Transformative Leadership to Drive Africa’s Health Systems Strengthening Agenda
Spark Health Africa is thrilled to announce the appointment of Gayle Northrop as the new Chair of its Board of Directors. A visionary leader with unparalleled expertise in social impact, systems change, and governance, Gayle brings decades of experience in fostering transformative leadership and advancing innovative solutions to complex global challenges.
Gayle Northrop, President of Northrop Nonprofit Consulting, has dedicated her career to driving positive social change by strengthening systems, enhancing service delivery, and elevating the impact of social sector organizations worldwide. With an impressive portfolio of work across Africa, she has become a trusted advisor and thought leader in global health systems, social entrepreneurship, and leadership development. She has also been involved with Spark Health Africa since its inception.
As an educator, Gayle holds esteemed roles at both the UCLA Anderson School of Management and the University of Cape Town Graduate School of Business. At UCLA, she teaches Social Entrepreneurship and Social Impact Consulting and leads global immersion programs on Social Innovation in South Africa and Rwanda. At the University of Cape Town, she collaborates with the Bertha Centre for Social Entrepreneurship and Innovation to advance systems change and social innovation in health across the Global South.
Over two decades, Gayle’s firm, Northrop Nonprofit Consulting, has guided leading social impact organizations, including Human Rights Watch, PEN America, Virgin Unite, The Charlize Theron Africa Outreach Project (CTAOP), and The Trevor Noah Foundation. Her work focuses on strategy, governance, and succession planning—ensuring organizations adapt and thrive in an ever-evolving social sector landscape.
Gayle’s extensive governance experience spans her role as the former Associate Director and now Chair of Spark Health Africa, as well as board leadership roles with PATA (Paediatric & Adolescent AIDS Treatment for Africa) and Twinspire, an organization dedicated to empowering vulnerable youth through financial literacy and life skills.
Gayle’s appointment as Board Chair comes at a pivotal moment for Spark Health Africa, as the organization deepens its commitment to transforming Africa’s health systems through innovative leadership, mindset change, and sustainable development solutions. With her leadership, Spark Health Africa is poised to scale its impact, empowering public health leaders and teams to build resilient health systems and achieve lasting change across the continent.
On accepting the role, Gayle remarked,
“I am honoured to serve as Board Chair of Spark Health Africa, an organization I hold in the highest regard for its transformative approach to health systems strengthening. Africa’s future lies in its ability to innovate and lead in addressing health challenges. Together, we will continue empowering leaders, fostering collaboration, and advancing sustainable solutions for the continent’s most pressing health needs. I am thrilled to continue working with and supporting the Spark Health Africa team and board whose teamwork and resilience I hold in high esteem”
The Spark Health Africa family warmly welcomes Gayle Northrop to her new role, confident in her ability to guide the organization toward even greater heights. Under her leadership, Spark Health Africa will continue its mission to strengthen Africa’s health systems, ensuring healthier lives and brighter futures for communities across the continent.