Board Members

Jerry John Ouner (né Nutor),  PhD is an associate  professor at University of California, San Francisco. As a nurse scientist trained in Ghana and the United States, Dr. Ouner works with nurses and other healthcare professionals in multiple African countries. He is a 2023 Fellow of the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program. Dr. Ouner  has held several leadership positions and have advocated for the nursing profession at different levels throughout his training and career as a nurse scientist both in Ghana and the United States. His passion for global health and advocacy for the nursing profession prepared him to represent Sigma at the United Nations. 

Lucy Ogbu-Nwobodo, MD, MS, MAS, completed her medical school education at University of California, Davis, and her residency training at the Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH)/McLean Harvard Psychiatry Program. She is dedicated to improving health care through social justice. She is currently on the faculty at the University of California, San Francisco (UCSF) in a number of clinical and leadership roles including as: an Associate Program Director in the Psychiatry Residency Training Program; the Zuckerberg San Francisco General Hospital’s Director of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DEI) in Public Psychiatry and Lead Psychiatrist at the UCSF Alliance Health Project. She also has a faculty appointment at Massachusetts General Hospital as a Faculty Researcher. The primary theme of her work is based on equity-focused organizational initiatives, community engagement, research and mental health workforce development.

Vincent Tawiah is an Assistant Professor in International Financial Reporting at Dublin City University. He completed his PhD at Griffith University, Australia. He holds a Master of Commerce from India and a Bachelor of Commerce from Ghana. His principal research includes international financial reporting practices, sustainability, corporate governance, development economics, and politics. He has over 30 publications in top-ranked peer-reviewed journals.

Dr Frank Alifui-Segbaya is an educator, researcher, and materials scientist currently serving as a Senior Lecturer at Griffith University. His expertise spans several fields, including dental technology, biomaterials and additive manufacturing (3D printing). Through his leadership, Dr Segbaya has pioneered the integration of digital design and manufacturing in the dental technology curriculum, setting international benchmarks that have led to wider adoption and significant impact within the School of Dentistry and Oral Health at Griffith University. He previously worked in both industry and academia across Ghana, Germany, Wales, and England. Over the years, he has focused on the development and analysis of biomaterials in additive manufacturing. His research not only advances the field of dental technology but also translates into better, safer, and more affordable dental care for patients in several ways.

Patience Fakornam Doe, PhD is a registered nurse with specialist education in public health, education and health promotion. She did her first and second degrees at the School of Nursing and School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, University of Ghana. She has been involved in several projects related to maternal and child health promotion, continuous professional development, undergraduate as well as postgraduate nursing education. Her research interests include nursing education, maternal and child health promotion and preconception health care. 

Patience Ajoff-Foster, PhD, CDE serves as the assistant vice president for inclusive culture and belonging at Drexel University, where she co-leads the operationalization and success monitoring of Drexel’s antiracism and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) efforts to foster a sense of community and belonging. She co-leads the culture of equity imperative of the University’s strategic plan. A certified diversity executive, Patience is a long-time higher education professional who has held several roles in student affairs and faculty development and diversity.