A seasoned international development expert and multisector nutrition leader, Sheila brings over 20 years of experience driving transformative health and nutrition initiatives in Uganda and beyond. She has led the design, implementation, and scale-up of integrated programs at the intersection of nutrition, agriculture, maternal and child health, and gender, with a career rooted in strategic influence and high-impact partnerships.
While serving as Deputy Team Lead (and Acting Team Lead) for Nutrition, Family Planning, Gender, Maternal and Child Health at USAID/Uganda, Sheila provided strategic, technical, and financial leadership across a $43.5 million annual portfolio. She is recognized for shaping Uganda’s nutrition agenda, guiding national policies on infant and young child nutrition, and championing multisectoral approaches to address malnutrition and food security.
Her extensive project management experience includes oversight of programs valued at over $250 million, including integrated agriculture and nutrition initiatives that have reached millions of children. She has effectively led multisectoral teams, collaborated with ministries, donors, and development partners, and championed evidence-based interventions such as food fortification and social and behaviour change strategies. Notably, she led the design and implementation of a $42 million behavioural health communication activity in partnership with Johns Hopkins University, contributing significantly to Uganda’s COVID-19 response.
Earlier in her career, she held technical and leadership roles with Catholic Relief Services and The Mildmay Health Centre, spearheading programs in nutrition, HIV/AIDS, and food security. She was also instrumental in developing the USAID Multi-Sectoral Nutrition Strategy (2014–2025) and has consistently driven policy reform and stakeholder alignment at both national and global levels.
Academically, Sheila holds a master’s in nutrition from Stellenbosch University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Food and Nutrition Security from the International Agricultural Centre in the Netherlands, and a BSc in Dietetics from the University of Natal. Her professional development includes certifications in performance monitoring, project design, and leadership.
Recognized for her leadership, innovation, and dedication, she has received multiple Honor’s from USAID for excellence in global health, pandemic response, strategy development, and team management.