—Former Anglo American CEO joins international nonprofit using soccer to prevent new HIV infections —
New York, NY (Oct 15, 2013) – Grassroot Soccer today announced the official appointment of Cynthia Carroll, former Chief Executive Officer of Anglo American plc, to its Global Board of Directors. Grassroot Soccer is an international nonprofit founded in 2002 that uses the power of soccer to prevent new HIV infections and save lives among youth in countries that have been heavily affected by the AIDS epidemic.
Carroll recently served as Chief Executive of Anglo American plc from March 2007 – April 2013. Anglo American plc is a leader in the global mining industry, employing approximately 150,000 people and ranking in the top 20 companies on the London Stock Exchange’s FTSE 100 Index. The company’s mining operations and extensive pipeline of growth projects are located in southern Africa, South America, Australia, North America and Asia.
“I am delighted to have Cynthia join the GRS Global Board of Directors. Her visionary leadership in the fight against HIV coupled with her understanding of the complexities of southern Africa position her to make a major contribution to GRS work,” said Thomas Clark, MD, Grassroot Soccer Founder and CEO.
At Anglo American, Carroll oversaw a company with one of the leading corporate initiatives on HIV and AIDS and the world’s largest workplace HIV testing program. The company offers employees a comprehensive program of prevention, testing, and support, including counseling and free antiretroviral treatment.
Dr. Clark added, “In her former role as CEO of Anglo American, the largest single employer in South Africa, she dealt with the HIV epidemic head on, testing a truly remarkable 92% of their 150,000 employees and providing education and support. She and her leadership team transformed a crisis into an opportunity to build trust and do the right thing. In time, she even proved that doing the right thing was cost-effective. We are very fortunate to have her on our team.”
“I am thrilled to be joining the board of Grassroot Soccer and believe that the work that they are doing with young people across southern Africa, and the impact that they are having in saving thousands of lives, is truly extraordinary,” said Carroll. “I look forward to supporting the impressive GRS team led by Tommy Clark, an outstanding leader and visionary.”
Carroll holds Honorary Doctorate degrees from the University of Limerick, the University of Exeter, and Skidmore College, was inducted into the University of Kansas’ Women’s Hall of Fame, and is a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering. Forbes Magazine ranked her the 4th most powerful woman in the world.