Memory Momba Kamthunzi
Executive Director, Malawi Tourism Council (MTC)
Memory Momba Kamthunzi is a distinguished tourism professional with over 14 years of experience in the industry. As the Executive Director of the Malawi Tourism Council (MTC), she plays a pivotal role in shaping and advancing Malawi’s tourism sector by leading the development and implementation of policies, strategies, and programs that drive sustainable growth. A graduate with IATA/UFTAA in International Travel and Tourism, Mrs. Kamthunzi is a Senior Consultant, specialist in tourism training, administration, product development, sales, and marketing. Her career has been marked by outstanding achievements, including the successful organization of the inaugural Malawi Tourism Industry Awards in 2023, a landmark event that celebrated excellence in the country’s tourism and hospitality sector. She also spearheaded the development of MTC’s strategic plan and policies, reinforcing the organization’s role in fostering industry-wide growth. Her extensive leadership experience extends beyond MTC, having served in various strategic roles within both national and regional tourism organizations. She is a Board Member of the Regional Tourism Organization of Southern Africa (RETOSA), the Malawi Tourism and Hotels Board (THB), Women in Africa Board (WIA), and ISLA Foundation Board. Additionally, she has played an instrumental role in strengthening collaboration between African tourism institutions, working closely with Africa Tourism Partners, Africa Tourism Board, the SADC Business Council, and the Africa Tourism Private Sector Alliance. Mrs. Kamthunzi has significantly contributed to the development and international marketing of Malawi’s tourism products, working in partnership with globally recognized travel companies, including Chameleon Reisen, Nomad Tours, Africa Budget Safaris, Untamed Travel, Hidden Gems, Nomad Africa Adventure Travels, Impact Adventures, Lernidee Erlebnis Reisen, Abendsonne Afrika, African Bikers, Daktari Travel, and many more.
Dr. Lillian Gondwe-Chunda
Fellow College Physicians- South Africa (FCP-SA), Fellow East Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians(F-ECSACOP), MBBS Hons, Dip Clin Med (mw)
Dr. Lillian Gondwe-Chunda is a specialist physician, currently serving as the Chief of Health Services-Technical under the Ministry of Health of Malawi. Her responsibility is overseeing the technical issues of the health sector. She previously served as the Head of Medicine Department at Kamuzu Central Hospital in Lilongwe, Malawi and a Clinical Lecturer at the Kamuzu College of Health Sciences (KUHES). She also served as a board member of Pharmacy and Medicines Regulatory Authority (PMRA), Vice chairperson of Livingstonia Synod Health Board and a member of the Technical Committee of Central Medical Stores Trust. Dr Lillian Chunda is the founding member of East Central and Southern Africa College of Physicians (ECSACOP) and was instrumental in the initiation of training of physicians under the College in Malawi.
DR. NINDI-CHIGWE
First Deputy Speaker of the National Assembly
Dr. Nindi-Chigwe is a Ph.D holder in Development Economics from Purdue University, USA with an M.Sc. in Agricultural and Applied Economics from Mississippi State University, USA, as well as B.Sc. in Agricultural Economics -University of Malawi -Bunda College of Agriculture. Dr. Nindi-Chigwe is a Senior Research Fellow at the Malawi University of Science and Technology (MUST). She has over 13 years of professional experience in social and development research. She is passionate about agriculture and rural development and her current research interests include poverty and rural development, agricultural technology and innovations, agricultural marketing, food security and food safety, sustainable energy and climate change. She conducts applied development research aimed at solving development issues in Malawi. Some of her projects include: 1. MUST Co-PI for a World Bank funded research study to pilot microinsurance for smallholder farmers in the event of agricultural shocks in partnership with One Acre Fund -$250, 000: 2021-2026. 2. Project PI for the USAID funded pilot PES study being implemented in the Lilongwe River catchment area in collaboration with Lilongwe Water Board to promote village-level catchment reafforestation work. $105,000: 2021-2026. 3. MUST Team Leader for the World bank funded project in collaboration with NIRAS to develop the Blantyre City Resilience to Risk Atlas for Blantyre City Council -$167,000: 2023-2024. 4. MUST Co-PI for the Good Neighbors Malawi Conservation Agriculture Study to evaluate and identify effective climate smart intervention practices that work with rural communities $30, 000: 2021-2023. 5. Field Director for the USAID -PICS Pilot study for promoting postharvest innovation and technology to reduce food loss. $100,000. 2017-2021
