Martha Nghambi is an accomplished executive and strategic thinker with over two decades of experience shaping and delivering inclusive, results-oriented programs across Africa and beyond. She is the Founder of Global Impact Transformation (GIT), a mission-driven organization that applies technology, innovation, and strategic collaboration to advance gender equality, youth empowerment, peacebuilding, and sustainable development.

Martha is recognized for her strategic acumen in program design, gender mainstreaming, systems strengthening, and results-based management. Her leadership spans corporate, civil society, and multilateral spaces, having led operations for major institutions such as Vodacom, Ecom Agro-Industrial, Barclays Bank, Global Peace Foundation, and IPP Media Group Companies.

She has played a pivotal role in shaping national policies and institutional frameworks, including participating in development of the Tanzania’s first National Action Plan on Women, Peace, and Security (NAP-WPS). Her voice and expertise have influenced international forums across Africa, Europe, and Asia, where she has engaged on key themes such as youth and women’s leadership, inclusive governance, conflict transformation, and the prevention of violent extremism.

At GIT, Martha leads strategic initiatives that integrate digital innovation, grassroots mobilization, and capacity building to scale inclusive impact. Through programs like the Vijana Impact Hub, GIT empowers youth and women as changemakers, amplifying their voices, strengthening their leadership, and catalyzing community led transformation.

Leadership & Affiliations

• Board Chair, National Coalition for Peace and Conflict Transformations (NCPCT)

• Board Member, Fasyl Technology Group, Elimika Wikiendi, Jupiter Company Ltd, and WBAF Tanzania Chapter

• Secretary, Eastern Africa Civil Society Network (ECONet), under the African Union

• Member, African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) – Women, Peace & Security Pillar (AU & UN Women)

• Member, Human Resources Society of Tanzania (HRSTA) and Women CSOs Directors Network

 

Awards & Recognitions

• World Organization for Human Rights (Iraq) – Leadership in Peacebuilding

• FUWAVITA – Advocacy for Women and Girls with Disabilities

• Embassy of Sweden & Launchpad Tanzania – Named among 100 Tanzanian Sheroes (2019)

• Purple Planet, Beijing+25 – Recognition for Women’s Rights and Inclusive Development

• UNDP – Outstanding Leadership in Peace building initiatives

• WIMA & UNDP – Named among Top 50 Women in Management in Africa (2022)

Martha holds a Master’s degree in Business Administration – Corporate Management from Mzumbe University and a Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resources Management from the Institute of Finance Management.

With a rare blend of corporate insight, grassroots experience, and global influence, Martha continues to shape a new generation of transformative solutions, anchored in equity, innovation, and inclusive leadership.

 

 

Hajjat Shamim Parkar Khan is a nationally respected Tanzanian leader and pioneer in education, gender equity, and interfaith dialogue, with over five decades of impactful public service. Her work has been central to shaping inclusive development, advancing women’s rights, and promoting peaceful coexistence in Tanzania and beyond.

Beginning her career as a teacher, she later held progressive leadership roles in the education sector, including Ward and Zonal Education Officer and District Adult Education Coordinator in Morogoro. Her dedication to public service and community empowerment led her to become the only elected female Member of Parliament in Tanzania Mainland between 1985 and 1990 a milestone that reflects her groundbreaking leadership.

She went on to serve at the national level as Deputy Minister for Trade and Industry, and subsequently as Deputy Minister for Community Development, Gender, and Children, where she was instrumental in advancing legislation and programs that strengthened the welfare and rights of women and children.

Hajjat Shamim Khan currently serves as National Chairperson of JUWAKITA (the Muslim Women’s Wing under BAKWATA), where she leads strategic initiatives that empower women and promote gender-responsive development. She is also an active member of the Interreligious Council for Peace Tanzania and the Mohammed VI Foundation of African Oulema Tanzania, where her interfaith leadership fosters national unity and dialogue across religious divides.

