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.

Attorney at Law Rochester Law Firm

Krista Boston is a licensed attorney with extensive experience serving in various director and executive-level positions. She dedicated 23 years to the State of Minnesota Dept of Human Services and the Minnesota Board on Aging. Most recently, she served as Chief Customer Relations Officer at Rochester Public Utilities, the largest public utility in Rochester, Minnesota, serving 55,000 customers.

Krista is renowned for managing high-level, time-sensitive projects and has significant experience implementing programs within state government, local city governments, and in partnerships with counties and other local government entities. Her work has benefited the elderly and their caregivers, low-income families, people with disabilities, and individuals seeking health care insurance.

In addition to her public service, Krista teaches as an adjunct professor at Metropolitan State University in St. Paul, focusing on human services, training, and organizational change management. She is also a caregiver for her mother, who has Alzheimer’s, and serves as the Head Speech and Debate Coach for the award-winning teams at Century High School.

Krista’s commitment to community service is evident through her roles on several non-profit boards, including her position as the 2024 Chair of the Salvation Army Advisory Council for Olmsted County.

Independent Consultant in Audit, Risk, and Compliance

With a distinguished 20-year career spanning audit, risk, and compliance across various industries, Kojo brings a wealth of expertise to his clients. A former risk consultant with a Big Four accounting firm, he has deep experience in managing complex risk environments and ensuring robust compliance frameworks.

Currently, Kojo operates as an independent consultant, offering specialized advisory services in audit, risk, and compliance. He also provides fractional roles, delivering strategic insights and practical solutions to help clients navigate their risk landscapes effectively.

 Vice President of Patient Care at St. Francis Regional Medical Center 

As a nurse leader, consultant and coach-Laura is determined to improve the human condition. She is committed to supporting organizations that empower and enable the growth and development of individuals and support social justice and health equity.

Her broad range of healthcare leadership and advisory experience has enabled her to have a deeper understanding of the opportunity to improve the equity and effectiveness of the systems that aim to promote health. With over 20 years of experience in healthcare, Laura brings a firm understanding of the connection between strategy, systems, and human behavior as well as a passion for building capable and inspired teams.  

Retired Associate Professor of Nursing and Co-Chair, School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership, Minnesota State University Moorhead

With 42 years of diverse nursing experience, Carol Roth has made significant contributions to healthcare education and practice. As co-chair of MSUM’s School of Nursing & Healthcare Leadership, she played a pivotal role in developing the new Bachelor of Science in Nursing program. Her dedication to nursing education is evident through her teaching in the RN to BSN program and mentoring graduate students in the M.S. in Nursing – Nurse Educator track.

Carol is committed to inspiring students and advancing the future of healthcare. Her involvement in planning global experiences for students highlights her dedication to academic excellence and cultural diversity. Outside the classroom, she actively volunteers with church groups, local homeless shelters, and youth programs, promoting inclusion, cultural diversity, and social justice.

Her career reflects a strong focus on healthcare advocacy, ethical policy development, health promotion, interprofessional collaboration, and quality improvement. Carol’s passion for shaping the future of nursing drives her to foster the next generation of nurses, with a lasting impact on the profession.

 Executive Director DE&I Patterson Companies

Tonya Barber is a seasoned leader with extensive experience in strategic planning, talent acquisition, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) frameworks. With a strong background in healthcare, government, and technology sectors, they have consistently driven organizational excellence and innovation. Tonya excels in building effective operating models, fostering growth strategies, and developing impactful programs that connect teams for success.

At Impact Health-The Gambia, Tonya brings their expertise in aligning systems, policies, and processes to support the organization’s mission of promoting operational excellence in The Gambia’s public health hospitals. They are deeply passionate about global health and committed to improving healthcare accessibility and quality for underserved populations in The Gambia. Their dedication to global health stems from a belief in the transformative power of equitable healthcare systems, and they are proud to contribute to IHTG’s mission of creating lasting, positive change in the region.

Lead Developer at Wells Fargo

Aboubacar Diaby is an accomplished Lead Developer at Wells Fargo with extensive experience in designing, building, and managing robust financial software and APIs. With over 17 years in the tech industry, he specializes in leading and mentoring development teams, driving innovation, and delivering high-performance solutions tailored to the banking and financial sector.

In addition to his technical expertise, Aboubacar has earned a Doctorate degree in Business Administration, which equips him with a unique perspective on aligning technology strategies with business goals. His deep understanding of financial systems and business processes allows him to create solutions that drive operational efficiency and deliver measurable business value.

Beyond his professional achievements, Aboubacar is deeply passionate about alleviating poverty and addressing development challenges by improving healthcare and education systems in Africa. Through innovative approaches and community-driven initiatives, he is dedicated to fostering sustainable development and creating opportunities for growth and empowerment across the continent.

