Neville coordinated human rights and public policy advocacy work for the Southern African Catholic Bishops' Conference, before joining Oxfam as an advisor. He has been involved in building civil society campaigns such as Jubilee 2000 and the Global Call to Action Against Poverty, and also serves as a non-executive director of several civil society organisations.

A well known television personality in Zimbabwe, Petronilla has strong senior management experience in communications, having worked for seven years at the Southern African Development Community (SADC) secretariat as the media, public affairs and publications manager and acting head of corporate communications. In 1999, she received an award for excellence in business and economic reporting from the Federation of African Media Women Zimbabwe (FAMWZ). She holds a Master of Arts degree in International Communications and Development, from City University in the United Kingdom.

Themba has extensive experience in regional co-operation and integration issues. He was the chief director of the SADC Secretariat responsible for strategic planning, gender, and policy harmonization, a department that he established and through which he drove a number of key SADC developments. He was instrumental in the development of SADC’s Regional Indicative Strategic Development Plan (RISDP). Previously, he served as the chief director for industry and technology strategy in the South African department of trade and industry and as the manager of economic research at the Industrial Development Corporation (IDC) of South Africa.

Originating from Malawi, Lusungu has more than sixteen years working experience in development in the British government’s Department for International Development (DFID), most recently as Programme Manager for DFID’s Southern Africa division’s regional portfolio in South Africa and earlier for DFID’s Central Africa division in Malawi. She previously lectured in office arts at the University of Malawi and worked in office management and administration in the Office of the President and Cabinet of Malawi. Lusungu holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Pretoria, and a Bachelor of arts degree from the University of South Africa, majoring in Development Administration and Information Science.

Ashley Green-Thompson Grants Manager:

Ashley was the director of the South African Network of Trauma Service Providers, where he started working as the network’s grants manager. He was previously the programme manager of the South African National NGO Coalition (SANGOCO) and director of the Justice and Peace Department of the Southern African Catholic Bishops’ Conference. Ashley holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the university of the Witwatersrand and is currently completing a Masters degree in management at the same university’s school of public and development management.

Emert Nkhatu Finance Manager:

Emert has extensive experience in financial management and accounting. He joined the Trust from South Africa's National Consumer Tribunal, where he worked as the corporate services administrator responsible for the management of finances, human resources, and corporate governance. Prior to that, he was the finance manager for the Treatment Action Campaign. Emert also worked as the registrar (manager) and accounts administrator at the Commission for Conciliation, Mediation and Arbitration (CCMA). During his career, he has been recognized for Best Managed Function: Finance when he was at the CCMA and received a Top Performance Award for financial administration at Eskom. He completed his Bachelor of Commerce degree at the University of Cape Town in 2000.

Mpho Kgosidintsi Communications and Partnerships Manager:

Jabulile Ndinisa Office Manager:

Bruno Umba Dindelo Programme Coordinator: Multi-Stakeholder Policy Dialogue:

Originating from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), Bruno worked as a consultant for the South African Institute of International Affairs (SAIIA) and the Institute of Security Studies (ISS). He previously served as advisor to various ministers in the DRC government, including the ministers of higher education, transport, communications and defence. He was also a trade representative for public corporations. Bruno holds a Masters degree in Diplomatic Studies from the University of Pretoria and is currently a candidate for a PhD in International Politics with the university of South Africa (UNISA).

Prega Ramsamy Head - Business for Development (B4D) Pathfinder:

Originating from Mauritius where he worked in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Development, Prega brings to the Trust a wealth of knowledge, skills, networks, and experience in business and development, as well as international relations. He has held several key executive positions in southern Africa including being the executive secretary of the Southern African Development Community (SADC), being the chief executive officer of the Economic Development Board of Madagascar (EDBM), and working in the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) secretariat. He was also a special adviser to the president of Madagascar and chief trade negotiator. Prega has an in-depth understanding of the southern Africa region and how it relates in a continental and global context. He holds a doctorate in development economics and a Masters degree in business administration.

