countries in the Asia Pacific, European, African and Caribbean regions. In her previous job, together with in-country partners, she developed the first optometry education program in Vietnam.

May is a member of the IAPB Refractive Error Strategy Core Group and has participated in multiple WHO Technical Working Groups on vision. She currently serves on the World Council of Optometry Public Health Subcommittee, Optometry Victoria South Australia Education Advisory Committee, and is a member of the WHO SPECS Workforce and Service Delivery Integration Workstreams.

Sumrana Yasmin is the Deputy Technical Director of Eye Health at Sightsavers, based in Pakistan. She is a public health professional, and her work focuses on developing scalable eye health and refractive error programmes in low- and middle-income countries to strengthen health and education systems.

In her current role, she is responsible for leading the Sightsavers Eye Health and Refractive Error thematic portfolios, ensuring that these programmes are strategically driven, gender-responsive, disability-inclusive, climate-resilient and technically sound. She is passionate about gender equity, social inclusion and sustainable development and promotes these by working and networking with like-minded organisations; advocating for gender equity and social inclusion in development policies and strategies; and supporting women’s empowerment and leadership in programme development.

Sumrana works closely with World Health Organization, IAPB and other eye care organisations to amplify the efforts to achieve universal eye health coverage. 

Jack is a health economist with over ten years of experience in health economics research, policy, and evaluation. Jack has undertaken health economic analysis and provided technical advice for some of Australia’s largest health programs and led health economics research and design for eye health projects across South Asia, South-East Asia, Africa, and the Pacific.

Jack’s work has focused on ensuring access to eye healthcare for some of the world’s most vulnerable populations, through innovative social protection and health insurance mechanisms designed in collaboration with National Governments. More broadly, his research has focused on the dynamics of international development aid and how donors, recipient governments, and aid beneficiaries can work together to achieve sustainable success.

He has been published in leading international health economics journals including Social Science and Medicine, the Patient, and the Journal of the Royal Statistical Society as well as acting as a reviewer for prominent publications.

Sarah Beeching is the Founder and Executive Director of Oshun Partnership, a social enterprise committed to international development campaigning. Recent achievements include the delivery of the Africa Climate Summit (2023) for the Government of Kenya, leading to $26bn of announcements to support climate action across the continent.   Sarah successfully campaigned for Gavi to roll out rabies vaccine and is part of technical advisory team delivering this commitment.  She is a senior adviser for WHO on rabies, urban malaria and NTDs.

In 2021, Sarah negotiated Healthy Cities, Healthy People, launched by UN Habitat and WHO.   Her work for the Global Partnership for Education, a World Bank Trust Fund, involved leading three replenishment campaigns, generating over $8bn in donor investments and over $100bn from developing countries. She led the Commonwealth Malaria Summit in 2018 and G8 Nutrition for Growth Summit in 2013 both of which mobilised over $4bn for their respective causes.

During her 15 years in the UK Government, Sarah led many international policy negotiations including as chief negotiator for development elements of the G20 London Summit, peace negotiator for Sierra Leone and Indonesian conflicts, and senior adviser to UNSG Ban Ki-moon, delivering $40bn of new commitments at the launch of Every Woman, Every Child (2010).  Sarah is on the Advisory Board for the Royal Society of Arts, Board Chair of her alma mater and Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society.

Ella Gudwin, CEO of VisionSpring, is a social entrepreneur and global health strategist with more than 25 years of experience in international development. Under her leadership, VisionSpring has corrected the vision of 12 million low-income adults and children and unlocked $2.6 billion in income earning potential at the household level.

Prior to joining VisionSpring, Ella served as Senior Vice President of Strategy and Program Development at AmeriCares, a global health and emergency response organization. While there, she led humanitarian operations and managed access to medicine and other health interventions in ten countries. Ella began her career in international development when conducting research and teaching in Indonesia and coordinating events with government and private sector leaders at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York and Washington, DC.

Ella regularly speaks about hybrid business models that blend earned revenue with philanthropy; growing a purpose-driven business; and measuring social impact. She earned a master’s degree in emerging market economics and Southeast Asia studies with distinction from SAIS, Johns Hopkins University and holds a bachelor’s with honors from Vassar College. Ella is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

With over 30 years experience in the contact lens industry, Stuart is recognised as a visionary leader who identifies market trends to keep CooperVision as leader in the sector. He led the renowned 7 year MiSight efficacy study that has been recognised as one of the ground breaking studies in myopia control and is as strong advocate for expanded vision screening and eye test to ensure everyone, everywhere can realise their full potential.

I am Dr Marcelino Correia opthalmologist had been working as an opthalmologist for more than 10 years in national eye center. I have been working as clinical opthalmology operasional for cataract more than 10 years and envoloved in outreach mainly for preventable blind like camp cataract surgery. During my carrer as an opthalmology I had train post graduate in family medicine and I also involved in researh support by IAPB for RAAB survey and recently School Screening program.

