Sharone Lisa Backers

Sharone Backers is an international development professional with more than 13 years’ experience in global health program implementation, working in neglected tropical diseases, HIV, and TB program. She has provided support to neglected tropical disease (NTD) programs in in Ethiopia, Mozambique and Uganda, as well as regional support throughout East Africa. Ms. Backers has expertise and experience managing staff in complex environments and working with mobile and at-risk populations. Throughout her career, Ms. Backers has worked in close coordination with governments, including trusted relationships with ministries of health.  

Ms. Backers currently serves as Chief of Party for USAID’s Act to End Neglected Tropical Diseases | East program in Uganda, a global flagship initiative to help endemic countries fight neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). In her current role, Ms. Backers supports the Uganda Ministry of Health at both the national and district levels to control and eliminate neglected tropical diseases and strengthen the national health system, including capacity strengthening of health personnel, supply chain management, and technical support in adherence to WHO guidelines. Ms. Backers leads the coordination of the Act to End NTDs | East consortium partners to ensure alignment with government objectives and bring the breadth of Act | East technical expertise to support Uganda in achieving their NTD elimination goals.

Previously, she led both USAID’s ENVISION and Morbidity Management and Disability Prevention projects in Ethiopia, providing critical support to Ethiopia’s Federal Ministry of Health in the scale up treatment and care for NTDs. Ms. Backers also coordinated the implementation of the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust activities in Mozambique.