Board Members

Mrs. Ruth Makombe a holder of an MBA through Nottingham Trent University (UK); a Management Leadership Development Diploma (MLDP) through the Gordon Institute of Business Science, University (GIBS) -Pretoria (South Africa), a Certified International Retail Banker through the Lafferty International Retail Banking Academy (UK), Executive Certificate in Microfinance and Entrepreneurship (ECME) through NUST (Zimbabwe) and a Certificate in Project Management Competences-CPMC through the Project Management Institute, Zimbabwe (PMZ) is also a seasoned banker with more than 40 years of work experience within the commercial, community and microfinance banking sectors as well as in the fintech and project management space. She held various senior leadership roles within most of the well-renowned and internationally recognized financial institutions both locally and regionally. Through her extensive expertise and passion, her leadership philosophy which blends innovation, effective governance, effective risk management, operational excellence, project management, digital transformation, and financial inclusion, Mrs. Makombe played and continues to play an instrumental role in shaping Zimbabwe’s banking and digital landscape. Key to mention is the indelible mark she left through her involvement and leadership role during the establishment of the Zimbabwe Allied Banking Group (ZABG), and the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank which were key national projects.   Being a trainer by passion, she has trained and mentored over 2,000 banking professionals across Africa on Banking Ethics, Corporate Governance, Operational Efficiency and Service Excellence under the Lafferty Retail Banking Academy (UK) programs. Mrs. Makombe has served in several boards both locally and internationally. She is currently Board Chairperson for Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank, the Board Chairperson for the Project Management Institute, Zimbabwe (PMZ), board member at the Zimbabwe Council for Higher and Tertiary Education (ZIMCHE), an Executive Board member /Managing Director at FN Software Solutions, a fintech company mainly focusing on developing digital payment systems for financial inclusion. Mrs. Makombe is currently a member of the Institute of Bankers in Zimbabwe (IOBZ), the Institute of Project Management in Zimbabwe (PMZ), Institute of Management (MZIM); Lafferty International Retail Banking Academy(UK),  Chartered Institute of Management (UK) Locally she recently received the 2024 Women in Project Management Leadership Award within the Financial Services Sector and the 2023 Institute of Directors’ Top 50 Most Inspirational Women in Zimbabwe Award Mrs. Makombe is driven by a lifelong commitment to empowering communities through financial inclusion, building sustainable institutions, and nurturing women’s leadership in finance. Her ambition is to lead and  position the Zimbabwe Women’s Bank as a trusted financial partner  and a catalyst for innovation by ensuring that financial solutions remain accessible, inclusive, and impactful for every Zimbabwean especially women.

Dr Jeskinus Mukonoweshuro is the Lead Consultant-HR, Strategy & Culture for Crowe Advisory Zimbabwe. Jeskinus has extensive experience in Human Capital Management, Leadership Development and Business Strategy development. He spent over 28 years in the Banking Sector covering Standard Chartered Bank Zimbabwe and NMB Bank Limited, with 16 years as Head of Human Capital in a Commercial Bank. Jeskinus has hands on experience in human capital management, corporate strategy facilitation & development, board effectiveness reviews, leadership & management skills development, workforce solutions design, organisation and people performance effectiveness, team building, organisational design & restructuring, employee mentorship programme design, change management, culture transformation and culture blueprint design and Implementation and bespoke solutions design.

Jeskinus has a passion for leadership soft skills development and performance especially in the area of Emotional Intelligence and Servant Leadership which are the core constructs of his doctoral thesis, book title and publications. He has strong solution design, process facilitation and implementation competences. He enjoys researching on areas of philosophy and golf matters as pastime activities.

Jeskinus is a strong adherent of professional, ethical and corporate governance best practices as the bedrock of sustainable business performance.

Dr. Mandas Marikanda, the Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB). She has passion for financial inclusion for excluded communities such as rural population and disadvantaged groups including women. She has more than 20 years’ experience designing innovative financial interventions such as group savings, implementation of developmental microfinance, innovative lending initiatives in rural communities and is seasoned consultant and accredited trainer for ICT/ILO Making Microfinance work. She has been working with women and youths offering practical initiatives for entrepreneurship, employability among youths and young women. Mandas was Executive Director for Pundutso Microfinance (a World Vision partner) and as part of the World Vision fraternity, she undertook various assignments in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, Zambia. She has a PHD in Economic Empowerment and microfinance from Aldersgate College Philippines. She is a holder of an MBA with Eastern University of USA and an HRUP (Honours) degree from the University of Zimbabwe.

