International Coalition for Trachoma Control

PJ Hooper, Deputy Director, International Trachoma Initiative has been elected the next Vice Chair of the International Coalition for Trachoma Control (ICTC) for 2021 - 2023.

The online election held 5-6 November 2020, received 34 votes from ICTC member organizations.

PJ has 15 years’ experience of managing and strengthening partnerships in NTD programs. This includes a proven track record developing strong, collaborative, and trusting relationships with key WHO Alliance for the Global Elimination of Trachoma by 2020 (GET2020) stakeholders including implementing partners, academia, WHO, health ministries, and donors. As Deputy Director of the International Trachoma Initiative, PJ provides strategic leadership and technical direction for the Pfizer donation, averaging 100 million treatments of Zithromax® for trachoma annually.

Her experience also extends throughout the broader sphere of global health to encompass other NTD communities, health system strengthening initiatives, research endeavors, and public-private partnerships. This includes previous roles such as Senior Associate Director at the Neglected Tropical Diseases Support Center, where she focused on developing partnerships and conducting trachoma research. She also worked at ITI from 2009-2012, where she managed an operational research grant from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation and oversaw external relations for the program.

“I am delighted to announce that PJ Hooper will join the ICTC Executive Group. PJ is a pragmatic and empathetic leader who always seeks evidence-based solutions and consensus, making her an ideal candidate to oversee governance of ICTC’s model of partnership”, said Scott McPherson, ICTC Chair. “2021 will present new challenges and opportunities as ICTC adapts to the short, medium and long term impacts of COVID-19, alignment with a new WHO NTD Road Map for 2021 – 2030 and establishes a new ICTC strategic plan for 2021-2025 to guide coordination, collaboration and partnership to prioritize remaining gaps in the global trachoma program and deliver interventions safely. I am confident PJ’s experience and vision will accelerate progress towards those ends.”

PJ will join the ICTC Executive Team effective immediately as part of an onboarding process and will officially become Vice Chair in April 2021, when Serge Resnikoff, OPC, will depart from his current role as Immediate Past Chair after serving six successful years on the Executive Group. Current ICTC Chair, Scott McPherson, RTI International, will assume the post of Immediate Past Chair and current Vice Chair, Angelia Sanders, The Carter Center, will ascend to the post of ICTC Chair 2021 - 2023.