Getting to know: Todd Malone, Chief of Party, PEPFAR/USAID APACE Program
Todd serves as the Chief of Party with BroadReach for the PEPFAR/USAID-funded APACE project. Through APACE, Todd and his team improve and expand comprehensive clinical and non-clinical HIV care and treatment services and accelerate and sustain HIV epidemic control in South Africa. APACE stands for Accelerating Program Achievements to Control the Epidemic.
Why does BroadReach mean more?
BroadReach means more because we believe that our teams can leverage technology and data to transform the delivery of healthcare, and therefore the world.
Tell us a bit about yourself from a personal perspective?
I grew up just outside of San Francisco. Since 1997, when I left the US, I’ve lived and worked in Africa. I initially spent more than 10 years in Namibia and then my family and I lived in Sudan, Eswatini, and Tanzania before moving to South Africa a few years ago. We’ve always enjoyed spending time together on the road, which is why we spent six weeks driving from Dar es Salaam to Cape Town as part of our transition to South Africa. While we like spending time together at home, we really miss the chance to get out and about during the lockdown.
And from a professional perspective?
For the past 20–plus years, I’ve worked around the continent, mostly in Southern and East Africa. Besides the countries we’ve lived in, I’ve also worked in Nigeria, Uganda, Ethiopia, South Sudan, Kenya, Malawi, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Lesotho, and Rwanda. I’ve worked in and supported a range of sectors besides health, including education, orphans and vulnerable children, and technology for development. My favorite part of the job has always been building strong, engaged teams. I’m fascinated and excited by the amazing things that happen when you get people with different skills, experience, and ideas to work together to change the world and improve people’s lives.
What excites you about being a part of BroadReach?
BroadReach knows that the world is complex and we need to work together with new tools and information. And the belief that we can do this at scale.
What is your vision for BroadReach over the next five years?
In five years, I’d love to see BroadReach working with partners around the world to use data and technology to empower people to improve their lives, even beyond the healthcare sector.
What are some of BroadReach’s strengths?
Our belief in our mission and vision, and the understanding and humility to know that we haven’t figured things out just yet. BroadReachers work hard to improve themselves and our work.
What do you do in your spare time?
Ideally, in my spare time I surf, skateboard, hike and camp, golf, play guitar, and hang out with my friends and family with lots of good food and drink on hand. And I build stuff around the house. But in reality, most of the time I just build stuff and sit around with my wife and two sons telling stories and laughing together. For instance, if anyone is ever driving down a street in Pinelands and they see a treehouse that looks like it was accidentally left stuck up in a tree after a big flood receded, you’ll likely be driving by our house. Be sure to stop and say hello!
What would people be surprised to know about you?
I think that it would be hard for me to surprise my colleagues. I’ve come to realize that as people get to know me more, they are seldom surprised by what I do or say. Rarely has anyone said to me, “I didn’t expect that from you.” One my favorite quotes comes from Einstein. He said, “So long as they don’t get violent, I want to let everyone say what they wish, for I myself have always said exactly what pleased me.” I know some people would see this as license to be rude or insensitive. I believe it’s about thinking and doing what works for you. That is, giving people the space to entertain a range of views and ideas while working towards their truth. I think the world is a special place if you pay attention to the people around you.