DR. LINDA CHOKHOTHO
Dr. Linda Chokotho is Malawi’s first female orthopaedic surgeon and currently serves as a senior lecturer and research scientist in the Department of Clinical Sciences, Malawi University of Science and Technology. She holds an MBBS degree from the University of Malawi, a Master’s in Public Health from the University of Cape Town, and a PhD in Global Public Health from the University of Bergen. She is also a Fellow of Orthopaedics and Trauma of the College of Surgeons of East, Central, and Southern Africa (COSECSA). In 2022, Dr. Chokotho became the first female orthopaedic surgeon globally to deliver the Michael Freeman Honorary Lecture at the 23rd EFORT Annual Congress in Lisbon. In recognition of her contributions, she was awarded an Honorary Fellowship by the European Federation of National Associations of Orthopaedics & Traumatology (EFORT). She is also the founding and past president of the Women in Surgery Association of Malawi (WinSAM). Dr. Chokotho has a diverse background in clinical practice, teaching, and research. She has worked as an orthopaedic surgeon, researcher, and honorary lecturer at Beit Cure International Hospital, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences, and COSECSA. Additionally, she has served as a member of the Core Group of the World Health Organization’s Violence and Injury Mentorship Program and as a research consultant for organizations including the Ministry of Health in Malawi and the World Bank. Currently, she is an Advisory Board Member of the Institute of Global Orthopaedics and Traumatology (IGOT) at the University of California, San Francisco, and a Global Health Research Editor for the NIHR Journals Library.
BRENDA CHINGOTA-MUYAYA
Brenda Chingota-Muyaya is the current ICT Director for the Reserve Bank of Malawi. She graduated from Chancellor College with a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science and attained an MBA in ICT Management from Brunel University in the United Kingdom. She also attained various certifications in the ICT field. Whilst working in the Bank, she has successfully spearheaded numerous initiatives that have had a profound impact in the ICT space. Under her ICT leadership, the Bank has revolutionalised the way it approaches the digitalization efforts, pushing boundaries and inspiring change. With over three decades of experience in the ICT field, Brenda has been at the forefront of designing ground breaking technologies and implementing sustainable solutions. She made significant contributions to automating most processes in the Central Bank. In her career, she was part of setting up the then Malawi Switch Centre (MALSWITCH) now NITEL, and setting up of the Financial Intelligence Unit, now Financial Intelligence Authority (FIA).
NICOLE KAMWENDO
Nicole Kamwendo is a professional event host and moderator with 8+ years’ experience and 50+ events hosted in the last 3 years. A dynamic media personality with a history in moderating lively, engaging and memorable events. In 2022, she hosted Business Product Magazine Awards, National Bank Step-up Professional Launch, DEFT Poetry Festival, Multi-choice Group Media Showcase Malawi, Malawi Sports Council Street Carnival, All Shades of Beautiful Fashion Show, Art of Wellness Mental Health Panel Debate, the Voice of Africa Malawi Launch by Airtel, National Bank Tiiphula Service Awards, BCC New Refuse Vehicle Launch NGE Lipstick Brand Launch, EIB Women in AG Pitch Night, NGC. In 2023, she hosted Blantyre City Summit, Bankers Association Women’s Conference, Ungano First Edition, Her Becoming Launch, Business Product Magazine Awards, Music4Malawi 2nd Cohort Launch, Malawi Tourism Council Street Carnival, Zeze Kingston Blantyre Listening Session, Sky Energy EV Launch, Airtel Money and Old Mutual, Shared Interest Stakeholders Brunch, Youth Mental Health Festival, 360 Explore Wellness Expo, Business Product Magazine 100th Edition, Malawi Film Festival 2023, Zantchito Skills for Jobs Program Launch and Makadzi Foundation Activism Against GBV Webinars. In 2024, Nicole hosted Rydberg Starck Showcase and Awards Night, Blantyre Think Tank Networking Event, Mike Appel and Gato Vehicle Unveiling, Horizon Gas Customer Appreciation Night, Multi-choice Malawi Women’s Month event, Fredokiss’ Blantyre City Town Hall 105th Product Magazine Launch, Self Help Africa DSS Launch, Old Mutual 75th Anniversary Stakeholder Night, Blantyre Students Climate Change Networking , AWOME South Pension Upskilling, Young Stunna Malawi Tour, Male Engagementin GBV by MICGBV Conference, REIMA MPHAMVU Awards Night, Zantchito Malawi, Tipula Expo, MHLEC Mental Health Festival, Tikonze Apapa Sustainable Showcase, AFDB CDRFI Africa Summit, National Product Magazine Awards. In 2025, she hosted MACRA Data Protection Authority Launch, Standard Bank Growth Conversations, Financial Telecom Sector Cybersecurity Conference.