I am an experienced professional with a distinguished career in food technology and quality control. I hold a Master’s Degree in Home Science from Tribhuvan University, Kirtipur, Nepal, and a Bachelor’s in Science from M.M.A.M. Campus, Biratnagar, Nepal.

With over 26 years of experience in the Department of Food Technology and Quality Control, Nepal (1993–2020), I have contributed significantly to food safety and regulatory standards. Fluent in Nepali, and intermediate in English and Hindi.

Emmanuel Osei-Mensah is a seasoned evaluation professional with over a decade of experience in the non-profit sector and academia. He holds a Master’s degree in Development Planning and Management from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. His expertise spans multiple sectors, including health, disability, WASH, education, poverty reduction, and governance.

As the Global Director of Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) at Cure Blindness Project, Emmanuel leads the design and implementation of MEL systems to drive evidence-based decision-making. His work focuses on leveraging data to enhance eye health programs, with a particular emphasis on improving the quality of eye health outcomes in developing countries.

Passionate about systems thinking and cross-sector collaboration, Emmanuel is committed to tackling complex health challenges through innovative, data-driven solutions.

With 20+ years of experience in the eye health sector, I have worked with stalwarts from the industry. During this time, I have engaged with different partners that include NGOs, Hospitals, Corporates and Philanthropists. At Mission for Vision (MFV), I head the Programme Development team that works in 24 Indian states; impacts 15, 00,000+ people annually in partnership with 47 eye hospitals and various donors and international foundations.

My work involves collaborating with colleagues towards eye health research to strengthen the knowledge repository. Forging relationships to strengthen the eye health sector has contributed immensely towards my knowledge and this merits my candidature to represent various bodies and groups at the National level. With MFV’s backing towards this role, I’m fully committed to support the advancement of VISION 2020 India’s objectives. Established in 2000, MFV has worked extensively across India and has a presence in Nigeria and Bhutan. MFV represents the Board at IAPB, OCI and Vision 2020 – India

I was working in the ICU in Mahosot hospital since 1999. I was as Anesthesia, Intensive care and Emergency residency program from 2002-2005. In 2006 I was deputy director of the Adult ICU ward.

In 2014 I was director of the Adult ICU ward then I was promoted as Deputy Director of Mahosot hospital in 2019 and move to Ministry of Health as the deputy director of the department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation in 2021 and then Director of the department of Healthcare and Rehabilitation, Ministry of Health until now.

For over a decade, I have had the privilege of working closely with the patient and policy community to build trusting, sustainable relationships between people living with different conditions and the private sector. My passion is ensuring that the patient voice is meaningfully embedded in healthcare decision-making at every level.

At Roche, I serve as the Global Patient Partnership Leader – Ophthalmology, focused on creating meaningful collaboration between Roche and the eye health community. I work directly with people affected by vision loss to ensure their lived experiences help shape our strategies and activities. At the same time, I support colleagues across functions in integrating patient perspectives into their daily work.

Vision loss is deeply personal. It impacts not only individuals but also their families, caregivers, and wider communities. I am inspired every day by the resilience of the community and excited about the momentum in eye health innovation. Together, we are working to save sight and improve lives.

Dr. Malik is a Clinical Assistant Professor in Child Eye Health at London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine and a Paediatric Ophthalmologist. Her research focusses on integrating eye care into child health programmes and policies in low resource settings using new technologies and health system approaches. She has extensive experience in clinical practice, teaching, training and research across Africa, Asia and South America. She has co-founded her own NGO, EyeSHA, focussed on improving child eye health and is a trustee and advisor on a number of other NGOs. She has previously had national roles with the Department of Health and continues to work with WHO and UNICEF on global policy.

She led the development of a model for integrating eye care into primary care including innovative low cost devices in Tanzania which resulted in national policy change. She is now co-leading a NIHR funded series of projects to evaluate a health systems approach to improving child eye health in Tanzania and Nepal. She is also leading the development of telemedicine and AI screening model for Retinopathy of Prematurity (ROP) in Nepal. Previously she led a ROP network across 6 countries in Africa and Asia and is setting up a further ROP telemedicine network to improve access to ROP care for every child in need.

Dr. Parikshit Gogate has done his MBBS from B.J. Medical (Pune University) in 1992, M.S. (Ophth) with gold medal (1st amongst all medical post-graduates in Shivaji University) from Govt. Medical College, Miraj in 1997, DNB (Ophth) in 1998; FRCS from Royal College of Surgeons, Edinburg and MSc (Community Eye Health) with distinction from International Centre for Eye Health, Institute of Ophthalmology (Associated with Moorfields Eye Hospital), University College, London, UK in 2001. He was awarded honorary fellow of All India Ophthalmology Society (FAICO) in pediatric ophthalmology by AIOS in 2021.

