Dr Lauren Jankelowitz, PhD Johannesburg, South Africa
Email available on request | LinkedIn available on request
Executive Profile Accomplished executive leader, social entrepreneur, and academic with over 20 years of leadership experience across public health, civil society, social enterprise development, and community systems strengthening in Southern Africa. Recognised for building and leading high-impact organisations, developing strategic partnerships, and strengthening complex multi-stakeholder ecosystems involving governments, donors, academia, civil society, and healthcare professionals. Proven track record in organisational transformation, strategy development, institutional sustainability, and policy influence. An entrepreneurial thought leader who has contributed both practically and academically to the development of social enterprise and social entrepreneurship in South Africa, with publications, teaching experience, and conference presentations internationally. Experienced in executive leadership, nonprofit sustainability, health systems strengthening, program design, policy advocacy, and stakeholder engagement across local, regional, and international contexts.
Core Leadership Competencies
- Executive Leadership & Organisational Strategy
- Non-Profit & Social Enterprise Development
- Health Systems Strengthening & HIV Policy
- Strategic Partnerships & Stakeholder Engagement
- Program Design, Implementation & Scale-Up
- Fundraising, Donor Relations & Resource Mobilisation
- Financial Oversight & Governance
- Advocacy & Policy Development
- Monitoring, Evaluation & Impact Measurement
- Research, Teaching & Academic Writing
- Team Leadership, Mentorship & Organisational Development
Professional Experience
GARDP Africa (May 2023-to date)
Job Description: Access Lead: Sub-Saharan Africa
(1) To develop introduction to Reserve antibiotics pathways in Low and Middle Income countries, across Africa;
(2) To coordinate the Introduction to Cefiderocol Project in Kenya, alongside the KNPHI and MoH;
(3) To facilitate the AURA-Cefi study in Johannesburg, South Africa;
(4) To represent GARDP and GARDP Africa regionally and globally.
Chief Executive OfficerSouthern African HIV Clinicians Society (SAHCS)
January 2012 – March 2022 The Southern African HIV Clinicians Society is a regional nonprofit membership organisation representing over 10,000 healthcare professionals working in HIV prevention, treatment and care across Southern Africa. As CEO, provided overall strategic, operational, financial and organisational leadership to a highly respected regional professional body influencing clinical practice, policy and public health systems. Key Leadership Contributions
- Led the strategic direction and operational management of the organisation, working closely with the Board of Directors and senior leadership team.
- Expanded the organisation’s reach and influence as a leading professional body in HIV and public health in Southern Africa.
- Developed and implemented multi-year organisational strategy, governance frameworks, and operational systems.
- Oversaw full organisational operations including programmes, research, training, communications, finance, HR and partnerships.
- Managed organisational finances, ensuring financial sustainability, compliance, and donor accountability.
- Secured and managed funding from international donors, foundations, and institutional partners.
- Led the development of evidence-based advocacy initiatives that contributed to policy development and public health practice.
- Strengthened organisational infrastructure through the development of systems, policies, and operational processes.
- Oversaw development and implementation of clinical programmes, capacity-building initiatives, and professional education platforms.
- Organised and delivered major regional conferences attracting over 1,000 healthcare professionals.
- Represented the organisation in national, regional and international health forums.
- Built and maintained strategic relationships with governments, donors, academic institutions, civil society, and professional associations.
- Led internal organisational change processes and strengthened staff capacity, leadership development and performance management.
Executive DirectorLifeLine Johannesburg
June 2010 – December 2011 Provided strategic and operational leadership to a major mental health and psychosocial support organisation. Key Contributions
- Led organisational transformation from a traditional telephone counselling service to a community-based engagement model.
- Managed organisational operations including fundraising, HR, financial oversight, volunteer management and programme development.
- Strengthened training systems for staff and volunteers in counselling, trauma support, grief, and mental health support.
- Developed new programmes addressing community responses to depression, trauma and loss.
Community Engagement and Development SpecialistReproductive Health & HIV Research Unit (RHRU)
University of the Witwatersrand
October 2006 – July 2010 Worked within a leading research institute to strengthen community engagement, civil society capacity and public health programming in inner-city Johannesburg. Key Contributions
- Developed and implemented community engagement strategies linking academic research with community-based organisations.
