Ursula took on the role as Country Head for South Africa and Sub-Saharan Africa cluster countries in 2020, with a focus on broadening access to Takeda’s innovative medicines for patients with rare and complex diseases. To enhance access by partnering with various stakeholders and strengthening the healthcare system for long-term impact is essential.

Ursula has spent 22 years in the pharmaceutical industry, with 14 years spent outside of South Africa working in global and regional roles in Switzerland responsible for new product launches enabling a broad understanding of healthcare systems, reimbursement mechanisms and country specific challenges impacting health care outcomes.

As a nursing sister by profession and having worked in community medicine and palliative care, witnessing how a lack of disease awareness, limited or no access to innovative treatments and poor or non-existent after care services can negatively impact the lives of patients and their families, she is passionate about enabling change to improve the lives of patients and their families.