Johannesburg, 7th September 2021-\u00a0<\/strong>\u00a0On behalf of the\u00a0Board of Trustees<\/a>\u00a0of the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust, I am delighted to announce that Ms. Melizsa Mugyenyi has been appointed as the new Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust and commences her tenure in this leadership role as of September 6, 2021.<\/p>\n A Ugandan by birth, and residing in Kenya currently, Ms. Mugyenyi brings to the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust an impressive range of executive management and strategic partnership building skills, as well as extensive experience working in multi-country settings. We look forward to her leadership to expand our Pan African programming, nurture our diverse women\u2019s empowerment Networks, and develop the necessary relationships to fortify our resource base and long-term sustainability. Ms. Mugyenyi will spearhead the conceptualization and implementation of a bold new Strategic Plan for our institution and take our work of social and economic transformation to greater scale and impact.\u00a0The Board has every confidence in Ms. Mugyenyi and her ability to effectively steer our organization, in conjunction with our staff and stakeholders, to augment our impact on the African continent and expand our thought leadership globally.<\/p>\n We are grateful to Dr. Shungu Gwarinda, who steadfastly served as our Interim CEO, driving us forward with a determined focus on advancing the rights of Africa\u2019s women and children, and strengthening our institution and Networks during this interim period.\u00a0 Dr. Gwarinda will be actively supporting this management transition and will resume concentrating her leadership in her substantive role as Director of Programmes.\u00a0 We are grateful for her invaluable contributions to further the mission of the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust.<\/p>\n To our valued partners, both current and future, we look forward to positively transforming the lives of Africa\u2019s women and children together with you as we enter this exciting new chapter of our institution\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n – Mrs. Gra\u04aba Machel<\/p>\n Founder and Chairperson of the Gra\u04aba Machel Trust<\/p>\n <\/p>\n ***<\/strong><\/p>\n About the Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust<\/strong><\/p>\n The Gra\u00e7a Machel Trust is an organisation that works across the continent to drive positive change across women’s and children’s rights and governance and leadership. Through our support of local initiatives and connecting key stakeholders at a regional, national and sub-national level, we help to catalyse action where it is needed. By using our convening power, the Trust seeks to amplify the voices of women and children in Africa, influence governance, promote women’s contributions and leadership in Africa’s economic, social and political development.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n For more information, questions, and queries contact:<\/strong><\/p>\n Communications Unit<\/strong><\/p>\n Sarah Mpata: Sarahm@gracamacheltrust.org<\/a><\/p>\n Brenda Okoth: Brendao@gracamacheltrust.org<\/a><\/p>\n