We are pleased to announce the full line-up of judges for the Good Start Challenge!
Each regional judging panel consists of five world-leading experts in social innovation, scaling interventions, and working with parents and caregivers. They are entrepreneurs, academics, and leaders with a diverse range of personal and professional experiences. They will be working to assess applications based on the judging criteria, searching for the most innovative and impactful solutions with the potential to significantly improve the lives of parents and caregivers.
The Good Start Challenge is a €2.6 million global challenge seeking to advance innovative solutions that improve the wellbeing of parents and caregivers of young children in disadvantaged circumstances across nine countries. This judging panel will shortlist up to 22 promising solutions to progress to the finalist stage, with finalists receiving an initial grant of €50,000, access to capacity-building support, and the chance to win a final award of €200,000.
Learn more about the judges and their expertise below:
Latin America Judging Panel
Mario Vázquez Maguirre
Mario Vázquez Maguirre holds a PhD (Business) from EGADE Business School, Tecnológico de Monterrey, and an MSc (Economics and Public Policy) from EGAP, Tecnológico de Monterrey. He is currently a professor of entrepreneurship, sustainability, and corporate social responsibility at Universidad de Monterrey (UDEM). His primary research lines include social entrepreneurship and innovation, indigenous social enterprises and sustainable development, humanistic management, and corporate social responsibility. He has worked in corporations such as BBVA and UPS, and he has served as a consultant to SMEs and NGOs.
“I’m excited to be a judge for the Good Start Challenge because it presents a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative solutions addressing the structural disadvantages faced by caregivers and young children. By fostering ground breaking ideas and impactful initiatives, we can drive systemic change and a more equitable future for generations to come.”
Cecilia Zuleta
Cecilia Zuleta is a clinical psychologist from Universidad Javeriana and a Certified Conscious Discipline Instructor. She co-founded Vueltacanela Child Development Center, Fundación Crianza con el Cerebro en Mente, and En Mente, leading initiatives that support families, educators, and caregivers in strengthening children’s and adolescents’ social-emotional wellbeing. She is co-author of Adolescence: Brain Under Renovation, which translates scientific research on adolescent brain development into practical tools for parents and educators.
“I am excited to be a judge for the Good Start Challenge because I have dedicated my professional life to supporting the wellbeing of children and families. Reviewing projects that can bring meaningful impact to communities fills me with joy. I look forward to connecting with people from around the world who share this purpose and learning from their work. I believe that strengthening families strengthens communities, fostering emotional wellbeing for children and youth.”
Beatriz Azeredo
Beatriz has a PHD in Economics, and is a Professor at the Economics Institute at the Federal University of Rio de Janeiro. She is a former Director of Social Responsibility at GLOBO TV and former Director at the Brazilian Development Bank with experience within the Third Sector, national and international. She is also a board member at Boticário Group Foundation and at the Museum of the Person, as well as a member of the Public Awareness Committee at Fundação Maria Cecilia Souto Vidigal.
“I’m excited to be a judge for the Good Start Challenge because it will be an excellent opportunity to get to know new ideas and solutions that bring real and lasting impacts for parents and caregivers from Brazil, Colombia, and Mexico.”
Karina Muniz
Karina Muniz is a psychologist, university lecturer and specialist in Social Psychology and Anthropology. She is a Coordinator of the Socioemotional Coordination at IEMA public education network (Maranhão, Brazil) and Deputy Secretary of Training at UNEGRO-MA (National Union for Black Equality).
Sub-Saharan Africa Judging Panel
Anna Kydd
Anna is the Director of a charitable foundation called the SHM Foundation, she co-founded and runs Ember Mental Health. Ember identifies, funds and supports community-led mental health initiatives across the globe. She has extensive experience as an innovator, she developed a model to provide mobile phone support groups for thousands of people affected by social isolation and stigma across the globe. She sits on the Board of Altro Foundation. Anna has a BA in Geography from SOAS and a Master’s in Environment and Sustainable Development from The Bartlett, UCL.
Sara Leedom
Sara Leedom is the Co-Founder & COO of Inkomoko, a social enterprise that provides business advisory and access to finance for 100,000 MSMEs. Sara has grown Inkomoko to operate with 800 staff in Rwanda, Kenya, Ethiopia, South Sudan, and Chad, earning recognition as Financial Times’ 8th “Fastest Growing Company in Africa” in 2025 and the largest investor in refugees in Africa. With 27 years progressive leadership across emerging markets, Sara has built for-profit and non-profit companies as a founder, advisor, and investor. She has an MBA from Oxford and an undergraduate degree in African Literature.
“Every child deserves a great start in life. I’m excited to be a judge for the Good Start Challenge because supporting caregiver wellbeing contributes to a home where children can thrive.”
Dr Teshome Desta Woldehanna
Dr Teshome Desta Woldehanna is a Medical Doctor and Specialist in Paediatrics and Child Health with 35 years of medical and public health services in child and adolescent health in Ethiopia, Nigeria and twenty East and Southern African countries. He has worked for the World Health Organization Regional Office for Africa supporting 20 countries in developing and implementing child and adolescent health policies, strategies and plans including Early Childhood Development. In collaboration with partners, he facilitated the operationalization of the Nurturing Care Framework through a multi-sectoral approach in the African region. From 2022 to 2024 he was responsible for Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, child and Adolescent Health and Healthy Ageing with the Multi-country Assignment Team covering Kenya, Mauritius, Rwanda and Seychelles based in Nairobi, Kenya.
Dr Teshome will be a judge on the Sub-Saharan Africa panel.
