Mfreke Anakan Ayan-Asigbe
- Director- FIGCI
Mfreke Anakan Ayan-Asigbe is a distinguished Public Health Specialist and Lecturer with over a decade of experience dedicated to enhancing community wellness and addressing critical health issues. She is the CEO of Cypress Global Health and the founder of Women Riding on Waves Initiative, reflecting her commitment to improving the quality of life for individuals, families, organizations, and communities.
Mfreke’s academic journey is marked by excellence. Her pursuit of knowledge led her to participate in international fellowships, including the Emerging Political Leadership Fellowship and the African Civic Engagement Academy at the University of Georgia, underscoring her dedication to continuous learning and leadership development.
In her professional career, Mfreke has led numerous initiatives aimed at combating gender-based violence and promoting health education. Leading the implementation of the FCDO-funded Conflict Stability and Security-Resourcing Change project with the Coalition for the Promotion of Gender Justice, she managed initiatives that enhance the capacity of women’s rights organizations (WROs) to advance gender equality, empower women, prevent gender-based violence (GBV), and promote gender-transformative peacebuilding through local conflict resolution, gender budgeting, and policy reforms in conflict-affected communities. As the Research and Program Manager for Gender and Development Action, she spearheaded the Reducing Gender-Based Violence Project using Social Behaviour Change Communication and Adaptive Leadership in the eighteen Local Government Areas of Cross River State and the South-South region in Nigeria.
Through Cypress Global Health, Mfreke has demonstrated her passion for health and wellness by providing coaching and education on team building and leadership, stress management, trauma healing and recovery, sexual and reproductive health, and counseling for survivors of gender-based violence.
In summary, she stands as a preeminent consultant, academic, and thought leader in public health. Her robust academic foundation, illustrious career, and portfolio of successful projects make her an ideal collaborator for advancing research, programs, and projects aimed at improving public health and empowering communities.