About Us

President
Colin A. Stewart, MPH

Colin is a native New Yorker who loves both the Yankees and the Giants. He has an undergraduate degree from Princeton University and a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University. He has experience working in finance and operations for a variety of players within the healthcare industry including the NYC Department of Health. Being born in a developing country with minimal access to healthcare, Colin is passionate about ACEC's mission and is committed to improving health and quality of life of children in impoverished nations.

Secretary
Sarika Kumar

While born and raised in the US, Sarika spent many summers visiting family in her homeland India. The extreme poverty that she witnessed left an indelible impression on her, and catalyzed a lifelong dedication to improve access to basic healthcare and quality of life in under-privileged countries. Sarika has a Biomedical Engineering degree from Boston University and went on to serve as a consultant to pharmaceutical companies on global pricing and reimbursement for early product development. She has managed community events for various causes, in particular, fundraising events to protect the women of Darfur against genocide. Her contribution to ACEC is fueled by her belief that basic health needs can and should be fulfilled for all.

Chief Financial Officer
Hendrik Chassé, CFA

Born to a Swiss father and a Tibetan mother, Hendrik has always lived a multi-cultural life. Hendrik was born in Switzerland, but has lived across the world including the U.K., New Zealand, Singapore, and presently in the U.S. In his youth, he was a junior international tennis player and was fortunate enough to travel the world for tournaments. During his trips to countries such as Botswana, Lesotho, South Africa, Indonesia, and Thailand, Hendrik was exposed to the extreme poverty of the developing world which had a lasting impact on his desire to help others. His experience interacting with children in impoverished nations made him passionate about ACEC's mission. Hendrik went on to attend Princeton University where he earned his degree in Operations Research and Financial Engineering. He currently works with an asset management firm in Greenwich, CT and is a CFA charterholder.

Director
Alka M. Abraham, MD, MPH

Alka grew up in Singapore and completed Medical School at the National University of Singapore. After graduation, she pursued a residency program in Health Administration. She worked at the Ministry of Health on a variety of projects aimed at reducing the national incidence of medical errors. Alka later moved to New York and received a Master of Public Health degree from Columbia University and has worked on the Trans Fat Ban and the Calorie Labeling Law that has affected restaurants in New York City. She now manages a city-wide program that delivers care, educates and supports pregnant teenagers. Alka is passionate about meeting the health needs of underserved populations and believes that access to adequate healthcare is a basic right for all.

Director
Mauricio Aguayo, MPH

Having been born in Ecuador and raised in the melting-pot of Queens, NY, Mauricio discovered early-on the inequalities affecting people of different cultures. His attendance at the United Nations International School refined his perspective on the merits of a healthy global community. As a student at New York University, Mauricio organized educational and community service events that touched on urban issues and received recognition from the President of NYU, John Sexton. While pursuing a Master of Public Health degree at Columbia University, Mauricio developed a passion for international healthcare development. Today, Mauricio pursues a career in the medical and healthcare industries with the goal of improving the status of children and their right to health and education worldwide.

Director
Edward Kalpas, MD, MPH

Ed is the co-founder of ACEC. He attended Dartmouth College, earned his medical degree from the Uniformed Services University and a degree in Public Health from Columbia University. Ed served in the military and has experience as a consultant for pharmaceutical and biotechnology companies in outcomes research and implementation of global health economics strategies. He currently works in the health and wellness industry, and is passionate about providing children across the globe with adequate healthcare access and opportunities to fulfill their dreams.

Director
Adisa Septuri

Born and raised in Oakland, CA, Adisa received a Bachelors of Arts degree in Mass Communications from the University of Massachusetts, and a Master of Fine Arts in Film from New York University's Tisch School of the Arts. Adisa has directed critically acclaimed films with studios such as Disney/Hollywood Pictures. Adisa is also an accomplished producer who has worked with the Showtime Network on films that have won awards at various film festivals. In addition to narrative film, he has also directed and produced documentaries, commercials, and music videos. During a 2006 documentary film shot in Sierra Leone, Adisa gained first-hand perspective on the plight of the Sierra Leonean people. He now dedicates his talent and energy to improving the lives of those who are most vulnerable in Sierra Leone.