Founding Nominations and Governance Committee

Under IPPF’s new regulations, the Nominations and Governance Committee (NGC) has the mandate to recruit and evaluate the performance of members of the Board of Trustees and the Board committees. Reporting to the General Assembly, the NGC is a seven-person committee that has majority MA members, at least half of whom must be women and at least 20% of whom must be youth under 25.

The NGC members confirmed by the Governing Council during its May 15-16 meeting are:

Don Gunawardena

An MA volunteer, Don Gunawardena is Chair of the National Council at Family Planning Association of Sri Lanka. He was previously Honorary Officer (Treasurer) of IPPF South Asia (SARO) until March 2020. Don qualified as a Chartered Accountant in 1972 and held executive responsibilities at Carson Cumberbatch Group (CCPlc) between 1990 and 2011 including as a Member on its Audit, Remuneration and Nomination Committees. Amongst the skills required for the Nominations and Governance Committee, Don can point to knowledge of governance at the international or national level; financial control and oversight; and risk management. Don is from South Asia, based in Sri Lanka.

Ramatou Hama

An MA volunteer, Ramatou Hama has been Chair of the Niger Association for Family Welfare since 2018. She qualified as a teacher in 1978 and has been a School Director since 1991. In a voluntary capacity, Ramatou has advised the Niger Association for Family Welfare since 1999. Amongst the skills required for the Nominations and Governance Committee, Ramatou can point to knowledge of governance at the international or national level; leadership in SRHR; and program delivery experience. She is from West Africa, currently located in Niger. She has also spent time in Japan and Belgium in the past.

Dr Talaat Latif

An MA volunteer, Dr Talaat Latif has been Chair of the Egyptian Family Planning Association since 2002. He has been a Consultant of Internal Medicine and Cardiology since 1986. Dr Latif was Director-General of the Ministry of Health and Population in Egypt between 2005 and 2013. In Egypt, he was a member of the committee to prepare the constitution in 2014, and a Member of the Health Division of the National Specialized Councils. Since 2013, he has been President of the General Union of NGO’s and Institutions. Amongst the skills required for the Nominations and Governance Committee, Dr Latif can point to experience of advocacy and working with government; knowledge of governance at the international or national level; and leadership in SRHR. He is from Egypt.

Neish McLean

An external candidate, Neish McLean has been Co-Founder and Executive Director of TransWave Jamaica since 2015. Concurrently he is also Caribbean Program Officer for OutRight Action International since 2018. Neish was formerly Vice-Chair of the United Caribbean Trans Network. Amongst the skills required for the Nominations and Governance Committee, he can point to leadership in SRHR; program delivery experience; and experience of advocacy and working with government. Neish is from the Caribbean and currently based in Jamaica.

Dr Isabel Serrano

An MA volunteer, Dr Isabel Serrano was President of the Spanish Family Planning Federation, FPFE, for 12 years. She has been a specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology since 1979. Between 1994 and 2000 Dr Serrano was Head of Division responsible for Family Planning programmes and promotion of maternal-child and adolescent health for Madrid City Council. amongst the skills required for the Nominations and Governance Committee, she can point to peer-to-peer service delivery; knowledge of governance at the international or national level; and leadership in SRHR. Dr Serrano is from Europe, currently based in Spain and has spent time living abroad in Liberia.

Jona Turalde

An external candidate, Jona Turalde is a Youth Champion and Guiding Group member for SheDecides since 2017. She is currently completing her BA in Anthropology at the University of the Philippines, where she chaired their Anthropology Society in 2018. Jona was a Girl Advisor of the “Girls to the front: a snapshot of girl organising” research of FRIDA Young Feminist Fund and MamaCash. She was a Junior Fellow of Adolescent and Youth Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (AYSRHR): Building Towards an Informed Investment Strategy Project Advisory Group for Youth Investment, Engagement, Leadership and Development (YIELD) project.  Amongst the skills required for the Nominations and Governance Committee, she can point to knowledge of youth networking/youth action; fundraising and resource mobilization; and experience of advocacy and working with government. Jona is from South East Asia, currently located in the Philippines. Jona is under 25 years old at this time.

Daniela Urquijo Defex

An MA volunteer, Daniela Urquijo Defex is currently training to be a primary school teacher at the Universidad del Atlántico. She has been the leader of the youth volunteer programme Barranquilla Profamilia Youth Network since 2010. Amongst the skills required for the Nominations and Governance Committee, she can point to knowledge of youth networking/youth action; peer-to-peer service delivery; and program delivery experience. Daniela is from Latin America, currently located in Colombia. Daniela is under 25 years old at this time.