Prof Thomas Coates, PhD, is a global health researcher specialising in HIV prevention, treatment integration and health policy, with extensive experience across Africa. He has led large-scale, multi-country HIV trials in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Tanzania, including landmark community-based studies on voluntary counselling and testing and HIV incidence reduction. His work has shaped evidence-based HIV prevention strategies across the region through collaborations with governments, funders and global health institutions.

Lauretta Bruno is President and Owner of Gramercy Partners LLC, where she advises governments, foundations and institutions on emerging markets, governance and country risk, with a strong focus on Africa. She has extensive experience supporting African development and health initiatives through board leadership roles with organisations such as the Pan African Health Foundation, Africare and the National Business Initiative. Her work bridges finance, policy and development to strengthen institutional capacity and sustainable growth across the continent.

Otto Chabikuli, MD, is an African scholar and global health leader with extensive experience linking clinical care, teaching, research and health system management across the public, private and not-for-profit sectors. He currently serves as Regional Director for Eastern and Southern Africa at FHI 360 and as a member of the Global Fund’s Technical Review Panel. His academic career spans senior roles at leading institutions in South Africa and the Democratic Republic of Congo, strengthening public health training and research across the region.