Her advocacy extends to supporting women’s entrepreneurship, disability inclusion, and girls’ education through platforms such as FAWETA and CHAVITA. Her ability to lead with humility, multilingual fluency, and cultural sensitivity has earned her respect across generations and sectors.

Hajjat Shamim Khan’s outstanding contributions have been widely recognized. In 2019, she received the Pravasi Bharatiya Samman Award, the highest honor conferred by the Government of India on overseas Indians for exceptional public service. In 2024, she was honored with award of appreciations by TGNP in recognition of her historic role in Parliament and unwavering efforts to advance the gender equality agenda in Tanzania.

Her legacy of inclusive leadership and social justice continues to inspire transformative action across communities, making her an invaluable contributor to national development and a role model for future generations

Sylvia Mohamed Mkomwa serves as the  Country Lead for Global Impact Transformation (GIT), providing strategic leadership and oversight for the organization’s national programs focused on peacebuilding, youth and women empowerment, social inclusion, and sustainable community development.

Sylvia brings over eight years of experience in leading and delivering integrated development programs focused on inclusive growth, climate resilience, economic empowerment, gender equality, youth leadership, and peacebuilding. She has a strong track record of supporting community-led initiatives that enhance livelihoods, strengthen social cohesion, promote environmental sustainability, and expand opportunities for marginalized populations, including women, youth, and persons with disabilities.

Her work spans program leadership, multi-stakeholder coordination, and implementation of innovative, rights-based approaches that address both development and resilience challenges at the grassroots level.

Sylvia previously served as the General Manager of Caliber First Group, a company engaged in community development through diverse business ventures. In this role, she provided strategic and operational oversight across multiple entities, supporting business growth while ensuring that community-centered and socially responsible approaches were integrated into organizational operations. Her leadership contributed to strengthening internal systems, coordinating teams, and aligning business activities with broader development and social impact objectives.

Prior to this, she worked with the Global Peace Foundation Tanzania for over five years, where she played a key role in supporting the implementation of peacebuilding and community engagement initiatives. She worked closely with program teams to support project coordination, stakeholder engagement, and field-level execution.

At the continental level, Sylvia represents Tanzania on the African Union Youth Reference Committee under the Office of the AU Youth Envoy, where she contributes to shaping youth-focused priorities on peace, security, and governance. Nationally, she is actively engaged in the Tanzania National Peace and Security Agenda Forum, contributing to inclusive policy dialogue and promoting youth and women’s leadership in conflict prevention and governance processes.Her influence spans grassroots engagement to high-level policy platforms, where she consistently champions community-driven solutions and inclusive participation. 

In recognition of her leadership and impact, Sylvia was named a Legacy of Excellence Awardee in 2024 and recognized among the 100 Most Notable Women in Africa, honoring her contributions to peacebuilding, leadership, and social development.

 

Ambassador Frederick Gateretse-Ngoga is a distinguished Burundian diplomat and leading voice in peace and security, international cooperation, and conflict prevention in Africa. With over two decades of experience at the forefront of continental diplomacy, he has shaped transformative responses to some of the region’s most pressing challenges.

His multicultural upbringing across Quebec City, New York, Brussels, and Nantes equipped him with a global perspective that continues to inform his diplomatic leadership and cross-border engagement. He holds a Master’s in Public Administration and an Executive Master’s in Managing Peace and Security in Africa, complemented by advanced training in international security, counter-terrorism, and peacekeeping from world-class institutions such as the British Army’s Defense Intelligence and Security Centre and Algeria’s African Centre for the Research and Study on Terrorism.

Amb. Gateretse-Ngoga has held several strategic leadership roles within the African Union, including serving with the AU Mission in Somalia (AMISOM), where he facilitated coordination between military and civilian operations to counter violent extremism. As Head of the AU Commission’s Conflict Prevention and Early Warning Division, he directed pivotal mechanisms including the Continental Early Warning System, the Panel of the Wise, and the AU Border Program tools central to the Union’s peace architecture.

