Meet our dedicated team working to end rape in war
The Panzi team is made up of 750+ Congolese doctors, nurses, psychologists, lawyers, and management professionals who are dedicated to the holistic care of survivors of sexual violence in DRC and around the world.
OUR FOUNDER AND LEADERSHIP
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Dr. Denis Mukwege
Dr. Denis Mukwege is the Founder of Panzi Hospital and Foundation. For over 20 years, he has been an outspoken advocate for women’s rights and against sexual and gender-based violence. He has spoken in front of the United Nations, the European Parliament, the G7 Gender Equality Council, and around the world. In 2018, he received the Nobel Peace Prize for his efforts to end rape as a weapon of war.
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Christine Schuler DESCHRYVER
Christine Schuler Deschryver is the Vice President of Panzi Foundation, and one of the organization’s most influential and inspiring leaders. In addition to her management responsibilities at Panzi, she is also the Co-Founder and Director of City of Joy, a transformational leadership community for women survivors of violence in Bukavu. You can learn more about “Mama Christine” and her inspiring work in the Netflix documentary City of Joy.
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DEBBY GRUITERS
Debby joined Panzi Foundation as the Executive Secretary in 2022. At Panzi, Debby is responsible for the implementation of our holistic healing model both in the DRC and abroad and manages a team of over 300 professionals. She has more than twenty years of experience in project management, international tender procedures, sustainable organizational development. Before coming to Panzi, Debby worked closely with Dr. Mukwege as the Head of Operations at the Dr. Denis Mukwege Foundation.
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Dr. Becas Nfundiko
Dr. Becas Nfundiko is the Medical Director of Panzi Hospital, and has been with the organization since its inception. “I am always motivated to work hard to see the hospital continue to expand and improve,” he says. “When the hospital was first established it was very basic and we had limited services. To see it grow over the years has been a big motivation for the work I do and we will continue to work hard to ensure Panzi Hospital is a center of excellence.”
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Dr. Neema Rukunghu, Medical Doctor & Holistic Care Expert, SVS Unit
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Crispin Kashale, DRC Communications
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Bertin Rutega,
Director of Programs
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Nicole Bautumike, Project Manager, Jewelry Project
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Ghislain Barholere, Assistant, Cabinet
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Yves Shangalume, Director of Finance and Administration
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Emily Warne, Executive Director, US Office
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Hilaire Mirango, Coordinator, Maison Dorcas
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Lubula Igomokelo, Assistant,
Cabinet
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Etienne Chikuru, Deputy Director of Programs
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Marissa Pledger,
Deputy Director, US Office
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Vital Barholere, Chief of Staff,
Cabinet
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Robert Nyangala, Assistant,
Cabinet
Our Board
Dr. Denis Mukwege
President & Founder
Christine Schuler Deschryver
Vice President
Dr. Christine Amisi
DRC Board Member
Maître Thérèse Kulungu
DRC Board Member
Fred Kramer
US Board Treasurer
Stephanie March
US Board Director
Herman Mukwege
DRC Board Member
Dr. Reine Muluzinyere
DRC Board Member
Dr. Neema Rukunghu
Vice President
Ed Sullivan
US Board Chair