Meet the Team

Meet the dynamic HCWH Asia team! Our group is an assembly of passionate professionals, equipped with a diverse set of skills and experiences, all united by a shared commitment to fulfilling HCWH's goal. We work together to transform the healthcare sector worldwide so that it reduces its environmental footprint, becomes a community anchor for sustainability, and leads the global movement for environmental health and justice.

 

RAMON SAN PASCUAL, MPH, Executive Director

Ramon - HCWH-SEA Executive DirectorA population, health, and environment policy advocate, Ramon brings with him years of experience working in civil society organizations (CSO) engaged in social development work, and has dedicated many years on policy development, advocacy and working with policy-makers and stakeholders on population, health, environment and sustainable development issues.

Having worked with an extensive network of parliamentarians, health professionals, community and civil society leaders, he has helped form and strengthen coalitions of advocates upholding health and social justice in the Philippines and across the Asia Pacific region.

He served as Executive Director of the Asian Forum of Parliamentarians on Population and Development (2012-2015), Executive Director of the Philippine Legislators’ Committee on Population and Development (2005-2012), and until recently, as Head Executive Assistant and Division Head of the Legislative Liaison Division of the Philippine Department of Health (DOH).

A Bachelor of Political Economics graduate from the Polytechnic University of the Philippines, Ramon obtained his Masters in Public Health in 2007 from the University of Washington in Seattle, WA. USA. Alongside MPH, he also completed Certificate Program on International Health. Earlier, in 2003-2004, he also finished Population Leadership Program as a Gates-Packard International Fellow also at the University of Washington.

 

MANJIT KAUR SOHAL, Regional Climate Manager

Jit - HCWH-SEA Regional Climate ManagerManjit Kaur “Jit” Sohal is a development professional with over 12 years of experience, most of which are in the field of disaster and climate resilience, designing and implementing programs that have had a significant impact on communities as well as health facilities and systems in Southeast Asia.

Jit currently manages the climate and health program in Southeast Asia, with the overall goal of transforming the health sector in the region to become climate-resilient, sustainable, and low-carbon. Before joining Health Care Without Harm, she supported the Philippine government's disaster response and social protection programs and headed the business development and project management unit of a local consulting firm.

Jit is a graduate of Political Science from the University of the Philippines-Diliman.

 

LAETANIA BELAI DJANDAM, Climate Officer

Belai - HCWH-SEA Climate OfficerMeet our Climate Officer Laetania Belai Djandam. Belai is a Climate Reality Leader and Indigenous Environmental Activist from Indonesia who recently graduated from The University of Sheffield UK with an honors degree in Medical Sciences. She brings a wealth of experience from international non-profit organizations specializing in the Climate and Health Field. She has also actively advocated for climate issues at local, national, and international levels, including the last three UNFCCC climate conferences.

Belai is passionate about integrating a systems-oriented approach to planetary health and empowering healthcare professionals to become climate leaders. Additionally, she is a dedicated advocate for indigenous rights, youth empowerment and community-based forest management in Borneo.

 

 MARA MEDRANO, Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Engagement Officer

Mara - HCWH-SEA Global Green and Healthy Hospitals Engagement OfficerMara started her advocacy work as a singer and a member of a cause-oriented cultural organization that aims to popularize people’s art and culture. She facilitates cultural workshops for children, Indigenous communities, and urban poor areas in the Philippines as part of her personal advocacy.

Prior to joining the Health Care Without Harm Southeast Asia office, Mara was a Program Officer at Asia Pacific Research Network where she led various campaign platforms on environment protection and trade issues in the Philippines, in Asia- Pacific, and at the global level. She then served the network as their Capacity Development officer that is dedicated to building people’s organizations’ capacities to claim their rights and sustainable development.

Mara is a passionate development worker and a cultural worker with demonstrated experience in working with development institutions in the themes of disaster response, environment, sustainable development, and trade issues. She took up a Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering at Eulogio “Amang” Rodriguez Institute for Science and Technology. 

 

KATHY JUNE FIEL, Sustainability Officer

Kathy - HCWH-SEA Sustainability OfficerIntroducing Kathy June, our Sustainability Officer. Kathy June works with various stakeholders and partners in Southeast Asia in implementing the program on Sustainability.

Kathy June holds a dgeree in Bachelor of Science in Development Communication (major in Development Journalism and minor specialization in Environmental Science) from the University of the Phillippines Los Baños. She has over 10 years of professional experience as a development worker focusing on program development and implementation as well as physical and digital events coordination. Prior to joining HCWH SEA, Kathy June worked in local non-profit organizations and in corporate foundations handling programs in corporate social responsibility, health, environment, disaster response, and education.

She is an advocate for indigenous peoples rights, environmental protection, and Deaf inclusion.

 

MICHELLE REYES, MD, Health Care Waste Sustainability Officer

Michelle - HCWH-SEA Health Care Waste Sustainability OfficerMichelle Reyes is a registered pharmacist and licensed medical doctor who knew early on that she would be working in public health since she became one of the delegates to represent Philippines in the WHO WPRO Meeting. She is an active volunteer and has led several projects and participated in working groups such as the National Medical Students' Conference 2020, the working group on World Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and the policy working group on Antimicrobial Resistance and Demanding Accountability for Climate Change. She is an advocate for controlling Non-Communicable Diseases and is passionate about antimicrobial stewardship.