He currently serves as Senior Advisor on International Partnerships, the AU Border Program, and Regional Security Mechanisms within the Office of the Commissioner for Political Affairs, Peace, and Security. In this role, he continues to influence continental policy, foster multilateral collaboration, and strengthen security governance frameworks across Africa.

Amb. Gateretse-Ngoga’s deep understanding of institutional transformation, multilateral partnerships, and security governance uniquely positions him to contribute to bold, values-driven initiatives focused on inclusive development, community resilience, and systems-level change across the African continent and beyond.

 

Sophia Byanaku is an accomplished health policy expert and social impact entrepreneur with almost two decades of experience driving transformative change across Tanzania’s health, development, and financial sectors. With a passion for advancing gender equity and improving public health systems, Sophia brings a powerful blend of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and human-centered innovation.

She is an accomplished health policy expert and social impact entrepreneur with almost two decades of experience driving transformative change across Tanzania’s health, development, and financial sectors. With a passion for advancing gender equity and improving public health systems, Sophia brings a powerful blend of technical expertise, strategic leadership, and human-centered innovation.

She holds a Master’s degree in Health Policy, Planning, and Management from Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, in partnership with the University of Bergen  Centre for International Health, and a bachelor’s degree in Sociology from the University of Dar es Salaam.

Sophia is the Founder and Managing Director of Bloom Wellness Tanzania, a company focused on promoting workforce well-being through holistic wellness programs that enhance employee productivity, mental health, and organizational culture. She is also the Founder of Forward Motion, a Nonprofit Organization committed to improving the health, education, and empowerment of adolescent schoolgirls through community-led advocacy and evidence-based interventions.

Her professional background spans leadership roles in both corporate and health sectors, including as Operations and Recruitment Manager at National Microfinance Bank (NMB) and Human Resources Assistant at Stanbic Bank Tanzania. She also co-founded and managed two healthcare clinics, showcasing her entrepreneurial acumen and commitment to strengthening community health access.

Known for her integrity, visionary leadership, and collaborative spirit, Sophia consistently brings clarity, compassion, and strategic focus to the institutions she supports. Her ability to align mission with execution makes her a trusted advisor and a high-value contributor to organizations committed to health equity, gender justice, and sustainable development.

 

Dr. Ponziano Mponzi is a visionary executive, strategist, and entrepreneur with over two decades of leadership experience across multiple sectors, including health, mining, manufacturing, logistics, and security. He brings a proven ability to scale organizations, drive operational excellence, and lead strategic transformation.

Dr. Ponziano Mponzi is a visionary executive, strategist, and entrepreneur with over two decades of leadership experience across multiple sectors, including health, mining, manufacturing, logistics, and security. He brings a proven ability to scale organizations, drive operational excellence, and lead strategic transformation in both corporate and nonprofit environments.

He has worked for various reputable and successful multinational companies such as Unilever, Promasidor, AKO Group, Kiribo, Precision Air, Maxsec Group, Ziano Investment, NGOs such as CIDA (Canada), Marie Stopes Tanzania and Marie Stopes International, TEDO and Canadian High Commission a Diplomatic Mission. He has worked as an expatriate in the United Kingdom, Kenya, South Africa, Uganda and Canada.

Holding a Ph.D. in Humanities, an MBA from ESAMI, and professional certifications in corporate governance, Dr. Mponzi has led high-impact initiatives in multinational corporations and mission-driven organizations. Notably, he grew AKO Group’s revenue from $700,000 to $70 million in just four years and successfully expanded Marie Stopes Tanzania from 8 to 32 hospitals within two years, demonstrating his skill in building resilient, scalable systems that deliver results.

Dr. Mponzi’s international exposure in the UK, Canada, South Africa, and East Africa informs his ability to navigate diverse cultural and operational contexts, making him a trusted advisor for global and regional partnerships. His strategic insight is matched by a deep commitment to community empowerment, having worked alongside NGOs and civil society actors to drive inclusive solutions and locally rooted innovation.

