Join us at the NGO CSW69 Forum.

Howard was appointed the Chief Executive Officer of the International Council of Nurses (ICN) in February 2019. He is committed to ensure that ICN effectively represents nursing worldwide, advances the nursing profession, promotes the wellbeing of nurses and advocates for health in all policies. He firmly believes that nurses should be at the heart of health policy decision making and leading healthcare systems and delivery.

Throughout his career Howard has worked and written extensively on issues relating to the nursing and healthcare workforce and he co-chaired the first ever State of the World’s Nursing Report. He has led ICN’s work to respond to and support nurses globally during the pandemic and has been at the forefront of advocating for the protection of and investment in the nursing profession.

Howard joined ICN in April 2016 as the Director, Nursing, Policy and Programmes. His team led the development of ICN policy and position statements, working closely with WHO and other International Organisations to provide nursing advice on global health challenges and input into formal WHO and UN decision making meetings and processes. He also co-ordinated ICN Programmes and projects including Leadership development and worked closely with other Non-Government Health Organisations, civil society and private sector organisations. Howard also oversaw the development of scientific programmes for ICN events including its world congresses, held every two years.In December 2019 the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland appointed Howard as Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. This Fellowship without examination is granted in exceptional circumstances to nurses who have rendered outstanding service to the profession.

In December 2019 the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland appointed Howard as Fellow of the Faculty of Nursing and Midwifery. This Fellowship without examination is granted in exceptional circumstances to nurses who have rendered outstanding service to the profession.

Hiyam came to Massachusetts General Hospital (MGH) in 1994 as part of a team that re-established obstetrics after a 40-year hiatus and immediately began to implement a unique nurse care model that greatly expanded the role of nurses and created a “medical home” in obstetrics. As Nurse Director of both OB and GYN Ambulatory Divisions at MGH and satellites in Waltham and Danvers, Hiyam helped to design IT programs such as the ambulatory patient tracking system and an OB electronic medical record which subsequently sold to Hewitt Packard. In 2010, she obtained a certificate in genetics and in 2013 an MBA before recently becoming Director of the Center for Innovations in Care Delivery at MGH.

She has also been involved in numerous healthcare and nursing Hackathons. She is a judge for Johnson and Johnson’s Nurses Innovate Quickfire Challenge, will be an inaugural member of the Nursing Advisory Board for the World Healthcare Congress, and is a founding member and on the Board of Directors for Society of Nurse Scientists, Entrepreneurs, Innovators and Leaders.

Nurse entrepreneur. Professor at Nursing Department, Santa Catarina State University (UDESC). 

Technical Chamber of Entrepreneurship and Business Management, Federal Council of Nursing (COFEN), Brazil. 

SONSIEL Board Member.

Gifty Boateng earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from Delaware State University. Gifty Boateng is a dedicated nurse with passion for bridging the health disparity gaps in the underserved communities and empowering her fellow nurses to thrive within the nursing professional globally. She has over 20years of nursing experience caring for adult and pediatric patients within PeriAnesthesia and Medical-Surgical. Her current role is a servant nurse manager for the Pre-Admission testing, Preoperative and Postoperative setting in Dover Delaware. She is an active member of Society of Nurse Innovators, Scientist, Entrepreneurs, & Leaders (SONSIEL) where she serves as Global Director for Ghana, American Nurses Association, Delaware Nurses Association where she serves as Associate Director for membership Kent County, Delaware Organization for Nurse Leader, American Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses (ASPAN); where she serves as the current President of Chesapeake Bay Society of PeriAnesthesia Nurses(CBSPAN), and Chi Eta Phi Sorority Inc. She is the founder and CEO of Noble Nurses Network and Global Ubuntu Impact Foundation. Through her involvement in professional associations and community organizations, Gifty strives to amplify the voices of nurses and enact meaningful change both locally and internationally. She has received numerous awards including 2023/2024 Delaware Top Nurses and Volunteer of the Year. She has been involved in several community outreach programs, health fairs and donated items to the less privileged population both in the USA and Ghana. Gifty is a certified CPR instructor with American Heart Association. She's very passionate about her ministerial work that God has called her to do with caring for others especially those in need promoting health and wellness for all.Gifty Boateng earned her Bachelor of Science in Nursing and a Master of Science in Nursing from Delaware State University. Gifty Boateng is a dedicated nurse with passion for bridging the health disparity gaps in the underserved communities and empowering her fellow nurses to thrive within the nursing professional globally.

