{"id":8152,"date":"2026-03-16T17:02:27","date_gmt":"2026-03-16T13:02:27","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8152"},"modified":"2026-04-26T11:38:05","modified_gmt":"2026-04-26T07:38:05","slug":"message-from-dr-rasha-kelej-ceo-of-merck-foundation-on-being-named-among-the-100-most-impactful-voices-2026-by-abcd-africa","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8152","title":{"rendered":"Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on being named among the \u201c100 Most Impactful Voices 2026\u201d by ABCD Africa"},"content":{"rendered":"<figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"773\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/main-dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-41-773x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8153\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/main-dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-41-773x1024.jpeg 773w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/main-dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-41-227x300.jpeg 227w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/main-dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-41-768x1017.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/main-dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-41-600x795.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/main-dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-41.jpeg 906w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I am deeply honoured to be included in the&nbsp;<strong>\u2018100 Most Impactful Voices 2026\u2019<\/strong>&nbsp;list.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I sincerely thank&nbsp;<strong>ABCD Africa<\/strong>&nbsp;for acknowledging my work over the past 14 years to build healthcare capacity, transform the patient care landscape, break infertility stigma, empower women, and support girl education in Africa and beyond. This recognition is truly very special to me, and it inspires me to continue my efforts to make a meaningful difference in the lives of people.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"773\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-773x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8154\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-773x1024.png 773w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-227x300.png 227w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-768x1017.png 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image-600x795.png 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/image.png 906w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also congratulate all the deserving women who have been recognized on this list. Together, we will continue to use our voices to inspire positive change and create a better future for our communities.<\/p><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">This recognition adds to the recent honours, including being named among the&nbsp;<strong>\u201c100 Most Influential Africans 2025\u201d by New African Magazine&nbsp;<\/strong>and the&nbsp;<strong>\u201c100 Most Influential African Women\u201d by Avance Media<\/strong>&nbsp;for the seventh consecutive year.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-one-of-most-influential-Africans-1-1024x1024.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8155\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-one-of-most-influential-Africans-1-1024x1024.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-one-of-most-influential-Africans-1-300x300.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-one-of-most-influential-Africans-1-150x150.jpg 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-one-of-most-influential-Africans-1-768x768.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-one-of-most-influential-Africans-1-600x600.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-one-of-most-influential-Africans-1-100x100.jpg 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Main-_-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-one-of-most-influential-Africans-1.jpg 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-One-of-the-100-Most-Influential-African-Women-2025-5-1-1024x1024.png\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8156\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-One-of-the-100-Most-Influential-African-Women-2025-5-1-1024x1024.png 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-One-of-the-100-Most-Influential-African-Women-2025-5-1-300x300.png 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-One-of-the-100-Most-Influential-African-Women-2025-5-1-150x150.png 150w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-One-of-the-100-Most-Influential-African-Women-2025-5-1-768x768.png 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-One-of-the-100-Most-Influential-African-Women-2025-5-1-600x600.png 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-One-of-the-100-Most-Influential-African-Women-2025-5-1-100x100.png 100w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Dr-Rasha-Kelej-named-as-One-of-the-100-Most-Influential-African-Women-2025-5-1.png 1080w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Through the\u00a0<strong>\u201cMerck Foundation More Than a Mother\u201d campaign<\/strong>, created to empower infertile and childless women, I work closely with over 33 African and Asian First Ladies who serve as Ambassadors of the initiative. I deeply value our partnership and sisterhood.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"623\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-at-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary1-1024x623.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8157\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-at-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary1-1024x623.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-at-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary1-300x182.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-at-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary1-768x467.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-at-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary1-1536x934.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-at-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary1-600x365.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Merck-Foundation-Chairman-and-CEO-with-African-and-Asian-First-Ladies-at-their-Africa-Asia-Luminary1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">We have provided over\u00a0<strong>2,500 scholarships for healthcare providers from 52 countries in 44 underserved specialties<\/strong>, helping to improve access to quality and equitable healthcare.<\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"682\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Oncology-Alumni3-1-1024x682.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8158\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Oncology-Alumni3-1-1024x682.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Oncology-Alumni3-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Oncology-Alumni3-1-768x511.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Oncology-Alumni3-1-1536x1022.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Oncology-Alumni3-1-600x399.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-CEO-of-Merck-Foundation-with-Oncology-Alumni3-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">Moreover, in partnership with African First Ladies, we have to date provided more than\u00a0<strong>1,200 annual scholarships<\/strong>\u00a0to underprivileged yet deserving schoolgirls from 19 countries, helping them complete their education and reach their potential. The program is actively running across several African countries including\u00a0<strong>Botswana, Burundi, Cabo Verde, Central African Republic, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Gabon, The Gambia, Ghana, Kenya, Liberia, Malawi, Namibia, Nigeria, S\u00e3o Tom\u00e9 and Pr\u00edncipe, Tanzania, Togo, Zambia, Zimbabwe, and others.