He is presently in private practice since 2010 and  the Trustee of Community Eye Care Foundation, Pune; Associate Professor at D.Y.Patil Medical College, Pimpri (faculty since June 2012) and the Medical Director of Atharva Netralaya Pvt Ltd, a group practice, since May 2013. He has performed > 70,000 intraocular surgeries, >1900 pediatric eye surgeries. He has presented in the Col Rangachari session on 10 occasions, without winning it! He is a Honorary Lecturer, School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Engineering, Queens University, Belfast, United Kingdom (2020-26).

I have been working in the National Programme for control of Blindness and Impairment for 17 years as Assistant Commissioner.

Simon Darvill is an experienced communications and campaigns leader with seven years experience working in the eye health sector and ten years in politics. As Director of Communications, Campaigns & Events at International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness he leads the award-winning Love Your Eyes campaign and World Sight Day, which together are estimated to have reached nearly 1 billion people globally. Simon is leading the Global Summit for Eye Health for the IAPB Secretariat.

Fabrizio is the IAPB Head of Region for the Western Pacific Region. He is a public health specialist with over 15 years’ experience in advocacy, policy, program delivery, and research across Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Pacific. His work has focused on system-wide responses to eye health, noncommunicable diseases, and neglected tropical diseases, with a strong emphasis on equity and universal health coverage.

Fabrizio has led public health initiatives in partnership with governments, NGOs, multilaterals, and academia — most notably with WHO’s Western Pacific Regional Office. He holds a Doctorate from the University of Sydney, an MPH from the University of Melbourne, and is a Graduate of the Vincent Fairfax Ethical Leadership Program.

A Regional Development Officer for IAPB Western Pacific. Ph.D. in Public Health Policy and Management.

Junu Shrestha is a public health professional with a strong focus on health policy and advocacy. She plays a key role in advancing Integrated People-Centred Eye Care (IPEC), working closely with the World Health Organization and global partners to support the implementation of IPEC at country level. Her work spans strategic advocacy planning, international engagement—including at the World Health Assembly—and the development of influential policy resources.

Junu has led the creation of several key advocacy tools, including the IPEC Advocacy to Action Toolkit and Advocacy for Eye Health: A Beginner’s Guide. Her efforts have contributed significantly to global eye health policy dialogue and national-level advocacy initiatives. She holds an MSc in Health Policy, Planning, and Financing from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine and the London School of Economics and Political Sciences, awarded by the UK government’s prestigious Chevening Scholarship. She also holds a Master of Public Health from Tribhuvan University, Nepal.

In recognition of her contributions, Junu was named an IAPB Eye Health Hero in 2020. She currently serves on the Board of Directors of the Health Insurance Board under the Government of Nepal.

I am a development economist with research experience in a variety of settings focusing on international development and public policy. I studied at the University of San Francisco and have been working with Mettalytics for the past year.

I’ve had the pleasure of shifting into the eye health space, contributing to our ongoing project assessing the impact of refractive error correction on productivity for Guatemalan coffee harvesters, multiple systematic reviews on vision correction impacts, benefit-cost analyses, and an investment case assessing productivity costs from visual impairment in LMICs.

My goal is to provide decision makers and investors with solid evidence for strategies to improve quality of life for the most vulnerable individuals.

Binita is the Program Director for Seva programs in Nepal.  She brings the experience of working on clinical projects in hospitals and community-based eye care programs in a variety of professional contexts in more than ten years in the field of ophthalmology. She has contributed to Nepal’s eye health care sector in different roles, including that of a clinician, surgeon, academic coordinator, and administrator.

She combines clinical knowledge of ophthalmology to optimize the design of programs on the ground. She is passionate about creating safe and quality assured services through eye health care providers. She firmly believes that People must be the priority in any program. Continued learning, teamwork and adaptability are her key strengths.

I am a Research Fellow with the International Centre for Eye Health at the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine. I work on the Rapid Assessment of Avoidable Blindness (RAAB) project, leading research and development and supporting surveys and other RAAB Trainers. I also collaborate with WHO and the Vision Loss Expert Group on global eye health indicator reporting.

With over 20 years of impactful experience in international development, Amanda dedicates to advancing children’s welfare, community resilience, and equitable eye health access across China and the Asia-Pacific region. Currently serving as Chief Representative of The Fred Hollows Foundation’s China program, she spearheads innovative initiatives that bridge policy, research, and grassroots action, while strategically guiding cross-country collaborations in Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam, and Indonesia. Renowned for her expertise in health systems strengthening, Amanda has cultivated robust partnerships with government bodies, healthcare institutions, academia, and rural communities, driving sustainable solutions that address systemic challenges and elevate public health outcomes.