A visionary leader and mentor, Aboubacar is committed to empowering teams, driving transformative technological advancements, and contributing to global solutions that impact lives positively.

Health Equity Clinical Outcomes Director / Hospital Medicine Provider at Hennepin Health

Dr. Roby is a family nurse practitioner with ten years of experience who works autonomously and in collaboration with other healthcare professionals to deliver across the spectrum patient-centered focused care. In this field, she has worked in several different disciplines, such as primary and urgent care, occupational medicine, critical care, and currently as a hospitalist.

Recently, Dr. Roby joined Hennepin Healthcare as their Health Equity Clinical Outcomes Director. This newly created role focuses on assessing and improving our health equity metrics across the organization.

Dr. Roby has an insatiable pursuit of knowledge and is committed to lifelong learning, as demonstrated by her education progression. From obtaining her Associate and Bachelor of Science in Nursing degree, followed by a Master of Science in Family Nurse Practitioner from Georgetown University to her completion of her Doctorate of Nursing Practice from St. Catherine University. In addition, she has obtained several certificates to enhance her practice, such as Fundamentals in Critical Care Support, Licensed Qualified Administrator of the Intercultural Development Inventory (IDI), and Reducing Racial Disparities in Healthcare certificate from Harvard University.

In her free time, Dr. Roby enjoys working out, reading, participating in church activities, and being a mom to her eighteen-year-old daughter.

Hospitalist at Fairview Health Services

Dr. Else is an actively practicing board-certified internal medicine hospitalist, national healthcare consultant, and certified physician executive coach with over 20 years of experience at a tertiary care, level-II trauma medical center as well as significant experience in a rural health system. As a physician executive, he brings deep experience across the healthcare continuum including leading large provider groups, development of outreach relationships with independent health systems, and with an accountable care partnership between two large health systems that delivered care cost containment and care improvement in the community.  He is known for his breadth of experiences, commitment to quality and safety, and hands-on approach in clinical and physician leadership operations. He excels at analyzing and synthesizing information from diverse sources to develop strategic vision and including key stakeholders to advance strategy initiatives.  He is recognized for his ability to connect with staff at all levels of an organization as well as the surrounding community.

 Director of Infection Prevention and Control at Carilion Clinic

Maimuna Jatta is a certified infection preventionist and healthcare leader with over a decade of experience spanning infection prevention, nursing leadership, and nursing practice across the continuum of care. Currently serving as Director of Infection Prevention & Control at a not-for-profit healthcare organization, she leads system-wide programs to enhance patient safety, reduce healthcare-associated infections, and ensure compliance with regulatory standards. Known for her expertise in quality improvement, mentorship, and interdisciplinary collaboration, Maimuna has spearheaded impactful initiatives, including pandemic response efforts, data-driven infection control strategies, and innovative educational programs. Maimuna is a dedicated advocate for excellence in infection prevention and patient safety.

System Director, Clinical Simulation at HealthPartners

Ryan Aga serves as the system-wide director for clinical simulation at HealthPartners. In this role, he leads a dedicated team overseeing an expansive simulation center that encompasses over 10,000 square feet of space, as well as a fully mobile simulation program that reaches out to surrounding communities. Ryan holds a master’s degree in nursing leadership and management and has devoted his entire nursing career to emergency medicine, with significant experience in nursing leadership. Additionally, he has earned a certificate in Simulation from Drexel University in Philadelphia.

An accomplished speaker, Ryan has published multiple articles, including a notable piece in The New England Journal of Medicine Catalyst , titled: “Racism, Equity, and Inclusion: Can Clinical Simulation Train Health Care Workers to Build an Anti-Racism Culture.”

A forward-thinking leader, Ryan is a collaborator, connector, and motivator. He is deeply passionate about healthcare simulation and innovation, striving to disrupt the future of healthcare training and education with a strong emphasis on enhancing health equity and improving patient outcomes.

Assistant Patient Care Manager of Surgical, Trauma and Transplant Intensive Care Unit (ICU) at Stanford Healthcare 

Merideth is a seasoned nurse leader with over a decade of combined clinical and leadership experience spanning large academic medical centers, trauma hospitals, and critical access facilities. With a clinical foundation rooted in emergency care across diverse urban settings, she developed a deep awareness of health disparities and a strong commitment to equity in healthcare delivery.

She holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Nursing and Social Work, a unique blend that has consistently informed her holistic approach to patient care and leadership. Merideth is currently completing her Master’s in Nursing, further advancing her expertise in healthcare systems and quality improvement.

Throughout her career, Merideth has led interdisciplinary teams, championed quality improvement initiatives, and cultivated a culture of collaboration and innovation. Her passion for global health has taken her on international service missions, where she supported underrepresented communities and strengthened her commitment to health equity.

Merideth’s ability to foster strong connections and lead with empathy and strategy makes her a valuable contributor to both healthcare organizations and global health initiatives like Impact Health The Gambia (IHTG).