University of Cape Town

Professor Linda-Gail Bekker is a physician-scientist with a keen interest in HIV, tuberculosis (TB) and related diseases. Her research interests include programmatic and health service research around antiretroviral roll-out and TB integration and the prevention of HIV in women. She is passionate about community development and engagement and is both deputy director of the Desmond Tutu HIV Centre and chief operating officer of the Desmond Tutu HIV Foundation.

Russell Ally is the current Senior Director of Institutional Advancement at the University of the Free State, where he began his tenure in July 2021. In this position he oversees fundraising, alumni relations, and institutional advancement. He is also a member of the university’s senior executive team, participating in the highest decision-making structures of the university, including the Rectorate.