The Team

Imali Ngusale

strategic & Technical lead

ngusale@achcga.org

Imali Ngusale is a dedicated leader and climate justice advocate with over 16 years of experience in the NGO sector, specializing in health, climate, and gender justice across the Global South. As the founding leader of the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), she oversees the organization’s strategic direction. Imali brings a profound understanding of the interconnected challenges of climate change, health disparities, and gender inequality, striving to create a future where women, youth, and marginalized communities are at the forefront of climate solutions.

Emmanuel Lekishon

co-founder

lekishon@achcga.org

The late Emmanuel Lekishon was a co-founder of the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), where he played a pivotal role in guiding strategic initiatives.With a strong background in financial management and organizational leadership, he oversaw critical decisions in finance, budgeting, and fundraising.  He was driven by a commitment to fostering sustainable livelihoods and resilience within local communities, before his passing on February 2025. 

Johari Lisa
child ambassador

lisa@achcga.org

Johari Lisa is a 13-year-old climate advocate with a profound passion for environmental sustainability and a deep concern for the well-being of the Earth and its inhabitants. With a strong understanding of the pressing issue of climate change, she has actively participated in various global initiatives and extracurricular activities related to environmental awareness. Johari is committed to raising awareness about the severe consequences of climate change. Currently, she serves as the Child Ambassador for Climate Change at the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA).

Bernard Maswach
Bernard Maswach

Partnership lead

benardmaswach@achcga.org

Bernard Mwaswach is a dedicated Partnership Lead at the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA). He is passionate about driving sustainable solutions and fostering impactful partnerships. Currently pursuing his studies at the University of Padova, Bernard brings a unique blend of academic knowledge and practical experience to his role at ACHCGA. His expertise lies in initiating and cultivating strategic alliances with donors and consortiums, amplifying the organization’s impact, and fostering collaborative efforts to address pressing climate challenges.

Joy Wekesa
Joy Wekesa

Policy Lead

wekesa@achcga.org

Joy Wekesa is a seasoned policy expert and advocate at the African Center for Health, Climate, and Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA). She is responsible for crafting, promoting, and implementing strategic policies that align with ACHCGA’s mission to advance health, climate, and gender justice. With a deep commitment to social change, Joy leverages her expertise to drive impactful policies that address critical global challenges.

Vincent Ouma

Compliance lead

ouma@achcga.org

Vincent Ouma is the Compliance Lead at the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), where he ensures the organization adheres to relevant regulations and best practices. With a strong background in governance and compliance management, Vincent plays a critical role in maintaining accountability and transparency in ACHCGA’s operations. He is committed to ensuring that the organization operates in alignment with both local and international standards, safeguarding its credibility and effectiveness. 

Tonny Kirimi

operations Lead

kirimi@achcga.org

Tony Kirimi serves as the Finance Lead at the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), where he devises and executes sophisticated strategies to secure the necessary funding and resources for the organization’s initiatives. With a wealth of experience in financial management and resource mobilization, Tony is instrumental in safeguarding the financial viability of ACHCGA’s diverse programs. His acumen spans overseeing complex budgeting processes, mitigating financial risks, and spearheading strategic fundraising efforts. A staunch advocate for climate justice, gender equity, and sustainable development, Tony is dedicated to advancing ACHCGA’s mission through financial stewardship and innovation.

Grace Mageka

Research Lead

mageka@achcga.org

Grace Mageka holds a PhD and serves as the Research Lead at the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA), overseeing the research agenda for all programs and policies. A distinguished Pan-African youth advocate, mentor, and peer motivator, she is deeply committed to social change, gender equality, and women’s rights. With a passion for empowering marginalized voices, Grace is a fervent youth policy activist and human rights educator, dedicated to advancing the cause of gender equity and youth empowerment across Africa. Her work continues to inspire and catalyze transformative change within the realms of policy, advocacy, and social justice.

