who we are

Charlotte is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Mafisa. She has worked for the Zambian government, UNICEF, and various development organizations, notably playing a leading role in the establishment of Zambia’s Social Cash Transfer Scheme. Internationally, she served as UNICEF's Chief of Social and Economic Policy in West and Central Africa, and authored the Global Thematic Report on Inequality, which guided the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 10. Charlotte holds a PhD focused on the drivers of chronic poverty in rural Zambia. She currently chairs Zambia’s National Food and Nutrition Council and sits on scholarship selection panels for the Rhodes Trust and the Beit Trust. In the past she has served on other boards including the Zambia Wildlife Authority and Oxford University’s International Advisory Committee on Africa. Charlotte is a Zambian citizen.

Chileshe Chilangwa is the Chief Operating Officer for Mafisa. In the 1990s, Chileshe established and led one of Zambia’s first successful local NGOs focused on rural livelihoods. Since then, she has managed large projects in Zambia and other regional countries, focusing on health, HIV/AIDS, food security, nutrition, education, and economic empowerment. She excels at organisational development, and at building effective teams. Chileshe holds an MSc in Development Studies from the University of Bath, England, and a BSc in Food and Nutrition Science from Indiana University of Pennsylvania, USA.

Monica Mulunda is the Chief Financial Officer at Mafisa. Previously, she has served as Regional Financial Controller and Associate Director, Finance & Administration for a large international NGO, handling finance and administration functions for budgets over $30m per year. Monica holds an MBA with a specialism in strategic planning, CIMA Associate membership, and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Accounting & Finance.

Constance Chibiliti is the Head of Livelihoods and Community Development at Mafisa. Prior to joining the organisation, she was Managing Director for Riders for Health Zambia, and has held positions in several international NGOs working on health, community development and gender.

Walubita Sifuniso is Senior Advisor, Partner Engagement and External Relations. He has previously worked as community conservation coordinator and community manager for NGOs in the rural livelihoods and conservation sector. He has spent twenty years promoting sustainable livelihoods, governance, climate change mitigation, agroforestry, and project management. Walubita holds an MBA, a degree in Public Administration, a Diploma in Forestry, and an advanced certificate in Project Management.

Max is the Head of Water Resources and Construction. He is a hydrogeologist with 25 years experience in Southern Africa in geophysics, drilling, mapping, and construction in large scale rural and urban development programmes. Max has advised the Zambian Government, the German Institute for Geosciences (BGR) and other organisations such as KfW and GIZ. Max has an BSc in Environmental Geoscience and an MSc in Hydrogeology from University College London.

Stephen Mumbi is the Head of Mafisa Expansion and Delivery. He is a specialist in community development and has particular expertise in building relationships and capacity at community level. Previously, he has served as Program Officer Rights in Crisis Oxfam GB Zambia as well as Program Manager for Hodi. Stephen has a Degree in Social Work and a Diploma in Sociology obtained from Evelyn Hone College. 

Mukelabai Ndiyoi is the Head of Agricultural Development. He is an agronomist with over 25 years in Zambia and the SADC region, with expertise in farming systems and rural development. He has worked extensively on food security and smallholder farmers' livelihoods through providing training, conducting research, and formulating projects. Notably, he served as the Director of Research at the University of Barotseland in Mongu, focusing on mango, cashew, and cassava value chains. Ndiyoi holds a degree in agronomy with a minor in farming systems research and rural development from the University of Florida.

Zozi Nalishuwa is the Specialist – Rangeland Management at Mafisa. He is an agricultural economist, and previously led integrated farming programme projects in Mongu, Senanga, Nalolo, Limulunga, funded by the Czech Development Agency. Before this, Zozi worked for CeLIM, SNV Zambia (Sustainable Nutrition for All-II), SNV Zambia's Market-Led Dairy Innovations Project (M-DIP), and a range of climate-smart agriculture programmes.

Chindika is Senior Finance Officer at Mafisa. Chindika specialises in budgeting, financial analysis, and grant management, alongside internal audit, partner capacity building, and project coordination. She has previously worked at WorldFish Zambia, and CARE International. 

Charity Moonga is the Communications Officer at Mafisa. She is an award-winning journalist and communications professional with over 15 years experience in broadcast, print and digital media. Charity has worked on programs funded by international development agencies and as a Media Outreach Officer for the Technical Committee drafting the Zambian constitution. 

