Bridget McNulty

Bridget McNulty is the co-founder of Sweet Life Diabetes Community, South Africa’s largest online diabetes community and a registered NPO/PBO. She has been living with Type 1 diabetes for 14 years, and is passionate about showing that it’s possible to live a healthy, happy life with diabetes. She is the current chairperson of SA Diabetes Advocacy (2023).

Michelle Carrihill

Michelle Carrihill is a paediatrician and endocrinologist, caring for children, adolescents and youth living with Type 1 diabetes, in both government and private sectors. She advocates for individualised diabetes care, with attention to resource-appropriate, evidence-based quality health care provision. She is long-term supporter of outreach and education of health care providers, teachers and caregivers.

Salih Hendricks

Salih Hendricks is a Director of Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention LEAP Coalition (South Africa) and member of Lower Extremity Amputation Prevention (LEAP) Alliance (USA). Salih is also an International Diabetes Advocate, Motivational Speaker, Peer Support and Diabetic Patient Coach. Salih is involved with the following media platforms WHO, EASD, IDF, DEDOC and ISPAD. Salih is a Board Member of Diabetes South Africa and has collaborated with Southwestern Academic Limb Salvage Alliance (SALSA) (USA), American Diabetes Association and Amputation Prevention Alliance, and ALPS/American Limb Preservation Society.

Gabi Richter

Gabi Richter is a person living with Type 1 diabetes and a holistic counseling therapist. She uses her first hand knowledge of diabetes to help in any way she can. She is also a single mom to a daughter. Gabi represents Kids Powered by Insulin on our board.

Mark Savary

Mark Savary is an award-winning marketing executive in the healthcare sector. His work as a diabetes educator from 2003-2005 inspired him to advocate for the improvement of access to effective treatment for patients living with diabetes and hypertension. Mark has launched innovative patient support programs for patients with diabetes and hypertension while working in corporate. He was diagnosed with Type 2 diabetes in 2015 and has since explored treatment modalities including CGM. His other passions include travelling, birding, hiking, and spending time in the bush.

Prof Joel Dave

Prof Joel Dave is the Head of the Division of Endocrinology at Groote Schuur Hospital and the University of Cape Town. Together with colleagues in his Division, they set up the Groote Schuur Hospital Diabetes Centre aiming to provide holistic care from a multi-disciplinary team that a person with diabetes can access at a single visit.

Kirsten de Klerk

Kirsten de Klerk is an avid adventurer and diabetes advocate. She co-founded SA Diabetes Advocacy, works as a campaign manager focusing on diabetes advocacy for Treeshake, and is a Young Leader in Diabetes with the International Diabetes Federation. Kirsten lives with Type 1 diabetes.

Margot McCumisky

Margot McCumisky is the National Manager of Diabetes South Africa. Diabetes SA is a registered NPO/PBO focused on informing, educating and supporting all people who have diabetes and their families. Diabetes SA also acts as an advocate for people with diabetes, lobbying for better facilities, cheaper medication and better services.

Shiara Pillay

Working in the content development space aimed at building the capacity of others, Shiara is passionate about active citizenry and sustainable development. She is a representative of YT1, Diabetes SA’s Type 1 Youth and Children’s Outreach. Shiara has been living with Type 1 diabetes for 17 years.

Kerry Kalweit

Kerry Kalweit is a medical doctor and lives with Type 1 diabetes. She has been a volunteer for Youth With Diabetes (YWD) for over 15 years. YWD has leadership training programs, support groups and school/nurse training in diabetes. YWD is a member association of the International Diabetes Federation (IDF). Kerry is passionate about helping children and their families adapt and thrive with diabetes, especially in low-resource settings.

Board Members