Our journey is marked by a deep connection to the spirit of Ubuntu, the belief that we are all interconnected in our shared humanity. Africa’s rich tapestry of cultures, landscapes, and communities is at the heart of our story.
Robyn is the founder of Supporting Health Initiatives (SHI), an African-led platform advancing health systems strengthening and institutional capacity across the continent.
With more than two decades of experience working across Africa, Robyn has collaborated with governments, academia, civil society organisations, and international partners to strengthen health systems and improve access to medicines and health technologies.
In 2019 she established SHI to translate global health investment into practical institutional capacity. Under her leadership, SHI has grown into a trusted implementation partner working alongside national regulatory authorities, regional institutions, and global health organisations. Since its establishment, SHI has stewarded high impact initiatives supporting collaboration and systems strengthening across Africa.
Alongside her institutional work, Robyn is an advocate for stronger global recognition of sepsis and the need for improved infection prevention, early detection, and equitable access to treatment. She has worked with international advocacy networks including the Global Sepsis Alliance and Africa Sepsis Alliance, and has been recognised as a Lifelong Patron of the Global Sepsis Alliance.
Robyn’s work is grounded in the belief that sustainable progress in global health depends on African-led solutions, responsible stewardship of international financing, and institutions built to endure beyond individual programmes.
She has completed the Master of Business Administration (MBA) programme at Edinburgh Business School, Heriot-Watt University, with a focus on corporate governance, business consultancy, and negotiation in complex institutional environments.
Professor Maria Papathanasopoulos is a leading virologist and educator, internationally recognized for her pioneering work in HIV research, bioinformatics, and infectious diseases. She serves as the Director of the HIV Pathogenesis Research Unit (HPRU) at the University of the Witwatersrand (Wits), where she leads innovative research into HIV-1 drug resistance, pathogenesis, and vaccine design.
In addition to her role at HPRU, Professor Papathanasopoulos is affiliated with the Wits Infectious Diseases and Oncology Research Institute (IDORI), contributing to integrative research on infectious diseases and oncology.
Holding a Ph.D. from Wits, she has established state-of-the-art laboratories that advance scientific understanding of HIV and inform strategies for prevention and treatment. Her work has earned widespread acclaim and continues to shape both national policy and global discourse in the field.
Her research portfolio includes major contributions to initiatives funded by the South African Strategic Health Innovation Platform, the National Research Foundation, the International AIDS Vaccine Initiative Innovation Fund, the Carnegie Foundation, and the Poliomyelitis Research Foundation.
Dr. Lieve Fransen is a globally respected health expert and social policy strategist with over four decades of experience advancing public health and social equity. As a former Director at the European Commission and Founding Co-Chair of the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, she led the creation of one of the most significant global health financing mechanisms, mobilizing billions of dollars and forging partnerships that have saved millions of lives.
Driven by a passion for Africa, Lieve has dedicated much of her career to strengthening health systems across the continent. She has collaborated extensively with African governments and organizations to build resilient infrastructures and ensure global initiatives translate into sustainable, locally driven solutions.
Her contributions have earned her prestigious honors, including the National Order of the Lion of Senegal (1999), awarded by two presidents, the Jonathan Mann Award for Health and Human Rights (2001), and a Lifetime Achievement Award (2003) for her tireless advocacy for equitable healthcare and human rights.
Lieve has authored over 100 peer-reviewed publications and influenced policy for the European Council and Parliament. As a Senior Adviser to the European Policy Centre, she continues to champion evidence-based solutions for social investment, healthcare, and gender equity. Her relentless advocacy and commitment to systems strengthening make her a transformative force in global health, leaving a legacy of lasting impact.
Professor Garrett Wallace Brown is a leading authority in global health policy, renowned for his transformative contributions to health governance, equity, and financing. He holds the Chair in Political Theory & Global Health Policy at the University of Leeds, where he directs the Centre for Global Security Challenges. His work spans health system strengthening, pandemic preparedness, health financing, and global health justice.
Driven by a deep passion for Africa, Professor Brown collaborates with governments, NGOs, and international agencies to build resilient health systems and promote equitable healthcare across the continent. His work addresses unique health challenges, strengthens institutional capacity, and fosters sustainable impact.
A prolific author, Professor Brown has co-edited the Oxford Handbook on Global Health Politics and contributed to the Oxford Dictionary of Global Health Terms. He has served as a media advisor to the Group of Seven (G7) and Group of Twenty (G20) and provided evidence-based recommendations to the UK Cabinet Office COVID-19 Roundtable Group during the pandemic.
His contributions include leading World Health Organization (WHO) initiatives on pandemic preparedness tools, cost estimation, and sustainable financing strategies. Known for bridging academia, policy, and practice, Professor Brown’s dedication to advancing health justice and his commitment to Africa continue to shape the global health landscape.
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