Prior to working in Healthcare Without Harm, she is the Vice President for Internal Affairs of Asian Medical Students' Association Philippines and one of the editorial board of AMSA-International. She also has experience in facilitating workshops on activities management, global health, climate change and non-communicable diseases, and disaster risk management.

  

ENRICK BERNARDO, Health Care Waste Sustainability Officer

Enrick - Health Care Waste Sustainability OfficerOur Health Care Waste Sustainability Officer, Enrick, is a dedicated registered nurse with a 12-year track record of serving in the healthcare industry. While many nurses opt for traditional clinical settings, he has chosen a noble path in Public Health, driven by an unwavering calling to address health inequities, particularly in underserved communities with limited access to quality healthcare.

Throughout his career, Enrick has been an advocate for improving the well-being of low-income families, striving to ensure they receive the healthcare they deserve. His focus on Environmental and Occupational health has led him to play a pivotal role in the management of healthcare waste in some of the largest healthcare facilities in the Philippines. 

Before joining Health Care Without Harm, Enrick has showcased his expertise in various areas, including Epidemiology and Surveillance of Infectious Diseases, Outbreak response, and Infection prevention and control. His skills have not only made a difference locally but have also been put to use in different parts of the world, emphasizing the global impact of his work.

 

DONNA MAE OCMEJA, Communications Manager

Donna - HCWH-SEA Communications ManagerDonna is from the beautiful island of Bohol in the Philippines. She holds a Bachelor's degree in Mass Communication and a Master's degree in Development Communication from the University of the Philippines. Since 2016, Donna has dedicated her career to the development sector, using communication as a powerful tool for social causes. While her experience primarily lies in the NGO sector, she also had the privilege of exploring roles in private and government institutions, spanning media, education, business, and services. Her eight-year professional career in communication allowed her to hone skills in digital marketing, multimedia production, media relations, fundraising, community organizing, and event coordination. Beyond her professional pursuits, Donna actively volunteers with NGOs focused on education, poverty alleviation, and community development. While most of her volunteer engagements are devoted to communication-related tasks, she also enjoys exploring new roles that expand her expertise.  

Bringing a deep passion for communicating stories that inspire hope and ignite change, Donna finds her role at HCWH exciting and challenging. As the Communications Manager for HCWH Asia, she is committed to developing and implementing communication strategies that reach target audiences and drive tangible action toward a healthier, safer, and sustainable future. 

 

LOVELY GUBALANE, Finance Officer

Lovely - Finance OfficerBeing in the industry for a decade, our Finance Officer, Lovely, is backed with a solid 10-year professional experience in International Non-Government Organizations (INGOs). Throughout her career, Lovely has been involved in diverse developmental projects, spanning disaster response, education, children's nutrition, Disaster Risk Reduction (DRR), Water Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH), Agriculture, Marine Protection, and various development initiatives.

Lovely takes charge of crucial responsibilities, including handling payment transactions, ensuring internal control, budgeting, donor reporting, and fulfilling legal financial requirements.

Outside of work, Lovely's passion for empowerment shines through her advocacy in providing training to community-based organizations and small local businesses; this includes workshops on Simple Bookkeeping, Auditing, and Financial Reporting.

Lovely's skills in finance, accounting, and administration, along with commitment to social impact, make her a significant asset to the HCWH Asia team.

 

KRIS EVANGELISTA, Administrative Officer

 Kris - HCWH-SEA Administrative and Research AssociateMeet Kris, a passionate individual who was raised in a socially-aware family. With an unwavering commitment to making a positive impact, he has been an invaluable member of Health Care Without Harm Asia team since 2012.

As a senior member of the organization, Kris plays a significant role in ensuring the smooth implementation of administrative policies and procedures. He provides crucial support to the team, handling logistics, managing the office inventory system, and preparing the mandatory benefits for the staff.

Beyond his professional achievements, Kris brings his culinary expertise and creativity to the table, fostering a culture of well-being within the organization. His commitment to sustainability and a healthier world extends beyond the workplace, where he actively advocates for environmentally-friendly practices and initiatives.  

 

FRITZ VALDEZ, Finance Assistant

Fritz - HCWH-SEA Finance AssistantFritz, a proud member of LGBTQ+ community, has a solid educational background in Business Administration. She is part of HCWH SEA's Finance and Admin Team. Her main role includes processing financial transactions and providing administrative and clerical support to the team.

Before joining HCWH SEA, Fritz seized the opportunity to explore various roles in both the private and government sectors. Through these experiences, she sharpened her skills in customer service, communication, and administrative tasks. This diverse background has equipped her with a versatile skill set that proves invaluable in her current position.

As new to the NGO sector, Fritz is looking forward to growing with the team professionally and personally, especially in forwarding our mission towards greener health care and a healthier environment.