Day 1: Building Resilience

Community Philanthropy Isn’t Coming – It Has Arrived

Ese Emerhi-Session Moderator

Ese is the Global Network Weaver for the Global Fund for Community Foundations (GFCF). In her role, she works with and helps to strengthen connections across GFCF’s global network of community philanthropy and civil society partners. She also works with allies in the #ShiftThePower movement around shaping broader advocacy, influencing, and engagement efforts involving other parts of the mainstream development sector.

Ese has spent the last 18 years working in the international development field, supporting human rights defenders and organizations in the Middle East and North Africa region to encourage civil society in pushing forward democratic initiatives that promote freedom and the respect of human rights, as well as working with youth-led organizations in the US and Nigeria advocating for greater youth inclusion in development projects, leadership, and youth empowerment.

Gerald Kankya-Session Speaker

Gerald provides day-to-day leadership at Twerwaneho Listener’s Club, a human rights organization operating in Uganda’s western region with offices in Fort Portal. Gerald Kankya won the 2012 inaugural European Union Human Rights Defender Award in Uganda recognizing his courage and contribution towards the promotion of human rights in very difficult circumstances. Gerald’s work is at the intersection between using community philanthropy and responding to cutting-edge human rights issues.

Today, he is in charge of special business at Twerwaneho Listener’s Club and human rights projects where most of his effort is around supporting the development of community philanthropy and social justice journalism models within grassroots human rights movements.

Seth Tladi -Session Speaker

Seaitsiwe (Seth) Tladi joined SCAT as the Programme Manager in 2011 after working in the development sector for more than 20 years. Seth studied in Mafikeng, where he obtained a Bachelor Degree in Accounting and Management. Seth has served on various community development structures and organizations.

Seth has also presented papers on Economic Development in the SMME sector both on a local and international level. Seth has co-authored articles and papers on SMME Business Development services best practice Seth is widely traveled and draws from this experience to make a difference in people’s lives. His personal motto is, “Empowering a generation to impact a nation.

Re-Imagining Grant-Making in East Africa Through A Decolonisation Lens

Maria Alesi- Session Moderator

Mai Panaga Banker - Session Speaker

A Sudanese woman based in Cairo, Mai Panaga Banker is part of the Movement Leadership Council of the Black Feminist Fund (BFF). The purpose of the BFF is to significantly increase the resources available to Black feminist movements globally, contributing to strengthening their sustainability and resilience. The BFF supports grassroots Black feminist organizations working in Africa, the Americas, and Europe. Mai is also the co-founder and co-editor of the Cairo-based Ikhtyar Feminist Collective. Since 2014, Mai has been devoted to feminist knowledge production in Arabic, covering areas of feminism, sexuality, reproductive health and rights, and feminist Internet.

Cleopatra Kambugu -Session Speaker

Cleopatra is a transgender human rights activist and Director of Programmes of UHAI EASHRI a regional East and Central African indigenous activist led fund that works to resource LGBTIQ and Sex worker communities in Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, Rwanda, Burundi, Ethiopia and the DRC. She sits on the Steering committee of the International Trans Fund, ITF a global fund with a focus on transgender rights, the advisory board of Astraea Lesbian social justice fund, the Steering committee of the Global Philanthropic Funds’ Trans working group that focuses on increasing the quality and level of funding going to global transgender movements and the advisory board of the TvT project the globally monitors violence against Trans folks globally. Cleo is also the protagonist of the globally acclaimed Pearl of Africa documentary which chronicles her journey navigating her journey transitioning. Her work in philanthropy has also supported the set up of ISDAO the West African LGBTIQ activist fund as well as ITF the International Trans Fund.

Her background is in the life sciences being the agricultural science with a focus on plant pathology and Molecular Biology and Biotechnology

Andrew Karamagi -Session Speaker

Andrew Karamagi is a lawyer and budding scholar who is the outgoing Youth and Movement Building Advisor at ActionAid International Zimbabwe and Zambia. Previously, he worked at the Human Rights and Peace Centre, a department of the School of Law, Makerere University.

