Our Board
John W. Ward, MD
Director of the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination at the Task Force for Global Health
John W. Ward, MD is the Director of the Coalition for Global Hepatitis Elimination at the Task Force for Global Health. Prior to the Coalition, Dr. Ward spent his career at the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Over a 13-year tenure as Director of the CDC Division of Viral Hepatitis, Dr. Ward was responsible for viral hepatitis surveillance, prevention, and research. At the national level, Dr. Ward led development of recommendations for hepatitis vaccination, testing and linkage to care and treatment. Globally, Dr. Ward serves as member of the WHO Strategic Technical Advisory Committee for HIV and Viral Hepatitis and advises WHO regional offices and member countries development and evaluation of viral hepatitis prevention and elimination programs. From 1984-1998, Dr. Ward was a scientist in the CDC HIV/AIDS program conducting epidemiologic studies and directing national HIV/AIDS surveillance. From 1998-2005, Dr. Ward served as Editor of CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR) and also as Editor of Silent Victories, a history of public health in the 20th Century published by Oxford University Press. Dr. Ward has authored over 150 publications of scientific work in viral hepatitis and HIV. Dr. Ward is a Professor in the Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health, Emory University, Atlanta.
Benedetta Nirta
Deputy Director and Fundraising Manager at The Hepatitis Fund
Benedetta is the Fundraising Manager at The Hepatitis Fund. Previously, she was in charge of Individual Giving at CERN, where she initiated CERN’s entire philanthropic operation from individual donors and managed the digital fundraising and communications area. In 2018, Benedetta was named one of 12 most innovative Italian fundraisers by Vita Magazine and has accumulated many years of experience as Board Member for local NGOs. Benedetta holds a Master in Fundraising for Non-for-Profit and Public Organisations and a Master in International Relations and Diplomatic Studies from the University of Bologna.
Sanjeev Johar
Divisional Vice President APAC at Abbott
Sanjeev has a degree in Science and a post graduation in Management from University of Mumbai, India. He joined Unilever Group in India as a Management Trainee and subsequently held several positions in sales, marketing and general management in India and overseas. During his 14 years career in Unilever, he handled different product categories such as food, beverages and frozen products.
In 1998, he joined Monsanto – US based transnational biotech company as Director, South Asian. He also represented on the Company APAC Business Development Board focusing on developing business strategy for the nutrition business in Asia. He had a brief stint with Numico before joining Roche Diagnostics India as its Managing Director and was responsible for establishing Roche Diagnostics business in India and the neighboring countries. In 2005, he took over as head of Asia pacific and Japan -Diabetes Care based out of Singapore.
Sanjeev joined Alere Inc in 2012. He was appointed as the President, Asia Pacific in 2014 for the combined business for APAC and Japan. Post the acquisition by Abbott, he assumed the responsibility as Divisional Vice President – APAC, for Infectious Disease business based out of Singapore.
Sanjeev Johar is a member of various national and international bodies including All India Management Association, Indian Society of Nutrition etc.
Karan Kampani
APAC Commercial and Disease Area Lead, Infectious Diseases at Roche
Many people look for their mission in life, Karan’s mission chose him 15 years ago when he joined Roche and worked on the launch of a cervical cancer screening test caused by a viral infection (HPV). He has since been deeply involved in Infectious Disease related topics and is passionate about partnering with stakeholders to save one more life.
Karan has more than 17 years of experience in the In Vitro Diagnostics industry. He currently leads the Infectious Diseases area for Asia Pacific, based in Singapore. Karan has previously worked in Malaysia, Switzerland, California, leading teams in various commercial and development roles.