Effect Hope names Dr. Anna Wickenden CEO as Kim Evans retires in 2027

Effect Hope said its longtime CEO Kim Evans will retire at the end of January 2027, and Dr. Anna Wickenden will take over on Jan. 31, 2027. The planned handoff comes as the Canadian global health group looks to deepen its work on neglected tropical diseases across Africa and Asia.

Why it matters: - Effect Hope is entering a leadership change while it continues work with communities affected by neglected tropical diseases across Africa and Asia. - The transition could shape how the organization expands health-system strengthening, equity and access to care in the years ahead. - A planned handoff also helps preserve continuity after seven years under Kim Evans.

What happened: - Effect Hope’s Board of Directors announced that CEO Kim Evans will retire at the end of January 2027. - Dr. Anna Wickenden has been appointed as the next CEO, effective Jan. 31, 2027. - Wickenden is currently Effect Hope’s vice-president of advocacy and strategic partnerships. - Evans will remain in the role through the end of January and work closely with Wickenden during the transition.

The details: - Effect Hope said the overlap is meant to support organizational continuity, maintain momentum and ensure a confident handover. - Evans helped guide Effect Hope through a period of major change, including the COVID-19 pandemic and shifts in global health. - Under Evans, the organization broadened its focus from historic roots in leprosy to a wider people-centred approach to NTDs. - The current strategy emphasizes stronger health systems, equity and sustainable access to care. - Wickenden has been part of Effect Hope’s work for 18 years. - Her work has included developing and implementing International Programs. - She has more than 20 years of experience in health systems strengthening and NTDs. - Wickenden chairs the World Health Organization’s Skin NTD Advocacy and Communications Group. - She also serves on the steering group of the Canadian Network for NTDs. - She has held advisory roles on major global health policy initiatives, including the World Health Organization Global Action Plan on Skin Diseases as a global public health priority. - Wickenden holds a PhD in Global Health from the Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine. - Her research focused on integrated strategies for sustainable and equitable NTD programming and health-system resilience in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Between the lines: - The board is signaling continuity, but also a deliberate next phase built around a leader already embedded in the organization’s strategy and external partnerships. - Evans’ tenure appears to have centered on preparing Effect Hope for a broader mandate beyond disease-specific work. - Wickenden’s mix of program experience, advocacy work and policy credentials suggests the board wants a CEO who can bridge field operations and global influence.

What’s next: - Evans will continue leading Effect Hope until the end of January 2027. - Wickenden will formally become CEO on Jan. 31, 2027. - The organization is expected to keep advancing its work on neglected tropical diseases, health systems and inclusive care under the new leadership.

The bottom line: - Effect Hope is choosing a planned succession that pairs continuity with a leader already central to its global health agenda.