I am excited to announce three new leaders for VillageReach – two who are stepping into new roles, and one who we welcome to the VillageReach family. As an organization that is committed to leadership that represents the diversity of our global team, we value the growth and evolution of leaders within our incredible staff of 160 people around the globe.
First, I am thrilled to announce that Ruth Bechtel will be our new Vice President, Programs. Ruth’s leadership has been integral to our growth and development in Mozambique. Now in this new role she will continue to lead VillageReach into deepened partnerships that extend our reach and expand our innovative programs that bring products to people and widen pathways to primary health care for the most under-reached. As our Mozambique Country Director for the last eight years, Ruth’s commitment to building deep relationships and partnerships with the government, private sector partners, and other health organizations led to the successful scaling of high-impact supply chain solutions. Simply put, she has the vision for where VillageReach is going next and the tactical experience to evolve our work. Ruth will be based in Maputo, Mozambique.
Emily Bancroft (left) and Ruth Bechtel (right) in the VillageReach Seattle office.
Next, I am pleased to announce that Tapiwa Mukwashi is taking the role of Director, Global Technical Team. In this role, Tapiwa will ensure that VillageReach has the high-quality technical assistance needed to support our country teams, global partnerships, and program portfolio. In his time as the lead of our Supply Chain Global Technical Team, Tapiwa has proven himself to be an incredible technical partner, leader, and mentor across the organization and with external partners. He challenges our teams and our partners to look at new ways of solving health care delivery challenges as the problems become more complex, and the stakes of success even higher. Tapiwa will be based in Johannesburg, South Africa.
We also welcome Dr. Rotafina Donco as our new Mozambique Country Director. With 20 years of business, development, and humanitarian sector experience, Rotafina is an exciting new addition to our team. As the Country Director for Oxfam in Mozambique, Rotafina led the critical humanitarian response for Cyclones Idai and Kenneth. Both disasters sent shockwaves through the entire country – the exact shockwaves that we foresee as climate change, conflict, and future health emergencies rise. Her expertise will contribute to the portfolio growth of solutions in the country. Rotafina will be based in Maputo, Mozambique.
I view this time as one of evolution, especially as VillageReach heads into the third year of our 2020 – 2023 Goals and Strategies; a year that will be defined by our global moral imperative to increase equitable access to vaccines, medicines, and strong health systems. I am pleased to be joined by these incredible leaders on the next phase of our journey.
