Celebrating “System thinkers” – IAPB’s Young System Leader Awards 2025

Back for a second year, the IAPB Young Systems Leader Awards are shining a spotlight on early-career professionals 35 and under who are driving transformative change in eye health. This initiative celebrates “systems thinkers” — individuals who take innovative, holistic approaches to tackling avoidable sight loss and reshaping the future of eye care. 

Following a global call for nominations, IAPB’s Board and Executive Committee have selected nine outstanding winners from a diverse range of countries and professional backgrounds. These young leaders bring fresh perspectives, creativity, and determination to accelerate progress towards the 2030 In Sight goals.  

Congratulations to the 2025 Young Systems Leaders Award Winners: 

• Keitumetse Thamane, Programme Management Lead – Peek Vision (Botswana) 
• Tigist Tulu Gelashe, Programme Manager, Outreach and Quality – Cure Blindness Project (Ethiopia)  
• Ameer Abou Adela, Founder and President – Vision Care Association (Lebanon) 
• Mehran Memon, Assistant Director IT – Sindh Institute of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences (Pakistan) 
• Mattan Arazi, Ophthalmology Resident – Sheba Medical Centre (Israel) 
• Sabrina Von Wegerer, Research and Development Coordinator, Fundación Visión 
• Samit Sakib Gore, Director of Operations and Innovation, Co-Founder Vision Friend Eyewear and VCU Series – Vision Friend Sakib Gore (India) 
• Bharti Janyani Senior Hospital Manager – Operations and Community Eye Care – Sewa Sadan Eye Hospital (India) 
• Ting Fang Tan – Ophthalmology Resident – Singapore Eye Research Institute (Singapore) 

The winners of the Young Systems Leader Awards receive a range of unique opportunities to support their professional growth, including: 

• Speaking engagements at 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE in Kathmandu, Nepal, where they will share their insights and ideas with global leaders. 
• Participation in a leadership masterclass programme, delivered by experts from both the eye health sector and related fields. 
• Exclusive networking opportunities with key stakeholders in global health, policy, and advocacy. 

Caroline Casey, IAPB President, shared her enthusiasm for this year’s winners: “I’m blown away by the achievements and creativity of this year’s award winners, and can’t wait to meet them in person at 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE in Kathmandu.” 

The Young Systems Leaders will be front and centre at 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE, taking place in Kathmandu, Nepal, from April 29 to May 1, 2025. They will share their award-winning ideas, lead discussions, and collaborate with global leaders to help put 2030 In Sight for everyone, everywhere. 

Don’t miss your chance to meet these inspiring leaders and learn how their innovative approaches are reshaping eye health systems worldwide. 

 Register for 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE here.