Christian Aid appoints its first ever African CEO: Amanda Mukwashi
Christian Aid, the official relief and development agency of 41 British and Irish churches, has appointed Amanda Mukwashi, a woman of Zambian descent, as its new chief executive.
Taking over from Loretta Minghella, who was appointed First Church Estates Commissioner, Zambian Amanda Mukwashi is the new chief executive Christian Aid. She is joining the organisation after a five-year appointment as the Chief of Volunteer Knowledge and Innovation for the United Nations Volunteer Program (UNDP), based in Germany.
Rowan Williams, chair of Christian Aid, said in a statement: “Amanda comes with very special qualifications and aptitude for this enormous and exhilarating position. We are delighted to announce this appointment and look forward to welcoming Amanda.”
Mukwashi brings with her an impressive resume of more than 20 years’ experience, extensive knowledge and expertise in working to alleviate poverty, injustice and inequality, with a special focus on women’s leadership, civic engagement and volunteering.
Amanda Khozi Mukwashi was born in Twickenham, Middlesex, UK, of Zambian parentage. As a daughter of former diplomats, her formative education was in Italy. Mukweshi, who went on to attain a Master’s degree in International Economic Law from the University of Warwick, and a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Zambia, is eminently suitable and qualified for her new appointment.
In her career she has served as Head of External Relations and Head of Programs at Skillshare International UK, and as Women in Business Coordinator at the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa in Lusaka, where she began her career in international development. In the recent past she was Director of Policy for VSO International, based in London, where she was responsible for programme policy and effectiveness across the whole federation and VSO global.
She has also served as a trustee on the board of the international development network Bond and as president of Akina Mama Wa Afrika. She became a trustee of Christian Aid in 2015 and stood down from the board to apply for the chief executive position. She took up her role as chief executive in April 2018.
Mukwashi said in a statement that she was “humbled and absolutely thrilled” to be joining the charity. “Christian Aid represents to me much of the goodness found in humanity.”
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Who is Christian Aid?
Christian Aid is a partnership of people, churches and local organisations committed to ending poverty worldwide. The charity organisation began in 1945, when they were founded by British and Irish churches to help refugees in the wake of the Second World War. For more than 70 years, Christian Aid has provided humanitarian relief and long-term development support for poor communities worldwide, while highlighting suffering, tackling injustice and championing people’s rights.
Thank you 4 opportunity 2 speak 2 the work of @christian_aid is with communities in poverty. If love is the power that fights injustice & exposes the scandal of poverty then I am where I need to be. The support I have seen from the public during this #CAWeek reassures me. https://t.co/R9x0kAgvpw
