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© Frontline AIDS

Meet the Frontline AIDS Senior Management Team and Heads.

INTERIM EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

Lois Chingandu will be stepping in as the Interim Executive Director of Frontline AIDS in January 2023, having successfully worked as our Director of Evidence and Influence since 2019.

Lois, who is based in South Africa, brings more than 20 years of hands-on leadership experience to her new interim role. She has led organisations working to prevent HIV and advocating for sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), gender equality and greater civil society engagement in public health in Southern Africa.  

Lois plays a central role in generating evidence to support effective HIV programming and in engaging and influencing national and regional governments, international donors and partners. In her previous role as Executive Director of SAfAIDS, Lois built an organisation with a global reputation for high quality HIV and SRHR programming and effective regional and national advocacy.

Throughout her career, Lois has worked with local organisations to deliver major programmes supported by international donors in the public and private sectors. Much of her work in Zimbabwe has also focused on strengthening community-based organisations to ensure they are able to provide long-term support for people living with HIV. Lois has a long-standing commitment to ensuring the rights of marginalised people, key populations and women and girls, who form the cornerstone of an effective HIV response.

A midwife by profession, Lois holds a Diploma, Bachelors and a Masters’ degree in Adult Education specialised in community development from the University of Zimbabwe, a summer school certificate from Harvard University School of Public Health on Managing Health Programs in Developing Countries and several certificates on health communication, family planning and counselling. Lois has co-authored and contributed towards the development of books, manuals, and toolkits and has presented at many international conferences on HIV and AIDS.

Interim deputy executive director

Divya Bajpai is acting as Deputy Executive Director during this interim period. Having worked as the Director of Programmes and Partnerships for several years, Divya was responsible for the strategic oversight and leadership on all programming areas for Frontline AIDS. The key focus is on increasing coverage, scope, and quality of community led HIV, health, and human rights programmes, through strong and vibrant civil society systems.

With over 18 years’ experience in global health and international development in Asia and sub-Saharan Africa, Divya had worked at senior level for Interact Worldwide and TB Alert before joining us in 2009 as a Programme Manager. Shortly after, she quickly progressed to Senior Advisor for Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights, and then on to become the Director of Programmes.

Divya’s vast knowledge and experience includes programme development, implementation and business development, with considerable sector expertise in HIV, sexual reproductive health and rights, gender, TB, family planning and safe motherhood. She is passionate about tackling the root causes and issues that marginalise people most affected by HIV from leading happy, healthy and positive lives with the same rights as other citizens.

Divya has a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) obtained from the Institute of Development Studies (IDS) and has trained as a counsellor. When she’s not working, she likes nothing better than spending time with her friends and family, dancing, and walking her dog on the beach.

Heads

  • David Clark, Programmes
  • Fionnuala Murphy, Global Advocacy
  • Joannah Davis, Funding and Partnerships
  • Gerrard Graf, Finance
  • Helen Eyers, People & Organisational Development