Elizabeth Fitzgerald, MD

Co-Founder, President, and    Board Chair

Elizabeth is a pediatric emergency department physician. She began her career in global health in 2005 as the medical director of a clinic serving the Mayan mountain region of Southern Belize. Currently, Elizabeth's work focuses on developing comprehensive specialized pediatric services at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi, as a means to reduce pediatric inpatient mortality.

Rhoda Phiri

In-Country Project Director

Rhoda is our local Malawian that manages all of the logistical issues in Malawi for MCI. She is a great asset and an amazing person and has worked at the Baylor Center for HIV. She is pursuing a degree in Nutrition. 

Melissa Culp, MEd

Director of Finance and Communication

Melissa is a healthcare professional and educator with extensive non-profit leadership experience. She visited Malawi initially in 2013 and has supported programs since that time to advance health equity and human capacity development in the country.

Romulo Colindres, MD, MPH, MBA

Board Member

Rom is a pharma executive and business leader  with robust experience at the CDC and in industry leveraging innovation to advance healthcare.

David Fitzgerald, MD

Co-Founder and Board Member

Dave is an infectious disease physician who has lived and worked with his family in Central America and Malawi and was inspired to start MCI after witnessing the suffering of children. He has 5 children, two of whom are twins adopted from Malawi. 

Eamonn Fitzgerald

Board Member

Eamonn has lived in Central America and in Malawi and has grown-up motivated to help the increase equity globally.

David McEntee, CPA

Co-Founder and Board Member

David has 3 children and is inspired by them to continue to improve the lives of children in Malawi. He advances MCI's mission by leveraging his experience in accounting and finance to ensure the highest standards of non-profit governance.

Amy Bedier Kairys, MA

Board Member

With a background in Clinical Psychology and Child Studies, Amy is dedicated to supporting children and their families.  Through local charities and schools, she has worked to combat child malnutrition, promote literacy, and teach STEM enrichment programs for girls.  Amy lives in Chapel Hill with her two teenagers and is honored to be a part of The Malawi Children’s Initiative.  

Laura Ruegsegger, BSPH

Board Member

Laura lived in Malawi as a medical student and research assistant for several studies including infant immunity, childhood pneumonia, and HIV. She currently works for UNC's CFAR HIV Clinical Cohort. Her main interests are in global health development and women and children's health.

Jason Wares, MBA

Board Member

Jason is an experienced business professional with past consultative roles in finance, healthcare research, and clean technologies. Currently, he is a monitoring, evaluation, and learning specialist for IMC Worldwide.