Professor Helen Rees is the Founder and Executive Director of Wits RHI, the largest research Institute at the University of the Witwatersrand. She is the co-founder and co-director of ALIVE. Helen has dedicated her professional career to improving public health in Africa, with a focus on vaccine-preventable diseases, HIV and sexual and reproductive health and hence was recognised by Harvard Public Health in 2022 as a ‘standout voice’ in African public health. She is an internationally recognised global health practitioner and has served on and chaired many national and global scientific committees and boards. She is the board chair of the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority and chairs the WHO African Regional Technical Advisory Group on Immunization.

Helen has won many international and national awards for her contribution to global health and science, including the South African National Order of the Baobab for her contribution to medical research and the health of women and children, the Platinum South African National Batho Pele Award for excellence for her contribution to the South African COVID-19 response, and a lifetime award from Amanitare, a pan-African NGO, for her contribution to the health of African women and children. Helen was made an Officer of the British Empire (OBE) by Queen Elizabeth II for her contribution to global health and the South African health sector, and an Officer of the French National Order of Merit by President Macron for her contribution to global health and to the COVID-19 response.