Prof. John Adwok

Chairman

Prof. Adwok is a consultant General and Endocrine surgeon at the Nairobi Hospital, running a busy general surgical and endocrine clinic with emphasis on diseases of the breast and thyroid gland. He has been a member and chaired various hospital committees in the 35 years he has been affiliated with the hospital as well as a mentor to younger surgical colleagues. Prof. Adwok also serves as a Healthcare Administration Consultant carrying out general advisory services to the presidency in South Sudan and is the founding Chairman of the South Sudan General Medical Council (SSGMC). He was an academician at the University of Nairobi, Faculty of Medicine, for 26 years in the positions of Lecturer, Senior lecturer and Associate Professor in Clinical Surgery until voluntary retirement in 2011 to pursue full time private practice.

Prof. Adwok considers himself a high achiever who is enthusiastic about his work with a tendency to strive for perfection. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery (MBBS) degree from the University of Khartoum,Sudan; Master of Medicine and Surgery (MMed. Surg.) from the University of Nairobi; A German Academic Exchange Service (DAAD) sponsored Fellowship in Endocrine Surgery (University of Duesseldorf, Germany); Fellowship of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (FRCS Edin.) by examination, and a PhD in Healthcare Administration PhD (HCA) from Capella University, Minnesota, USA. He is an active member and fellow in a number of international surgical bodies including the International Surgical Society, American College of Surgeons, American Society of Breat Surgeons and International Association of Endocrine Surgeons among others.”

Mr. James Kiarie

Acting Managing Director

James is a seasoned banking professional with over 20 years of experience driving growth, operational excellence, and team leadership across Kenya and South Sudan. He has a proven track record of success in commercial banking, institutional client relationships, and branch transformation. He joined Equity Bank South Sudan in June 2012 and has grown through the ranks.

Prior to joining Equity Group, Mr. Kiarie worked with Credit Bank in Kenya and has also held various positions with Cooperative Bank and Barclays Bank Kenya Limited.

Mr. Kiarie holds an MBA in Banking from the University of London, an ACIB/BSc in Financial Services from UMIST / Institute of Financial Services, as well as a Diploma in Banking. His academic qualifications, combined with his extensive professional experience, position him as a strong leader in the banking industry.

Dr. Biong Kuol Deng

Non-executive Director

Biong is a governance expert, constitutional lawyer, policy analyst, and development expert, by profession, with over twenty-two years of practical experience at the regional and international levels. He acquired this experience through professional, focused, diversified, and intensive work in the fields of legal education, human rights, Constitution and constitutionalism, conflict prevention, management and resolution, democracy and governance, and economic and human development.

Academic and Professional Qualifications S.J.D. (Ph.D.) Holder, Madison Law School, University of Wisconsin-Madison. (1988 – 1993)LL.M., Columbia University School of Law, New York, N.Y. Focused on International Law, International Business Transactions, Corporate Law, Conflict of Laws, and Law of Contracts. LL.B., Faculty of Law, Khartoum University, Khartoum, Sudan. Recent Professional Experience Dean, School of Law, University of Juba, Juba, South Sudan (2022–Present) Head, Department of Private Law, School of Law, University of Juba (2018 – 2021) Chairperson, Public Grievances Chamber, Republic of South Sudan, Juba, South Sudan (2015 – present) Research Fellow, Centre For Strategic and Policy Studies, P.O. Box, Hai Jeberona, Juba, South Sudan (2019 – present) International IDEA Representative to South Sudan. International IDEA, Juba, South Sudan (2011 – 2019) Consultant, Advocate and Commissioner for Oaths, Nimra Talata, Juba, Southern Sudan (2009 – 2011) Various roles as research specialist at the Institute of South Africa (2005 – 2009).

Board Experience: Executive member of Women’s Bloc of South Sudan in the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD). Cohort member and national coordinator South Sudan, Young East African Health Research Scientists (YEARS’). Member of the 9th East African Health Research Commission (EAHSC) Scientific Sub-Committee (RSSC). Member of Steering Committee for Establishment of the Research and Development Framework, Ministry of Higher Education, Science & Technology, Juba, South Sudan. South Sudan (2014-2016). BSc in Chemistry/Biology and Diploma in Education Science - University of Bahr El Ghazal, College of Education, South Sudan (1999-2003)

Mary Ajith

Non-Executive Director

Mary holds an LL.B. degree from EL-Neelian University, Khartoum, Sudan, Certificate in Law from LDC Uganda and a Post Graduate Diploma in Human Rights from the University of Juba. Mary has worked with various Gender and Child-Related Organizations and holds a Certificate in Skill for Communicating with Children, Certificate in Gender and Development and an Advanced Certificate in Women, Peace and Security Council Resolution 1325. She serves on the board of the Ethicapl University, Juba and is a member of South Sudan Revenue Authority Board of Directors. She is currently the Head of Directorate of Legislation, Ministry of Justice and Constitutional Affairs for the Republic of South Sudan and holds certificates of Legislative drafting and Bills Scrutiny training with over 16 years’ experience.

Dr. Lina Sara Mathew Alonga

Non-Executive Director

A distinguished researcher in pharmacognosy and natural medicine, with a robust background in biology, education, and pharmaceutical research. A dedicated advocate for gender equality and peace, she supports women’s leadership and participation in decision-making roles. Her work includes expertise in medical botany, herbal medicine research, and pharmaceutical laboratory studies.

Academic and Professional Qualifications:PhD in Pharmacognosy and Natural Medicine - Mbarara University of Science, Uganda (2017 – 2022). MSc in Biology (Botany) - University of Juba, South Sudan. Professional Experience:Director General of Science, Technology and Innovation - Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Technology, South Sudan (2024 to present). Director of Quality Assurance - University of Bahr El Ghazal (2023 -2024). Assistant Professor of Biology – University of Bahr El Ghazal, College of Education (2008 – to date). Part time Lecturer - University of Juba, College of Education (2015 -2016)

DR. ABRAHAM MAMER

Non-Executive Director

Abraham Mamer, (PhD) is an enthusiastic, self-motivated, reliable, responsible, and hard-working individual, with long tracking records, for over 16 years (1999 – 2016) experienced across the Tasman (New Zealand & Australia), during which, he has coordinated the implementation of high-level socio - economics settlement policies that have enabled New Zealand and Australia governments to effectively cater for needs of many thousands of refugees and new immigrants to peacefully resettled in their new countries.

Trained at faculty of Business, Economics and Law, AUT University New Zealand, he has wide experience in business management, public policy studies, research, and evaluation. He was awarded scholarship to study Executive Leadership Performance & Evaluation (ELPE) fellowship at the School of Business and Economics, Melbourne University - Australia.

Abraham has been extensively involved in reviewing Corporates and Social Responsibility (CSR) Policies of the Corporate entities such as: Health Alliance, Migrants Resource Centres, Work-and-Income Support, Centre-Link, and Immigration & Resettlement Policies in New Zealand and Australian through the 1990 to 2015.

As a result of his tenacious campaign on African Economic Empowerment Policies, he was awarded a prestigious African most influencing person in Australia (opera house 2012). He was appointed by the Australian Federal Government as Co-chair of Ministerial Advisory Committee on African Australian Affairs, (economic inclusion division).

Moreover, he has been a resource person and consultant for International Organization for Migration – Melbourne Office. Established South Sudan Investor Corner on South Sudan Broadcaster (SSBC). He has served as Secretary General of South Sudan Investment Authority and is the current Chairman of Tax Recovery Committee, NRA, South Sudan.