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.
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Prof. Dixon Chibanda
Friendship Bench Founder & CEO
SENIOR LEADERSHIP TEAM
Lena Zamchiya
Chief Operating Officer
Zvikomborero Tsiga
Development Manager
Tapiwa
Takaona
Head of Strategic Information and Evaluation (SIE)
Lloyd Dzapasi
Livelihoods Manager, CKT Focus
Petros Matorera
Assistant Clinical Manager
Dr. Thandiwe
Mashunye
Head of Programmes
Robert Mungofa
Finance Manager
Department Managers
Ephraim
Chiriseri
SIE Manager
Charmaine
Chitiyo
Programmes Manager
Ethel
Manda
Training Manager
Sandra
Muzambi
IT Manager
Tawanda Madzidzise
Data Systems Manager
Dorothy
Msipa
People & Culture Officer, PA to CEO
CO-ORDINATORS, OFFICERS AND ASSISTANTS
Bithia
Mbiri
Administration Assistant
IMPLEMENTATION MANAGERS
ASSISTANT IMPLEMENTATION MANAGERS & OFFICERS
Lena
Hungwe
House Keeper
USAID-DIV, Friendship Bench Team
2022-2025
IT & SIE
Sandra Netsai Muzambi
IT Manager USAID DIV
Jabulani Nkiwane
Data Systems Officer
Implementation Managers
Karen Mangwiro
Mthandazo Maphosa
Ruth Ndoorwi
Onismus Mudanwa
Implementation Officers
Julliana Chigwida
Kudakwashe Shumbayaonda
Tanaka Natalie Murwira
Chido Daphne Masocha
Patience Bumhira
Shumirai Maengahama
FRIENDSHIP BENCH CONSULTANTS
Lloyd Dzapasi
SUCCEED Project & Livelihoods Manager, CKT Focus
EXTERNAL COLLABORATORS
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