<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"773\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-21-773x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8159\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-21-773x1024.jpeg 773w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-21-227x300.jpeg 227w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-21-768x1017.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-21-600x795.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-21.jpeg 906w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\">I also established the \u201cArt and Fashion with Purpose\u201d community to address critical health and social issues, including breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, ending female genital mutilation and child marriage, stopping gender\u2011based violence, and raising awareness about diabetes, hypertension, and cancer. We have launched several community awareness programs, including\u00a0<strong>Health Media Trainings, songs, children\u2019s storybooks, animation films, awards for best media, song, film, and fashion design, and a Pan\u2011African TV program titled \u201cOur Africa.\u201d<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1024\" height=\"683\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirl-1-1024x683.jpg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8160\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirl-1-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirl-1-300x200.jpg 300w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirl-1-768x512.jpg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirl-1-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirl-1-600x400.jpg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/Senator-Dr-Rasha-Kelej-with-African-schoolgirl-1.jpg 1600w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1024px) 100vw, 1024px\" \/><\/figure><p class=\"wp-block-paragraph\"><strong>Kind Regards,<br>Senator Dr. Rasha Kelej (Ret.)<br>CEO of Merck Foundation<br>President of \u201cMore Than a Mother\u201d Campaign<\/strong><\/p><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"773\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-11-773x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8161\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-11-773x1024.jpeg 773w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-11-227x300.jpeg 227w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-11-768x1017.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-11-600x795.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-11.jpeg 906w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"773\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-61-773x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8162\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-61-773x1024.jpeg 773w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-61-227x300.jpeg 227w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-61-768x1017.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-61-600x795.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-61.jpeg 906w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/figure><figure class=\"wp-block-image size-large is-resized\"><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"773\" height=\"1024\" src=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-31-773x1024.jpeg\" alt=\"\" class=\"wp-image-8163\" style=\"width:1026px;height:auto\" srcset=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-31-773x1024.jpeg 773w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-31-227x300.jpeg 227w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-31-768x1017.jpeg 768w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-31-600x795.jpeg 600w, https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-31.jpeg 906w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 773px) 100vw, 773px\" \/><\/figure>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>I am deeply honoured to be included in the&nbsp;\u2018100 Most Impactful Voices 2026\u2019&nbsp;list. I sincerely thank&nbsp;ABCD Africa&nbsp;for acknowledging my work over the past 14 years to build healthcare capacity, transform the patient care landscape, break infertility stigma, empower women, and support girl education in Africa and beyond. This recognition is truly very special to me, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":8153,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"site-sidebar-layout":"default","site-content-layout":"","ast-site-content-layout":"default","site-content-style":"default","site-sidebar-style":"default","ast-global-header-display":"","ast-banner-title-visibility":"","ast-main-header-display":"","ast-hfb-above-header-display":"","ast-hfb-below-header-display":"","ast-hfb-mobile-header-display":"","site-post-title":"","ast-breadcrumbs-content":"","ast-featured-img":"","footer-sml-layout":"","theme-transparent-header-meta":"","adv-header-id-meta":"","stick-header-meta":"","header-above-stick-meta":"","header-main-stick-meta":"","header-below-stick-meta":"","astra-migrate-meta-layouts":"set","ast-page-background-enabled":"default","ast-page-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-4)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"ast-content-background-meta":{"desktop":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"tablet":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""},"mobile":{"background-color":"var(--ast-global-color-5)","background-image":"","background-repeat":"repeat","background-position":"center center","background-size":"auto","background-attachment":"scroll","background-type":"","background-media":"","overlay-type":"","overlay-color":"","overlay-opacity":"","overlay-gradient":""}},"footnotes":""},"categories":[24],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-8152","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-message"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v24.2 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/wordpress\/plugins\/seo\/ -->\n<title>Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on being named among the \u201c100 Most Impactful Voices 2026\u201d by ABCD Africa | Rasha Kelej<\/title>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8152\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Message from Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, on being named among the \u201c100 Most Impactful Voices 2026\u201d by ABCD Africa | Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"I am deeply honoured to be included in the&nbsp;\u2018100 Most Impactful Voices 2026\u2019&nbsp;list. I sincerely thank&nbsp;ABCD Africa&nbsp;for acknowledging my work over the past 14 years to build healthcare capacity, transform the patient care landscape, break infertility stigma, empower women, and support girl education in Africa and beyond. This recognition is truly very special to me, [&hellip;]\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/?p=8152\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:publisher\" content=\"https:\/\/www.facebook.com\/KelejRasha\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:published_time\" content=\"2026-03-16T13:02:27+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2026-04-26T07:38:05+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/rasha-kelej.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/04\/main-dr-rasha-kelej-merck-foundation-ceo-2026-41.jpeg\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:width\" content=\"906\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:height\" content=\"1200\" \/>\n\t<meta property=\"og:image:type\" content=\"image\/jpeg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"author\" content=\"Rasha Kelej\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:creator\" content=\"@Rashakelej\" \/>\n<meta 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