Changing of the guard at the RBM Partnership to End Malaria

Changing of the guard at the RBM Partnership to End Malaria

MMV welcomes two staunch malaria advocates to RBM’s leadership team

A headshot of Dr Michael Adekunle Charles

Image credit: RBM Partnership to End Malaria

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MMV congratulates Dr Michael Adekunle Charles on his appointment as permanent CEO of the RBM Partnership to End Malaria and Ms Joy Phumaphi who joins as new Chairperson of RBM’s Board.

Dr Charles was formerly Head of Delegation for Southern Africa for the International Federation of the Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC). A medical doctor, seasoned diplomat and international development professional with impressive experience in the humanitarian as well as the public and private health sectors, Dr Charles brings his considerable leadership to the RBM Partnership as well as his commitment to the fight against malaria.

For the past year, RBM’s interim CEO, Rwanda’s Dr Corine Karema, has kept a steady hand at the helm and will hand over to Dr Charles on 1 July 2023.

MMV also welcomes Ms Joy Phumaphi’s new appointment as RBM’s Board Chair as she takes over for a 3-year term from Professor Maha Taysir Barakat, former Director General of the Health Authority Abu Dhabi. Ms Phumaphi was a former Minister of Health of Botswana and is currently the Executive Secretary of the African Leaders Malaria Alliance. She will be supported by Vice-Chair Ms Marijke Wijnroks, Head of the Strategic Investment and Impact Division for The Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria.

“We welcome Dr Charles into the malaria community”, said Dr David Reddy, CEO of MMV. The significant momentum RBM has built as a partnership requires sensitive diplomacy and strong commitment. Dr Charles comes to the table with this vital experience. We are also delighted to see Joy Phumaphi join RBM as Chairperson – Joy has been on MMV’s Board for over 8 years and her leadership in the malaria field is legendary. With such a strong leadership team, the momentum towards malaria elimination can only grow.

MMV would also like to thank Dr Karema for her leadership in the interim. Her laudable dedication to the elimination and eradication of malaria has been an inspiration to the entire malaria community.”