CARE Power Panel Presented by UPS

Maria Kisumbi

Director, Policy & Government Relations, Humanity United

Maria is the Director of Policy & Government Relations at Humanity United, leading efforts to influence governments and international institutions for enduring peace and freedom. With a focus on inclusive policymaking, Maria draws from her lived experience and has an extensive background in advocating for human rights and women’s rights. She has contributed to publications like Just Security, American Foreign Service Association, World Politics Review, and Africa Journals Online.

Maria is also one of the inaugural members of Rights and Dignity (RAD). RAD is an employee-led initiative within The Omidyar Group (TOG) focused on advancing the rights and dignity of communities affected by oppression. As part of RAD, Maria works to raise awareness about some harmful and extractive aspects of philanthropy and advocates for restorative and regenerative practices both within and outside of TOG.

Previously, she served as a Senior Human Rights and Governance Technical Advisor to the Uganda National Planning Authority at the German Development Cooperation and coordinated efforts for women’s rights with LAW-Uganda, achieving significant legal milestones.

Recognized as a 2023 DINSN National Security & Foreign Affairs Leader, Maria holds a master’s degree in global health law from Georgetown University Law Center, a Bachelor of Laws degree from Makerere University in Uganda and is an alumna of the Georgetown Law and Advocacy for Women in Africa Program.

Naana Akyaa Asante

CEO & Founder, Isabella HealthCare Services

Naana Akyaa Asante is a registered nurse with over 27 years of clinical experience in maternal and child health care, home care, and school nursing in the United States and Ghana. She is the founder and CEO of Isabella HealthCare Services, a medical supply company specializing in the provision of disposable surgical packs for hospitals. In the next few years, Naana will be leveraging technology to increase distribution and access to vital healthcare products, as well as the manufacturing of medical devices. As CEO, Naana draws on her vast knowledge to provide strategic, innovative, and purposeful leadership. She believes access to quality health care is a fundamental human right, one that should not be denied to a person because of their geographical location and/or socio-economic status. She strives to inspire her team and form collaborative partnerships that make healthcare products and services affordable, accessible, and available to everyone who needs it. A breast cancer survivor, Naana founded the Embrace Society to replicate her success story through awareness, providing support, and championing advocacy. She is passionate about using her voice to “educate to empower” people to make health care and lifestyle choices that promote SDG 3, Good Health and Well-Being. She is the current chairwoman of the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Ghana, a board member of the Federation of Africa Medical Equipment, Disposable, and Device Manufacturers and Suppliers, and a former board member of the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital.

Julia Stafford

Food and Nutrition Security Policy Advocate, CARE

Julia Stafford is the Food and Nutrition Security Policy Advocate on CARE’s Government Relations team. She leads CARE’s advocacy to the U.S. Government on legislation and funding for critical food and nutrition assistance programs to ensure that these programs can save lives, support resilient food systems, and elevate women’s leadership. She is a co-chair of InterAction’s Food Security, Nutrition, and Agriculture Working Group and leads their Farm Bill work stream.

Before joining CARE, Julia spent eight years on Capitol Hill working for Congressman Kurt Schrader and Senator Ron Wyden from her home state of Oregon. She led Congressional oversight into federal indigenous boarding schools, wrote bipartisan legislation to protect vulnerable communities and ecosystems, and worked with local food banks and small businesses during the COVID-19 response.

Julia has a master’s degree in public administration from the Maxwell School at Syracuse University, and a bachelors degree from the University of Oregon. Originally from Portland, Oregon, she lives in Washington, DC, with her husband where she volunteers as a reading tutor and a Sunday school teacher.

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