Leadership & team
The people steering WHIS — executives, chapter leads, and advisors advancing prevention worldwide.
Core team
Executive leadership
Founder, chair, academic, and clinical leadership setting WHIS strategy and delivery.
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Gareth Presch
Founder & CEO, WHIS
CEO, Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA)
Healthcare strategist and infrastructure architect with over 25 years leading systemic health innovation. Founder of WHIS, co-founder of the Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA), and founder of the US-based World Health Service (501c3).
“Technology alone does not transform health. People do — when they are equipped with the right tools, supported by trusted frameworks, and empowered within their communities.”
- Global policy: Appointed by Pope Francis to the Vatican COVID-19 Commission (Group 2).
- World Expos & SDGs: Senior Strategic Advisor to the US World’s Fairs (EXPO) Bid Consortium.
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Dr. Amir Hannan MBE
Chairman, WHIS
GP, Haughton Thornley Medical Centres · Greater Manchester, UK
Full-time NHS GP and pioneer in digital health and patient empowerment, championing patient-led access to electronic health records to build clinical trust.
- National honours: MBE (2021) for services to primary care and general practice.
- Leadership: Chair, West Pennine LMC; Chair, Association of Greater Manchester LMCs.
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Professor Elena Antonacopoulou
Impact Measurement & Academic Leadership Lead
GNOSIS Institute
Works at the intersection of learning, leadership, and systemic change — helping organisations navigate uncertainty and build capacity for renewal across academia, policy, and industry.
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Dr. Ron Daniels BEM
Clinical Lead, WHIS
Consultant in Intensive Care · University Hospitals Birmingham
Founder/CMO of the UK Sepsis Trust and Vice-President of the Global Sepsis Alliance. Developed the world-renowned Sepsis 6 treatment bundle.
- Clinical impact: Sepsis 6 bundle — adopted worldwide to improve early recognition and treatment.
- Global leadership: Vice-President, Global Sepsis Alliance; Founder/CMO, UK Sepsis Trust.
Global network
Regional & chapter leads
Local leadership connecting WHIS programmes and partnerships across chapters.
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Dr. Jim D'Alfonso
Chair, WHIS USA
Kaiser Permanente Northern California
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Maurizio Morini
Italian Representative, WHIS
Social Impact Bonds · Emilia-Romagna
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David John Kerr
WHIS Ireland & EU Chapter Lead
Founder, DJK Global
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Noora Al Suwaidi
Principal, Global Strategy & Affairs (GCC)
American University of Sharjah
Network
Advisors & specialists
Clinical, academic, and policy advisors supporting the Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA), programmes, and global delivery.
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James Sanderson
Former Chair, Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA)
Founding CEO, National Academy for Social Prescribing
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Patricia Welch Saleeby, PhD
Chair, Global Social Prescribing Alliance (GSPA)
Bradley University · WHO FDRG Co-Chair
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Dr. John Naslund
Academic partner, mental health
Harvard Medical School
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Ben Wilkins
Chair, MSK Expert Group
CEO, Good Boost · Versus Arthritis
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Mark Ritchie
Senior Advisor
US World's Fairs Consortium
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Dr. Cristina Vaz de Almeida
Health literacy lead
Portuguese Society of Health Literacy
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Robert Browning, PhD (h.c.)
WHO Expert Consultant
HeartMath
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Sheva Carr
Founding CEO
Heart Ambassadors® & The Fyera Foundation
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Sandra Solano, M.D., M.S.
Physician & healthcare strategist
Founder, Integro, LLC