Managing Director
MBChB (Pret), M.Med (Int) (Pret), FCP (SA), AMP (MBS) PGCHE (Pret)
Year Joined: 2000
Age: 55 - 65
Dr Gustaaf Wolvaardt is an internal medicine specialist with additional qualifications in management and education and renowned global public health expert.
He served as the 1st South African Health Attache, based in Geneva, tasked with normalizing South Africa’s relationship in the post-apartheid era.
In this position he initiated several public health programmes in South Africa including oral rehydration, Hepatitis B vaccination, the National Cancer registry and the Tuberculosis DOTS
programme. He also drafted the resolution whereby the World Health Organization (WHO) declared violence a leading worldwide public health problem in 1996 through resolution WHA49.25.
He was also intimately involved in establishing UNAIDS and was the elected Interim Chairperson of the 3rd session of the Programme Co-ordination Board of UNAIDS in 1996.
He is the Founder and Managing Director of the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD), a role he has held since its inception in 1997.
Under his leadership, FPD has spearheaded numerous large-scale projects funded by USAID and CDC, focusing on critical health issues such as HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, gender-based violence,
mental health and system strengthening in education and health sectors. FPDs HIV/AIDS programme supported the initiation of over 1,1 million people on live saving AIDS treatment and
conducted over 12 million HIV tests.
A pivotal figure in the professionalization of health management and leadership, especially in Africa, Dr Wolvaardt through FPDs Business School launched one of the continent’s largest
health leadership development initiatives.
His programs have successfully trained over 6,000 health managers from 13 countries, enhancing the capacity of senior health leaders including offering prestigious programmes in
collaboration with Yale School of Public Health and Alliance Manchester Business School. Currently he is leading a global initiative to increase access to high quality affordable
transformational leadership development through asynchronous online education. FPD is also a leader in professional development and has more than 600 000 alumni across 110 countries.
Dr Wolvaardt is deeply committed to the advancement of civil society organizations both in Africa and globally.
He is a founding member of several key organizations, including the International Society for Violence and Injury Prevention, AIDS Accountability International,
the South African Alliance for the Prevention of Substance Abuse, the South African Institute of Health Care Managers, and the World Medical Association (African Region).
He has significantly contributed to the growth of the International AIDS Society by developing their Conference Department and supporting the establishment of the
Association for Social Sciences and Humanities in AIDS.
Dr Wolvaardt is frequently invited to discuss topics such as fundraising, sustainability of membership organizations, health systems strengthening, health professions education,
and the use of technology in system enhancement at national and international conferences. He has served on numerous national and international advisory boards, including the
South African National Commission of the Lancet Global Health Commission on High Quality Health Systems in the SDG Era, and the Academy of Sciences of South Africa's study panel
on health workforce education. His extensive governance experience includes serving on 9 Boards of Directors.
Deputy CEO
MBBCH (Wits); MBA (GIBS)
Year Joined: 2024
Age: 45 - 55
Dr Gloria Maimela is a Medical Doctor with vast experience in HIV treatment and prevention programming and recently climate change and health. She holds a Bachelor of Nursing degree, a Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery, a Diploma in HIV Management and a master’s in business administration (MBA). Dr Maimela is currently a member of the Dira Sengwe Board. She hosted the 10th SAAIDS virtual conference in 2020 and was nominated to chair the 11th SAAIDS conference in 2023. Dr Maimela is also a member of the Africa Telehealth Collaboration steering committee that seeks to address barriers to the expansion of telehealth in South Africa and the rest of the African region.
Chief Operating Officer
Year Joined: 2008
Age: 45 - 55
Mr. Henk Reeder is a professional accountant with over 20 years of experience in accounting, auditing, and tax. He joined FPD in 2008 as Financial Manager and became Chief Operations Officer in 2012. He oversees daily operations, including finance, HR, IT, and facilities, and is responsible for statutory compliance. With extensive experience in donor-funded programs like PEPFAR and Global Fund, he chairs the Finance Committee and serves on the Social and Ethics Committee.
Registrar Student Administration
BAdmin(UP), PGDCM(UP), PGDPH(UP), MPH(UP)
Year Joined: 2023
Age: 45 - 55
Jo-Anne Koch is a highly accomplished professional with 28 years of diverse experience, including 21 years dedicated to advancing excellence in tertiary education. She holds a Master of Public Health with specialisation in Health Promotion from the University of Pretoria, providing her with expertise in public health principles, strategic health initiatives and effective communication strategies to influence positive behavioural change. Throughout her career, Jo-Anne has consistently demonstrated leadership and operational insight in various roles within higher education. Her work focuses on aligning institutional goals with education standards that promote academic excellence and foster student success. A passionate advocate for health promotion and lifelong learning, has earned her recognition as a trusted mentor, leader and collaborator. She fosters initiatives that enhance institutional effectiveness and improve outcomes from students and staff which is a testament to her commitment to excellence, innovation and impactful service delivery.