Jane Waterman to Join IAVI

“Over the years I have witnessed the toll AIDS has taken on the world’s most vulnerable people,” said Waterman. “I have no doubt that the battle against HIV can only be won with the development and widespread deployment of broadly effective preventive vaccines. I am very excited to have this opportunity to take part in making such vaccines a reality. The momentum in this field is today stronger than it ever has been and, if we can sustain global support for AIDS vaccine R&D, I believe that this pandemic will ultimately be defeated.”

Waterman is uniquely suited to her new role at IAVI. She has 18 years of experience raising funds for projects and programs in the arena of international development, most recently on the senior management team of the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, a global network of national organizations that provide financial and technical support to community-based organizations in more than 40 countries.

In her previous experience, Waterman developed an intimate knowledge of the policy environment and resources around HIV-related programs. As Director of External Relations at the Alliance, Waterman was responsible for raising the profile of the Alliance, developing and managing the Alliance’s fundraising and communication strategies, and maintaining the organization’s relationship with corporate, philanthropic and government donors. She managed a department of 24 people and oversaw the Best Practices Program at the Alliance. In her tenure, the organization boosted funding for its programs from US $37 million in 2004 to $68 million in 2008, and maintained Alliance-wide income at the same level last year despite the impact of the global recession on donors.

“I am delighted to have Jane onboard at IAVI,” said Seth Berkley, CEO of IAVI. “Her insight and demonstrated ability to build support for HIV programs will serve IAVI well. She joins our organization at a time of enormous advances in the science of HIV vaccine development. To accelerate this progress, it is vitally important to engage with governments, civil society, scientists and industry. I think Jane is perfectly suited to that task.”

Prior to joining the Alliance in 2004, Waterman worked in resource mobilization at the International Planned Parenthood Federation. She spent time in sub-Saharan Africa between 1987 and 1993, initially as a Voluntary Service Overseas volunteer and then with the British Council. She has a Master’s degree in Gender and Development, a Postgraduate Certificate in Education and a Certificate in Fundraising Management. Waterman also attended the U.K. Cabinet Office/Henley Business School Top Management Programme.

About IAVI 
The International AIDS Vaccine Initiative (IAVI) is a global not-for-profit organization whose mission is to ensure the development of safe, effective, accessible, preventive HIV vaccines for use throughout the world. Founded in 1996 and operational in 25 countries, IAVI and its network of collaborators research and develop vaccine candidates.  IAVI was founded with the generous support of the Alfred P. Sloan Foundation, The Rockefeller Foundation, The Starr Foundation, and Until There’s A Cure Foundation.  Other major supporters include the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the Foundation for the National Institutes of Health, The John D. Evans Foundation, The New York Community Trust, the James B. Pendleton Charitable Trust; the Governments of Canada, Denmark, India, Ireland, Japan, The Netherlands, Norway, Spain, Sweden, the United Kingdom, and the United States, the Basque Autonomous Government (Spain), the European Union as well as the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases and The City of New York, Economic Development Corporation; multilateral organizations such as The World Bank and The OPEC Fund for International Development; corporate donors including BD (Becton, Dickinson & Co.), Bristol-Myers Squibb, Continental Airlines, Google Inc., Pfizer Inc, and Thermo Fisher Scientific Inc.; leading AIDS charities such as Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS; and many generous individuals from around the world.  For more information, seewww.iavi.org.