Ann Aerts

Ann Aerts is Head of the Novartis Foundation, leading efforts to transform urban population health through data, digital technology and AI. Through innovation and partnerships, she works to shift health systems from reactive care towards proactive, predictive and preventive approaches that keep people healthy.

A medical doctor with expertise in population health and technological innovation, she holds a degree in medicine and a master's degree in public health from the University of Leuven, and a degree in tropical medicine from the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp.

She pioneers multisector partnerships and scalable digital and AI-driven solutions to reduce health disparities worldwide. She chairs the Broadband Commission for Sustainable Development's Working Group on Digital and AI in Health and serves on the boards of the Philips Foundation and the Institute of Tropical Medicine in Antwerp.

Her previous roles at Novartis Pharma include Franchise Medical Director for Critical Care in Basel and Therapeutic Area Head for Cardiovascular and Metabolism in Belgium. She also led the Lung and Tuberculosis Association in Belgium and was Head of Health Services at the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in Geneva, following assignments as an ICRC health coordinator in several countries. Throughout her career, she has championed equitable, data- and technology-driven solutions for healthier, more resilient communities.