About MLI

The Ministerial Leadership Initiative for Global Health (MLI) works with ministries of health in Ethiopia, Mali, Nepal, Senegal, and Sierra Leone to advance country ownership in three inter-related policy areas: health financing to ensure sustainable health care for all; donor alignment to ensure that donors work together to support country-led priorities; and reproductive health because the health of women is central to the health and stability of communities and nations. MLI, a program of Aspen Global Health and Development at The Aspen Institute, worked in partnership with the Results for Development Institute and the Council of Women World Leaders. MLI received generous funding support from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and the David and Lucile Packard Foundation.  Below are brief bios of the MLI-Aspen Washington team.   

Rosann Wisman

Director

Rosann Wisman is Director of the Ministerial Leadership Initiative, a program of Aspen Global Health and Development at the Aspen Institute. Ms. Wisman has over thirty years of executive leadership experience in non-profit organizations working in public policy and health care access both internationally and in the United States, with a special emphasis on women’s health and rights. Prior to joining the Aspen Institute, Ms. Wisman served as Executive Director of the Accordia Global Health Foundation, an organization dedicated to fighting infectious diseases through building the clinical and research capacity of academic medical institutions in Africa. She also served as Senior Vice President at the Centre for Development and Population Activities, directing global programs to improve the lives of women and girls in developing countries through leadership development, education, and access to reproductive health services. While living in Tokyo, she was Senior Advocacy Advisor for Population Action International. For the 20 years prior, Ms. Wisman was President and CEO of Planned Parenthood affiliates including Planned Parenthood of Metropolitan Washington, DC, where she led the significant expansion of its clinical scope, geographic reach, and policy impact. During this time, she was Chair of Planned Parenthood’s National Executive Directors’ Council, where she was recognized for her expertise in effective non-profit management and board development. She has served on numerous national and Washington, DC area boards.  Ms. Wisman holds a M.S. in Public Health from the University of Missouri, School of Medicine.

Stephanie Weber

Senior Program Officer

Stephanie Weber is an international public health professional with experience supporting the advancement of health policy and programs in both humanitarian and development settings. Prior to joining the Aspen Institute, Stephanie was a Health Technical Advisor for the American Refugee Committee, a humanitarian non-governmental organization. During this time, Stephanie provided technical support and emergency response assistance to a wide range of comprehensive health programs in Africa, Asia and the Caribbean, and directly managed HIV&AIDS and gender based violence programs in South Sudan. Stephanie also conducted research on orphans and vulnerable children in northern Togo and served as Public Health Peace Corps Volunteer in Guinea. She holds a BS in Biology and a BA in Italian Studies from the University of California, San Diego, and an MSc in Public Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.

Jennifer Magalong

Program Officer

Jennifer Magalong is a Program Officer at the Ministerial Leadership Initiative for Global Health, a program of Aspen Global Health and Development. Prior to joining the MLI team, Jennifer supported the finance and operations and health programs of Realizing Rights: The Ethical Globalization Initiative. Jennifer holds a Master’s degree in Conflict Resolution from Georgetown University and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations (Global Security) and History from Brown University.

Sarah Lindsay

Program Assistant

Sarah holds a MA from American University in Ethics, Peace and Global Affairs, a multidisciplinary program offering an ethical response to contemporary global problems. Within her program, she concentrated on Ethical Development with a focus on women, health, and the environment. She has spent time studying abroad at Oxford and in Italy. Sarah holds a BA in English Language and Literature from North Carolina State University along with minors in Africana Studies and History.