IAPB Announces Winners of the Young Systems Leader Awards

The IAPB Young Systems Leader Award is a new initiative designed to amplify the voices and empower early-career professionals driving transformative change in eye health. 

After receiving nominations from around the world, the IAPB Board and Executive Committee selected nine impressive winners. As part of the award, winners receive a range of opportunities, including speaking at 2030 INSIGHT LIVE, enrollment of a masterclass programme presented by leaders from the eye health sector and other related fields.  

Caroline Casey, IAPB President said of the winners: 

“I am genuinely excited to meet this group of young leaders in Mexico,” said IAPB President, Caroline Casey. “They are real inspirations, all working in very different contexts, but with incredible creativity, collaboration and drive. The IAPB Young Systems Leader Awards celebrates the brilliance, enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit that will define the future of eye health and transform the lives and potential of millions”.  

Congratulations to the 2024 Young Systems Leaders Award Winners 

• Caio Abujamra, CEO, Instituto Suel Abujamra, Brazil 
• Juania Auguste, Nurse Practitioner, National Prevention of Blindness Committee, Haiti 
• Punam Bhandari Karki, Country Director, Nepal & Bhutan, HCP Cure Blindness, Nepal 
• Arthur Brant, Founder, Africa Eye Imaging Centre, USA 
• Rosamund Gilden, DR-NET South Pacific Regional Coordinator, RANZCO, Australia 
• Belachew Paulos, Country Director, Vision Action 
• Micaela Reis, Vice President, Associação de Profissionais Licenciados de Optometria, Portugal 
• Fatma Shakarchi, MENA Representative on the Youth Advisory Group, Red Cross Red Crescent Movement, Iraq 
• Fatima Zehra, Inclusive Eye Health Programme Manager, LRBT, Pakistan 

Award winner Juania Auguste reflected: “By participating in the Young Systems Leader Award programme, I hope to become a better actor of change to help people so they do not lose their sight unnecessarily, and be a voice for people who don’t have one in the global eye health sector.” 

Award winner Caio Abujamra offered his view on the value of the award: “I think the most important aspect of a Young Systems Leader award winner, is networking with the most innovative young minds in the world when it comes to visual health. This connection is crucial for exchanging experiences and joining efforts to change the landscape of visual health and develop technologies and processes where we can reach a greater number of people around the world with quality.” 

Join us at 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE in Mexico this June to meet our winners and hear them present their award-winning ideas. 

Register here.