IAPB is proud to announce the winners of the Young Systems Leader Award winners for 2026

IAPB is proud to announce the winners of the Young Systems Leader Award winners for 2026. Now in its third year, the awards shine a spotlight on early-career professionals who are driving transformative change in eye health. The awards celebrate “systems thinkers” — individuals who take innovative approaches to tackling avoidable sight loss and reshaping the future of eye care.

IAPB’s Board and Executive Committee have selected eight outstanding winners from a diverse range of countries and professional backgrounds. These young leaders bring fresh perspectives, creativity, and determination to accelerate progress towards the 2030 In Sight goals.

• Congratulations to the 2026 Young Systems Leader Award Winners:
• Adebowale (Alfred) Adekunle, Global Data and Reporting Lead, VisionSpring
• Chelsea Andrews, Manager of Programs and Partnerships, Keralink International
• Cynthia Gape, Software Trainer & Design Lead, Peek Vision
• Adnan Abdul Majeed, Senior Registrar and Academic Coordinator, Sindh institute of ophthalmology and visual sciences (SIOVS) Hyderabad Pakistan
• Marco Antonio Soares, Project Manager, Global Vision 2020
• Rutul Shah, Manager: Training and Quality (AOP Programmes), Mission for Vision
• Silvana Torres, Ophthalmologist – Retina fellow, Fundación Visión
• Soubhik Chel, Optometrist, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute

The winners of the Young Systems Leader Awards receive a range of unique opportunities to support their professional growth, including speaking engagements at 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE in Nairobi, Kenya, where they will share their insights and ideas with global leaders. They will also participate in a leadership masterclass programme delivered by experts from both the eye health sector and related fields and gain exclusive networking opportunities with key stakeholders in global health, policy, and advocacy.

Caroline Casey, IAPB President, shared her enthusiasm for this year’s winners, by saying: ‘Once again, I am so impressed by these incredibly inspiring individuals who have been awarded as this year’s Young Systems Leaders. They have all demonstrated exceptional leadership and systems thinking skills in their diverse areas of work. We are so thrilled to recognise them at this year’s 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE and hearing their insights, stories and learnings.’

The Young Systems Leaders will be attending 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE, taking place in Nairobi, Kenya from 4-6 June 2026. While at this important eye care conference they will have the opportunity to share their award-winning ideas , lead discussions and collaborate with global leaders to help put 2030 In Sight for everyone, everywhere.

Learn more about these inspiring individuals and how their innovative approaches are reshaping eye health systems worldwide.

Registrations for 2030 IN SIGHT LIVE are open now. Join the Young Systems Awards Winners in Nairobi this June by securing your place today.