His work extends beyond executive leadership into social impact mentoring young leaders, supporting youth- and community-led initiatives, and investing in grassroots platforms such as a community radio station and music programs that amplify local voices. Dr. Mponzi is passionate about aligning purpose with performance and actively supports nonprofits and social enterprises seeking to strengthen governance, improve sustainability, and maximize their transformative reach.

With a rare blend of business acumen, governance experience, and mission alignment, Dr. Mponzi serves as a strategic partner for organizations committed to creating long-term, equitable change across East Africa and beyond.

 

Christine Achieng Odera is an influential Kenyan leader driving youth-led transformation at the nexus of peacebuilding, climate action, and policy advocacy across Africa. She co-chairs the Kenya Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) and serves on the Advisory Board of World BEYOND War.

Christine Achieng Odera is an influential Kenyan leader driving youth-led transformation at the nexus of peacebuilding, climate action, and policy advocacy across Africa. With a background in International Relations and Peace & Conflict Studies from the United States International University Africa (USIU-A), she brings a strategic and solutions-oriented approach to inclusive development.

Christine is the Founder of the United African Youth Organization (U.A.Y.O.), a pan-African platform empowering young people to lead on peace and climate justice. She co-chairs the Kenya Coalition on Youth, Peace and Security (YPS) and serves on the Advisory Board of World BEYOND War, contributing to global movements for nonviolent conflict resolution.

Her regional influence includes co-founding the Horn of Africa Youth Network (HoAYN) and co-chairing the East Africa Youth Empowerment Forum on Youth and Security. She has also served in leadership roles with the Commonwealth Youth Peace Ambassadors Network (CYPAN), School for International Training (SIT) Kenya, and the Organization for Intercultural Education (OFIE-Kenya).

Christine is widely recognized for her ability to bridge grassroots activism with high-level policy, advancing youth inclusion in peace processes, climate governance, and entrepreneurship. Her work continues to inspire regional cooperation, intergenerational leadership, and sustainable solutions for Africa’s future.

 

Advocate Hussein Kitta Mlinga is a respected advocate of the High Court of Tanzania, and experienced educator with over 15 years of expertise in legal practice, public policy, and legal empowerment. He currently serves as an Assistant Lecturer at the Law School of Tanzania and is a Partner at Dexter Attorneys.

He is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Law at the University of Dar es Salaam, with a focus on good governance in taxation and its role in poverty eradication, an area that reflects his commitment to equity, transparency, and development-focused legal systems.

Advocate Mlinga has played a key role in advancing legal reforms, institutional development, and rights-based frameworks in Tanzania. He has facilitated capacity-building programs for public officials, developed compliance systems, and led inclusive legal and policy processes that support accountable governance.

With a strong record in mentorship, civic education, and ethical leadership, Advocate Mlinga contributes deep legal insight and policy expertise to transformative initiatives. His work continues to shape national discourse on justice, governance, and social impact, making him a valuable contributor to organizations focused on inclusive development and systemic change.

 

Dr. Tatu is a dedicated gender expert and passionate advocate for women’s rights, with over 15 years of experience working at the intersection of gender equality and peacebuilding. She currently serves as a Lecturer in the Department of Gender Studies at Mwalimu Nyerere Memorial Academy.

Her work focuses on addressing systemic barriers affecting women and girls, particularly in areas related to gender-based violence (GBV), HIV/AIDS, and Women, Peace, and Security (WPS). Beyond academia, Dr. Tatu has led and contributed to numerous research and consultancy projects aimed at influencing policy and advancing social justice across Tanzania and the East African region.

She is an active member of the African Women Leaders Network (AWLN) under the Women, Peace and Security Pillar, and contributes to regional feminist advocacy through the East African Learning Collaborative Network. She also serves as a Coalition Member of Anti-Sexual Corruption, further demonstrating her commitment to accountability, dignity, and gender integrity in both public and private institutions.

Through her combined roles as a scholar, practitioner, and movement builder, Dr. Tatu continues to be a driving force in shaping inclusive, gender-responsive systems that protect and uplift women and girls in all spheres of society.