Tue 29 Nov 2011 In: New Zealand Daily News View at Wayback View at NDHA
One of the NZ AIDS Foundation's top executives is leaving "to pursue new challenges and opportunities." Simon Harger-Forde the NZAF's Director HIV Prevention and International has resigned and will finish up with the organisation on January 27th. Harger-Forde was one of the highest level appointments made by past Executive Director Rachael Le Mesurier and had worked closely with her before joining the NZAF. Sources close to the Foundation say he was being prepared to be her successor until she abruptly resigned a year ago. The Foundation says he is leaving "to pursue new challenges and opportunities." The Foundation says Harger-Forde led the NZAF's HIV prevention and international development programmes and until earlier this year he also led NZAF's communications and fundraising work. "Simon has had an enormously positive impact on the HIV prevention work of the NZAF," says NZAF Executive Director Shaun Robinson. "His thinking, analysis and leadership in developing the NZAF HIV Prevention Plan 2009-13 has been world class. Simon's implementation of that plan, especially developing the NZAF's first social marketing brand, Get it On!, is bearing significant fruit. I am certain that this work will continue to save many people from contracting HIV for many years to come and that it has made a vital impact on the epidemic." Robinson says Harger-Forde has also given "strength and clarity to the work of international development and he laid a firm foundation for the communication and fundraising of NZAF when holding those responsibilities." The Foundation says it has not yet had time to consider its options following Harger-Forde's resignation. The resignation comes just a week after long-serving senior staffer Wayne Otter, manager of the Foundation's Auckland Burnett Centre, resigned abruptly.
Credit: GayNZ.com Daily News staff
First published: Tuesday, 29th November 2011 - 10:27am