Bonnie St. John

Honouring Mothers by Promoting Maternal Health This Mother's Day, as a Jesuit Priest deeply committed to social justice and equity, I reflect on our sacred duty to safeguard the health of every mother. Guided by the Jesuit Universal Apostolic Preference, I lead initiatives at the African Health and Economic Transformation Initiative (AHETI) and the Jesuit Justice and Ecology Network focused on life-saving innovations in maternal health. We are pioneering a digital transformation in sister-led Catholic hospitals across Africa to enhance access to crucial maternal health services. Our goal is clear: to dramatically reduce maternal mortality rates on a continent where too many mothers still risk their lives bringing new life into the world. Moreover, we are intensifying efforts to increase the uptake of the HPV vaccine and boost cervical cancer screening. With Africa contributing to 85% of all global cervical cancer deaths, our mission is more urgent than ever. We care deeply for our mothers. They nurture, teach, and lead; let us ensure they live long, healthy lives to continue their vital roles in our communities. Together, we can transform maternal health and honor the spirit of Mother’s Day every day. Fr Charlie Chilufya, S.J. #MothersDay #MaternalHealth #SocialJustice #JesuitValues #PublicHealth

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“I am deeply moved by our ambition and desire to be seen and heard and valued in our full embodied excellence.” —Tema Okun, professor at Duke University, author, speaker, and writer As a white accomplice leading a diverse consulting firm that provides diversity, equity, inclusion, and access (DEIA) services, I am keenly aware of how the traditional consulting model can be antithetical to the principles of DEIA. Consulting is a byproduct of a white supremacy culture. This has produced and is wed to our traditional ways of operating – working within a hierarchy, consultants as experts who tell us what to do, and pleasing donors because wealth=power. At PENN Creative Strategy, we are passionate about helping organizations share power with all people. Based on Tema Okun’s work and with her permission, we developed an organizational assessment to help organizations determine the degree to which white supremacy characteristics are present in their organizations and to give them strategies to reverse those dynamics. #equity #DEIA There are ways to transform consulting through a DEIA approach. Access the full post here:  https://lnkd.in/ewcZFRfT Whatever changes you need to create an organization that is more diverse, equitable, inclusive, and accessible, we are eager to work alongside you – just contact us: https://lnkd.in/eBWSRdAf

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I am deeply honored to have been awarded the Global Education Award from Southcore Consulting in recognition of my work as the Founder and Executive Director of The Learnaholics Academy, Africa (TLA Africa). Although I could not attend the ceremony due to the proximity from my current location, my younger sister proudly received this award on my behalf. This moment serves as a testament to the power of education, innovation, and the vision we hold for the future of Africa. Our work as an EdTech and social enterprise goes beyond traditional teaching methods. We are dedicated to empowering the next generation of African leaders with digital skills, entrepreneurial mindsets, and real-world competencies. The future of education lies in equipping learners with the skills to innovate and solve the challenges their communities face. This is the foundation of everything we do at TLA Africa. The impact of our work extends beyond individual learners—it is about the transformation of Africa’s economic landscape. By fostering creativity, critical thinking, and sustainable entrepreneurship, we are building a movement of young Africans who will not just be participants in the global economy but leaders and innovators who drive change. This award is a recognition of that vision. It is a reminder that education is not just a tool for personal advancement but a force for collective empowerment. Together, we are shaping a future where Africa’s youth rise to build a prosperous, self-sustaining continent. #EdTech #SocialImpact #AfricaRising #FutureOfEducation #Entrepreneurship #YouthEmpowerment #GlobalEducationAward #TLAfrica #InnovationInEducation

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I recently had the privilege of tuning in to a thought-provoking podcast by my M&E colleague and friend Godfrey Senkaba . He delved into the intersection of technology, global dynamics, and M&E—a topic that that is more than relevant to our rapidly evolving M&E field. In his narrative, Godfrey highlighted several critical issues currently shaping the M&E landscape: Among these were; technological advancements, climate change, conflict and fragility, political and geospatial contexts. Each of the thematic areas discussed left me with questions to ponder as an M&E practitioner and I hope you should reflect on the same. Firstly, this is a data driven era and so technology is both an ally and a challenge for M&E. We need to think of how can we effectively leverage AI, machine learning, and data analytics to enhance evaluation practices. How are we prepared for the digital revolution that’s reshaping our field? Secondly  as our planet grapples with climate crises, M&E faces emerging complexities. How do we measure the impact of climate-related interventions? Can we adapt swiftly enough to assess resilience and adaptation efforts? Thirdly,  in conflict-affected regions, evaluating humanitarian assistance is urgent yet challenging. How can M&E practitioners navigate safety concerns, impartiality, and the unique dynamics of war-torn contexts? Lastly and critical to my thinking is politics and diplomacy . These two have increasingly shaped M&E outcomes. Political changes have had profound effects on the priorities, approaches, and demands for M&E within projects and programs. Understanding these shifts is crucial for practitioners to effectively navigate the evolving landscape and remain relevant.

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Dear women, let’s talk leadership Advancing our careers starts with continuous learning. Embracing lifelong learning fuels innovation and personal growth. Career advancement benefits not only us but also our families, societies and nations. It promotes a more just, inclusive and prosperous world. Never hesitate to: Go back to school Pursue that course Chase that title Secure that opportunity Feel good about your ambitions and achievements! Remember, you are doing this for: Personal empowerment and fulfillment: realize your potential and achieve personal satisfaction. Societal impact: your leadership brings diverse perspectives and drives positive change. Economic growth: your success contributes to broader economic development. Amplifying your voice: ensure your ideas and perspectives are heard and valued. How do you climb the social ladder? Education: invest in your learning and professional development. Qualities: cultivate confidence, resilience, and effective communication. Actions: network, seek mentorship and take on leadership roles. Continuous learning: stay updated with industry trends and skills. Innovation: embrace new ideas and drive change. Before doing this for your family or society, remember you are doing this for yourself. The equality we strive for is within our power. Nothing is impossible. She can, you can, I can, we can. Let's rise together! #womeninleadership #careeradvancement #genderequality #womenempowerment #leadership 

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Looking through this report on the insights of #employeeengagements not only in Africa but on a global stage. I see need for more support for #candor at workplaces. WHY? #23% of the global workforce is #thriving at work, #59% is #quietly quitting their jobs and #18% is #loudly quitting their jobs. This basically means that there is a huge gap between #jobsecurity and #jobsustainability. Most employees are waking up today and deciding not going back to work without any engagements. Could this be result of poor working conditions or better pay which in Africa #unsupportive #unsafe and #unhealthy workplaces dominate the reasons why employees don't thrive at work. And sadly, due to high levels of job #scarcity #insecurity and #poverty, we are not talking and engaging with our managers and supervisors about these unfair and bad working conditions that in the end lead to #unproductivity and poor results which reflects on our appraisal as a reason one is getting #fired! And HOW can we hear more from employees to create sustainable employment for all? Can #thriving employees help reduce the numbers of those leaving without a notice? #YES! I will appreciate any contributions for #humanresources #humancapitalists #managers and #superviors about how we can achieve sustainable employment. What do you think?

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