The Aurum Institute welcomes three new members to its Board of Directors, each bringing a wealth of expertise.
Dr Jerry Gule, Yaw Peprah and Paula Fray recently joined the Aurum Board as non-executive directors, under the leadership of Chairperson Phangisile Mtshali, who was appointed in May.
According to Mtshali, the new appointments were part of Aurum’s commitment to transformation and building a stronger team at all levels. However, they do not just advance Aurum’s transformation agenda, but bring invaluable experience and important skills and perspectives, she said.
Making a difference
Gule, a Human Resource Executive, said what drew him to Aurum is the work the organisation does in making a difference to the quality of life of people in vulnerable communities. “There are causes in life that you just feel right about getting involved in. Though my involvement may be indirect, I know that I bring an outsider’s view and thinking, to the challenges that the organisation has to deal with.” Gule is the CEO of the Institute of People Management (IPM) and the Chairperson of the South African Employers for Disability (SAE4D), a non-profit and member organisation formed by leading companies to drive disability inclusion in the workplace, and also Love Trust, a charity organisation that promotes quality education for vulnerable children nation-wide. He praised Aurum staff for their commitment to touching lives positively through their work saying it is a privilege for him to be counted among them.
“It just makes it even more exciting to remain fully engaged with the issues and to see a vision of what is possible for the organisation, its people and those it serves. I hope that my contribution will make a difference. I hope that my experience as a leader in other environments will add value to Aurum,” said Gule.
Eager to learn
A qualified chartered accountant, Yaw Peprah has Private Equity/Venture Capital experience as well as experience in evaluating and analysing business plans and financial information and the preparation of financial models. “I have a naturally enquiring mind and being trained as a CA should hopefully assist me in adding to the team. I am also very eager to learn from the experienced board members around me,” he said.
Shape the future
Media expert Paula Fray has long admired Aurum for its innovation and integrated approach to health. She has worked in media for more than three decades as a journalist, editor, trainer and media manager. She is currently the managing director of the pan-African media training organisation frayintermedia, which she founded in 2005. “I hope that my extensive communication experience in Africa, the Middle East and South East Asia will serve the organisation well as it moves into new markets to shape the future of global health," said Fray.