Amanda holds a master degree in Public Health for Eye Care from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine. She merges academic rigor with decades of frontline experience to catalyze transformative change. Her work exemplifies a commitment to bridge gaps between global health standards and community needs, fostering resilience and equity in every initiative she leads.

Passionate about sustainable development, Amanda continues to shape the future of health and social justice through collaborative leadership, strategic innovation, and an unwavering dedication to leaving no one behind.

Dr Stuart Keel is a Technical Officer within the Vision and Eye Care Programme, Department of Noncommunicable Diseases, at the World Health Organization Geneva. In his current role, Dr Keel coordinates the WHO SPECS 2030 Initiative and leads implementation of the actions outlined in the 2020 World Health Resolution ‘Integrated people-centred eye care, including preventable vision impairment and blindness ‘

Dr Keel holds a PhD in ophthalmic epidemiology from La Trobe University, Melbourne. Prior to joining WHO in 2019, he held positions as principal investigator in ophthalmic epidemiology at the Centre for Eye Research Australia, and lecturer within the Department of Clinical Vision Sciences at La Trobe University Australia.

Director of Policy, Strategy and Advocacy, IAPB

Simon Day is the Head of Africa Region at International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB). He joined IAPB in 2014 leading high level advocacy representation to pan-Africa institutions and WHO AFRO to promote the integration of eye health into broader health planning in the pursuit of Universal eye Health Coverage.

Simon continues to work with members and other actors in the eye health sector across Africa implementing 2030 IN SIGHT, the sector’s strategic plan for the next decade. 2030 IN SIGHT is a call to action to embed vision as a fundamental, economic, social and development issue, incorporate eye health in wider health care systems and drive patient, consumer and market change. All of which are fundamental to achieving the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.

Jude Stern leads the strategic knowledge agenda and team at the International Agency for the Prevention of Blindness (IAPB) driving the transformation of global eye are through shared expertise. With two decades of experience in global eye care and international development, she specializes in knowledge brokering and innovation, to connect research, knowledge and practice to amplify collective impact.

Her current initiatives, in collaboration with her team, include:

• Creating essential digital data ad knowledge sharing platforms, notably the Vision Atlas and Knowledge Hub.
• Developing and delivering engaging, action-oriented, diverse conference programmes.
• Developing robust data and evidence frameworks to monitor global eye health progress.
• Leading the development of an evidence-based investment case for eye health.
• Facilitating collaboration among IAPB members and the broader network.
• Connecting leaders in AI and digital technology for eye care.

Jude’s leadership extends to her active participation in the ACO Research Committee, WHO Global Research Agenda, nAMD and DR Leadership Coalition, RAAB7.0, and the Community Eye Health Journal (CEHJ) Strategy Committees. Her prior experience includes serving as Director of Education at the Brien Holden Vision Institute Foundation, and as a clinical research optometrist and private practitioner in Sydney, Australia.

Dr Anthea Burnett is Data & Evidence Manager at IAPB, with over 15 years of international public health experience. Her expertise includes evidence synthesis, monitoring, evaluation, and improving access to quality eye care globally, particularly for marginalized populations.

Kristine is a strategic and results-driven programs officer for the Sub Saharan Africa with over seven years of expertise in full project cycle management across international and national development agencies. She specializes in program management, health integration, health systems strengthening, and social development, successfully leading program design, implementation, monitoring, and evaluation.

A proactive leader, she adeptly identifies opportunities, mitigates risks, and resolves challenges while fostering strategic partnerships with government institutions, civil society, and community organizations. With strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills, she consistently delivers high-impact, quality results within deadlines and budget constraints, advancing sustainable development outcomes at local and global levels.

Yuddha Dhoj Sapkota joined IAPB in May 2014 and currently serving as Head of the Region South East Asia, International Agency for Prevention of Blindness. His journey on eye care started as an Ophthalmic Medical Assistant in 1981 then programme manger, hospital manager, Head of research and monitoring at NNJS and temporary advisor to WHO for several eye health research.

Mr Sapkota has undergone DCEH course in ICEH London in 1989 and completed his Master degree MSc (International Health) from University of Heidelberg, Germany in 2001. Mr Sapkota is ICEH/LSHTM certified RAAB trainer and has published more than three dozen research articles in international peer reviewed journal.

Mr Sapkota has been awarded with best Ophthalmic Medical Assistant Award by Social Welfare Council of Nepal in 1992, best employee award in 2004, “Outstanding Service in Prevention of Blindness” by Asia Pacific Academy of Ophthalmology in 2008, Nepal (ACOIN) award by Association of Community Ophthalmologist of India in 2010.