Reflections on the 2025 Skoll World Forum by Executive Director Heather White

23 April, 2025

Kathy Vizas, TogetHER’s Co-Founder And Chief Strategy Officer, and I were honored to represent TogetHER for Health join some of the world’s most inspiring social impact leaders, philanthropists and innovators at 2025 Skoll World Forum which took place in Oxford, England April 1-4. Each year, Skoll brings together some of the world’s foremost thought leaders (and DO’ers!) who are driving social change on critical global issues such as health, education, climate resilience, indigenous rights and other issues of our time.

We participated in several events, including co-hosting a panel with the Sidebar, the brainchild of  our friend and colleague Seth Cochrane and his team at Operation Fistula, which has grown into an amazing convening forum for delegates and non-delegates alike to share ideas, challenges and inspiration.

I was pleased to represent TogetHER for a panel called, “Protecting Possibility: Advancing Adolescent Sexual Health, Mental Wellbeing, and Reproductive Justice” along with Clau Chmielowska (Lafiya Nigeria), Sarah Jeffery (Vitol Foundation), Bonnie Ruder (Terrewode Women’s Fund), Jade Maina (TICAH), and Tia Jeewa (Tiko). Each panelist brought unique perspectives around trust, power, and the need for authenticity in working with adolescents who are facing huge personal challenges in their daily lives, while offering their own solutions when given the opportunity. I was pleased to share on TogetHER’s work on HPV/cervical cancer prevention strategies – including integration strategies for HPV vaccination for girls with screening and treatment for adult women.  

I also want to give a shout out to our friends and colleagues from PSI’s Maverick Collective who hosted a large delegation of amazing women  driving forward change and growth in many areas that affect women and girls, including menstrual hygiene, unplanned pregnancy, evidence-based decision-making and data-driven digital platforms, and other important issues. Their work is deeply inspiring and personal.

Kathy and I left the Forum feeling inspired by the partners we met – both old and new. We know that now, more than ever, we cannot wait for change. We must envision the world we want and set out to make the changes we want to see. It is in our own hands.