Gladys is a Development Finance Practitioner with 25 years’ experience in the financial and development sectors. She is a holder of a MPhil – Development Finance from University of Stellenbosch. She also holds a Bachelor of Commerce – Banking ( Hons) with the National University of Science and Technology Zimbabwe and Post Graduate Certificate – Rural and Agricultural Finance with the University of Pretoria, Certificate in Private Sector Development with Swedish Institute of Public Management. She holds several professional training courses in following areas, Project Management, Corporate Governance, Value Chain Development and Finance, Policy Analysis and Gender Equity among others. She has a reputable and vast experience acquired through working with various organisations including New Faces New Voices Zimbabwe (NFNV) a Graca Machel Trust women in finance network, Women Alliance of Business Association in Zimbabwe,Plan International, SNV, CFS Microfinance Bank , SMEDCO and Steward Bank .She combines her work as Project Coordinator NFNV with consultancy projects in development finance in Zimbabwe and the region.

Julia Mapungwana is the Programme Management Director for the Ministry of Women Affairs, Community, Small and Medium Enterprises Development. She is a holder of Master’s Degree in Governance and Development with the Institute of Development and Policy Management –RUCA. She also holds a Bachelor of Science Honours Degree in Economics with the University of Zimbabwe and has a Post Graduate Diploma in Petroleum Economics with the University of Antwerp: Belgium. She has a reputable and vast experience acquired through working with various ministries, including the Ministry of Industry and Commerce and the Ministry of Energy and Water Resources.

Hilary Nyakurerwa is a seasoned human resources practitioner with over 16 years of experience, including 12 years in senior management and leadership roles. She began her career at Midlands State University, where she rose to the position of Deputy Registrar – Human Resources and served as Director Secretariat. In 2020, she joined the Zimbabwe Council of Higher Education as Director of Human Resources.

She holds a Bachelor of Substantive Laws (UZ), a BSc Honours in Human Resource Management (MSU), and an MCom in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance (MSU), along with several professional certifications. Her expertise spans organisational and HR strategy, performance and talent management, succession planning, data analytics, and organisational change management.

Auxilia Danayi Munyeza is a dedicated legal practitioner with a strong passion for justice, ethical practice, and community development. She is currently practicing law at Kuchidza Law Chambers, where she provides comprehensive legal services and contributes to initiatives that foster positive societal impact.

She holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) degree from the University of South Africa (UNISA) and a Master of Laws (LLM) from the University of East London. She is also pursuing a PhD in Law, further strengthening her contribution to both legal scholarship and practice.

In addition to her legal qualifications, Auxilia holds a Diploma in Systemic Counselling from Connect Zimbabwe, which enhances her ability to address complex social issues with sensitivity and a holistic perspective. She is passionate about fostering ethical practices, promoting access to justice, and contributing to initiatives that drive meaningful societal change.

Her areas of expertise include corporate governance, risk management, and organizational compliance. She is adept at interpreting legal frameworks, advising on governance structures, and designing practical strategies to mitigate risk and ensure compliance. Her work reflects a balance of legal expertise, strategic insight, and a commitment to advancing access to justice and good governance.

Alice Pangeti is a seasoned finance and business executive with over 15 years of experience in Zimbabwe’s banking sector. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Honours) Degree in Business Management (Finance) and a Master’s Degree in Strategic Management and Corporate Governance from Midlands State University. Her expertise spans financial services, enterprise development, and corporate governance.

 

Beyond the boardroom, Alice serves as the Managing Director of GALPRO Investments, a fast-growing retail enterprise making notable strides in Zimbabwe’s commerce landscape. She is driven by a deep commitment to inclusive economic growth and is particularly passionate about financial inclusion for women and other marginalised populations. Whether in corporate leadership or entrepreneurial innovation, Alice is dedicated to bridging access gaps and creating pathways for sustainable empowerment. Her career reflects a strong blend of strategy, purpose, and measurable impact.