Pamela Kalimukwa is the Senior Manager - Management Information Systems at Mafisa. Pamela has worked for eight years as a data analyst in the finance, clean energy and agriculture sectors. She has strong skills creating stunning, summarised data visuals and dynamic dashboards that enable leaders to make data driven decisions. Pamela has developed expertise in working with rural communities, setting up systems to collect and process data from hard to reach, remote areas that have minimal connectivity.

Tatila Chuula is the Community Programmes Officer at Mafisa. She has previously worked in a range of SMEs across retail, construction, architecture, NGO, IT, farming and real estate sectors. She ensures the effective delivery of services across the Mafisa programme.

Mwiinga Kalimbika is serving as the Animal Health Officer at Mafisa Delivery. Mwiinga has a strong background in animal health and a deep commitment to improving livestock welfare. Mwiinga plays a vital role in ensuring the successful delivery of animal health programs and interventions.

Patrick Masiliso is the Mafisa Programme Officer. He supports the delivery of the Mafisa programme, using his extensive local knowledge and community development skills, supplemented by his knowledge of conservation and bee keeping. Patrick has a Diploma in Forestry from the Zambia Forestry College.

Stella Matakala serves as Program Assistant. Stella is responsible for supporting and coordinating various program initiatives.

Emmah is Senior Programmes Officer. Prior to joining Mafisa, Emmah facilitated business education and digital transformation training to vulnerable women entrepreneurs through Spark Zambia Business Trainings. Emmah has a degree in Geography from the University of Zambia and a Certificate in Business and Entrepreneurship Development from the University of South Africa (UNISA).

Faith Mukutu is the Board Chairperson for Mafisa. Faith is currently the Chief Executive Officer for Zambeef Products PLC, having previously been Chief Financial Officer at Zambeef and Finance Director for Zambia Sugar, Zambian Breweries, Maluti Mountain Brewery and Chibuku Products. Faith provides leadership, guidance, and oversight to Mafisa’s board of directors, ensuring effective governance of the project.

Charlotte is the founder and CEO of Mafisa. She has played a lead role in a range of poverty-reduction initiatives in Zambia, working for Government, the United Nations, and a number of bilateral development organisations and NGOs. Notably, she played a leading role in the establishment of Zambia’s national Social Cash Transfer Scheme. She has worked in other African countries, serving as UNICEF’s Chief of Social and Economic Policy in West and Central Africa. She wrote the Global Thematic Report on Inequality, which guided the adoption of Sustainable Development Goal 10. Charlotte has a PhD focused on the drivers of chronic, widespread poverty in rural Zambia. Charlotte has served on the boards of the Zambia Wildlife Authority, Oxford University’s International Advisory Committee on Africa, and a range of other NGOs. She is currently Chair of Zambia’s National Food and Nutrition Council, a statutory body under the Ministry of Health. Charlotte is Zambian citizen.

Anthony Kasolo is a Partner and Notary Public at Mulilansolo Chambers. Anthony has a Degree in Law from the University of Zambia, and a degree in International Business, Trade and Tax Law from the University of Lusaka.  

Namate Nalishebo is an Education Specialist and consultant with over 10 years of experience working in the field of education. Collaborating with various stakeholders in government, non-government, and private sectors, she has trained education administrators, seasoned teachers and untrained teachers in e-Learning, digital education technology and teaching pedagogy across private, community and government schools in urban and rural Zambia.

Sarah Jane Mallon lived and worked for over thirty years in Zambia in various enterprises, including tourism, importing and specialist retail and wholesale business, management of a supermarket franchise, property management, and latterly partnering with her journalist-husband to publish a general interest magazine on Zambia. Sarah Jane was the first General Manager for Mafisa, before retiring in 2022.

Rosie Rafferty is serving as a Board member at Mafisa, and also serves on the Advisory Board of the Malaika Foundation in DR Congo and the Boards of the Nick Jenkins and iAfrica Foundations. Rosie has 30 years’ experience in strategic communication, crisis management and corporate social responsibility working in South America, Nigeria, South Africa, Senegal and Egypt. She worked as Vice President Communications for a FTSE100 company and as a founding Partner in an award-winning crisis and reputation consultancy. Rosie has a bachelor’s degree in psychology from Edinburgh University and a post-graduate degree in journalism from Cardiff University.