Members of the PSD Advisory Group elected Julie Essiam (CEO, Ecobank Foundation & Group Executive, Human Resources and Corporate Affairs, Ecobank Transnational Incorporated) to her first term as Board Member. Ms. Essiam replaces Paul Schaper (Executive Director, Global Public Policy, Merck, Sharp & Dohme), who served in the role for two terms from 2013-2017. Mr. Schaper has been elected as the Alternate Board Member for the 2017-2019 term. Ms. Essiam and Mr. Schaper will represent the private sector on the Global Fund’s governance Board from May 5, 2017 through the spring of 2019. The new PSD leadership terms will overlap with a critical time for the Global Fund, as it welcomes a new Chair and Vice-Chair of the Board and selects its next Executive Director.

Looking forward to the upcoming term, Ms. Essiam said, “My vision is to enhance the PSD’s profile as an impact driven Constituency, and a key enabler to end the three diseases for good.” She will work to ensure that the Constituency’s engagement, conversations, and decisions are “grounded in the implications for the lives of communities across Africa and the world where the Global Fund invests its resources.” Ms. Essiam believes that the private sector has a responsibility to lead in every country where it has a presence, and advocates for “health to be funded adequately to prevent where possible, treat when necessary and transform the minds of those affected but not infected.”

Mr. Schaper shares Ms. Essiam’s vision, saying, “I look forward to supporting Julie’s work as Board Member to see the PSD recognized as a results-driven, patient-centered advocate for effective management to increase access to prevention, care, and treatment across the three diseases.”

The elections also marked the end of Erika Satterwhite’s successful term as PSD Board Alternate. At the close of her term, Ms. Satterwhite remarked, “It has been a pleasure and a privilege to serve in the Board Alternate role for the past two years representing the PSD. The private sector has such a wealth of experience to contribute, it has been an honor to participate in the strengthening of our constituency’s voice during this pivotal time for the Global Fund. I wish Julie and Paul all the best in their new roles, and look forward to continue supporting the constituency in years to come.” The Constituency is grateful for Ms. Satterwhite’s exceptional contributions to the PSD and to the Global Fund Board, and welcomes her continued representation of the PSD on the Global Fund Board’s Audit & Finance Committee.

Learn more about the work of the Global Fund Private Sector Delegation (PSD).