Evidence, Dialogue, and Innovation
Our engagement is grounded in evidence and dialogue. We analyse trends and opportunities in global health and financing, and share that analysis to inform policy discussions. We listen to different perspectives and look for common ground, so that governments, philanthropies and international funds can build trust and move forward together. We champion new approaches, from innovative financing instruments to digital health and the responsible use of AI. And we work with patience, building relationships over time so that conversations can turn into solid partnerships and lasting commitments.
Building on Strong Foundations
The Center was founded in 2019 under the umbrella of the Joep Lange Institute (JLI), a Dutch foundation established in memory of Joep Lange, the Dutch HIV researcher who championed equitable access to antiretroviral treatment and health technologies worldwide. Over eight years of organic growth, the Center strengthened its position in the global health ecosystem, deepening its work on health diplomacy and financing while expanding into closely related areas such as nutrition, climate change, digital health, and AI. That growth in scope and team maturity led CGHD to become an independent organisation in August 2026. Our team and focus are unchanged, and we are grateful to JLI for hosting us during those years.
Our Board
Christoph Benn, MD MPH
Executive Director and Founder
Christoph, as a physician by training, brings over 30 years of experience in global health, having co-founded The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria and served as its Director of External Relations for over 15 years. He established the Center in 2019 aiming to promote sustainable financing and equitable health systems worldwide, and today leads its strategy, partnerships and team.
Katja Roll
Director
Katja brings 20 years of experience in global health and development. She is Director of Resource Mobilisation at CEPI, the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations, where she builds partnerships with public and philanthropic investors to advance epidemic and pandemic preparedness. Before joining CEPI, Katja served as CGHD’s Deputy Director, and she continues to support the Center as a member of its board.
Pauline Mazue
Director
Pauline brings 20 years of experience in global health, including more than 15 years in advocacy for resource mobilisation. She is an Advocacy Specialist in the External Relations Division of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, where she supports meaningful engagement with civil society, communities and foundations, and helps strengthen the wider advocacy ecosystem around global health financing.
Our Team
Cristina Nakano
Innovative Finance Officer
Cristina leads the Center’s work on innovative financing, drawing on more than 25 years of experience in finance and strategy. Having developed and implemented debt-for-health swaps at the Global Fund, she works with governments and partners to develop debt swaps and other approaches that mobilize sustainable investment in health, nutrition and related development priorities.
Darlene Marasigan
Executive Assistant, HR & IT Officer
Darlene provides executive and administrative support across the Center. She oversees the Executive Director’s schedules and travel, coordinates with stakeholders and partners, supports HR and day-to-day IT. She brings more than 14 years of experience in multicultural environments, with expertise in aviation operations, logistics and administrative coordination.
Haddy Faye
Policy Analyst
Haddy shapes and advances our health and development policy research agenda — tracking emerging trends in global health and financing. With a background in Global Health, she translates them into analysis and knowledge resources that inform our dialogue with government leaders and partners.
Jiabin Xu, PhD
Policy Analyst
Jiabin has a background in Medical Sciences and contributes to our policy research on global health, nutrition, climate, and financing, producing analysis that informs our engagement with partners and governments. She also manages several of the Center’s projects, from planning to delivery.
Kasia Kos
Portfolio Manager
Kasia coordinates a portfolio of countries across Europe and Southeast Asia, building the partnerships and government relationships that turn political goodwill into lasting commitments to global health. She brings two decades of experience across the UN and international institutions bringing the right actors together and turning dialogue into real political and financial support.
Monika Herder
COO & Financial Lead
Monika has a business background and leads the Center’s day-to-day operations and financial management, while also being closely involved in programmes, partnerships and strategic planning. She enjoys bringing structure to complex projects and helping turn good ideas into practical, well-managed initiatives.
Rafael García Aceves
Portfolio Manager & Communications Lead
Rafael coordinates our policy research and our collaboration with partners and governments. Drawing on 15 years of experience in political engagement and communications, he works to bring leaders closer to global health, mobilize financing, and advocate for better funding models for global and regional public goods.
Our Partners
Progress in global health is rarely achieved alone. These are some of the partners we work with towards shared goals.
CGHD holds NGOsource certification, an equivalency determination that facilitates streamlined, compliant grantmaking from US-based funders