Our Team

Founder and president of the International Health Awareness Network. She was an Adjunct Associate Professor at New York University, vice president of the International Council of Women, and President of the National Council of Women/U.S.A. She is also currently the Director Lehman College foundation. Dr. Roshan is one of the most salient voices on women’s health and empowerment advocacy worldwide. IHAN’s mission is to educate, empower and provide health care to socioeconomically underserved women and children.

Professor Gabrielle Casper is a surgical Gynecologist with over 25 years’ experience caring for the health of women. Having worked in Sydney’s lower North Shore for 20 years, Prof Casper is widely respected for her interest in women’s health and human rights including her advocacy work around violence against women. Prof Casper is currently Head of Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, School of Medicine, Sydney, University of Notre Dame Australia. She presents at United Nations and WHO meetings on women’s health and human rights including violence against women and passionately continues her advocacy work. Prof. Casper is Past Chairman RANZCOG NSW State Committee and Past Chairman Department Gynecology Mater Hospital.

Assurance Service Line, Ernst & Young LLP. Managing Director with 25+ years of experience in organizational transformation. She has helped large global clients in defining and executing a successful business and change strategy with focus on organizational alignment, governance, program and change management, and process improvement.

Dr Vijaya Melnick is Professor Emerita of Biological Sciences and the former Director of the Center for Applied Research and Urban Policy, University of the District of Columbia. She served as Associate Director, International Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Immunology, Georgetown University Medical Center. She is Co-President of the International Health Awareness
Network. She served as Principal Investigator on research projects on the health of women & children, and on international biomedical and bioethics programs. She has authored research and policy papers and books. She is listed in Who’s Who publications and is the recipient of the Albert Nelson Marquis Lifetime Achievement Award.

Past Chief Business Officer, Department of Veterans Affairs, New Jersey Healthcare System, East Orange, New Jersey. Dr. Sarachi with 30+ years of experience in the f Revenue Cycle, Managed Care, and Health Information Management has implemented system procedures and standards to maximize workforce efficiency. She is a giving mentor who cares about the quality of healthcare our nation’s Veterans received.

Board Certified Behavior Analyst — Founder/Director of Learners’ Compass LLC and CircaThera. A dual-certified Special Educator and behavior analyst, she supports neurodivergent learners with autism and intellectual disabilities. She is the Founder of the Global School House Project, advancing equity and access in education worldwide. Since 1997, she has integrated evidence-based behavioral science with educational best practices to design learner-centered programs that strengthen outcomes across academic and therapeutic environments. Her work spans curriculum development, professional training, family guidance, and the leadership of multidisciplinary teams. She previously led a public-school Autism Program recognized among the top in New Jersey, establishing a model for high-quality, collaborative, learner-centered care. She currently partners with Autism Today Foundation on a global Early Intervention initiative advancing multidisciplinary circle of care and equitable access.

Dr. Jaco Hottman is Oxford Institute of Population Ageing, University of Oxford a Senior Research Fellow, developing the Institute’s focus on ageing in Africa in collaboration with Isabella Aboderin, of the African Research on Ageing Network (AFRAN). His research interests revolve around intergenerational issues in Africa in general and in particular the configuration and reconfiguration of these relationships in the context of poverty and HIV/AIDS. This research is funded by James Martin and the Oppenheimer Fund. The African Research on Ageing Network (AFRAN) is a United Nations endorsed program, hosted by the Oxford Institute of Population Ageing. This collaborative network brings together African and international institutions and individuals from academia, policy, and practice to develop and expand African research and training capacity on aging. As Past President of the South African Gerontological Association (SAGA) and Chairperson in the structures of the then National Peace Accord (South Africa), he continues to be involved in various developmental programs and initiatives in the field of aging and reconciliation in South Africa.

Dr. Elaine Congress is a Professor and Associate Dean for Special Programs. She directs the dual MSW/MPH program with Mt. Sinai and the MSW student program at the United Nations. She also chairs the Fordham Institute for Women and Girls. She has served as Director of the Doctoral Program.
At the United Nations, Dr. Congress represents NGOs such as the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW), the Institute for Multicultural Counseling and Education Services (IMCES), and Fordham, which is an NGO at the United Nations. She has served as the North American Representative to the International Ethics Committee of the International Federation of Social Workers (IFSW). She is co-chair of the Social Work section at NYAM (New York Academy of Medicine) and serves on the national NASW Pioneer Board. Previously, she was on the National Board of Directors of the National Association of Social Workers (NASW) and was a past president of the New York City Chapter of NASW.

