Letter from the CEO
As AFRIpads marks its 15th official anniversary, I find myself reflecting on this journey with deep gratitude. It has been an honour to serve as CEO and to build on the vision of the founders, Paul and Sonia Grinvalds. When I moved from the Netherlands to Uganda in 2022, I was committed to strengthening this foundation and helping AFRIpads reach its full potential so that we could further expand and deepen our impact on the lives of so many girls and women across Africa.
This role has been filled with both successes and challenges, and together we adapted our organisation and business model, grew sales, and forged new partnerships that expanded our reach and impact. To date, we have supported more than 7 million women and girls – an achievement we can all take pride in. At the same time, today’s global political climate is putting pressure on development aid, and this inevitably also affects the women and girls who depend on our products and services. I believe that now more than ever, donors, the UN, and i)NGOs must recognize the role of private sector actors, particularly social enterprises, and embrace genuine collaboration, so that together we can create sustainable solutions that endure beyond donor funding.
The heart of AFRIpads has always been its people. I am especially proud of our team in rural Masaka, home to our factory, whose dedication, resilience, and craftsmanship not only embody what AFRIpads stands for but also prove that creating decent employment can result in sustainable impact for both the people and the communities they live in. That is a major reason why AFRIpads has been so successful.
Now the time feels right for a leadership transition. I am delighted to share that I will be stepping down as CEO, and that our former Head of Partnerships and Communications, Michelle Tjeenk Willink, will take over as my successor. Having worked closely with Michelle for the past few years, I know she brings vision, compassion, and a deep commitment to our mission. AFRIpads could not be in better hands as it enters its next chapter.
To everyone I met along this journey – thank you. I am proud of the contributions I have made to AFRIpads’ legacy and forever grateful for the experiences gained, both professionally and certainly also personally. I have every confidence that, together with our committed team, customers, and partners, AFRIpads will continue to grow, innovate, and empower even more women and girls around the world.
All the best,
Joris Boon