Dr. Gloria Nimo, a Family Nurse Practitioner based in New York City, has emerged as a prominent figure in global health, particularly through her impactful work in Ghana. Her vision is to complete a humanitarian children’s hospital to alleviate the disease burden faced by impoverished families in the region. Dr. Nimo’s commitment is rooted in a powerful philosophy: no child should lose their life due to poverty.

With a distinguished educational background, Dr. Nimo holds degrees and certifications from the College of New Rochelle, Fairleigh Dickinson University, New York University, andDominican College of Blauvelt. She combines academic excellence with a deep sense of philanthropy.

As the founder and CEO of the Amazing Grace Children’s Charity, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization, Dr. Nimo has been a driving force in providing vital healthcare services to underserved communities in Ghana. She has led numerous medical missions, focusing on improving the health and wellbeing of pregnant mothers and children. In addition to spearheading multiple borehole water projects to bring clean, potable water to communities with no access, Dr. Nimo is also leading the construction of a children's and maternal hospital. This ambitious project, funded through her personal resources and contributions from family and friends, aims to address a critical national challenge by providing accessible, affordable, and, in many cases, free healthcare services.

Charlene Platon, MS, RN, PHN, FNP-BC, is a registered nurse, family nurse practitioner, and the CEO & Co-Founder of Fifth Window, a nurse-founded social support community dedicated to empowering healthcare professionals by fostering connection, joy, creativity, growth, and purpose. With over eight years of experience as a healthcare leader at Stanford Health Care, Charlene is passionate about advancing clinician well-being and reshaping the culture of healthcare to prioritize compassion and innovation.

As a seasoned healthcare innovator, Charlene combines her expertise in nursing, technology, and leadership to address industry challenges and improve the experiences of both healthcare professionals and patients. She was one of 12 inaugural Johnson & Johnson Nurse Innovation Fellows, where she focused on promoting clinician well-being and sustainable self-care practices. This work inspired the creation of Fifth Window and its goal to support nurses and other healthcare providers.

Charlene earned her Bachelor of Science and Master of Science in Nursing from the University of California, Irvine. A licensed registered nurse and board-certified family nurse practitioner, she is dedicated to transforming healthcare through interdisciplinary collaboration, creative problem-solving, and a commitment to improving outcomes for all.

Peter Preziosi is a leader in the global effort to strengthen health systems by improving career development and mobility for health workers. Recently appointed President and Chief Executive Officer of CGFNS International, the world’s largest credentials evaluation organization for the nursing and allied health professions, he is working to revitalize its leadership in developing and implementing credentialing solutions for a globalizing health workforce.

Prior to joining CGFNS in January 2023, Dr. Preziosi led quality, standards development and credentialing at the World Health Organization’s initiative to build a technology-driven global learning center, the WHO Academy, with a goal of upskilling millions of health workers worldwide.

After beginning his career as a registered nurse, Dr. Preziosi has spent nearly three decades in high-profile positions at corporations, government agencies and nonprofits. His work has included leading strategic innovation, partnership-building and healthcare reform initiatives for national and international organizations including Verizon’s healthcare innovation incubator, Concentrix Corporation, the Association for Healthcare Documentation Integrity, Planned Parenthood Federation of America, the National League for Nursing and the AMDEC Foundation, a New York-based biomedical research consortium. He also worked for the City of New York’s Health and Hospital Corporation and he directed the Mayor’s Office of Medicaid Managed Care.

Dr. Preziosi holds a PhD in health policy and a master’s degree in government administration from the University of Pennsylvania, as well as a master’s in education from Columbia University’s Teachers College. His bachelor’s degree in nursing is from Florida State University. He currently serves on the Board of Directors of SONSIEL, a society of nurse scientists, innovators and entrepreneurs, and is a member of the American Society of Association Executives, where he is a Certified Association Executive.