Cape Town, 3 April 2025—mothers2mothers (m2m), the African primary healthcare organisation, is today announcing a leadership transition as Frank Beadle de Palomo has decided to step down from his role as President and CEO, effective 30 April 2025. Chad Rathner, currently serving as m2m’s Chief Operating Officer (COO), will take over as Interim CEO on this date.

A formal search for a new permanent CEO of mothers2mothers—led by m2m’s Boards—will commence later in 2025.

Frank will not leave m2m immediately, but will instead assume the role of CEO Emeritus until at least the end of October 2025. As Frank steps back from day-to-day leadership and operational responsibilities, he will focus his energies on assessing the profound changes that have taken place in our environment, supporting the leadership team in strategically repositioning the organisation for the future and acting as an ambassador and champion for m2m. Personal reasons have also played a part in this decision—Frank wishes to relocate permanently to the United States, where his family is based.

Frank Beadle de Palomo said:

“Leading mothers2mothers has been the honour of a lifetime. I am tremendously proud of what we have built together—transforming m2m from its sole focus on the prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV into an integrated primary healthcare organisation that has scaled to reach millions of people and helped to reduce preventable death and disease—all while creating thousands of jobs for African women. I look forward to serving as CEO Emeritus and have every confidence in Chad and the wider executive management team to steer m2m forward and continue delivering impact at scale, despite the challenges currently facing the sector.”  

Chad Rathner, who has been m2m’s COO for more than a decade, brings 20-plus years of professional public health experience across the African continent to the role of Interim CEO. He is deeply connected to m2m’s key partners and donors and will be supported by an experienced executive leadership team that collectively has more than 50 years of service to the organisation, and who are all based full-time on the African continent.

Jolly Mokorosi, Chair of the Board of mothers2mothers South Africa added:

“We are grateful for Frank’s transformative leadership during the past 13 years and his continued commitment to ensuring a smooth transition. We are equally delighted that Chad has agreed to step into the Interim CEO role. His deep understanding of and passion for m2m, extensive experience, and strong leadership skills will ensure continuity and sustained impact for the communities we serve.”  

Under Frank’s leadership since 2012, m2m has expanded into six additional countries, significantly grown organisational revenue, and designed and delivered an expanded range of life-changing health services to over 13 million people. Notably, in 2023, m2m and its partners achieved what was once considered impossible—a 0% mother-to-child transmission rate of HIV among enrolled clients.

ENDS 

For further information, please contact:

Dillon Mann

Chief Communications and Advocacy Officer, mothers2mothers

[email protected] // +27 76 238 2313

Notes to Editors

mothers2mothers (m2m) is an African primary healthcare organisation that employs women living with HIV as community health workers across 11 African countries. These “Mentor Mothers” deliver integrated health services at clinics and in communities to ensure everyone, everywhere has access to the services they need to be healthy and stay in care. m2m’s proven, peer-led model is focused on ending HIV, as well as tackling related health challenges that disproportionately impact people living with HIV—such as tuberculosis, cervical cancer, diabetes, and malaria—all with the aim of building a fairer, healthier future. To amplify our impact, we also work closely with governments, multilateral agencies, and implementing partners to shape policies and strengthen health systems based on our 20-plus years of experience.

Since we began in 2001, m2m has created jobs for over 12,000 women living with HIV in sub-Saharan Africa and, together, they have reached more than 16 million people with critical health services and education, helping to keep over three million at-risk individuals alive. In 2023, m2m achieved virtual elimination of mother-to-child transmission of HIV among our enrolled clients for the 10^th consecutive year, reaching a 0% transmission rate for the first time—a goal that has driven our work since our creation.

For more, visit www.m2m.org