The Private Sector Members Council of the Roll Back Malaria Partnership (PSMC) has elected Sherwin Charles (Trustee, Nandos Foundation, and CEO of Goodbye Malaria) to a second term, and Caroline Desrousseaux (Global Account Manager, Vestergaard Frandsen) to her first term as Co-Chairs representing the PSMC in its engagement with the RBM Partnership Board, Secretariat and stakeholder community. Their two-year term began on June 1, 2016 and will run through mid-2018.
Reflecting on the upcoming term, Mr. Charles said, “I am humbled to be given this vote of confidence again to lead the PSMC during this very important period of the RBM Partnership. The private sector broadly, and the PSMC specifically, has been and will continue to be an active and deeply engaged stakeholder in this new phase of the Partnership. We believe that we have what it takes, as a global community, to rid our world of malaria but it will take courageous leadership from all partners. The PSMC is in a stronger-than-ever position to support the priorities of RBM given its historic engagement with the Partnership, and we will continue to do so with our unique way of thinking and working that has served us well in business, while continuing to champion the spirit of collaboration that has been the foundation of the Partnership for the past fifteen years.”
Mr. Charles also expressed tremendous support for his fellow Co-Chair, Ms. Desrousseaux, saying, “Caroline’s commitment to action was evident from her initial involvement in the PSMC more than a year ago. She brings a fresh approach to how we can be more effective as a group, has in-depth industry experience that is complementary to our work, and will be a great collaborator to help guide and grow the PSMC, and its involvement in the RBM Partnership, over the coming two years.”
With this change, Jon Pender (Vice President, Government Affairs, GSK) and Lisa Goldman van Nostrand (Global Health Advisor, Sumitomo Chemical) are stepping down as RBM Board Members and leaders of the PSMC. Reflecting on her term, Ms. Goldman van Nostrand remarked, “It has been a true honor to serve as one of the Private Sector Representatives and Board Member to RBM during the last four years.” Ms. Goldman van Nostrand emphasized the urgency the community faces over the next 15 years in the fight against malaria: “With innovation needed on every front to achieve the ambitious malaria elimination targets enshrined in the Sustainable Development agenda, ongoing PSMC leadership is of critical importance. That’s why I’m so pleased to congratulate Caroline Desrousseaux and Sherwin Charles on their election to serve as the PSMC Co-Chairs. I have no doubt that their shared institutional memory, strategic and flexible approaches, and collegiality will serve the PSMC and the RBM Partnership well as we complete the transition to new governance structures and face a new set of challenges in the SDG era.”
The RBM Partnership went through an extensive transition period that ended at the 29th Board Meeting. In early June, the newly established Partnership Board met for the first time to move forward key decisions on, among other things, the new governance structure and hosting arrangement of the revitalized Partnership; as well as the strategic priorities to help guide partner engagement in the short and long term. In the coming weeks, the Co-Chairs will work with the Focal Point team at GBCHealth and PSMC representatives to finalize strategic priorities and milestones for the remainder of 2016 and 2017 and connect with new RBM Board members to solidify their working relationships with the PSMC.
Sherwin Charles, Trustee, Nando’s Philanthropy; Co-Founder and CEO, Goodbye Malaria
Sherwin Charles is trustee to Nando’s Philanthropy Foundation, and co-founder and CEO of Goodbye Malaria, and African initiative to eliminate malaria in Southern Africa.
Previously, Sherwin has spent the last decade as Director in Nando’s Group fulfilling various financial roles including Treasurer of the group, and parlaying his passion in social issues to support the company’s foundation in its work. Prior to joining Nando’s, Sherwin spent 15 years in banking and financial services both in South Africa and Nigeria, including serving as CEO of Restfin, a funding corporation for franchisees.
Sherwin lives in South Africa, is married with children, and enjoys driving powerful road cars around local racetracks to quench his need for speed.
Caroline Desrousseaux, Global Account Manager, Public Health, Vestergaard Frandsen
Caroline Desrousseaux is the Global Account Manager for the Public Health unit of Vestergaard, a global company innovating game-changing solutions to improving the health of vulnerable people, and a leader in the manufacture of bed nets to fight malaria.
Previously, she held diverse roles in new business development and program support at Management Sciences for Health, an international NGO tackling global health challenges including malaria through health systems strengthening, and headquartered in the U.S.A.
Caroline lives in Switzerland, is the happy mother of two children, and enjoys spending her free time either at home with her family or outdoors hiking and gardening.