In order to preserve and enhance its proximity to the evolving needs of neglected patients and the communities it serves, the not-for-profit medical research and development organization the Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative (DNDi) has refreshed its organizational strategy and the composition of its executive team.

‘DNDi was founded by partners in Africa, Latin America, and Asia over twenty years ago, and continues to rely on these institutions to guide us on how to best adapt to address the needs of neglected patients,’ said Dr Luis Pizarro, Executive Director of DNDi. ‘Their voices have been instrumental in creating this new framework, which will guide our strategy and help measure the impact of our contribution to better health for neglected patients and the creation of more equitable research and development systems.’

In 2024, DNDi conducted a mid-term review of its 2021-2028 Strategic Plan to assess progress and to identify and propose changes to guide its work over the next four years. Given their critical importance to DNDi’s partnership model, extensive external consultations with key DNDi stakeholders were central to the review, as was a landscape assessment by the review’s dedicated Policy Advisory Group, created to stand back from day-to-day operational matters to identify and examine key trends in the evolving public health and medical R&D landscape.

As informed by the mid-term review exercise, DNDi has revised its theory of change to better align with its core social mission of ensuring access to life-saving treatments for neglected patients while fostering global health policy change. The revised theory of change aims to bolster DNDi’s ability to deliver innovative, accessible treatments for neglected diseases, with a sharper focus on regional capacity-strengthening, collaborative partnerships, and systemic policy change.

The review also prompted DNDi to restructure its leadership team to enhance its impact for neglected patients. As of 1 January 2025, DNDi is pleased to welcome to its Executive Team:

• Three new members – Dr Kavita Singh, Prof. Samuel Kariuki, and Dr Sergio Sosa-Estani – who will strengthen DNDi’s global footprint and reinforce the organization’s enduring partnerships with its founding institutions in South Asia, Eastern Africa and Latin America, respectively, as well as bring a greater diversity of perspective and regional expertise to DNDi’s decision-making platform;
• Two new members – Thi Hanh Cao and Michelle Childs – who will, respectively, lead DNDi’s external relations (fundraising and communications) and advance DNDi’s mission of policy change as an integral pillar of its mandate for neglected patients; and
• One new member – Amelia Folkes – who will lead DNDi’s Global Executive Office as Chief of Staff, including in the areas of institutional governance and internal communication.

At this juncture of change, DNDi also announces the departures of Joelle Tanguy, Director of External Affairs, and, as of July 2025, Eric Stobbaerts, International Development Director and formerly Director of the Latin American office. Joelle and Eric have been instrumental in advancing DNDi’s mission in a range of vital roles over the past two decades. Their contributions have left an indelible mark on the organization, and DNDi extends its heartfelt gratitude for their dedication and leadership.

About DNDi

DNDi (Drugs for Neglected Diseases initiative) is a not-for-profit medical research organization that discovers, develops, and delivers safe, effective, and affordable treatments for neglected people. DNDi is developing medicines for sleeping sickness, leishmaniasis, Chagas disease, river blindness, mycetoma, dengue, paediatric HIV, advanced HIV disease, cryptococcal meningitis, and hepatitis C. Its research priorities include children’s health, gender equity and gender-responsive R&D, and diseases impacted by climate change. Since its creation in 2003, DNDi has joined with public and private partners across the globe to deliver 13 new treatments, saving millions of lives. dndi.org

Media contacts

Frédéric Ojardias (in Geneva)
+41 79 431 62 16

Photo credit: Luke Duggleby-DNDi