FPATT APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

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FPATT APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

FPATT APPOINTS NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR

The Family Planning Association of Trinidad and Tobago (FPATT) is pleased to announce the  appointment of Ms. Ava Rampersad as Executive Director from August 1st, 2021. 

Rampersad, a public health practitioner with almost 20 years’ experience in public health and  community enhancement programming, has been with the Family Planning Association since  January 2017. She succeeds FPATT’s former Executive Director, Mrs. Dona Da Costa Martinez  at the helm of the organization. 

Da Costa Martinez, who has a long and illustrious career championing sexual and reproductive  health in Trinidad and Tobago for more than 35 years, has been with the Family Planning  Association since 1985. She held the post of Executive Director from 1999 until earlier this year. 

Under Da Costa Martinez’ stewardship, FPATT, which has been in existence since 1956, expanded  its work to focus on integrating sexual rights in all of its programmes. This included the expansion  of its advocacy work in abortion and LGBTQI rights, comprehensive sexuality education, gender based violence, HIV prevention and ensuring universal access to sexual and reproductive health  services to most at risk populations including sex workers and adolescents. In 2021, Da Costa  Martinez was promoted to serve as the IPPF Deputy Regional Director of the Americas and  Caribbean. 

Rampersad also has a decades-long career championing the rights of vulnerable populations across  the region. Prior to joining FPATT, Rampersad served as Research and Technical Manager of the  Global Social Marketing Powerhouse, Population Services International (PSI) where, among her  other duties, she managed the development and execution of health-impact program research and  managed behaviour change communication peer educators that made up 12 diverse teams across  nine Caribbean countries. She also previously served as a sexual and reproductive health officer  at the Young Men’s Christian Association (YMCA), Trinidad and Tobago.

At FPATT, prior to her appointment as Executive Director, Rampersad continued to champion  projects targeting vulnerable populations and led efforts to engage the government of Trinidad and  Tobago as well as local and international entities for project support and funding. She also helped  to coordinate FPATT’s business focus, providing oversight for key projects to ensure that  programmatic and financial targets were met. 

In 2021-2022, as FPATT continues to advance its efforts to deliver quality and affordable sexual  and reproductive healthcare to all, the organization will also be strengthening its focus on  implementing business plans to ensure its sustainability and to secure its continued provision of  support services in an uncertain economic climate where donor constraints have been exacerbated  by the COVID 19 pandemic. 

Rampersad, who holds a Masters degree with merit in Public Health, a BA with hons. in Marketing,  and a diploma in HR Management, is well positioned to steer the organization in this direction. 

“FPATT’s value as a leading provider of sexual and reproductive health care is undeniable and its  foundation is strong,” Rampersad noted. “Moving forward, the organization’s focus is to establish  sustainable activities and to provide beneficiary-centred, integrated, and comprehensive solutions  in response to our country’s sexual and reproductive health and rights gaps.” 

Rampersad is also supported on the executive leadership team by Ms. Sharon Mottley who joined  the organization as Deputy Executive Director on September 1st, 2021. 

October 18th 2021