Top performers recognized in Well Cell Global partnership project

By Kevin Manne

Across the spring and fall semesters, 65 scholars from around the world collaborated on proposals to introduce a pharmaceutical product to their local markets as part of University at Buffalo School of Management’s Global Leadership program.

The project was a partnership with Well Cell Global, a Houston-based health care company that focuses on treating metabolic disorders, particularly diabetes, through a method they’ve developed that uses insulin as a hormone rather than a drug to address the root cause of metabolic failure.

From the 15 teams — composed of graduate-level, working professional students from partner universities — five were selected as winners, and prizes were presented to the top performers on each team. The top performers were:

• Jemilatu Bawa (Ghana team) – All-Africa Students Union
• Natalie Fowler (Jamaica team) – University of the West Indies Mona School of Business and Management
• Evelyn Ngwenya (Zimbabwe team) – University of Zimbabwe
• Meghna Prakash (India team) – Amrita School of Business
• Genny Wutoh (South Africa team) – Wisconsin International University College

During their two semesters in the Global Leadership program, participants were challenged to adopt a critical approach to course content and to recognize the opportunities available to encourage leadership in their networks locally and globally.

The collaboration with Well Cell is made possible through a long-standing relationship with Gene Morse, SUNY Distinguished Professor, director of the Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences (CIGBS) and co-director of SUNY Global Health Institute. The National Association of Jamaican and Supportive Organizations (NAJASO) provides financial and mentorship support to the program. Project identification is led by UB’s Center for Integrated Global Biomedical Sciences Sustainable Development Goals committee chairs Dorothy Siaw-Asamoah, director of the UB School of Management’s Center for Leadership and Organizational Effectiveness, and Trevor Poag, director of UB Global Learning Opportunities.

UB Global Leadership scholars have the opportunity to collaborate with peers from around the world by building capacity for impact in their respective countries. Participants complete approximately 35 workshops on topics ranging from creative problem-solving, emotional intelligence, giving and receiving feedback, decision making and so much more. Self-reflection is the foundation for this unique leadership development program where teams work on real-world and research projects while being exposed to world renowned scholars from University at Buffalo. The successful completion of the experience gives candidates a competitive advantage in their various fields.

Participants also explore the graduate-level programs available in the UB School of Management, receive one-on-one coaching in the school’s Leadership Coaching Certification program and connect with faculty to enhance global research and partnership.