Néné Fofana-Cissé is a professional, innovator, and passionate about public health and sustainable development. She is experienced in fundraising, strategy design, implementation, and evaluation of reproductive health programs. She is currently the head of the consulting and strategy firm Africa Forward and President of the Foundation (www.africafwd.org) of the same name intended to finance African civil society organizations dedicated to providing solutions to development problems with an emphasis on female leadership. She has worked in several regions of the world, notably in East Africa, Southern Africa, and Asia. Before her current position, she served as Regional Advisor for West Africa and Program Director. She has also served as Technical Officer at Population Services International, and Community Health Worker at Lead Safe DC, among other roles.

She defines herself as an activist for women’s health and rights and a strong supporter of “integrated programming in the service of women.” She holds a master’s degree in public health from George Washington University. She is fluent in Bambara, French, and English.