Ullrich Klins Research and Development Coordinator - Business for Development (B4D) Pathfinder:

Ullrich joined the Trust from the German Development Service (DED), which had seconded him as a Project Manager in the Centre for Co-operation with the Private Sector (CCPS). Ullrich brings international experience in regional development projects, corporate social responsibility, and multi-stakeholder policy dialogue, as well as strong coordination, project management, and research skills. Ullrich holds a PhD in forest management from the Munich School of Forest Science and Resources.

Christabel Phiri Programme Coordinator: Capacity Development Programme:

Christabel joined the Trust from the Third World Network (TWN) where she was a Programmes Officer in the Political Economy Unit. She previously worked at the Civil Society Trade Network of Zambia. She is experienced in facilitating policy dialogue between policymakers and civil society organizations, monitoring international trade negotiations, and coordinating advocacy campaigns. In addition, she brings policy-relevant research management skills, fundraising experience, and a wide network of civil society contacts. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. She is from Zambia but joins the Trust from TWN’s Africa team in Accra, Ghana.

Nigel Richards Programme Coordinator: Poverty Reduction Policies:

Nigel joined the Trust from Mauritius where he was concurrently the coordinator of the Mauritius Poverty Observatory based at the Mauritius Research Council, and the consultant in charge of the non-state actor unit in the Mauritian Ministry of Social Security. He previously worked as the officer in charge of the University of Mauritius’ Centre for Applied Social Research where he was also the senior researcher. He has experience in a wide range of conceptual, action research, coordination, and social mobilization skills, particularly in the planning, implementation and monitoring of poverty reduction policies through multi-stakeholder engagement. Nigel holds a Master of Science degree in social development from the University of Mauritius and a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in social sciences from South Bank University in London.

Lesego Thathane Change4ever Campaign Coordinator:

Lesego joined the Trust from the Association of SADC Chambers of Commerce and Industry (ASCCI) where he worked as the Business Development Manager and Personal Assistant to the chief executive officer.

Namhla Mniki-Mangaliso Coordinator: Mandela Institute for Development Studies:

Namhla joined the Trust as head of the secretariat for the Mandela Institute for development Studies (MINDS). Her core function is to formerly establish MINDS during its inception year. An activist passionate about finding lasting solutions to development challenges in Africa, Namhla has more than 10 years’ experience working in the development field in South Africa and internationally. Most recently she worked as Programmes Director at the African Monitor based in Cape Town, South Africa. She has been a lecturer, senior researcher, and consultant to a number of institutions. She holds a Bachelor of Arts (Honours) degree in development studies and is currently studying towards a Masters in Business Administration (MBA) degree at the University of Cape Town’s Graduate School of Business. Namhla serves as a member technical advisory group of the International Aid Transparency Initiative and is a member of the Dinokeng Scenarios team that developed scenarios to map out possible futures for South Africa between 2010 and 2020. Namhla joined the Trust under the Mandela Institute for Development Studies.

Phuti Samuel Mosomane Campaign Coordinator: Africa for Haiti:

Phuti holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of the Witwatersrand in Johannesburg, with majors in International Relations and new Media Studies. Born in South Africa, he has vast experience in the information and communications technologies and events management fields, having worked in different roles for numerous organisations.

Gcino Mlaba Project Coordinator:

Ms Gcino Mlaba joined the Trust from the office of the South African Presidency, where she was a Social Sector Assistant Director. She is responsible for implementing the Trust’s programme initiatives for inclusive engagement in policy development to overcome poverty. Gcino brings experience in policy research, analysis, and coordination as well as project management and coordination skills. She holds an Honours degree in Public Policy and a Bachelor of Social Science (BSc) degree.

Katiana Ramsamy Project Coordinator:

Originating from Mauritius, Katiana joined the Programmes team taking responsibility in implementing the Trust's human security and youth violence initiatives. She has knowledge and qualifications in the areas of conflict, violence and political science. She completed an Honours degree in International Relations and a Bachelor of Science degree in Politics and Philosophy at the University of Cape Town, where she also worked as a tutor and assistant lecturer.

