Lise Ellyin
Name: Lise Ellyin
Position: Deputy Country Director
Location: Nigeria
I started with the Clinton Foundation in February of 2007 when we launched the CHAI country program in Nigeria. Within this period of time, it has been rewarding working for an organization with a strong reputation for affecting change and achieving sustainable results, such as significantly reducing prices of pediatric anti-retroviral drugs in order to increase access to HIV treatment for children globally.
My background is varied with most of my professional experience being spent in the corporate sector in Canada. My experience ranges from Brand Manager in the wine business to Business Development Manager developing new food products to a Consultant in the construction business. In 2001, I spent some time living in a children's home in Kenya which was home to 80 children. My passion has always been around children, particularly those in underprivileged environments, and this was the beginning of my overseas experience.
What attracted me to CHAI was not only the focus on Pediatric HIV/AIDS and addressing a global health issue for children, but also the model of utilizing business methods within a non profit organization. The Pediatric Initiative partners people from both the business and health sectors and is successful because it brings together people with varied experience and strengths, making our teams all the more effective. From my perspective, I felt that I could bring my experience in strategic planning, operations, and implementation in an effort to achieve our objectives in Nigeria.
Working for CHAI in Nigeria there really is no such thing as a typical day as each day is extremely busy and presents me with many opportunities as well as challenges. In any given week, I could be liaising with government officials and partner organizations, working with the Nigeria team on our different programs, supporting the training of health care workers, rolling out a product for malnutrition, or ensuring that the drugs are getting to the sites.
We have piloted a community mobilization program this fall with the Government of Nigeria aimed at increasing the identification of children who may require HIV/AIDS treatment. This is a good example of what we do best: identify a gap and fill the need. Identification of children that may require HIV/AIDS treatment is complex, and CHAI is working with the Government of Nigeria and other partners to pool our collective experience and resources at the community level to identify these children and ensure that they receive high quality care and treatment.
The Clinton HIV AIDS Initiative is comprised of an incredible group of people from different backgrounds who are passionate and motivated to make a difference. What's most important in this role is having that passion and really understanding the country and the culture in which you are working and living. When opportunities or challenges present themselves, it's about using that knowledge, being resourceful and finding creative solutions that are sustainable for the country.