Friendship Bench Appoints Dr. Esther Tumbare As Chief Executive Officer
- Aug 7, 2025
- 1 min read

Friendship Bench is pleased to announce the appointment of Esther Tumbare as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective August 1st, 2025. Esther succeeds Dr. Dixon Chibanda, the founder of Friendship Bench, who has transitioned into a board advisory role to support Friendship Bench’s global strategic work.
Esther brings over 25 years of experience as a leader and advocate in the public health and mental health sectors. She has a proven track record of advancing access to quality mental healthcare and support, through her work with various organizations in senior roles including, IntraHealth International, Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Harvard University.
“I am driven by the belief that accessible mental healthcare is a fundamental human right, and I am excited to lead Friendship Bench in its next chapter of growth and impact, expanding our reach to those who need it most,” said Esther Tumbare. Over the coming weeks, Esther will be familiarising herself with the Friendship Bench at this important time as we rally towards reaching 1 million people with mental health support.
Please provide her all the needed support. We appreciate your ongoing support in this journey, as grandmas ‘gogos’, staff, board members, funders, and all the important roles that you play. The Friendship Bench remains dedicated to providing affordable, accessible, and culturally relevant mental health support to communities worldwide.
With many thanks,
Kanini Mutooni.
Board Chair.





This is an inspiring announcement and a significant step forward for expanding access to mental healthcare. Esther Tumbare’s extensive experience in public health and her commitment to making mental health support accessible are truly commendable. It is encouraging to see leadership focused on reaching more communities in need. Alongside initiatives like Friendship Bench, services such as a virtual psychiatrist can further extend mental health support to people who may not have easy access to in-person care.
Congratulations to Dr. Esther Tumbare on this well-deserved leadership appointment. Strong leadership plays a vital role in expanding the impact of organizations that serve communities and improve lives. Wishing the entire team continued success in their important mission. Similarly, businesses can achieve better performance by partnering with a trusted Office Furniture Manufacturer Dubai to create comfortable, functional, and professional workspaces that support productivity and long-term growth.
La designación de la Dra. Esther Tumbare como CEO de Friendship Bench resalta la importancia de contar con líderes con experiencia en salud mental. Su compromiso con el acceso a atención de calidad es fundamental para alcanzar la meta de impactar a un millón de personas. En el contexto actual, donde la salud mental cobra relevancia, este tipo de iniciativas son cruciales. Personalmente, me interesa aprender más sobre cómo se puede mejorar el bienestar de las comunidades, y he encontrado recursos útiles en GWYF Guide que abordan temas relacionados.
Success in Stickman Hook isn't about speed alone—it's about rhythm. Every hook placement changes your trajectory, and skilled players learn how to chain swings together without losing momentum.
Me llamó la atención la calidad de los artículos y la forma en que explican cada concepto. Esta guía de loterías dominicanas ofrece contenido educativo, organizado y muy agradable de consultar. Es una excelente opción para quienes buscan información confiable y bien presentada.