THE FRIENDSHIP BENCH ZIMBABWE
BOARD
THE FRIENDSHIP BENCH ZIMBABWE PVO (PVO 12/21) BOARD OF
DIRECTORS
Maria Shipiri
(Board Chairperson) - HR Chairperson
Maria is a global Human Resources professional with over 20 years of experience across telecommunications, banking, pharmaceuticals, FMCGs, and the development sector.
With a steadfast commitment to fostering organizational excellence, she has previously worked as an Organization Design & Change Management Consultant with Mastercard Foundation, where she facilitated the transformation of talent acquisition and resource planning frameworks.
Julia Pettengill
Human Capital Committee (Chairperson); Fundraising, Governance
Julia Pettengill is the Executive Director of the Schooner Foundation, a Boston-based private foundation that seeks to advance human rights by leveraging funds where there is the greatest need and opportunity. In her role, she oversees the vision and execution of the Foundation’s strategic direction and grant-making in social Justice, global health equity, education, livelihoods and environmental initiatives, domestically and internationally. Julia comes from a diverse background in international development, nonprofit work, capacity building, and fundraising with a strong focus on sub-Saharan Africa, where she grew up. She holds a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, and currently serves on the boards Network of Engaged International Donors, Friendship Bench, and co chairs the advisory council for HEAL Initiative. Previously, Julia served as a member of the National Cancer Institute’s Pediatric Leukemia and Lymphoma Steering Committee, and co-chaired the Dana Farber Cancer Institute's pediatric patient and family advisory council.
Elizabeth Puleng Tswana
Programmes and Development
Elizabeth Puleng Tswana holds a Bachelor of Laws (Honours) with the University of Zimbabwe and a Masters in Human Rights, Peace and Development degree with Africa University.
She has worked for the Ministry of Justice, Legal & Parliamentary Affairs and the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission on a vast number of human rights thematic issues.
Elizabeth has carried out human rights Consultancy work since November 2020. Her most recent accomplishment has been successfully carrying out an inclusion assessment on the rights of persons with disabilities to participate in political and electoral processes in Zimbabwe. She provides useful guidance and advice for the successful implementation of Friendship Bench activities. Elizabeth has a passion for human rights, particularly the respect, promotion, and protection of the rights of persons with disabilities as well as gender mainstreaming. She enjoys dancing, cooking, travelling and reading financial literacy books.
Joshua Chimhanda
Audit and Finance Chairperson
Joshua holds a Bachelor of Accounting Science, BCompt (UNISA), and completed his Articles of Clerkship with KPMG in 1991. He rose through the ranks and was promoted to the position of Audit Senior. He was an auditor in charge of several multi‐national companies and was exposed to all aspects of financial, secretarial, and tax-related matters. Joshua later joined First Merchant Bank of Zimbabwe Limited, a subsidiary of FMB Holdings Limited, and worked for a period of 8 years in his capacity as Senior Accountant and later as Group Accountant. At FMB, Joshua gained extensive exposure in financial and company secretarial matters. Joshua was also part of the Computer Steering Committee that spearheaded the implementation of an Oracle-based banking package at FMB. He later joined the Commercial Bank of Zimbabwe in his capacity as Deputy General Manager – Finance and Accounting, where he spent 4 years. At CBZ he was tasked to head the Finance and Accounts Section and was also involved in the setting up of the Jewel Stock Broking Company.
Dr. Karen Webb
Programs Chairperson
Karen is the Deputy Executive Director for the Organization for Public Health Interventions and Development (OPHID), based in Harare, Zimbabwe. OPHID is a local organization supporting the Ministry of Health and Child Care (MOHCC) to implement the National HIV Care and Treatment Program in over 320 public health facilities across Zimbabwe. She has over 23 years’ experience in public health and development program design and evaluation in sub Saharan Africa.
Karen is a passionate advocate for innovation and implementation science in public health programs and the pragmatic adaptation of evidence-based interventions like Friendship Bench at scale. Academically, Karen holds a Bachelors degree (honours) in Psychology, a Masters of Science in Public Health and a PhD in Epidemiology and Population Health from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine.
Jackson Twesidye Kaguri
Fundraising Committee Chairperson
Elizabeth is a Scientific Researcher at the National Institute for Public Health and the Environment (RIVM) in the Netherlands. In her role, she is part of the health economics team, assessing the impact of COVID-19, where she leads the health effects program. She holds a PhD in Health Economics attained from Vrije University Amsterdam. During her PHD she focused on the effectiveness and cost effectiveness of treatments in low back pain. As a post-doctoral researcher at the Amsterdam University Medical Centre, Elizabeth was involved in the development of guidelines for physiotherapy practice using new research methodologies. She holds a Master’s degree in Public Health with a specialization in Health Economics and Health Promotion from Karolinska Medical University (KI) in Stockholm. During which she investigated the health care seeking behaviour of caregivers of children with disabilities in Zimbabwe.
