Tom Rosewall.
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LONDON—Vision for a Nation Foundation (VFAN) is proud to announce that its CEO, Tom Rosewall, has won top prize in the “Rising Chief Executive” category at the 2016 Third Sector Excellence awards ceremony.

The prize is awarded to the chief executive who has made “outstanding contributions to his or her organization, or the wider sector, during their first two years in post.” Now in its 12th year, Britain’s Third Sector Excellence Awards recognize those who give back to the community and celebrate organizations and social leaders from across the sector.

Rosewall’s achievement was based upon his leadership role in building the measurable success of VFAN’s ground-breaking nationwide primary eyecare program in support of the Government of Rwanda that now provides local and affordable eyecare to 100 percent of the nation’s 10.5 million people. This award follows an earlier 2016 Top Prize Award to Vision for a Nation in the category of “International Aid and Development” by Britain’s Charity Awards, organized by Civil Society Media. Vision for a Nation has also been a “finalist” for three other British awards in 2016.

John G. Rhodes, chairman of VFAN’s Board of Trustees, commented, “We are delighted that Tom’s tremendous contribution to the work of VFAN has been recognized through this prestigious award. Tom has brought a unique mix of organizational ability, insight and above all energy to his role as our CEO.

“He has built bridges where none existed before both within Rwanda and internationally. He has helped to inspire both our own staff and those in other agencies and government posts with the real “vision” in our name—of a world where access to eyecare is a reality for everyone,” Rhodes said.