An alumnus of the US Department of State’s International Visitor Leadership Programme, he is a pioneer founding member of the Young Leaders’ Forum Uganda, a reflection platform which seeks to bring together youth from various political parties in pursuit of a shared national agenda. Together, this team developed the National Youth Manifesto 2016-2021. He is a Core Associate Trainer at the MS-Training Centre for Development Cooperation in Arusha, Tanzania.

His areas of interest are International Humanitarian Law, Constitutional Law, Human Rights Law, Public Policy and ‘Economics that Works’. Karamagi has co-authored in the international journal, Agenda, and wrote a chapter on youth participation in electoral politics in the Ugandan best seller, Controlling Consent: Uganda’s 2016 Elections.

He contributes opinions for Uganda’s leading daily newspapers and is a regular panelist on a number of the country’s radio and television talk shows.

Collaborations for community philanthropy in building resilience: A case for Kenya, Tanzania and Rwanda.

Ojok Okello-Session Moderator

Grace Maingi -Session Speaker

Grace Maingi is a human rights lawyer who has been working, over the last twenty years, in the governance not-for-profit sector in Kenya. Her work has focused on civic education and engagement, constitutionalism, promoting free and fair elections, women’s rights, and growth within the legal profession in Kenya. Her passion for social justice and community development aligns with her main drive to reduce inequality. Grace Maingi was recently appointed as the Executive Director of the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF). KCDF begun its work in Kenya in 1997 as a public foundation that nationally supports communities to address their priority needs and challenges sustainably.

Muramira Bernard -Session Speaker

Strive Foundation Rwanda (SFR) is a local non-governmental, non-religious, non-political and non-profit making organization that was founded in 2003 with a goal of promoting social and economic welfare of the vulnerable communities.

Mr. Muramira Bernard, the Founder and Executive Director of Strive Foundation Rwanda. He founded the organisation of the 15th July 2003 with a mission of Promoting and advocating for social Justice for the most vulnerable groups and envisioned to promoting a sustainable social welfare, integration and Development for vulnerable groups. With such good intentions, the organization has managed to sustain for a period of 18years with a relevant positive reputation of having changed various lives of people in Rwanda and abroad.

Mwadhini Myanza-Session Speaker

Mwadhini is the current chair of Tanzania network of Community Foundations (TNCF), a renowned Economist in Tanzania, who has been leading the Regional Chamber of Commerce Chapter and leading Trade Marketing, Processing and Exportation of Agriculture Sector Leading products in Tanzania.

Day 2: Ensuring Relevance

Strengthening Philanthropic Partnerships through a Shared Value Model

Ernest Nyamasyo Corporate Communications – Corporate Social Responsibility, Wildlife and Habitat Conservation

With over 12 years of experience in managing the reputation and public information of corporates, programmes and projects, including the promotion of partnerships and boosting fundraising capacities through web, print and multi-media, Ernest has a background in journalism and sustainable wildlife and habitat conservation from the private sector and has core skills in fundraising, knowledge management, branding, communication strategies, information & graphic design, publications, web development, photo & video production and social media management.

Holdsing a BSc (honours) in Mass Communication from the Peoples’ Friendship University of Russia and a postgraduate certificate in Environmental Management from the Nazarene University, Ernest is passionate about sustainable tourism and has further training from National Geographic and FAO e-academy. He is equally proficient in project management and proposal writing and is currently working for the KenGen Foundation.

Dorcas Arama Corporate Finance Management and Accounting - Project Financing and Accounting, Social Philanthropy & Project Management

Dorcas has more than 8 years of experience in Accounting & Fund administration. She holds BSc in Finance & Risk Management from Moi University and an MBA in Strategic Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture & Technology with added professional qualifications in accounting.

With a Post-graduate Diploma in Projects Management from Alison State University, Dorcas is highly specialized in environmental & social issues.

