Abdou Wahab Manjang, a naturalized U.S. citizen originally from The Gambia, moved to the United States as an international student after graduating from high school. Initially interested in economic crime investigation or business administration, Manjang’s career path shifted when he began working as a nursing assistant at a major hospital in the Twin Cities. This experience ignited his passion for pursuing a Bachelor of Science degree in Human Services and a Master’s in Healthcare Administration.

During his Master’s program, Manjang compared healthcare systems in The Gambia, the United States, and the Dominican Republic. The stark contrast in resources and care quality in his home country motivated him to establish Impact Health The Gambia (IHTG) to improve healthcare delivery in The Gambia. Growing up in The Gambia, Manjang witnessed firsthand the devastating consequences of limited resources and the stigma surrounding mental and addiction care. He founded IHTG to support public hospitals, believing that his nonprofit initiatives can make a significant difference.

Mariah is passionate about ensuring equitable access to healthcare for all. With a background in continuous improvement and project management, Mariah enjoys focusing on initiatives that address health disparities and improve the well-being of underserved communities around the world.

Mariah believes that global health is crucial not only to ensure that everyone has access to healthcare & to prevent the spread of diseases but also for ensuring global stability. IHTG allows us to take steps to make an impact on global health.

Sainabou has solid and extensive experience managing development projects and delivering quality and continuous process improvement work in the healthcare sector. She is committed to creating opportunities to provide equitable access to healthcare and achieving quality health outcomes, particularly for disparity populations. Sainabou has always been passionate about giving back to humanity and serves in different volunteer roles in the non-profit sector. She continues to impact lives as a community organizer and through community mediation. Sainabou holds Master’s degrees in Human Rights and Peace and Conflict Studies, and a Bachelor’s in International Development Studies. She has practitioner certificates in Lean Six Sigma Green Belt and Project Management Profession (PMP).

Jonathan is dedicated to enhancing healthcare delivery by driving innovation and system-wide improvements.  With a background in healthcare leadership, performance improvement, and strategic transformation, Jonathan thrives on initiatives that improve operational performance and expand access to critical health services.

Jonathan views global health as a foundational element in creating healthier, more resilient communities.  Through collaboration with IHTG, Jonathan contributes to efforts aimed at strengthening healthcare systems by equipping providers, leaders, and teams with the tools and methodologies needed to deliver high-quality care.

Ifrah Noor is a dedicated healthcare professional with a strong background in health equity, quality and safety, and global health equity. She holds a Bachelor of Applied Science in Health Services Management with minors in Leadership and Social Justice from the University of Minnesota and is currently pursuing a Master of Healthcare Administration at the University of Minnesota School of Public Health.

Her extensive experience includes serving as an Administrative Resident for the Federal Ministry of Health in Jijiga, Ethiopia, where she played a pivotal role in identifying zero-dose populations and developing effective vaccination strategies to combat a measles outbreak, directly impacting the lives of over 429,000 children. Additionally, as a Health Equity-Cultural Navigator at Hennepin Healthcare, she bridges the gap between the Somali culture and the healthcare system, advocating for patients and addressing social determinants of health to enhance healthcare quality.

In addition to her professional roles, Ifrah is actively involved in leadership and advocacy. As an Advocates for Better Health Fellow, she is at the forefront of public health advocacy, tackling issues related to health equity and culturally responsive care. She also serves as the Co-President of the BIPOC Health Professions Collective at the University of Minnesota, where she leads initiatives to support underrepresented students in interdisciplinary health fields.

Isatou Sanyang is a software engineer at Optum, where she has been contributing her expertise for over four years. With a strong foundation in software development, she excels in designing and implementing innovative solutions that drive efficiency and support business goals. Her experience at Optum has allowed her to work on various impactful projects, enhancing her technical skills and problem-solving abilities in a dynamic and fast-paced environment.

Beyond her primary role, Isatou extends her technical expertise to help small businesses with their web development needs. Passionate about empowering entrepreneurs, she builds functional and user-friendly websites that help businesses establish an online presence and reach a broader audience. Her commitment to providing personalized support to each client underscores her belief in the transformative power of technology for small businesses.

In addition to her work in tech, Isatou is an author of low-content children’s books, which aim to inspire creativity and imagination in young readers. She is also deeply involved in her community, serving as an executive member of the Gambia Association in Minnesota. Through this role, she helps promote cultural heritage and support Gambians living in the diaspora, fostering a sense of unity and belonging.