Dr. Ameenah Gurib-Fakim is the Chairperson of ImpactHER’s Wise Council. She is the first female President of Mauritius, and a Biodiversity Scientist. She served as the Managing Director of the Centre International de Developpement Pharmaceutique (CIDP) Research and Innovation (formerly Cephyr, Centre for Phytotherapy Research). Prior to that, she was a Professor with a personal chair in Organic Chemistry at the University of Mauritius (2001) and she served successively as the Dean of the Faculty of Science and Pro–Vice Chancellor (2004–2010). She also worked at the Mauritius Research Council as Manager for Research (1995–1997). She served as the Chairperson the International Council for Scientific Union – Regional Office for Africa 
(2011-2014).