Carriers of connection and empathy. Driven by the belief that if we can create safe spaces in communities where people can find a sense of belonging, then we can change the lives of millions of people to enhance their mental wellbeing and improve their quality of life. 

SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM

Prof. Dixon
Chibanda

Friendship Bench

Founder & CEO

Dr. Ruth
Verhey

Friendship Bench

Global Training & Research

Lena Zamchiya

Friendship Bench

Chief Operating Officer

Martha 

Mashonganyika

Friendship Bench

Director of Finances

Dr. Rukudzo Mwamuka

Friendship Bench

Associate Programmes

Director

OPERATION LEADS

Nanzeni

Mudzengi

Friendship Bench

Administration

Chengetayi Nyamukapa

Friendship Bench

Country Scale Up

Coordinator

Ephraim Chiriseri

Friendship Bench

Monitoring & Evaluations

Manager

Jean

Turner

Friendship Bench

Media & Communications 

Manager

Jermaine Dambi 

Friendship Bench

Research Operations

Manager

Prof. Melanie Abas

Professor of Global Mental Health

Prof. Ricardo Araya

Professor of Global Mental Health

Prof. Martin Prince

Professor of Epidemiological Psychiatry

Dr. Bradley Wagenaar

Acting Assistant Professor,

Global Health

Dr. Victoria Simms

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology

Prof. Frances Cowan

Professor of Global Mental Health

Prof. Helen Weiss

Professor of Epidemiology

Lorna Gibson

Assistant Professor of Epidemiology