Our “Employee Spotlight” series profiles employees at the END Fund. The series is part of an initiative to provide transparency and share the important work that our employees are doing to end neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Stay tuned as we roll out new spotlights. Click to learn more about the series.
Irene Chami is a public health veteran with a 25 year career that has spanned work across areas such as health systems strengthening, human resources for health, policy, advocacy; including focus on health issues like maternal, adolescent and child health, HIV, malaria, hemophilia, and now neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Irene brings a valuable perspective as a Director on the Programs team at the END Fund.
Yet, despite Irene’s established leadership and experience, she also brings a youthful vibrance to her job.
“I’m just very passionate about the work that I do to help communities. I’ve done this for over 25 years,” says Irene, reflecting on some of the many strengths she brings to the END Fund.
“It’s just something within me. The fact that my effort would help change the lives of others is what makes me wake up each day. This is just motivating to me, very inspiring, and I keep going. I know by doing this I am contributing to achieving our goals, our objectives and the transformation of the communities we serve.”
Her experience and passion helps drive forward the END Fund’s NTD elimination agenda. Irene has worked her way from community level to now managing a multi-country portfolio. And, although her love and energy for her work is clear, she is the first to admit that it is not easy.
“My experience working within a portfolio of 28 countries is no lean task and you have got to really work through people. However, I’m very proud of my regional experience,” she admits.
“I’ve been able to work with over 28 African countries and that really opened up my mind to be able to just see the complexities and the different situations within countries and how to really work through people. You have got to really immerse yourself in understanding the stakeholder environment, diverse cultural contexts; balancing the politics and ‘asks’; and earning the trust and respect to be successful.”
While Irene could not imagine working in another field, her road into public health was not entirely intentional. During a gap year between her bachelor’s and master’s degree, she was offered an opportunity to work for the German Development Agency, which triggered her interest in public health.
“I think it’s very important to either engage in some work in your area of interest so that you begin understanding whether indeed this is exactly where you want to be or share your interest/motivations with close accountability persons to help guide your decision making process. It just helps you internalize your passions,” she says pensively as she considers advice for future generations.
Irene’s ability to work with people has become a major strength of hers. As she puts it, “I am a people person.” Irene considers herself a strategist and convener, bringing relevant stakeholders together to promote collaboration and shared vision.
“I can relate with a diverse range of people. I have been really successful at bringing the relevant partners to work together or try to get them to share the same vision.”
Evidence of such rapport can be seen through some of her projects. Since 2021, Irene led her team in supporting an innovative pilot project within the END Fund’s Deworming Innovation Fund (DIF), to deploy a digital micro-planning tool adopted from the 6-step WHO microplanning strategy. The project, currently being implemented in Kenya, supports deworming programs by aiding in resource planning and allocation. Other disease areas like malaria and nutrition programs are considering using this same tool due to its resourcefulness and success of the pilot.
Projects like these are where Irene finds her fulfillment. Although she knows the work she does has a clear positive impact on so many lives, the fact that her work helps peoples and communities that may not necessarily be in a position to advocate for themselves or improve their own quality of life is a rewarding sentiment.
Read more Employee Spotlights, and visit our website for more information on NTDs.