CAROL TENDAI MAKOKO
Carol Tendai Makoko is a seasoned Legal Practitioner with seven years of experience at the Malawi Bar. She currently serves as the Legal Services Manager – Recoveries at NBS Bank PLC. Ms Makoko was first elected as a Malawi Law Society (MLS) Executive Committee Member at an elective AGM held in March 2021. This was the second Executive Committee elected since the Legal Education and Legal Practitioners Act, 2017 came into force on January 1, 2019. At the same AGM, the MLS Strategic Plan for 2021-2023 was adopted, outlining a vision to reset standards, implement reforms, and position the Society as the most respected legal professional body in Malawi—anchored on integrity, competence, and transparency. Ms. Makoko was re-elected to the same position for the 2023-2025 term. The 2023-2025 period focused on execution and impactful implementation. Working alongside an Executive Committee chaired by Mr. Patrick Mpaka, she has played a pivotal role in advancing the Society’s objectives. Her contributions have been instrumental in several key achievements, including: Improving labour justice through the passing of the Labour Relations Amendment Act, 2021, implementing the functional review and restructuring of the Malawi Law Society Secretariat and overseeing the Human Rights Project under the UN Women Spotlight Initiative. In the 2023-2025 period, Ms. Makoko has continued to drive strategic goals under the theme: "Getting Things Done: Timely, Collectively, Responsibly.". Ms. Makoko has truly embodied the MLS Executive Committee’s 2021-2025 "I.N.F.L.U.E.N.T.I.A.L" mantra, demonstrating reliability, humility, selflessness, and patience—qualities that define her as a Woman of Substance.
GRACE NAMAYOMBO SUKASUKA
Grace Namayombo Sukasuka is a skilled Quantity Surveyor (QS), seasoned entrepreneur and Academic. She holds a Construction and Quantity Surveying Technician Certificate from the Malawi Polytechnic, a BSc in Quantity Surveying with credit from the University of Malawi, and an MSc in Quantity Surveying with distinction from Glasgow Caledonian University in Scotland. Currently, Grace is in her final year of PhD studies in Construction Management at the University of Johannesburg in South Africa. Grace is a passionate entrepreneur with a strong interest in construction. At the age of 24, she founded Penguins Construction Company which has successfully undertaken numerous projects primarily in the civil engineering and railway sectors in Malawi. Notably Grace is trailblazer as one of the first female local contractors in Malawi’s railway industry. Grace’s passion for teaching began at a young age and she would play the role of a teacher to her peers, a passion she continues to nurture. She is a Lecturer in the Land Economy and Quantity Surveying (LE&QS) department at the Malawi University of Business and Applied Sciences (MUBAS). She has also served as deputy head of the LE&QS department, and as deputy dean of the faculty of Built Environment. She is one of the pioneering faculty members of the generic BSc in Quantity Surveying programme at MUBAS. Through her teaching and mentorship, she has significantly contributed to shaping the QS profession in Malawi by supporting students to become skilled industry professionals and accomplished academics. Grace is one of the pioneering female mentors retained by the National Construction Industry Council for their flagship programme which aims to encourage female secondary students in Malawi to pursue construction related programmes and increase female enrolment in traditionally male dominated construction courses at university level.
ESNAT CHILIJE SULEMAN
CFA
Esnat is a seasoned financial sector professional with 17 years’ experience working in investment management, corporate finance, capital markets and banking. Esnat has held senior level positions in some of the major financial institutions in Malawi including FDH Bank Plc, the Malawi Stock Exchange and with NICO Asset Managers Limited as Senior Investment Officer. She is currently the Head of Treasury and Investment Banking at FDH Bank Plc. Esnat is one of the two first female holders of the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) designation in Malawi. She also holds an MBA from the University of Bolton (UK), and a Bachelor’s degree in Social Sciences (Economics) from the University of Malawi. She has participated in distinguished leadership programs such as the Stellenbosch University Executive Development Program, the Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS) Accelerated Leadership Program, and the London Business School Accelerated Development Program. Esnat is passionate about mentoring young people on financial investments and personal development.
