The Governance Board

Ayuda’s Board is composed of a diverse, experienced group of global thought leaders, from around the world.
Our directors bring a wealth of experiences and expertise to Ayuda, united by their passion for our mission.

Dr Gershu is a physician, leader, and visionary with a 38-year career dedicated to transforming healthcare landscapes across diverse international settings. Beyond leadership, Dr Gershu is a dedicated educator, having mentored medical and business students in Myanmar, Indonesia and New Zealand. He is a Fellow of prestigious medical and health service management colleges in Australia, reflecting his commitment to professional development and industry standards.

Dr Gershu’s transformative abilities truly shone in Indonesia, where he grew Siloam International Hospitals from a 4-hospital operation to a 33-hospital behemoth, overseeing strategic expansion, IPO placement (US $1.8 billion), and operational excellence. He replicated this success in Myanmar, leading Pun Hlaing Hospitals to establish a national network, build new facilities, and embrace a salaried doctor model for equitable care.

Ms. Julie McCaughan, an Australian healthcare leader with over 40 years of international experience, stands at the forefront of driving excellence in healthcare delivery. As the Chief Operating Officer at UE Healthcare, Julie’s multifaceted expertise encompasses hospital operations, patient safety, quality management, and nursing leadership. Her tenure is marked by a relentless commitment to implementing evidence-based practices and fostering a culture of excellence.

Julie McCaughan embodies a rare blend of academic rigor, extensive practical experience, and unwavering dedication to advancing healthcare standards. Her leadership at OUE Healthcare continues to inspire innovation and excellence, shaping the future of healthcare delivery.

Dr. Thiri Aung joined prestigious healthcare network in Myanmar, Pun Hlaing Hospital Group as a management intern in 2016 and has risen through roles to become the Chief Operating Officer of the roup, overseeing the operations, comprising three hospitals and two medical towers. With over eight years of progressive leadership in healthcare management, Thiri has demonstrated a commitment to operational excellence and transformative initiatives.

Her remarkable contributions have garnered recognition such as being named an honouree for Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia in 2021 and receiving the Outstanding Leadership Award from Health 2.0 in Dubai, UAE in 2022.

Ruth Paul handles a broad range of agreements in the film, television and new media industries.
Prior to joining the firm in 2023, Ruth served as Vice President of Business Affairs for Chernin
Entertainment, where she negotiated a variety of development, production, financing and
distribution transactions. She also worked for five years as a senior lawyer for BBC Studios in
London, where she oversaw a team of lawyers handling legal and business affairs for a slate of
domestic and international television projects.

Ruth holds a combined J.D./ M.B.A degree from Loyola Law School in Los Angeles, and a B.F.A in
Television and Broadcast Journalism from Chapman University. While she originally hails from New
Zealand and has lived in five different countries (including Sri Lanka, Indonesia, and England), she
has put down roots in West LA, which she now calls home.

Ruth is currently an associate at Lichter Grossman Nichols, Feldman, Rogal, & Clark, Inc . Los
Angeles, California, United States of America.

Dr. Ameen stands as a beacon of expertise in Naturopathy and Functional Medicine, renowned for
his holistic approach to healing encompassing metabolic, neurological, hormonal, and
musculoskeletal realms. With over two decades of experience, he champions natural remedies,
dietary adjustments, and lifestyle modifications, crafting personalized wellness solutions. His
mastery extends to system-based detox programs and bespoke herbal formulations, earning him
acclaim as a trusted authority in the organic manufacturing industry.

Dr. Ameen’s passion lies in educating and empowering individuals worldwide towards optimal
health, excelling in areas from anti-aging and autoimmune disorders to preventive cardiology and
corporate wellness initiatives. He embodies the art of holistic healing, embodying a fusion of ancient
wisdom and modern science for transformative well-being.

Zigi John is a technology entrepreneur with a 28-year old career leading national and global initiatives related to digital transformation, data and analytics, and personalization for companies like Warner Brothers, Toyota and McKinsey.

His collaborative and thorough approach to gathering requirements and engineering solutions results in robust digital strategies that drive meaningful outcomes for some of the world’s largest marketing and advertising operations.

He founded 4 technology companies and is an advisor to several organisations in India such as the Kerala Startup Mission, where he regularly reviews upcoming startups as a member of the Expert Committee, to disburse the Innovation Grant from the Government of Kerala, India.