August 4, 2010, Chapel Hill, NC—Global health nonprofit IntraHealth International recently elected Magatte Diop of Dakar, Senegal to its 11-member Board of Directors. An African banker and entrepreneur with decades of experience in international finance and private sector programming, Diop is IntraHealth’s first overseas appointment to the Board of Directors.

“Magatte brings great passion for building successful private sector partnerships for African development. At this stage of IntraHealth’s growth, engaging with new sectors and investors is a pivotal part of expanding our reach and sustaining innovations in health workforce development and service delivery around the world. He has valuable expertise and practical experience to steer us in these directions overseas,” said IntraHealth President and CEO, Pape Gaye.

Diop is president of Peacock Investments, a financial services firm in Dakar—one of several companies he has founded in West Africa. He earned his MBA from Stern Business School at New York University, and subsequently worked as an analyst on Wall Street and at MetLife Insurance. From 1978-1993, he served as an executive for Citibank/Citicorp in Africa, eventually overseeing relations with more than 200 financial institutions as vice president and regional director of branches in West and Central Africa.

In 1993, Diop founded the Intercontinental Life Insurance Company (ILICO) in Dakar, and two years later, SAGEF, a subsidiary of ILICO focusing on low- and middle-income housing and public construction.  He served as ILICO’s CEO until 2003, and is now chairman of the group.  From 1993-1997, Diop also led MRB International, another company he founded after leaving Citicorp.

“IntraHealth is an organization highly appreciated for its contributions to global health,” said Diop.  “I’m eager to bring my experience in the private sector to help bridge the gap in global health between the private sector, especially private and commercial banks, and organizations doing the work on the ground, like IntraHealth.”

“When high-level leaders are involved, when they become real advocates for global health, things move quickly,” he said. As a member of IntraHealth’s Board, he looks forward to “helping to engage leaders throughout Africa in supporting IntraHealth’s work.” 

Diop is president of the African Chamber of Commerce in the United States and founder of the Center for Strategic Studies for the Emergence of Senegal, a think tank for Senegal’s economic development.  In 1998, he was awarded the medal of merit by the Republic of Senegal.

IntraHealth International is a global health nonprofit that champions the critical role of health workers in health and development. For over 30 years, IntraHealth has empowered health workers to better serve communities in need, fostering local solutions to health care challenges by improving health worker performance, strengthening health systems, harnessing technology, and leveraging partnerships. The nonprofit’s work is supported and funded by the US Agency for International Development, the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, private foundations, corporations and individuals.

Contact: Laura Hoemeke
IntraHealth International
+1 919-360-7799