Itumeleng Mataboge Senior Financial Accountant:

Thapelo Sekoma Personal Assistant to the Executive Director:

Thapelo volunteered as an assistant librarian in the Nokeng tsa Taemane Municipal Library before taking up a post as a driver at Buche Executive Travel. He has an NQF4 certificate from the Academy of Business and Computer Studies; an IT diploma from PC Training and Business College; and can speak seven South African languages.

Elias Swandle Information Technology Officer:

Elias is experienced in information and communications technology having worked for the Development Bank of Southern Africa (DBSA) where he served as an IT specialist for user support. He previously worked as a network administrator (IT) for Palace Consulting Engineers, and as an IT technician for the Tshwane University of Technology. He has a National Diploma in Engineering Computer Systems from Tshwane University of Technology, South Africa.

Taziona Sitamulaho Programme Assistant - RPO:

Originally from Zambia, Taziona joined the Trust from Action Aid where she worked for 3 years. She has experience working with women on issues regarding their rights. She Previously worked with a number of community based organization including the Community Based Tuberculosis Organization (CBTO) where she was a counselor. Taziona holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Social Work from the University of Zambia.

Lydia Nyadzisai Moyo Grants Administrator:

Lydia has 20 years of experience in office administration and finance. She was a project administrator at Transnet Property responsible for project administration, arranging regional managers' workshops and risk management committee meetings; managing and keeping the filing system. She also worked for the Royal Danish Embassy in Zimbabwe as an Administrative Officer as well as an Accounts Officer responsible for administration of grants projects, keeping register of issued grants, disbursing funds for approved grants and ensuring accountability by projects receiving funding. She has a Diploma in Management from the Institute of Administration and Commerce of Southern Africa. She is currently studying for a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with UNISA.

Cookie Makaukane Ngobeni Finance Administrator:

Cookie has done vacation work at Deloitte and KPMG. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce from the University of Pretoria majoring in accounting, auditing, management accounting and taxation.

Boitshepo Kubu Logistics Officer:

Boitshepo holds a National Diploma in Marketing from the Tshwane University of Technology in South Africa and previously worked as a senior sales consultant.

Abelphard Murimbika Website Administrator:

Originating from Zimbabwe, Abelphard has hands-on experience in graphic design and web development. He joined the Trust from TN Financial Holdings’ TN Bank Limited where he worked as a SharePoint & Rubikon Banking System Administrator. Prior to that, Abel worked as a website developer with Netware Design where he was responsible for websites and web applications development. He holds a Bachelor of Science Degree (Honours) in Computer Science from the Midlands State University, Zimbabwe.

Leigh-Ann Luthuli Administrative Assistant:

Leigh-Ann has vast experience in administration. She joined the Trust from the Imperial Group where she was an administrator for 5 years.

Cindy Snyders Administrative Assistant: MINDS:

Cindy joined the Trust from the Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition (GAIN) where she was a Regional Administrative Assistant. She was responsible for organizing meetings, conferences, and functions. She also did procurement of goods and services, GAIN’s asset management and coordinated with Geneva office with the regional office’s operational budget including quarterly forecasts and monthly cash flow forecasts. Cindy also worked for the Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) as a Research Assistant to the Director of the Politics and Economics Division, where she organized and conducted field research and wrote reports on research and seminar outcomes. Prior to that, she worked as a head English teacher at a private school in Japan. Cindy holds Bachelor of Arts degree in International Relations and Industrial Psychology from WITS University, Johannesburg, and she is currently studying for an Honours degree in International Politics with the University of South Africa (UNISA).

Benjamin Seitlhamo Project Officer:

Having worked with the Trust for a while as a student attaché from Wits University, Benjamin joined the Communications and Partnerships Unit as the Project Officer. He has a postgraduate degree in development studies. Moreover, he has various interests ranging from politics to sports.