OUR STORY
Building a brighter future.
Healthy Learners is building a future where schools can support the overall health of children. Our model serves as a framework for how Ministries of Health and Education throughout the developing world can improve the health of students, reduce illness-related school absenteeism, and promote learning. This results in a healthier, better educated generation of young people and future leaders.
THE HEALTHY LEARNERS STORY
Change from within
In 2013, Lonnie met fellow co-founder Ignicious Bulongo, then director of the Ministry of Health Ng’ombe Health Facility. Connected by a common mission to address the catastrophic impact of preventable and treatable illnesses on the health, learning and development of school-aged children, they worked together to develop the concept of training teachers as community health workers. This work eventually launched Healthy Learners.
From its inception, Healthy Learners has worked to partner with the government, integrating programs into existing structures of the Ministries of Health and Education, empowering local communities and leveraging data and technology to have the greatest possible impact on the health of the children they serve.
Our Team
Healthy Learners is 90+ staff members strong and works closely with our local government partners.
Lonnie Hackett, MSc.
President & Cofounder
Lonnie is a public health specialist and social entrepreneur. He has been recognized as a Truman Scholar, Rainer Arnhold Fellow and a member of Forbes 30 Under 30. Lonnie has a Bachelor's degree in Biochemistry from Bowdoin College and a MSc. in International Health and Tropical Medicine from the University of Oxford.
Ignicious Bulongo
Director Programs & Cofounder
Ignicious spent the first 15 years of his career with the Zambian Ministry of Health, most recently as director of the Ng'ombe Health Facility. Ignicious holds degrees in hospital management and clinical medicine. He received an advanced diploma in Participatory Learning Methods in Japan through sponsorship by JICA.
Angel Chelwa, MBA
Vice President Operations
Before joining Healthy Learners, Angel spent six years with the multinational start-up mPharma. As Managing Director, Angel helped to establish the company's regional presence and oversaw operations in Zambia, Malawi, and Rwanda. Angel holds a Bachelor's Degree in Sociology as well as a MBA from the University of Zambia
Job Milapo, MBA
Vice President Administration
Job has 20 years experience leading operations and supply chain management for multi-national NGOs. Prior to joining Healthy Learners, Job worked as Country Director for Chemonics International in South Sudan. Job has a degree in Logistics and Transport from the University of South Africa and a MBA from Colorado Tech University
Catherine Samiselo, MPH
Director Partnerships
Catherine has more than 20 years of experience working in public health. Prior to joining HL, she served for five years as Deputy Chief of Party for the USAID funded Zambia Rising Project. Catherine holds an MPH from Leeds Metropolitan University in the United Kingdom.
Zita Zulu, MBA
Director Administration
Zita was a 2014 Global Health Corps fellow with Afya Mzuri. She has a Bachelor of Accountancy degree from the Copperbelt University and an MBA from the University of Zambia. Zita is affiliated to the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants as a licentiate member.
Gabriel Lungu
Finance Manager
Gabriel is a chartered accountant with over 20 years of experiencein the Finance industry. Prior to joining HL, he worked as Project Accountant at Maryland Global Initiative and Finance Manager at Afya Mzuri. Gabriel has a Bachelor's degree in Accountancy from the University of Zambia.
Mutinta Mukonde
People & Culture Manager
Mutinta is a human resources professional with over ten years of experience. Prior to joining Healthy Learners, she worked as the Human Resources Manager at Tyre King Enterprises. Mutinta has a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration from Cavendish University.
Musa Mtonga
Regional Program Manager
Musa is a project management specialist. Prior to joining Healthy Learners, he worked as Program Development Lead for Mary’s Meals. In this role, he supported governments across the region to implement and evaluate school feeding programs. Musa holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Zambia.
Natalia Espejo, MPH
Technical Advisor
Natalia is an international development practitioner who has worked in Zambia for the past 7 years. Prior to joining HL, Natalia worked for Save the Children as Project Coordinator. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Political Science and International Studies from Macalester College and a MPH from the University of Minnesota.
Steven Malambo
Senior Business Analytics Analyst
Steven is a business analytics specialist with experience in project management and data insights. Prior to joining Healthy Learners, he worked for Yalelo fisheries as a Data and Analytics lead and One Acre Fund. Steven has a Bachelors degree in Economics from Mulungushi University and a Masters in Project Management.
Emmanuel Serenje
Data Management Analyst
Emmanuel is a data management specialist. Prior to joining Healthy Learners, he worked for Broadreach and the Institute for Health Measurement, Southern Africa. Emmanuel holds a B.S. in Computer Science and a Masters of Science in Auditing from the University of Lusaka.
Our Board
Our board brings diverse expertise to the organization, including years of experience working for the betterment of health, education, and people around the globe. These varying perspectives give us the strong support we need to keep furthering our mission.
Lise Johnson, MD
Chair
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics at Harvard Medical School and Associate Director of the Brazelton Institute at Boston Children’s Hospital.
Deirdre Strachan, MPH, DSc
Vice Chair
Foundation executive and reproductive health specialist who has worked in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East, and Asia with international non-profit health organizations.
Charlie Johnson, MBA
Treasurer
A retired financial executive with over thirty years’ experience in senior financial and information technology positions in multi-national companies.
Wendy Batson
A development specialist with more than 30 years’ experience planning and managing programs in war-affected regions in Africa, Asia, the Middle East, and the Balkans.
Patrick Chella, MBA
Experienced co-founder of two innovative start-ups with a demonstrated history of working in sustainable development and finance in Africa and Europe.
Stephanie Dodson Cornell, MBA
Managing Director at Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation with leadership of DRK portfolio organizations in the U.S., India, Colombia, and Africa.
Cara Endyke-Doran, MSN, MPH, RN
Advance practice nurse leading large integrated health projects focused on improving maternal, child, and adolescent health and strengthening HIV services in sub-Saharan Africa.
Philip Giannecchini
Chief Financial Officer of the Hawk Rock Foundation with more than 10 years experience in asset management and investment banking.
Chad Rathner, MSc
Chief Operating Officer, m2m and past Deputy Country Director at FHI 360 Zambia, as well as Chief of Party on USAID’s flagship HIV and AIDS Prevention program in Zambia.
Dr. Mary Ozerio Zulu, MD, MSc.
A retired Zambian medical practitioner and government official with expertise in health management, medical practice, education, and research.
Our Partners
Our work is made possible through partnerships with visionary funders who share our commitment to and passion for our mission.
For a complete list of partners, please see our Annual Reports.
FORMANEK
FOUNDATION
HAWK ROCK
FOUNDATION
JAMES PERCY
FOUNDATION
KARAKIN
FOUNDATION
Simple & effective
Our model has an annual ongoing cost of less than $1.75 per child, equal to less than 1% of Zambia’s expenditure on education for primary school children.