Dr Jenny Coetzee

Dr Jenny Coetzee

Chief Executive Officer

Jenny has been described by those who know her as an incredibly passionate and unstoppable force of nature.

She has an incredible vision for innovation in Africa and the need to drive public private partnerships that create meaningful and sustainable change for socioeconomic development.

Her ability to unite interdisciplinary and intersectoral groups towards a common goal is spectacular.

Jenny’s work with marginalised women has changed policy in South Africa, impacted global funding mechanisms and influenced how and what is funded in the country.

She is well published in her field, is a seasoned researcher and program implementer who has been on the frontlines of the HIV and violence epidemics in South Africa since 2009, and more recently supporting COVID prevention efforts. She holds an honorary joint staff appointment with the University of the Witwatersrand, is a founding trustee of the African Potential Trust and a board member on the African Potential Foundation.

Minja Milovanovic

Head of Research & Innovations

Minja is an out of box thinker, with a zest for innovation and a strong advocate for critical evaluation of concepts, processes and systems.

Through her work in clinical and social research, she has applied a pluripotent approach to understanding and solving public health issues.

She has the ability to move seamlessly between a dynamic range of topics, techniques, teams and locations and has also mentored many local and international aspiring researchers. It is her belief, that in order to change the world, we need to be dynamic, innovative and flexible and create opportunities that cross structured boundaries.

Minja holds an honorary joint staff appointment with the University of the Witwatersrand, and is also a member of the African Potential Foundation board.

OUR TRUSTEES & BOARD MEMBERS

Prof Mosa Moshabela

Prof Mosa Moshabela

Trustee and Science Specialist

Mosa has an incredible passion for socio-economic development geared to impact.

He is driven to improve access, quality and equity in healthcare, for resource-poor settings in sub-Saharan Africa.

Mosa is the Deputy Vice Chancellor of Research and Innovation at the University of KwaZulu Natal.

He is a medical doctor specialized in Family Medicine and Primary Health Care. While he has specialised in access and quality of healthcare to combat infectious diseases, in relation to HIV and TB.

Mosa holds multiple awards for his scientific contributions, including the PHILA Annual Award (2022), and a Ministerial Special Covid-19 Award (2020 – 2021) for Covid-19 Science Communication and Public Engagement.

Amongst others, he is the Chairperson of the Governing Board at the National Research Foundation (NRF), and a Member of the Board at the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC). Globally, he is a member of the international advisory board for the Lancet Healthy Longevity, Lancet commission on synergies between Health Promotion, and the commission of the US National Academies for Science, Engineering and Medicine (NASEM) on the Global Roadmap to Healthy Longevity.

Prof Glenda Gray.jpg

Prof Glenda Gray

Trustee and Science Specialist

Glenda is an award winning South African Researcher.

She is the Mother of HIV Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission (PMTCT) of HIV, which she spearheaded at Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto, South Africa in the mid 90’s.

Having dedicated her life to the global quest for an HIV Vaccine, she is internationally renowned for her work in this field. In 2018, Glenda was named one of the New York Times 100 Most Influential People in the World. In 2020 she was named one of Africa’s 50 most powerful women.

She is an incredible women, immensely compassionate, an activist at heart, and a mentor to many.

Glenda has won multiple awards across her illustrious career, and has been awarded three doctoral degrees from various local and international universities.

She is the President of the South African Medical Research Council (SAMRC), and sits on the Governing Board at the National Research Foundation (NRF).

Prof Ziyaad Dangor

Prof Ziyaad Dangor

Paediatritian & Board Member

Ziyaad is one of the most honourable men we have met.

He won the 2021 Integrity Idols award, and has dedicated his time to working in the paediatric ward of the Chris Hani Baragwanath Academic Hospital, Soweto.

He is a Clinical Research Director at the world renowned MRC VIDA Unit, an associate Professor at the University of the Witwatersrand, an NRF Y1 rated scientist, continued to lecture at Wits and is the Chair of the South African Paediatrics Association, and an examiner in the College of Paediatrics of South Africa.

He is a member of our Foundation Board of Directors.

Nerine Kahn

Nerine Kahn

Trustee and Governance Specialist

Nerine has a long history in support the fight for freedom for all in South Africa.

As the longest-acting Head of the Commision for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA), she has had and indelible impact upon our country

Under Nerine’s guidance the CCMA was awarded gold for sector excellence in the legal sector category, in the 2009 and 2011 Public Service Excellence Awards, coming second in 2010 in the same category

in 2014, she was names the most influential women in Business and Government: Agencies category for South Africa and Southern Africa.

She sits on multiple boards and governing bodies, including the Democracy Works Foundation.

Nerine brings strong corporate governance skills to our foundation.

She is the CEO of the Employee Relations Exchange

Sizwe Mahlangu

Corporate Engagement & Trustee

Sizwe is one of the most generous and kind human beings we have met.

His ability to bring people together, network seamlessly across sectors, class, privilidge and culture is phenomenal.

With a name like Vusisizwe which means raise the nation, Sizwe has his life’s purpose clearly defined and embedded in him.

Sizwe lives for making a difference in whichever environment he operates in. In the corporate sector he engages with multilevel stakeholders across the transport and automotive industry assuring them that the taxi industry is alive with great possibilities. He works with children and youth in the inner city or rural Zimbabwe, offering encouragement and mentorship through bringing hope. Our experience of Sizwe has been one of generosity of spirit, connection, collaboration and humility.

Lieve Fransen

Lieve Fransen

African Potential Foundation (PBO)

Lieve is an incredibly inspiring and motivating women to work with.

She is a founder and founding board member of The Global Fund, advisor to the VODAN-Africa board, and a member of the Africa Public Health Foundation – supporting the Africa CDC,

a senior policy advisor for the European Policy Centre (EPC) think-tank on social investment, health, energy and migration, and has experience in innovative funding solutions.

Lieve is and advisor for the T20/G20 on Covi Vaccine Manufacturing and the social investment, and has worked as Public health Advisor to the Ministry of Health, Mozambique, Kenya, Rwanda and Cape Verde Islands.

She has devoted herself to promoting social justice and the values of solidarity

Venice Mbowane

Venice Mbowane

Community Specialist & Board Member

Venice holds a wealth of experience in managing programme implementation.

She has manages complex health projects, including Voluntary Male Medical Circumcision, an HIV and Violence Prevention Programmes in Taverns, as well as one of the first ever adolescent HIV clinics.

She has more than 15 years of experience focusing on community interventions promoting and supporting HIV prevention research and implementation of programs with general public and key populations. Venice is passionate about advocacy, health access and human rights. She is known for creating mentorship opportunities within disadvantaged communities.

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