- Strengthened capacity of civil society organisations working in HIV prevention and care.
- Led development of a comprehensive wellness centre serving communities affected by HIV.
- Participated in strategic development of the Hillbrow Health Precinct, an urban health and development initiative.
- Designed mobile clinical services for high-risk populations, including migrants, sex workers, transport workers and hostel communities.
- Developed income-generation and livelihoods initiatives for vulnerable communities.
- Managed specialised services including youth programmes, men’s health initiatives, and services for sex workers.
Executive Director (Founder)Community AIDS Response (CARe)
February 2001 – September 2006 Founded and led a community-based organisation providing HIV care, counselling and home-based care services. Key Achievements
- Built the organisation from a single concept into the largest home-based care organisation in the Southern Hemisphere within six years.
- Expanded the organisation to over 100 staff members and a budget of R8.5 million.
- Developed a network of community health services delivering counselling, care and treatment support.
- Recognised as a best practice model by the Bristol-Myers Squibb Secure the Future Foundation.
- Awarded HIV/AIDS Champion Award for contributions to community-based HIV services.
Community Services Manager / Community Social WorkerFamily Life Centre
1995 – 2000 Early career leadership in community social work and organisational management. Key contributions included:
- Development and expansion of the Community Services division.
- Promotion to management within two and a half years of entry-level practice.
- Delivery of counselling, family therapy, community development and social support programmes.
EducationDoctor of Philosophy (PhD), Business Administration Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS), University of Pretoria
2015 – 2021 Thesis:
An entrepreneurship-as-practice perspective on the development and growth of social enterprise in South Africa.
Master of Business Administration (MBA) Wits Business School – University of the Witwatersrand
2007 Thesis: Managing South African Nonprofit Organisations for Sustainability
Dean’s List
Bachelor of Arts (Social Work), Cum Laude University of the Witwatersrand
1995 Recipient of multiple academic awards including:
- John Gray Medal – Best Graduand in Social Work
- David Murray Medal – Excellence in Child and Family Welfare Practice
- Thelma Seawright Memorial Prize – Best Research Dissertation
Academic & Professional Contributions
- Published author and contributor to peer-reviewed journal articles, research reports and academic book chapters on HIV policy, health systems and social enterprise.
- Contributor to South African HIV clinical guidelines and policy development.
- Presenter at leading international conferences including:
- Social Entrepreneurship Conference (USA)
- International Social Innovation Research Conference
- EMES Social Enterprise Research Network
- Co-developer and lecturer for social entrepreneurship leadership programmes at GIBS.
- Designer and facilitator of academic modules including:
- Theory of Change
- Monitoring & Evaluation
- Measuring Social Impact
- Hybrid Business Models
Selected Publications & Research Author or co-author of numerous publications in public health and social enterprise research, including contributions to journals such as:
- South African Medical Journal
- SA Journal of HIV Medicine
- The Lancet
Key research themes include:
- HIV policy and treatment systems
- Access to medicines and supply chains
- Social enterprise development
- Mission drift and hybrid organisational models
- Community health systems
Professional Development Extensive executive and academic training including programmes from:
- Harvard University
- Gordon Institute of Business Science
- EMES Social Enterprise Research Network
- University of Southern California Social Entrepreneurship Conference
- Galilee College (Israel) – Community-based HIV prevention and treatment
Key Achievements & Recognition
- Recognised regional expert in HIV and public health systems.
- Profiled among 19 leading South African social entrepreneurs in From Dust to Diamonds.
- Led four large-scale international HIV conferences with over 1,000 delegates each.
- Winner of Cost-Action award supporting development of social enterprise scholarship.
- Played a leading role in the first national Survey of Social Enterprises in South Africa.
Professional Skills Strategic leadership | Organisational transformation | Program development | Policy advocacy | Monitoring and evaluation | Theory of change | Social enterprise development | Donor relations | Fundraising | Financial management | Stakeholder engagement | Capacity building | Public speaking | Research and academic writing | Team leadership | Community development | Counselling and psychosocial support
Professional References Available on request.