Nema Matekenya Kadaluka
Project Manager
Nema Matekenya Kadaluka is an accomplished leader with over 10 years of leading project implementation. She is a holder of Master of Science in International Project Management from Glasgow Caledonian University. As a certified professional Project Manager -PMP.Nema has had a chance to manage projects under central and local governments(s). Currently, she is working as Training and Research Director under the National Construction Industry Council where she is responsible for management of training and research related projects. She is also a member of the steering committee working on establishment of Project Management Institute Malawi Chapter.
Architect Dorthy Mwenitete Nyong’onya
Architect
Architect Dorthy is currently working as Regulatory and Enforcement Director at the National Construction Industry Council, a regulatory body in the Construction Industry where she has been instrumental in developing and implementing regulatory frameworks, ensuring compliance with industry standards, effective participation of Malawian firms, and promoting best construction practices. She holds a Master of Science Degree in Project Management from University of Bolton and is registered as a Professional Architect with the Board of Architects and Quantity Surveyors. She is a certified arbitrator with the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, UK, and an Executive Council Member of the Malawi Institute of Architects. She successfully chaired the 4th International Construction Conference that was held in August 2024. She is the co-chairperson of the Construction Sector Joint Consultative Group, a technical working group established to support the achievement of Malawi's long-term development vision, Malawi 2063. She is the Chairperson for the inaugural National Construction Day that will be held on 20th May 2025.
Mrs. Sharmila Elias-Taijala
Executive Director, Dusty Orange Projects Et Al (DOPE)
Mrs. Elias-Taijala is the Executive Director of Dusty Orange Projects Et Al (DOPE), a dynamic Malawi-based organisation dedicated to driving social and economic growth through arts and culture. With over 20 years of experience spanning travel, tourism, and the creative industries, she has played key roles in conservation, eco-tourism, and festival and film production. A writer, poet, and theatre actress, Sharmila is purpose-driven and solution-focused, passionately advocating for human rights, supporting minority groups, and championing children's welfare. She fully immerses herself in Malawi’s diverse cultures by traveling on public transport, staying with local communities, and camping in nature. Beyond her professional endeavors, she is committed to uplifting children from vulnerable backgrounds. Since 2009, she has personally spearheaded annual fundraising efforts to host year-end festive celebrations, providing food, gifts, and entertainment for over 10,000 children in collaboration with local communities, the private sector, shelters, and religious organisations. With strong organisational skills and a deep passion for the arts, human rights, youth empowerment, and sustainability, Sharmila remains dedicated to strengthening Malawi’s global competitiveness and legacy—ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to win.
Grace Nyambo
Grace Nyambo is a highly accomplished professional with a wealth of experience in Human Resources and Administration. She currently works with NICO Holdings Plc as Human Resources and Administration Manager. She holds a Master’s in Business Administration, Bachelor of Science Degree in Human Resources Development and Management, Advanced Diploma in Public Relations and several certificates in different fields. Grace is also the Secretary General of the Institute of People Management Malawi (IPMM), a premier body dedicated to advancing the human resources profession in Malawi. In this capacity, she provides strategic leadership and contributes to the development of human resources best practices across the country. An active leader in corporate governance, Grace serves as a Director on several board. Her expertise and strategic insight are highly valued in these roles, where she helps steer organizational success through sound decision-making and governance. In addition to her professional and governance roles, Grace is dedicated to humanitarian service. She is currently the President of the Lions Club of Blantyre. She leads various community service initiatives aimed at improving the lives of vulnerable populations and making a tangible impact in her community. Grace’s strong leadership in both the professional and social spheres, combined with her dedication to making a difference, has earned her recognition as a respected figure in Malawi’s business, governance, and humanitarian sectors.
Mirriam Nsomba
Mirriam Nsomba is an accomplished engineer and entrepreneur with over 20 years of experience in Mobile Telecommunications and IT. She holds a Master of Engineering in Telecommunications and a BSc in Electrical Engineering. She was a pioneer in setting up Malawi’s first mobile networks (Telekom Networks Malawi and Celtel Malawi) and now leads her own successful ICT company, The Mile Limited. She is an active member of Malawi Engineering Institution (MEI), as well as Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), and IEEE Women in Engineering (IEEE-WIE). Mirriam is the Chairperson of MEI Women in Engineering, actively encouraging young girls in secondary schools to pursue engineering. She also serves on the Investment and Finance Committee of the MEI Board and plays a key role in organizing MEI conferences and activities.