Team
Meet The Team
Our dedicated team combines global strategic expertise with grassroots experience to empower refugees and host communities through sustainable, market-driven solutions.
Evelyn Zake
Director
Evelyn is a distinguished gender and human rights specialist with over eight years of international experience. She excels in gender-transformative governance, safeguarding vulnerable groups, and conflict-sensitive programming, with a strong focus on refugee protection and inclusive livelihoods across Africa.
Shafique Mukasa, MBA
Director
Shafique is is a management consultant with over 26 years of experience supporting enterprise growth and market development. His work on business environment reforms and value chain development with organizations like the IFC helps foster inclusive economic opportunities in emerging economies.
Leon Kalonda
Head of Business Hubs and Service Delivery
Leon is a dedicated community development professional with over five years of experience in education and financial inclusion within the Nakivale Refugee Settlement in Uganda. A multilingual communicator fluent in English, French, and Swahili, he is committed to fostering empowerment and sustainable change for refugee communities.
Aloysius Kiribaki
Advisor – Skills Development & Workforce Readiness
Aloysius is a humanitarian professional with over 15 years in refugee livelihoods and skills development. He has led large-scale programmes, including initiatives in Ugandan and Kenyan refugee settlements, achieving 100% employment outcomes for trained youth through private-sector engagement.
Allan Bukenya
Advisor – Finance, Strategic Partnerships
Allan is is a Ugandan financial advisor with over 15 years’ experience. He has structured climate finance and infrastructure projects, including renewable energy, across Africa. His work mobilizing investment and engaging stakeholders supports sustainable development in vulnerable regions.
Gloria kaitesi
Advisor – HR, Media and Comms
Gloria is an HR expert with over 20 years of experience. Her proficiency in organizational restructuring, workforce planning, and creating inclusive work environments supports staff stability and development, critical skills for organizations aiding vulnerable populations.
Mary Nabunya Manyonga
Advisor – HR and Institutional Capacity Building
Mary is is a certified transformation coach and senior HR leader with over 17 years of experience. She has served as Head of Human Resources for major financial institutions, specializing in strategic talent management, organizational development, and fostering inclusive, high-performing workplaces to drive ethical business growth.
Fred Zake
Volunteer Advisor – Entrepreneurship and Institutional Strengthening
Fred is a senior consultant with extensive experience advising international agencies on the economic integration of refugees. He has moderated high-level dialogues and implemented programs focused on improving investment climates, access to finance, and sustainable livelihoods for refugee communities across the Great Lakes and Horn of Africa.
Maimuna Nakanwagi, MBA
HR Specialist
Maimuna is is an administrative professional and HR specialist with over five years of experience supporting UN missions and humanitarian operations in East Africa. Skilled in HR management, staff coordination, and administrative systems, she is dedicated to strengthening organizational capacity and facilitating efficient service delivery in complex, high-need environments.
Peter Garang, MBA
Business Development Lead
Peter is an agrifood systems expert with over 14 years of experience enhancing food security in East Africa. He has managed projects in post-conflict and refugee-adjacent regions, including Karamoja and West Nile focused on communal farming and livelihood resilience. His work with the Green Horizon project in South Sudan also aimed at empowering communities through agricultural production and capacity building.
Corinne Chance
Refugee Liaison and Community Engagement Officer
Corinne is a results-driven multilingual specialist with 4 years of experience in interpretation and client support across East Africa. She leverages fluency in French, Swahili, Kirundi, Kinyarwanda, and Luganda to bridge communication gaps, and ensure confidentiality in high-stakes environments. Committed to providing empathetic, professional service to vulnerable communities.
Abdirizak Mohamed
Refugee Relationship Officer
Abdirizak is a Somali Case Worker & Refugee Advocate with extensive experience in Uganda. He provides direct support, language assistance (Somali, English, Kiswahili), and case management for refugees, leveraging his background in community outreach and research with WFP and UNHCR.
Mariam Tomno
Comms and MEAL Lead
Mariam is an administrative and programme management professional with 7 years’ experience supporting refugees and host communities in Kenya. Skilled in education administration, stakeholder coordination, scholarships management, livelihoods linkages, and social cohesion initiatives in fragile and displacement-affected contexts.
Kevin Kusiima
ICT LEAD
Kevin is a seasoned IT specialist with expertise in digital marketing, web management, and comprehensive technical support. He is dedicated to enhancing operational efficiency, stakeholder engagement, and organizational communication through innovative digital solutions.
Ruth Zawedde
Horticulturalist
Ruth is a dedicated Ugandan horticulturalist and farm manager with expertise in greenhouse operations, sustainable crop cultivation, and farmer training. She focuses on improving yields, reducing post-harvest losses, and empowering communities through hands-on agricultural education.