Coalition Member Nicola Willis Wins Women Changing the World Awards
We are thrilled to share that Nicola Willis, Founder and Executive Director of Zvandiri, was awarded multiple Women Changing the World Awards at its Global Summit in April. These prestigious awards recognise the work of incredible women making a positive difference in the world. Nicola won first place for two awards – Changemaker of the Year and Global Impact – and second place in the Hall of Fame.
For nearly two decades, Nicola has worked alongside young people living with HIV to build Zvandiri from a single group into a peer-led, evidence-based model that is now transforming HIV care in 15 countries. She leads the design, delivery, monitoring, evaluation and scale-up of the team, ensuring a sustained focus on supporting the Government to lead and deliver quality, holistic services for children and adolescents living with HIV. She is also strongly committed to the idea that young people should remain at the forefront of everything in Zvandiri and loves nothing more than supporting young people to design and produce their own creative, youth-led innovations. Nicola is also Co-Chair of the World Health Organisation’s Technical Working Group for Adolescent HIV Service Delivery.
These awards recognize not just her leadership, but the power of young people in shaping the future of HIV and mental health care. From pioneering peer-led psychosocial support to launching Thrive95, a framework helping governments sustain these services, this work has always been about ensuring young people lead the change they need.
This recognition is a moment of celebration—not just for Nicola, but for every young leader, peer counsellor, and health worker who is proving that community-driven solutions can change the world. Congratulations Nicola!
Zvandiri
Zvandiri, “As I am”, is transforming young lives through peer connections. They work with governments to deliver services to young people living with HIV at scale through trained peers who connect with them and support them to survive and thrive. Find out more here.