Ann Aerts

Ann Aerts is the Head of the Novartis Foundation, a position she has held since January 2013. In this role, she is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the foundation's programs aimed at addressing global health challenges through innovative solutions. Collaborating with the foundation's leadership team and various stakeholders, including partners, NGOs, governments, and societal actors, she works towards implementing a strategic approach to healthcare delivery. Ann is dedicated to expanding access to quality healthcare and eradicating diseases in low- and middle-income countries. She is particularly enthusiastic about leveraging digital health technologies to combat both infectious and noncommunicable diseases. With a background that includes experience at prominent organizations such as the International Committee of the Red Cross, the Belgian Lung and TB Association, and various roles within Novartis, Ann has witnessed firsthand the transformative power of innovative healthcare solutions. Furthermore, Ann Aerts is actively involved in several advisory boards and councils, including the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development, the Global Health Group at the University of California, San Francisco, the OECD Network of Foundations Working in Development, and the Governing Council of the Technology Bank for the Least Developed Countries.