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From Student Researcher to Emerging Leader: Celebrating Nice Cailie Ineza on International Youth Day

Nice Cailie Ineza, Ashesi University Representative on the Reach Alumni Council, delivering remarks at a conference

Meet Reach Alliance alumna Nice Cailie Ineza, whose continued leadership advances collaboration and social impact

By: The Reach Alliance

International Youth Day on August 12 recognizes the vital role emerging leaders play in shaping more inclusive, equitable, and sustainable communities. Across the Reach Alliance network, student researchers and alumni continue to demonstrate that meaningful change begins with emerging leaders committed to advancing social impact in their communities and beyond. 

One inspiring example is Nice Cailie Ineza, a Reach Alliance alumna from Ashesi University whose continued engagement reflects the lasting impact of the Reach community. Since completing her research into the World Health Organization’s package of essential noncommunicable diseases framework for cardiovascular disease management in Ghana with the Reach Alliance in 2024, Nice has remained an active contributor, serving as the Ashesi University Representative on the Reach Alumni Council and continuing to champion leadership across the network. 

“The Reach Alliance gave me the opportunity to see how research can become a tool for meaningful social impact,” says Nice. 

“International Youth Day is a reminder that young people aren’t just preparing to lead in the future—we’re already contributing to solutions that strengthen our communities today.”

Nice is also a member of the Organizing Committee for the upcoming Emerging Leaders’ Day, co-hosted by the Reach Alliance and the Africa Health Collaborative in partnership with the Mastercard Foundation. The event will take place as a side meeting of the 2026 Africa Health Collaborative Convening in Nairobi, Kenya, this October. From co-facilitating a values-driven leadership workshop to supporting an ethical AI use in research workshop, Nice is helping create a space where students, alumni, researchers, and partners can connect, exchange ideas, and strengthen collaboration across Africa. 

“The Africa Health Collaborative is built on the vision to equip young people and emerging leaders with the skills and opportunities to lead and improve primary health systems across Africa,” says Penina Lam, Senior Director, International Relations, Africa and Head of the Africa Health Collaborative Secretariat, Office of the Vice-President International, University of Toronto. 

“Nice’s continued leadership as both a Reach alumna and a member of the Emerging Leaders’ Day Organizing Committee reflects the important role early career professionals play in shaping the future of health and development across Africa. Their ideas, commitment, and lived experiences are invaluable as we work together to create a lasting impact.”

As the Reach Alliance community looks ahead to hosting Emerging Leaders’ Day and attending the Africa Health Collaborative Convening, International Youth Day offers an opportunity to celebrate not only the achievements of emerging leaders like Nice, but also the broader network of students and alumni whose dedication continues to advance the Reach Alliance’s mission. 

Penina Lam, Senior Director, International Relations, Africa and Head of the Africa Health Collaborative Secretariat, Office of the Vice-President International, University of Toronto and Marin MacLeod, Executive Director of the Reach Alliance. 

“Reach Alliance alumni are at the heart of our work; their contributions drive change as they carry forward the values of curiosity, humility, interdisciplinary collaboration, and service long after their research reports are published. Our alumni are our greatest asset,” says Marin MacLeod, Executive Director of the Reach Alliance. 

“As we continue to grow our partnerships across Africa and around the world, investing in Reach alumni and emerging leaders is essential to building the scale, resilience, and global community needed to address today’s most pressing challenges.”  

As the Reach Alliance scales, alumni like Nice demonstrate the lasting value of investing in early career leadership development. Through continued commitment to collaboration and social impact, emerging leaders are strengthening communities today while helping build the resilience and leadership needed to address tomorrow’s challenges.