Dr Dominique Diouf
Dr. Diouf brings over 23 years of international experience spanning Africa, Europe, and North America in research, entrepreneurship, innovation strategy, capacity building, and sustainability ESG consulting, CSR, SDGs etc) . His academic background in sociology, anthropology, business administration (Ph.D.), and sustainability allows him to address complex, cross-cutting global challenges. Dominique is currently a Senior Sustainability Advisor (Free Consultant) at the ESG Institute. He also served on the Greentech Africa 2025 Program Advisory Board. The Greentech Africa Program Advisory Board was launched by Village Capital in partnership with Moody’s: The Future of Sustainability, a program that seeks to support startups focussed on addressing the challenges faced in sustainable development by promoting sustainable solutions for underestimated communities. He was an Expert in Agricultural Research and Innovation Strategy processes at DeSIRA LIFT (a European Union Project) and Head of Exploration at UNDP Senegal’s Accelerator Lab, led innovation ecosystem projects with DEEP Ecosystems and GIZ, and contributed to policy and evaluation initiatives across agri-food systems, AI ethics, climate- resilient agriculture, and sustainable finance. Dominique is a seasoned academic, having taught at institutions in Senegal, Canada, and Europe, and published award-winning research on sustainability risk and responsible investment.
Sabrina Habib
Sabrina Habib is Co-Founder and Chief Exploration Officer of Kidogo, Kenya’s largest childcare network. Since 2014, Kidogo has equipped “Mamapreneurs” to run sustainable childcare micro-businesses, reaching 50,000+ children with quality, affordable care. Sabrina previously worked with the Aga Khan Development Network and holds an MPA from Columbia University. Recognised globally, she was selected by Melinda French Gates as one of 12 leaders entrusted to allocate $20M to advance women’s health.
“I’m excited to be a judge for the Good Start Challenge because at Kidogo I’ve seen how unlocking support for parents and caregivers transforms not just children’s lives but entire communities and this challenge will surface even more game-changing solutions.”
Southeast Asia Judging Panel
Dr Yohana Ratrin Hestyanti
Dr Yohana Ratrin Hestyanti is a psychologist at the Centre of Family Resilience and Development, Atma Jaya Catholic University of Indonesia. Her doctoral degree from Radboud University, Nijmegen, focused on the Resilience of Acehnese Children, survivors of the 2004 Tsunami. As a member of the Mental Health Working Group (Ministry of Health, Republic of Indonesia), she wrote ‘Guidebook for Mentally Healthy Parenting’ and is actively involved in the movement for parental mental health for family resilience and optimal child development.
Dr Yohana will be a judge on the Southeast Asia panel.
Uttara Bharath Kumar
Uttara Bharath Kumar, MHS is Senior Technical Advisor at the Center for Communication Programs (CCP) and Associate Faculty at the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health (BHSPH). She has over 30 years of experience in global public health practice in Africa and Asia on a wide range of public health issues ranging from HIV, TB and RNMCH to non-communicable diseases, cancers and mental health. She currently leads CCP’s role on the UK Government-funded Women’s Integrated Sexual Health (WISH2) project led by the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in seven East and Southern African countries. She is an Advisory Board member for the Gupta Klinsky India Institute (GKII) and a member of the Technical Advisory Group at the World Health Organisation (WHO) on Behavioural Sciences for Better Health. Ms. Bharath Kumar has an MHS in International Health from the Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health and a BA in English from Wellesley College.
“I’m excited to be a judge for the Good Start Challenge because there is nothing more important than creating an enabling environment for young children to grow and thrive in their early years. I am excited to be part of discovering new and innovative approaches to this challenge”
Francis Pedron
Francis Perdon is currently the Philippines Technical and Policy Reform Lead for ‘Investing in Women’, an Australian Government initiative focused on accelerating women’s economic equality and inclusive economic growth. In this role, he leads on the delivery of policy reforms on the care economy, and supports the implementation of IW activities in the Philippines. Francis has a decade of experience working on public, foreign, and development policies across a range of professional settings, including in a regional organisation, academe, and diplomatic mission. He received his Master of Public Policy and Management (First Class Honors) from The University of Melbourne, and was admitted to the Certificate of Advanced Studies in Public Governance and Administration (CAS PGA) programme at ETH Zurich.
“I am excited to be a Judge for the Good Start Challenge because supporting the wellbeing of parents and carers is not only vital for raising healthier and happier children – it also plays a critical role in enabling workforce participation and advancing gender equality. While care work is often overlooked in economic discussions, innovative wellbeing solutions targeted at the first years of navigating parenthood can help unlock significant productivity and societal benefits.”
Mirjam Schoening
Mirjam is Director of viaEd Philanthropy. She works with The Human Safety Net of the Generali Group on the strategic direction and partnerships for the For Families program. Previously, she was leading the early childhood programme at the LEGO Foundation and heading the Schwab Foundation for Social Entrepreneurship at the World Economic Forum, where she was one of the early pioneers in the field of supporting social entrepreneurship. She was a consultant at Bain & Company and holds an MBA from the University of St. Gallen, Switzerland, and an MPA from the Harvard Kennedy School. She is based in Hong Kong.
“I’m excited to be a judge for the Good Start Challenge because I believe in giving children, parents and the initiatives that support them “a good start”.
Maryanna Abdo
Mary Abdo is the Global Managing Director at the Centre for Evidence and Implementation. Based in London with a global remit, Mary brings expertise in helping make sense of evidence for policy and practice, with deep expertise in strategic philanthropy and education innovation. Mary previously held senior roles in education strategy at EY-Parthenon and L.E.K. Consulting. She holds degrees from Harvard Kennedy School, the College of Europe, and USC, and has lived and worked across Asia, the UK, and the US.
“I’m excited to be a judge for the Good Start Challenge to accelerate proven solutions with potential to improve the lives of kids and families.”