Dr Eleanor Nwadinobi is a medical doctor, women, peace, security and gender expert with a master’s in human Rights. Eleanor is President of the Widows Development Organization. She is also the first Nigerian to rise to the position of International President of the Medical Women's International Association (MWIA) in its over one-hundred-year existence. She sits on the boards of several National and International Organizations including Every Woman Treaty, a coalition advocating for a global binding norm to end all forms of violence against women and girls and is Co-chair Immunization Agenda (IA) 2030 Partnership Council. Eleanor has authored several publications and received numerous awards of merit.

Sharon Cohen is a genealogist, historian, researcher, writer, and journalist whose career reflects a lifelong commitment to uncovering and preserving the stories that define us.
An honors graduate of Rutgers University in Newark, NJ — recognized as one of the most diverse universities in the nation — Sharon went on to earn her master's degree in public administration with distinction from New York University, during which time she served in the New Jersey state government. She later coordinated an apprenticeship program for the United Steelworkers of the United States and Canada, bringing that same dedication to workforce development and community investment.
Sharon has been a staff writer for a weekly print newspaper for over a decade and maintains a popular Tuesday blog at sharonmarkcohen.com, where she has cultivated a loyal and growing readership. An experienced educator and frequent lecturer, she is a seasoned radio guest, regularly speaking on genealogy and related topics.
Throughout her career, Sharon has held leadership roles in civic and communal life, including serving as president of her sisterhood. A born storyteller, she brings warmth, rigor, and deep humanity to every subject she explores — guided by her core belief that everyone deserves a legacy.

Dr. Suzanne Stutman is a Professor of English, American Studies, and Women’s Studies at Penn State University’s Abington College. She is the author of five scholarly texts and three books of poetry: Broken Feather: A Journey to Healing, White Feather: A Journey to Peace, and All the Power Rests with You. Dr. Stutman has written poetry on behalf of several organizations, including The International Health Awareness Network, The National Council of Women of the United States, The International Council of Women, Friends of the Children (The Center for Children’s Support), The Philadelphia Children’s Alliance, Women Organized Against Rape, and Heartbeat, South Africa. Her poems have been read and exhibited at the United Nations and at various locations around the world. Dr. Stutman is the Immediate Past President of the National Council of Women of the United States and Vice President of Educational Outreach for the International Health Awareness Network. She is also a past president of The Thomas Wolfe Society. She serves on the advisory boards of the Toni Morrison Society, The Thomas Wolfe Society, and the Survivors’ Art Foundation

Madam Nuru is the Non-Executive Director of the Equity Bank of Tanzania. Ms. Nuru holds a Master of Science in Managerial Economics, Quantitative Methods and Business Administration including Trade and Marketing from Hult University. She is a Policy Advisor for IHAN (International Health Awareness Network) and Tanzania Women Chamber of Commerce. Previously she has worked as the Personal Assistant to the President on Diplomatic and International Affairs United Republic of Tanzania; consultant/Advisor of the United Nations of the Special Advisor on Africa; among other capacities in the United Nations. She has also worked with the Government of the United Republic of Tanzania as Permanent Secretary for Health, Community Development, Culture, Women, Youth and sports; Deputy Permanent Secretary and Director of Management Development and Administration and Head of Planning, Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare among other capacities.

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Dr. Melody Behnam is an obstetrician-gynecologist in Ridgewood, New Jersey and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Hackensack University Medical Center and St. Joseph's Healthcare System-Paterson. She graduated with honors in 2001 from Ross University School of Medicine and has been in practice over 17 years. Dr. Behnam has been awarded more than 7 times for excellent work in the Obstetrics/Gynecology field. She is one of 165 doctors at Hackensack University Medical Center and one of 57 at St. Joseph's Healthcare System-Paterson who specialize in Obstetrics & Gynecology.