FPD Executive Management | The Foundation for Professional Development

Dr Gustaaf Wolvaardt

Founder

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, global public health expert, and Founder and Managing Director of the Foundation for Professional Development (FPD). He served as South Africa’s first Health Attaché in Geneva, helping restore the country’s international health relations after apartheid and contributing to key global public health initiatives, including the WHO resolution declaring violence a major global public health issue in 1996.

He played an important role in establishing UNAIDS and chaired the 3rd session of its Programme Co-ordination Board. Under his leadership, FPD has implemented major USAID- and CDCfunded health programmes addressing HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, gender-based violence, mental health, and health system strengthening. These initiatives have supported over **1.1 million people** to start lifesaving HIV treatment and conducted **more than 12 million HIV tests**.

Dr Wolvaardt has also been a key figure in advancing health leadership and management training in Africa, with programmes that have trained **over 6,000 health managers from 13 countries**, including collaborations with Yale School of Public Health and Alliance Manchester Business School. He continues to lead initiatives expanding access to high-quality leadership development through online education and has contributed to numerous international health organizations and advisory boards.

Dr Gloria Maimela

CEO
MBBCH (Wits); MBA (GIBS)

Year Joined: 2024
Age: 45 - 55

Dr Maimela is a seasoned Medical Doctor with over 20 years of experience in the clinical field. She is a renowned Public Health Specialist with expertise in Health Systems Strengthening (HSS) in the areas of HIV/AIDS/TB, and in the intersection of Climate Change and Health. She is currently the CEO at FPD, a South African-registered Private Higher Education Institution. She provides oversight on key FPD clusters including Research, HSS, Conferencing and other essential projects. Dr Maimela will also be leading the recently established Climate Change and Health unit at FPD, focusing largely on capacity building and HSS.

Prior to this, Dr Maimela led the Climate and Health Directorate at the Wits RHI where she led climate and health research studies in collaboration with international partners, including WHO. These studies are funded by the European Union (HIGH Horizons) and the Wellcome Trust. Dr Maimela remains a co-investigator in these studies.

Dr Maimela is an FPD and Dira Sengwe Board member. She chaired the SAAIDS conference in 2023. Additionally, she is a Steering Committee member of the Africa Telehealth Collaboration that seeks to expand telehealth in the African region; and the Climate and Health Africa Network for Collaboration and Engagement (CHANCE) that aims to advance regional climate and health policy through knowledge translation.

Mr Henk Reeder

Chief Operating Officer

BCompt (Unisa)

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.

Mrs Jo-Anne Koch

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.