An expert with numbers and a passion for sustainable development and contributing to make a change for the livelihoods of rural communities, Dorcas plays a key role in managing partnership funds for the execution of sustainable projects at KenGen Foundation. She is also strongly involved within her community in addressing the plight of the elderly through volunteer mobilization and self funded charity works.

Transforming Aid and Philanthropy to Accelerate Community-led Change

Global Giving

African-led and Community Philanthropy: Intersections of Equity, Agency and Sustainability

Nadia Kist- Director of Africa Programs, Blood:Water- Session Moderator

Nadia Kist is a leader in Global Health Philanthropy with over 18-years’ experience leading HIV-focused programs and organizations in Africa. She is committed to building equitable community-centered models of philanthropy that address the complex interconnected drivers of socio-economic and health disparities. Nadia carries the personal vision to see fullness of life rightfully accessed at an individual level across communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS.

Currently, Nadia serves as the Director of Africa Programs with Blood:Water, an philanthropic organization responding to the HIV and WASH crises in Eastern and Southern Africa. She leads regional operations and oversees Blood:Water’s grantmaking and partner strengthening portfolios. She sits on the board of the East Africa Philanthropy Network, is a member of the Africa Philanthropy Forum, the International AIDS Society and is the co-founder of a charitable trust celled Seeds for Hope.

Nadia has a Masters of Public Administration and a Bachelors of Arts in African Studies from New York University as well as a post-graduate certificate in Clinical Research Methods from University of Illinois at Chicago. She has made published contributions to numerous conferences, peer-review journals and the World Bank. She is a native New Yorker who now calls Nairobi home for the last 17 years.

Mamo Mohapi - Session Speaker

Mamo Mohapi is a member of the Mott Foundation’s Civil Society program. As a program officer, she leads the program’s community philanthropy and civic space grantmaking in Africa.

Mamo has experience in program development, grantmaking and philanthropy. She started her career as a finance officer with the Planned Parenthood Association of South Africa (PPASA), and later joined the Charities Aid Foundation Southern Africa (CAFSA) where she worked as a Corporate Social Investment Officer. She moved on to lead the organization’s Business Development Manager work where she supported corporates to develop their corporate social investment strategies. During her time at the Mott Foundation, Mamo role involved managing a portfolio that focused on developing philanthropy in South Africa. She supported the program’s pan-African focus, and later managed the reduction of the foundation’s work in Africa. She has previously served as a council member of the Independent Philanthropy Association of South Africa.

Julius Mbeya Co-CEO, Lwala Community Alliance - Session Speaker

Julius is an international development expert with more than 17 years’ experience in various roles and organizations in the development landscape. Currently serving as the Co-CEO of Lwala Community Alliance, he works with communities to catalyze their own change through innovative programming that is moving to scale, influencing health systems and putting communities at the center of their own development with a belief that when communities lead, change is drastic and lasting.

Prior to joining Lwala Community Alliance, he worked with MS ActionAid Denmark as a Regional Advisor offering capacity development across the world, with UNDP Kenya as a CSO fund manager, and as an M&E Officer with the World Bank-funded Kenya Agricultural Productivity Project. He has an MA in Political Science & Public Administration from the University of Nairobi, a post-graduate Diploma in Healthcare Management (Kenya Institute of Management), and a post-graduate Diploma in Peacebuilding and Conflict Resolution (University of Fribourg – Switzerland). He is a published author and a member of various professional associations and networks.

