Dr. Olive Shisana is a professional with extensive research, management, policy development, fundraising, multilateral, and networking skills spanning over three decades. Experience of working in the USA, South Africa, and Switzerland enhanced her skills in managing diverse environments. Prof Shisana is currently the Social Policy Special Advisor to the President of South Africa, H.E. Cyril Ramaphosa, which includes advice on National Health Insurance and health systems strengthening.  As a scientist, she conducts research to improve healthcare access concerning National Health Insurance (universal health coverage). She served as chair of the Ministerial Advisory on the National Health Insurance Committee for five years. Subsequently, she supported the Ministry of Health in developing the National Health Insurance legislation, plan, and funding strategies, service provision, and concomitant quality improvement of the health system.

 She currently serves as a technical co-chair of the global ACT-A, which aims to ensure the rapid development, scale-up and equitable distribution of COVID-19 vaccines, therapeutics and diagnostics, supported by the relevant strengthening of health systems. 

She graduated with a Doctor of Science degree from Johns Hopkins University, School of Public Health. Her main area of expertise is the epidemiology and risk factors of communicable diseases such as COVID-19 and HIV. She was the founder and Principal Investigator for four waves of the population-based HIV survey (2002-2012), which gained international recognition.

She is an honorary Professor at the University of Cape Town Psychiatry & Mental Health Department and was awarded the degree of Doctor of Laws honoris causa by Monash University in 2014. 

In addition, she was the Chair of the South African BRICS Think Tank, incubating it on behalf of South Africa and developing draft health indicators. She served for ten years as CEO of the Human Sciences Research Council, the first woman to head it. Before this, she served as Executive Director of Social Aspects of HIV/AIDS and Health at the same organization. She served on many national and international scientific committees and advisory boards, such as the US Institute of Medicine’s Committee on Methodological Challenges in HIV Prevention Trials, the Emory University Global Health Institute Advisory Board, African Health Research Institute, the South African National AIDS Council, and as chair of the Nelson Mandela’s 46664 campaign. She often represents South Africa in the G20 Finance and Health Taskforce deliberations relating to pandemic preparedness and response.

 She is also the President and CEO of Evidence Based Solutions company based in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition, she founded Cape Nexis Data Solutions, ICT School based in Polokwane and recently added the CapeNexis ICT Hub in a rural area.

 She was awarded the highest national order of the Order of Baobab in Bronze: “For her outstanding contribution to the field of science and community service, particularly her tireless work in researching solutions to the scourges of HIV and AIDS.”

 She is a recipient of the South African Academy of Sciences, Science-for-Society Gold Medal in 2013. She served as the co-chair of the first African Gender Summit in 2015 and the AIDS 2016 Global Conference held in Durban.

 She served on the Report of The High-Level Panel on The Assessment of Key Legislation and the Acceleration of Fundamental Change commissioned by the South African Parliament.