As a marketing graduate, she chose to innovate in the digital space. She is focused on digitizing the healthcare sector, with a particular emphasis on services for women.

Thato Schermer is a South African entrepreneur and co-founder of Zoie Health, a digital clinic focused on women’s health and wellness.

Founded in 2021 by Schermer and Nonie Sitole, Zoie Health provides virtual consultations, a community forum, specialized resources, and an online pharmacy for ordering medications and other health products. Its services cover family planning, fertility, maternity, and mental health.

In 2024, Schermer also co-founded Yola, a subscription-based startup that offers access to health and wellness providers through a WhatsApp and AI-powered platform. Yola primarily targets workplace healthcare.

A graduate of the University of Cape Town with a bachelor’s degree in marketing and economics, Schermer began her career in 2013 as a client business development intern at Procter & Gamble in South Africa. In 2014, she joined the World Bank Group as an intern before becoming a management consultant at McKinsey & Company the following year.

In 2016, she was named Executive Associate to the CEO of Discovery Vitality, a program that encourages employees to adopt healthier behaviors. From 2018 to 2019, she worked at Life Healthcare, serving as both Chief of Staff to the CEO and Head of Strategy and Business Development.

Melchior Koba