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 SHI, an initiative she conceived, established, and continues to lead at the intersection of health systems strengthening, project management support, and global health governance. With more than 25 years experience across Africa, she has driven and delivered high-impact programmes in complex environments, always guided by a vision of equity, accountability, and resilient health systems.
At SHI, Robyn sets the strategic direction and operational backbone that enable ambitious initiatives to take root and scale – spanning regulatory reform, health workforce capacity, cross-border collaboration, and resilient pandemic preparedness. Her leadership has attracted major funders and built trusted partnerships. Known for uniting resources and translating vision into tangible action, she has positioned SHI as a trusted vehicle for results across Africa.
Robyn has also spearheaded flagship programmes under SHI’s banner. She resourced the VACTASK fact-finding mission, which produced a widely cited report and academic publication, and she is driving SHI’s Global Fund governance initiative, culminating in a BMJ Global Health article calling for greater African representation. These projects highlight her ability not only to set vision but to mobilize resources, deliver outputs, and translate them into high-level policy influence.
Her influence extends beyond SHI. As an early contributor to the formulation of the Global Fund, Robyn has long championed African representation in global health financing, governance, and accountability. Today she continues to advocate for local vaccine production, sustainable health system resilience, and policy frameworks that place African priorities at the center of global health.
Her advocacy is deeply personal – rooted in lived experience. In “A Silent Killer: My Father’s Battle with Sepsis” she channels personal loss into urgent action.
Colleagues and partners describe Robyn as principled, bold, globally networked, and unwavering in her commitment to equity.
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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