Our Staff
ILDS Executive Director

Arpita Bhose
Arpita is responsible for managing and developing the ILDS’ operations. She works closely with the ILDS Board and Staff Team to ensure that the ILDS’ strategy is effectively implemented in order to fulfil its mission. Arpita joins the ILDS from the World Small Animal Veterinary Association (WSAVA), where she was the Chief Executive Officer. Her previous roles include Senior Account Manager at Kenes Asia (a regional division of a global conference management business) in Singapore, where she set up the company for the Asia-Pacific region, covering 28 countries, and led medical association management for a wide-ranging portfolio of clients. Earlier in her career, Arpita spent ten years at the Royal College Physicians in London as Membership Services Manager.
ILDS Secretariat
Emma van Rooijen - Head of Operations
Emma oversees the ILDS operations, supporting the Executive Director, and provides leadership in the areas of communication, events, education, projects, partnerships and other activities. She has over 6 years’ experience working with international organisations for veterinarians as Operations Manager and Policy Officer. Originally from the Netherlands, she has a bachelor in Veterinary Medicine from Utrecht University and master’s degree in Animal Behaviour and Welfare from the University of Edinburgh. During her studies, she was President of the International Veterinary Students’ Association, during which she developed her passion for international NGOs and policy. Her mission is to make sure the work of the ILDS is carried out and seen in all continents around the world.
Caroline Bach - Project Manager
Caroline supports two key areas of ILDS’ work; the World Congress of Dermatology and the Global Psoriasis Atlas. She has bachelor’s degree in International Politics, a Masters degree in Business Management (MBA) and trained as a registered nurse at St Bartholomew’s hospital, London. Previous roles include health service manager in the NHS and Head of the International office at the Royal College of Nursing and also at the Health Protection Agency (UK).
Liz Hollenberg - Global Health Policy and Programmes Manager
Liz supports ILDS’ work with the WHO, developing health policy and managing relevant global health programmes. She has been working in public health and programmes for the past 15 years, primarily in infectious diseases. Her passion remains to develop effective and efficient policy and programmes, ensuring sustainability, equality, and equity throughout.
Lisa Jacobs - Membership Officer
Lisa oversees all aspects of membership for the ILDS including new applications, engagement and retention. With over 6.5 years’ experience working for a UK-based membership charity supporting similar health professionals, she understands the importance of our members being at the heart of everything we do. Lisa is keen to help the ILDS grow our unique community even further and provide a high-quality customer service to ILDS members and beyond.
Amarni Wood - Communications Lead
Amarni oversees all areas of the ILDS marketing, communications and social media development, and provides communications support on other key ILDS projects, events, partnerships and programmes. She is is an experienced Marketing Professional with over 7 years experience in the charity sector, and is passionate about the impact good communications, clever social media marketing and creative campaigns can have on building and growing a strong community and brand
Safia Roble - Foundation Programmes Coordinator
Safia works across multiple areas of work to support, maintain and develop IFD and ILDS projects and partnerships. Throughout her career, she has worked with multiple populations, including migrants, internally displaced people and other marginalised groups, where she undertook research and coordinated projects on human rights, development and gender. Safia holds a bachelor’s degree in Politics from Goldsmiths, University of London and a Master’s degree in International Politics from the School of Oriental and African Studies, University of London.
Becca Garratt - Programmes Coordinator
Becca supports the delivery of the GLODERM and Global Partnerships in Education and Care (GPEC) programmes. With 5 years of account handling experience in medical communications, she has a wealth of expertise in programme coordination and delivery, stakeholder management, team collaboration, and content creation. Having previously studied for a MSc in Conservation at the University College London, she is keen to combine her passion to work for an international NGO with her recent professional experience in healthcare. She aims to apply her expertise towards making a positive impact with the ILDS on the global dermatology community.
Homa Chuku - Grants Coordinator
Homa holds a Master of Healthcare Management degree from Swansea University in the United Kingdom and a Bachelor of Dental Surgery degree from the University of Port Harcourt in Nigeria. Through primary healthcare delivery, stakeholder involvement, programme coordination, and multidisciplinary team collaboration, she has exerted positive impact. She is strongly commited to expanding healthcare access and improving outcomes. She supports IFD grant streams as the ILDS Grants Coordinator.