From Central Office
Member Spotlight Q&A
Karin van den Berg
Learn more about newly-appointed Executive Director, Karin van den Berg, who will be joining the ISBT central office team on 1 June 2026.
What started your interest in Blood Transfusion?
To be honest, I became involved in Blood Transfusion completely by accident. Now, almost 20 years ago, I was looking for a change in my work environment having been informed that I needed to relocate to Johannesburg. The position of Medical Officer for the Eastern Cape Zone of the South African National Blood Service (SANBS) became available, and I thought “Why not?” The rest is history!!
How did this interest develop and what are your main topics of interest now?
Within weeks of joining SANBS, the then Medical Director, the late Dr Sam Gulube, “volunteered” me for a Training in Clinical Research programme led by Profs Ed Murphy, Brian Custer and Evan Bloch. That course—very similar to the ISBT’s I TRY IT programme—and those that followed, fostered the budding researcher in me and opened many opportunities for further study, collaboration and research.
The various Medical Directors I worked with developed my passion for Quality, Compliance and Risk Management. At the same time, working with Ravi Reddy taught me the nuts and bolts of the transfusion medicine value chain and more recently the importance of corporate and clinical governance.
Both my earlier career and then my career at SANBS were deeply influenced by the HIV epidemic in South Africa and the intersection of HIV and blood transfusion remains one of my key topics of interest. These days I am also focused on donor iron health and of course now the role of clinical governance in ensuring a safe and sustainable blood supply.
What have been the most rewarding times in your career?
Very difficult question to answer, but certainly collaborating on the REDS-III project, obtaining my PhD (at a very late stage in my career) and being appointed Medical Director of SANBS stand out. That said, being one of the first countries to drop MSM based questions in our donor health questionnaire and the very comprehensive Donor Iron Management program I helped implement are definitely projects I am very proud of. And now of course being appointed as the Executive Director of ISBT!
What made you decide to apply to be ISBT ED?
This was not an easy decision. I have spent nearly two decades at SANBS, an organisation that has shaped me professionally and personally, and one that I care deeply about. I have been fortunate to work with exceptional colleagues and to be part of work that truly makes a difference.
That said, over time, I found myself increasingly drawn to the idea of contributing at a broader, more global level. The ISBT plays a unique role in connecting the transfusion medicine community and, importantly, in supporting low- and middle-income countries. I felt that the experience I have gained—particularly in areas such as quality, governance and donor health—could be applied in a way that has wider impact.
Ultimately, it came down to the opportunity to contribute beyond a single organisation and to support systems and colleagues across many different settings. That was both exciting and a little daunting—but very hard to ignore.
Who have been the most influential people in your career?
Again, a very difficult question to answer, but the first two names that stand out are Profs Ed Murphy and Vernon Louw. They have mentored me throughout my career, championed my growth and provided advice and support without which I am not sure my career would have developed as it has.
Within SANBS, I have to make special mention of Ravi Reddy and Charlotte Ingram, both have provided me with opportunities and support for growth. They invested in my personal and career development and were always ready with advice and guidance.
Internationally, the team at Vitalant Research Institute under Profs Mike Busch and later Brian Custer as well as the Global Health team and UCSF have been a guiding light throughout the past two decades and played a role in nearly all of my major achievements.
What are your personal goals in relation to ISBT?
Firstly, to build on the solid foundation Jenny White and Judith Chapman laid. Through their efforts (and of course the support of various teams and stakeholders), the ISBT is today recognised as the eminent international network for transfusion medicine professionals. Maintaining and growing the ISBT’s stature is key. At the same time, in support of the ISBT goals, I hope to support low- and middle-income countries (LMIC) to drive their quality and governance goals. Training, education and mentoring are some of my other passions and I hope to grow the ISBT offering in this regard with a specific focus on the needs of LMIC.
What energizes you most at work?
Being able to make a positive change – as cliché as it sounds, it remains true. Developing and implementing strategies and programs that positively impact the lives of the people around me, whether employees, donors or patients fills me with energy and motivates me, especially when the going is tough.
What do I do in my spare time?
Reading and traveling - especially adventure travel - are my biggest passions but recently I have taken up self-defense training in the form of Krav Maga, which quickly became a new passion.
Do you have a hidden talent?
Traditional bread making and cooking jams – while I really, really don’t like cooking, my grandmothers taught me traditional “womanly” pursuits such as cooking, knitting and crocheting.
Finally, what do you wish to add, or what would you like to say to our Transfusion Today readers?
I feel incredibly privileged to be part of this community. Transfusion medicine is a field built on collaboration, trust and a shared purpose, and I believe that is one of its greatest strengths. As we look ahead, I hope we continue to learn from one another, support colleagues across all settings, and remain focused on ensuring safe and sufficient blood for all patients—regardless of where they live. I am very much looking forward to working with and learning from the ISBT community.
