Prof.  Welma Lubbe is a professor of Nursing and Midwifery at the North-West University, South Africa, and Director of the Quality in Nursing and Midwifery (NuMIQ) Research Focus Area. Prof Lubbe published over 40 peer-reviewed articles, presented at various national and international conferences, and contributed several professional and parenting articles. She is an invited television and radio guest, author, and guest speaker at various public parenting forums, including well-known parenting magazines, such as Baba en Kleuter and Your Pregnancy. Prof Lubbe’s research focus is in the field of neurodevelopmental supportive care of the preterm infant, and she is recognised as a leader in this field. She serves on the board for the Neonatal Nurses Association of South Africa: education portfolio, and she is the owner of Little Steps®, which is a parenting support organisation for parents with premature infants, and this organisation is a well-known brand, both nationally and internationally. Prof Lubbe is associate editor for the International Breastfeeding Journal and serves on the Nursing Taskforce and Quality Improvement group for the Newborn Brain Society. She is an international consultant for the Developmental Care Standards for Infants in Intensive Care.

Prof. Kirsten A. Donald believes that how the brain develops in the first few years of life has a profound impact on the formation of skills needed for learning, work, and daily life. This is particularly important in environments like ours, where risks to healthy brain growth and development are highest. Her recent research focuses on exploring how genetic and genomic approaches, developmental and cognitive tools, and particularly diverse neuroimaging methods, can contribute to a deeper understanding of the pathophysiological mechanisms by which HIV exposure, substance use, nutrition, maternal mental health, and other pediatric exposures affect the developing brain. As part of the policy team at the Ministry of Health and Social Development, she has participated in developmental disability screening and intervention efforts in South Africa. She also serves on the UNICEF expert group for the development of global standards for early childhood development.