Lillian Muyomba - Session Speaker

Lillian Muyomba –Tamale is the team leader at CivFund – the grant making arm of CivSource Africa. The CivFund seeks to provide flexible, accessible, and responsive funding to civil society in Africa. Lillian is a social justice & governance expert, a prolific researcher with over 20 publications in form of policy research reports, policy briefs, journal articles and edited book volumes. Lillian has more than 18 years of experience in research, policy advocacy and civil society capacity-development. Prior to joining CivSource Africa, Lillian worked as a Research Fellow and the Project Manager of the Local Government Councils’ Scorecard Initiative at the Advocates Coalition for Development & Environment (ACODE), and an Advocacy & Capacity Building Officer at the Anti-Corruption Coalition Uganda (ACCU). Lillian is proficient in programme development and planning, grants management, fundraising, client networking, and government relations. She holds a Masters’ Degree in Human Rights and a bachelor’s in Social Work and Social Administration from Makerere University

Harriet Adong- Session Speaker

Harriet is passionate about helping girls and women in the rural communities to develop as leaders, have a voice and be able to make an active and tangible contribution to their communities.

Harriet, is the Executive Director of Foundation for Integrated Rural Development a grassroots organization that continues to advocate for the rights of women and girls and has over 8 years of work experience in the rural post conflcit communities in Northern Uganda.

Harriet has served as the chairperson of the Youth Advocacy Network in Northern Uganda on issues related to Sexual Reproductive Health Rights and Gender Based Violence among youths and has also served on the International Advisory Board on Universal Health coverage under the Civil Society Engagement Mechanism (CSEM) under the World Bank and World Health Organization(WHO) as an Alternate representing Community Based Organizations and UHC2030 constituency.

Harriet holds a Post Graduate in Gender Equality Studies from the University of Iceland, a Bachelor’s degree from Makerere University, a Diploma in Conflict Transformation, Gender and Transitional Justice, a Certificate in Human Rights Education (Equitas Canada) and is also pursuing her Masters in women and Gender Studies at Makerere University.

Harriet advocates for inclusive service delivery and peaceful communities and believes that if communities are empowered, they have all it takes to jointly re-construct and re-build their communities and contribute to development.

PARALLEL SESSION 2 : Marketplace

Peres Were -Executive Director, The Next Step Foundation.

Peres has extensive senior-level experience within the IT-Enabled Services (ITES) industry, particularly in the use of technology as means of solving employability challenges among people from disadvantaged communities, predominantly women, the chronically unemployed, and persons with disabilities.

Her work at the Next Step Foundation is focused on advancing the use of AI to find solutions to challenges in socially important areas such as healthcare, financial inclusion, education, youth employability, and assistive technologies for persons with disabilities.

Ms Were holds a B.A in Anthropology from the University of Nairobi, and an MBA from the University of Leicester.

Day 3: Enabling Environment

Maria Omare- Founder and Executive Director, The Action Foundation (TAF)

Maria Omare is the Founder and Executive Director of The Action Foundation (TAF), an organization working to build inclusive and resilient communities where children and young people with disabilities can thrive. She is an award-winning disability inclusion advocate, social entrepreneur, and educator committed to inspiring change and hope in under-served communities. She is passionate about early childhood development, social justice, youth advocacy, human rights, and gender equality. Maria has been awarded the prestigious Cordes Fellowship, Ford Motor Company International Fellowship, Akili Dada Fellowship, Business Daily’s Top 40 under 40, and in 2019 she received the US State Department Professional Fellows Program Alumni Impact Award. Maria sits on the advisory board of Street Business
School, a global leader in entrepreneurship training that equips women living in poverty with the knowledge they need to build sustainable businesses. She is the Board Secretary of Amplify Girls, a collective of community-driven organizations collaborating to create a community-based alternative to the traditional development scale. She enjoys baking, writing poetry, sky watching, and taking long walks in nature.

Tariq Khokhar - Head of Data for Science and Health, Wellcome

Tariq Khokhar is Wellcome’s Head of Data for Science and Health. His team works to support the digital technologies, policies and communities needed to transform how science makes discoveries and solves the urgent health challenges of infectious disease, climate change and mental health.
Previously, Tariq was Chief Data Scientist and Managing Director at the Rockefeller Foundation in New York, and Senior Data Scientist and Global Data Editor of the World Bank in Washington DC. He is a mathematician and computational statistician by training and lives with his wife, daughter and beagle in Stroud.

Parallel Session Speakers