Working Groups
CORE Group’s technical and cross-cutting Working Groups are led by chairs and co-chairs from our Member and Associate Organizations. They provide technical leadership and facilitate collaboration to advance the strategic development of standards, activities, and products that strengthen community-focused health programs and technical agendas.
Our Working Groups are: Systems for Health; Nutrition; Reproductive, Maternal, Newborn, Child & Adolescent Health; Social & Behavior Change; Disability Inclusive Health Technical Advisory Group; Humanitarian Health; One Health & Climate Health; Noncommunicable Diseases.
Vision
The Systems for Health Working Group seeks to promote people-centered, Community-Inclusive Systems for Health, which deliver expanding packages of health interventions tailored to specific contextual needs and opportunities, connecting social and health care structures, valuing prevention, health promotion, and the agency of communities to own their future.
We are interested in cross-cutting issues, which contribute to strengthening systems for health, such as:
- The full integration of community-based systems into national health systems and strategies
- Community health human resources
- Community management structures
- Social capital
- Civil society engagement
- Social accountability and health systems’ responsiveness
Co-Chairs
- Kristen Mallory, Children International
- Dr. Adugna Kebede, Action Against Hunger
Staff Representative
- Kate Kabore, CORE Group
Vision
The Nutrition Working Group underscores the critical role of nutrition in maternal and child survival and health through dissemination of state-of-the-art information and approaches essential for quality nutrition programming.
Co-Chairs
- Diana Allotey, Vitamin Angel Alliance Inc
- Albertha Nyaku, Results for Development
Staff Representative
- Kate Kabore, CORE Group
Vision
The RMNCAH Working Group synthesizes current research, best practices, and country experiences to provide CORE Group partner organizations with technical updates in the areas of women and maternal health; newborn and child health; and family planning and reproductive health.
Co-Chairs
- Feven Tassew Mekuria, CARE
- Rondi Anderson, Project HOPE
- Jimmy Nzau, EngenderHealth
Staff Representative
- Dr. Brooke Farrenkopf, CORE Group
Vision
The SBC Working Group contributes to improved maternal and child health outcomes by strengthening the capacity of CORE members to design and implement effective social and behavioral change strategies while documenting and disseminating valuable experiences.
Co-Chairs
- Lisa Sherburne, JSI
- Barbara Muffoletto, CURAMERICAS
- Joel Mercado, World Vision
Staff Representative
- Kate Kabore, CORE Group
Vision
The Disability Inclusive Health Working Group is open to all CORE Group members and associates, as well as non-member NGOs, CSOs, academic institutions, national governments, UN agencies, donors, and policymakers committed to advancing “Leaving No One Behind” and “Health for All” across the continuum from humanitarian response to development.
The Working Group seeks to ensure that disability inclusion is integrated across all health programs rather than siloed as a standalone issue. It is committed to elevating the voices and leadership of people with disabilities and Disabled Persons’ Organizations (DPOs) in shaping inclusive health systems and practice.
Co-Chairs
- Coming Soon!
Staff Representative
- Lisa Hilmi, CORE Group
Vision
Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for over 60% of deaths worldwide and include but are not limited to cancer, diabetes, cardiovascular disease, chronic lung disease, mental illness, and injuries. NCDs cause millions of preventable deaths, particularly in less developed nations, where 4 out of 5 of these deaths occur. Most of these people, particularly in developing countries, lack access to the preventative measures or lifesaving treatments proven to be effective against NCDs. We already have many effective solutions, but we need to put them into action. CORE Group’s NCD Interest Group works to convene those working to treat and prevent NCDs at the community level, to share resources, events, and vital information to improve their work.
Co-Chairs
Barbara L. Smith, MPH, CPDM, Project Hope
Staff Representative
- Kate Kabore, CORE Group
Learn More (Working Group pages require free login.)
Vision
The Humanitarian Health Working Group brings together practitioners and organizations working in emergency preparedness, humanitarian response, recovery, and fragile settings. As conflicts, climate-related disasters, disease outbreaks, and displacement increasingly affect vulnerable populations, the need for coordinated, community-centered health approaches across humanitarian and development efforts has never been greater. This Working Group will focus on strengthening preparedness, response, recovery, and resilience in crisis-affected contexts. Emphasis will be placed on community engagement, risk reduction, health system continuity, and cross-sector coordination before, during, and after emergencies to reduce vulnerability and improve health outcomes while advancing progress toward the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Co-Chairs:
- Ricardo Echalar, Formerly with USAID
- Cecilliah Mbaka, Care
Staff Representatives
- Brooke Farrenkopf, CORE Group
Vision
The One Health & Climate Working Group brings together practitioners and organizations working at the intersection of human, animal, environmental, and planetary health. As climate change and environmental degradation increasingly shape health outcomes, and as the majority of emerging infectious diseases originate from animal sources, the need for integrated, multi-sectoral approaches has never been greater. This working group will focus on prevention, preparedness, and response to health threats influenced by climate change, environmental conditions, and zoonotic transmission. Emphasis will be placed on community engagement, systems thinking, and cross-sector coordination before, during, and after outbreaks and climate-related health challenges.
Staff Representatives
- Coming Soon!
Staff Representatives
- Lisa Hilmi, CORE Group
- Kate Kabore, CORE Group
