Health and medical research leader named as chair-elect

East Timor Hearts Fund has announced the next steps in its chair transition process with the appointment to the board of chair-elect David Lloyd.

Board chair Ingrid Svendsen said David brought significant health and medical research experience to the voluntary role, as former CEO of Jean Hailes for Women’s Health and as chief operating officer of the Baker Heart & Diabetes Institute prior to that.

A qualified board director, David’s governance experience includes his current role as the founding chair of the New York-based NFP Artolution.

Ms Svendsen said the board selected David following an extensive external recruitment process coordinated by Philip Mayers of Mayers Recruitment.

The appointment came at a critical time for the organisation, with work on its new strategic plan underway, she said.

“Having successfully navigated our start-up years, our organisation has grown its balance sheet 100-fold, put in place a CEO and professional staffing, formalised critical partnerships in Timor-Leste and Australia and begun tackling the root causes of poor heart health with expanded focus on preventative health, education, research and advocacy.

“We are now in a strong position to continue to weather this COVID-19 period and to grow our role and impact post-COVID.

“David has the right skills, experience, networks and mindset to lead East Timor Hearts Fund’s continued evolution. I am confident that all supporters can look forward to an exciting future for our organisation, with David at the helm of our skills-based board.”

As inaugural chair since East Timor Hearts Fund incorporated in 2012, Ms Svendsen said she was extraordinarily proud to have led the organisation through its establishment phase.

“I am excited that our succession planning process has delivered such an outstanding leader to help East Timor Hearts Fund take the next steps and realise its incredible potential,” she said.

At its October meeting the board appointed David as a director and foreshadowed its intention to appoint him as chair at its December meeting. Ms Svendsen said she remained on the board and was working with David to ensure a seamless transition.

Please go to our website to read David’s profile.