Dr. Harris Lygidakis (Greece) - Chief Executive Officer

Harris holds a medical degree from the University of Bologna. He qualified as a family doctor in the Region of Emilia-Romagna in 2010, and obtained a PhD at the Department of Behavioural and Cognitive Sciences of the University of Luxembourg. Dr. Harris Lygidakis was appointed as Chief Executive Officer (CEO) in November 2020, succeeding Dr. Garth Manning. He formally took over the position in January 2021 and established the new WONCA Secretariat based in Brussels, Belgium.

Contact: [email protected]

Andrea Zard (USA - Lebanon) - Chief Administrative Officer

Andrea serves as WONCA Chief Administrative Officer (CAO) at WONCA Secretariat. She holds a Master’s Degree in International Affairs and another one in Translation Studies. She has extensive experience in foreign affairs, project management, and consultancy, with more than a decade working for multiple global organisations. Andrea is the main point of contact and will be managing and engaging with WONCA’s Members Organisations, Working Groups, and individuals.

Contact: [email protected]         

Diarmuid Hayes (Ireland) - Senior Communications Officer

Diarmuid Hayes leads WONCA's communications and advocacy work, connecting the organisation's regions, working parties and the Young Doctors' Movement with a global network of family doctors. He oversees the WONCA website, social media, email newsletters and video production, and manages both internal communications across WONCA's structures and external campaigns on issues from primary care strengthening to global health equity. He studied communications at Dublin City University and worked in film, television and political communications in the European Union before joining WONCA. As editor of WONCA News, he is responsible for communicating the value of family medicine, and the case for strong primary care, to policymakers and the public worldwide.

Contact: [email protected]

Fadia Challita (Lebanon) - Programs Development Officer

Fadia holds a Master's Degree in International Cooperation and Development from Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore in Milan, and a Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Psychology from Notre Dame University in Lebanon. She has over 10 years of experience in humanitarian and development work across Lebanon, the MENA region, and Europe, leading health, mental health, education, and livelihoods programmes for organisations including AMURT and SAMS. As WONCA's Programs Development Officer, Fadia identifies funding opportunities and builds relationships with new donors, while leading EU-funded projects, including Horizon Europe and Erasmus+ initiatives, alongside programmes supported by pharmaceutical companies and foundations.

Contact: [email protected]

Joëlle Mukena (DR Congo) - Finance & Operations Officer

Joëlle Mukena holds a Master Degree in Management as well as in Political Communication and Strategy. She has been working in international associations for over a decade with significant experience in administration, communication, projects, and events coordination. As Wonca Finance and operations officer, Joëlle plays a pivotal part in overseeing WONCA's financial operations, fostering relationships with suppliers, and supporting the CEO with budget monitoring and the meticulous preparation of financial reports and audits.

Contact: [email protected] 

Ólafur Björn Ásgeirsson (Iceland) - Administration & Office Assistant

Ólafur holds a Masters Degree in Cultural Studies from the University of Southern Denmark. He's been working for international associations and membership-based companies for over 4 years now. Ólafur has been working in Administration and HR organising events and General Assemblies. As the Administration & Office Assistant, Ólafur is a personal assistant to the CEO, he makes sure everything runs smoothly at the office, from handling membership requests/questions to routine administrative and financial tasks such as processing invoices.