Nina Silantol

Justice lead

silantol@achcga.org

Nina Silantol is a distinguished lawyer specializing in justice discourse, with a fervent commitment to advocating for the well-being of women farmers. She is deeply passionate about promoting equity and inclusion, devising and executing strategies aimed at addressing systemic inequalities both within and beyond the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA). Through her legal expertise and unwavering dedication, Nina strives to dismantle barriers and create opportunities for marginalized communities. Her work is centered on advancing social justice and fostering sustainable solutions for women in agriculture.

Rosebell Barbara

Resource Mobilization adviser

barbara@achcga.org

Rosebell is a dedicated environmental, social and resource mobilization specialist with a deep passion for environmental sustainability and improving community livelihoods and fostering climate change resilience strategies. She is an impact driven individual who brings extensive experience in grant and proposal writing, project management, and fostering community-centered sustainability initiatives at ACHGCA. Rosebell is skilled in crafting impactful strategies and mobilizing resources, she aligns organizational goals with donor priorities to deliver transformative outcomes. Rosebell’s expertise includes environmental conservation, climate change adaptation, and stakeholder engagement, ensuring the successful implementation of projects that empower communities and promote resilience. A proactive leader and communicator, committed to driving meaningful change through innovative, community-focused approaches.

Dennis Kamunde

it Lead

kamunde@achcga.org

Dennis Kamunde is a dedicated IT professional providing technical support for the African Center for Health, Climate & Gender Justice Alliance (ACHCGA). He ensures the seamless operation of IT systems and infrastructure, including communication channels, enabling efficient organizational functions. With expertise in managing technology and troubleshooting issues, Dennis contributes to the Alliance’s ability to effectively communicate and collaborate. His role is pivotal in maintaining the technological backbone that supports ACHCGA’s mission and activities.

Board Members

Professor Samwel Wakibi

Chairman of the Board

Advise the board with a focus on strategic direction and governance

Esther Nyakiri

Strategic Advisor and Board Member

Advise and Provides strategic guidance and oversight as a key member of the board

Professor Eliud Okumu Ongowo

Research Advisor

Offers expert advice on research initiatives and methodologies

James Maina Thonjo

Youth Focal Point, Ministry of Environment Forest and Climate Change

James collaborates with government entities to foster strategic partnerships that align organizational goals with current environmental policies and regulations. He maintains communication with relevant governmental bodies to ensure initiatives are compliant with, and supportive of, environmental agendas, while also influencing future policy directions to benefit sustainability efforts.

James provides strategic guidance on youth engagement initiatives, empowering young people to become active participants in sustainable development and environmental conservation. He develops innovative approaches to include youth in decision-making processes, equipping them with the skills needed to contribute solutions and lead community-based environmental projects.

Marco Felsberger

Treasurer, Fundraising Advisor and Board Member

Marco Felsberger is a seasoned expert with almost 20 years of experience in resilience and risk management. He is currently a lecturer at three universities of applied sciences. His diverse career began in the Austrian Army and extended into the finance industry, where he worked as a Security Risk Manager. At SAP, Marco served as the Subregional Head of Physical Security and Business Continuity Management. He then spent eight years as the Head of Group Resilience for the global logistics company Gebrüder Weiss. Today, Marco is a Senior Advisor at Prewave, an AI technology company specializing in supply chain transparency, resilience, and sustainability.

His focus areas are practical application of System Thinking, Resilience and Complexity Theory for holistic solutions and strategic planning.

Marie-Claire Graf

Board Member

Marie-Claire Graf is an environmental justice activist, former Swiss climate negotiator and co-founder of the Youth Negotiators Academy (YNA). It’s her aspiration to enable intergenerational leadership by supporting young people to be meaningfully, impactfully and effectively engaged in decision-making processes to create a momentum for change. She was initiating and is leading several associations and movements on the intersections of climate action, youth and women empowerment, food systems transformation and education such as Sustainability Week International or Youth Constituency YOUNGO of UN Climate Change.