Our Team – Africabio Enterprises

Candace B. Eastman, MT(ASCP), MBA has 25+ years of work experience in the life sciences industry that includes biotech, diagnostics, economic development, financial analysis, revenue generation, strategic planning and positioning in both corporate and non-profit environments. Ms. Eastman has a range of experience from working with the largest trade organization in the U.S in the biotech industry, directing business development for a top 50-law firm, and working in numerous research organizations. With a foundation rooted in diagnostics and molecular biology, her success in management spans diverse groups of companies and organizations.

Before starting Africabio Enterprises, Inc., Ms. Eastman worked in the public sector of Liberia as the Director of the National Diagnostic Unit of the Ministry of Health and Social Welfare (MOHSW) where she laid the groundwork for the development of an integrated clinical laboratory system which resulted in the formation of Liberia’s first National Laboratory Strategy and National Laboratory Policy. Following, she was appointed as Deputy Minister of Commerce, working with industries and the private sector to improve the environment of commerce to thrive through trade facilitation and mainstreaming. Building relationships and creating opportunities for the life sciences industry, the ultimate goal of Ms. Eastman is to drive Africabio to the forefront of ensuring private sector growth in Africa by Africans.

Clarine Simpson Vaughn, MA is our Vice President/COO. Mrs. Vaughn has more than 22 years of experience as an international consultant. Her experience working with government agencies in the U.S., Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean has been focused in the fields of health and education. Her expertise includes conducting and facilitating focus and sub-group sessions to work to consensus around various organizational and programmatic efforts. She is a process improvement specialist with vast experience documenting policy and procedural changes and managing communications around the organizational change in support of client needs. She has program managed multi- million-dollar contract and grant portfolios with successful programmatic and financial outcomes for U.S. government agencies including DHHS, CDC, Department of Labor and Department of Education.

Mrs. Vaughn oversees the financial and administrative functions of Africabio. She serves as a Senior Consultant on projects where her administrative management, training and leadership development expertise can be leveraged. She holds a Bachelor of Science in Public Administration and a Master of Arts in International Trade and Finance both from George Mason University.

Gaeduo K. Stewart is a senior project manager working directly with multiple research studies that are being conducted in Liberia. Using almost ten years quality laboratory experience, she ensure that sites are prepared to conduct research studies, through coordination of study staff trainings, regulatory compliance to local regulations and sponsors’ requirements, overseeing renovation and procurement requirements, ensuring logistical support is seamless and providing direct oversight of clinical and laboratory activities.

She is responsible for managing the research study teams, developing and monitoring work plans, developing and maintaining budgets and reporting to clients and partners. She holds a BSc in Chemistry from Towson University.

Esther K. Ricks, is a seasoned human resources, administrative and accounting professional, detailed oriented and self-starter. She has over 20 years of professional as an accountant and over 12 years’ experience as a human resources professional and administrator.

Possesses a vast knowledge of the Decent Work Act of Liberia, excellent interpersonal relationship, ability to work under pressure and multitask.