Janine Mitchell is the Executive Director at Veterinarians Without Borders North America/Vétérinaires Sans Frontières Amérique du Nord.
Janine Mitchell joined Veterinarians Without Borders North America as Executive Director in August 2025, bringing more than two decades of experience in global health, One Health, and health systems strengthening in over 30 countries. She has lived and worked extensively across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, leading programs in disease surveillance, pandemic preparedness, antimicrobial resistance, and disaster response.
Before joining VWB/VSF, Janine held senior positions with DAI, Mott MacDonald, and the International Development Research Centre (IDRC), where she managed complex multi-country portfolios and collaborated with governments, academic institutions, and major global donors such as USAID, UK-FCDO, and the Hewlett Foundation. Her career reflects a consistent focus on building resilient, locally led systems that address the interconnected health of people, animals, and the environment.
Janine is also an Extraordinary Lecturer at the University of Pretoria’s School of Health Systems and Public Health in South Africa and supported the development of the Africa Evidence Network (AEN) to strengthen regional communities of practice in evidence-informed policymaking. She holds a Master of Science in Epidemiology from the University of Pretoria and is a passionate advocate for equity, diversity, and inclusive development that centers the voices and leadership of local communities.
Based on field insights from Senegal, this blog examines how VWB’s COHERS program is helping drive early gender-transformative change at the household level — reshaping who decides, who acts, and how families respond to risks affecting both human and animal health.
#VETSVolunteerVoices brings you stories of our passionate VETS program volunteers from the field. Meet Hiya Goyal, a Communications Advisor who spent five months in Laos (November 2025–March 2026) with our local partner, Health Poverty Action, strengthening communications and knowledge sharing while exploring how listening and storytelling can bridge gaps between policy, research, and community experience.
In many regions, the difference between a minor health issue and a serious condition comes down to whether care can be reached in time. This blog explores the practical barriers to veterinary access — from distance to disrupted systems — and what changes when care becomes available.