Elizabeth has worked as a physiotherapist in diverse physiotherapy practices in the Netherlands, and owned her own physiotherapy practice. She also worked as a Health Economics Consultant for the Royal tropical Institute (KIT) in Amsterdam and researched into institutional arrangements for health financing in African countries, as part of the Rebuild programme on Universal Health Coverage. Elizabeth is passionate about equity in access and effectiveness of health care. She enjoys photography and is an avid reader.
Tracy Mombo
Audit and Finance Committee - Board Advisor
Umeeda is a brand marketer based in the UK with 15+ years spent leading some of the world’s most well-known and well-loved brands - from Coca-Cola and PepsiCo to L’Oreal. She is passionate about transferring her blue-chip experience and love of marketing to the non-profit sector to help build and scale pioneering organisations in areas of special interest, particularly in the spheres of mental health and education.
Umeeda has an MA in Modern Languages from the University of Oxford and a Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Linda Rogers
Digital and IT - Board Advisor
Chief Information Officer | Non-Executive Director | Diversity and Inclusion advocate | Business Transformation | Target Operating Model Change | Innovation & Value Delivery | Top 100 CIO |
Linda is an accomplished Information Technology and strategy executive with a strong track record in guiding the delivery of commercially focused technology and business strategies across multiple sectors, including FMCG, Telecoms, and the Public sector, aimed at enhancing market value in the UK and Africa.
Having graduated with First Class honors in Applied Computing and Business Information Systems from Middlesex University in 2002, Linda has amassed a wealth of experience in various roles with the UK government and British American Tobacco. Her career trajectory saw her rise to the position of Head of IT/IT Director for over 44 counties in EMEA, where she managed large teams of project managers, senior IT managers, and business analysts. Notably, she successfully delivered fit-for-purpose solutions to diverse stakeholders across three different regions (EEMEA, ASPAC, and Americas).
Linda's recent completion of an Executive MBA with Warrick Business School underscores her commitment to continuous learning and professional development. Her expertise lies in cutting millions in IT total cost of ownership (TCO) and driving innovation, leveraging her strong people management capabilities to positively impact the bottom line. She is recognized for her ability to provide strategic direction, foster innovation, and drive positive change within organizations.
Furthermore, Linda is highly regarded for her proficiency in driving processes, motivating teams, and demonstrating outstanding interpersonal communication and natural leadership skills. Her active involvement in professional networks such as the CIO Leadership Network and ISACA speaks to her commitment to staying abreast of industry trends and best practices. This has been recognised by the technology industry where she has been nominated as a top 100 CIO to watch in 2023
Beyond her professional endeavours, Linda's commitment to social impact is evident through her involvement as a non-executive director on the boards of various startups and charities. Her founding of the Women Leadership and Empowerment Network (WLEN UK), with a mission to empower women into leadership roles in STEM and Africa, highlights her dedication to promoting diversity and inclusion within the tech industry and beyond.
Overall, Linda's profile exemplifies her as a dynamic and forward-thinking CIO with a passion for driving business growth, fostering innovation, and empowering individuals, particularly women, in leadership roles. Her recognition as a positive role model in diversity and inclusion initiatives further underscores her impact and influence in the field.
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Zeryn Sarpangal
Audit and Finance Committee - Board Advisor
Zeryn is a senior leader at DRK, serving on its Operating Committee and overseeing financial management, people operations, and organisational administration, while also advising DRK’s portfolio organisations. She sits on the boards of BelleVie Care and RWAMREC.
Previously, she held executive finance and operations roles at Code for America and Achaogen, and worked at Identified, McKinsey & Company, and Goldman Sachs. She holds an MBA from Stanford and degrees in Economics and Molecular & Cell Biology from UC Berkeley and is passionate about mission-driven work and building strong, empathetic organizational cultures.
Peter Twywan
Fundraising Committee - Board Advisor
Dixon Chibanda is associate professor in psychiatry and Global Mental Health at the University of Zimbabwe and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, respectively. He developed the Friendship Bench program in 2006 as part of his MPH field work and has overseen its’ expansion over the years. He brings his vast knowledge in research and global mental health to the trust. He sits on a number of local and international boards.
Dixon is a martial arts instructor and is passionate about using alternative interventions such as Balavisx, Tai-Chi and Karate to enhance resilience in young people. Dixon speaks 4 different languages and lives in Harare.
Prof. Dixon Chibanda (Founder)
Dixon Chibanda is associate professor in psychiatry and Global Mental Health at the University of Zimbabwe and the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, respectively. He developed the Friendship Bench program in 2006 as part of his MPH field work and has overseen its’ expansion over the years. He brings his vast knowledge in research and global mental health to the trust. He sits on a number of local and international boards.
Dixon is a martial arts instructor and is passionate about using alternative interventions such as Balavisx, Tai-Chi and Karate to enhance resilience in young people. Dixon speaks 4 different languages and lives in Harare.