American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia

Facebook Twitter Linkedin Youtube
Menu

Board Directors

stars-white.png

LOWANI CHIBESAKUNDA – PRESIDENT

Lowani Chibesakunda’s enriching Citi career began 20 years ago. She was most recently appointed as Citi Zambia CEO. Becoming the first Zambian female to be appointed to this role. She has held various leadership positions within Citi Zambia. She has also had the privilege of working in other Citi Present countries such as South Africa, China and the United Kingdom. Lowani holds an MBA from Heriot-Watt University, degree in Financial Services from the University of the West of England Bristol & Certificate in Banking from the Chartered Institute of Bankers – UK. Lowani, prides herself in being a strong advocate of leading by coaching, mentoring and in having strong customer relationship skills.The Chamber delights in having Lowani serve in this capacity.

KACHIZA KWENDA – VICE PRESIDENT

Kachiza Kwenda is an accomplished Finance and Investments professional with over 15 years of experience in Audit, Financial Analysis, Risk and Compliance, Training and Administration, garnered from institutions such as KPMG, (South Africa & Zambia), Lawrence Sikutwa and Associates, Zanaco Plc and Professional Life Assurance. He was part of the team that spearheaded the successful transition and re-brand from Professional Life Assurance to Prudential Life Zambia.

In his 7-year journey heading Internal audit, Risk and compliance, as Chief Financial Officer and current Chief Executive Officer for Prudential Life Assurance Zambia, he has successfully led the business from 4th in the market to one of the preferred and leading employers and insurance service providers in Zambia, through meticulous planning, implementation, management of projects and structure setup, in the company, including business planning, budgeting, forecasting and negotiations.

Kachiza believes in a growth as you work leadership style, mentoring: providing leadership, direction, management advice and strategic insight, creating an environment that allows people to flourish, through an open-door policy.


YOSA YOSA – BOARD SECRETARY

Yosa Yosa is a professional lawyer who holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Zambia and a professional law practicing qualification from Zambia Institute of Advanced Legal Education (ZIALE).

He is a Partner at MAY & Company. He worked as a Senior Associate of the same firm from 2016 to 2020 before becoming a Partner. He has also held several positions under Simeza Sangwa & Associates namely; Legal Assistant, Associate and Senior Associate between 2012 and 2016.

Yosa is a member of the Law Association of Zambia. His areas of expertise include: Litigation, Corporate & Commercial, Domestic Relations and Commercial Arbitration.

YANDE MWENYE – TREASURER

Yande is currently the Managing Partner of Crowe Horwath Welsa Accountants Zambia Limited. (Crowe Zambia) having assumed this role in January 2020. Crowe Zambia is a full service audit firm that is ranked 10th largest audit firm in the world. Her work experience has been spent in one of the top 8 tier audit firms. She currently serves on the board of First National Bank (FNB), is a Commissioner for Oaths in Zambia having been appointed in July 2010 and served as an executive member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) in 2014 to 2015, Zambia Network Panel. She has over 21 years’ professional work experience that spans over three continents having worked in Europe in Norway, and the British Channel Islands, Australia and Africa in Zambia. The Chamber is privileged to have Yande on board.


ROY MUYELU
 – BOARD MEMBER

Roy Muyelu is a visionary leader and trusted advisor who brings a unique perspective to the board of the American Chamber of Commerce in Zambia. As the CEO and entrepreneur of Probase Limited, a reputable regional FinTech and ICT services company, Roy has successfully driven unparalleled growth and recognition for the organization. With a deep understanding of emerging technologies, Roy has consistently demonstrated his ability to adapt and innovate in the ever-evolving fintech space.

Roy actively contributes to industry associations and community initiatives, sharing his expertise to drive positive change and empower businesses through fintech solutions. His strategic mindset and astute business acumen have allowed Probase Limited to establish strong partnerships with leading financial institutions, bridging the gap between traditional banking practices and cutting-edge fintech solutions.

Currently serving as the Chairperson for the Payments Association of Zambia and a board member of the United Africa Blockchain Association (UABA), Roy’s addition to the Board of the American Chamber of Commerce further enhances its strategic objectives.

JOHN STEPHANOS SAMARAS – BOARD MEMBER

John is a resourceful and accomplished individual with vast experience in Innovation,trade & commerce, agriculture, legal, entrepreneurship, energy and finance and Technology. He has founded and established 13 thriving companies among which is Sampay, a fully licensed Online Payment platform by Bank of Zambia developed from JS’s Vision to be the Google of Online Transactions. The Chamber is delighted to have John as a board member and values his contribution to the sustainability of the vision.

CHAMA NKANDU – BOARD MEMBER

Chama Nkandu is the Country Manager at Baker Tilly Chartered Accountants (Zambia) which is a member of Baker Tilly Central Africa, a network member of Baker Tilly International.

She oversees the operations of the company, business growth and strategy implementation.

She is a Member of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and Associate Member of the Zambia Institute of Chartered Accountants (ZICA) where she also served as a member of the constitution review committee representing Members in Practice.

Chama has over 7 years of experience in auditing various companies and organizations in different sectors of the industry. Her position gives her the opportunity to work with clients in different sectors and countries.

She brings to AmCham an understanding of the business environment, growth and networking.

GODFREY TENESI – BOARD MEMBER

Godfrey is currently the Chief Commercial officer, for Sanlam Life Insurance Zambia (A leading Life Insurance Company in Zambia by Market Share and Capital Base) has been at the helm of the company for the last 5 years with 18 months spent in the Chief Executive position. During the short stint as an Acting CEO, he led a turnaround team that saw the organization moving from Loss to Profit making position in 2019.
He is an experienced and strategic business development executive with a demonstrated history of working in the insurance industry for over 30 years. He is also skilled in business planning, risk management, product design, Sales and Entrepreneurship.

Godfrey is a valuable resource, his wealth of experience and knowledge is of importance in the strategic growth of the Chamber. 

CHIPEGO ZULU CHILESHE – BOARD MEMBER

Chipego Zulu-Chileshe is an International Trade Policy and Trade Law expert, currently serving as the Head of Legal and External Affairs at British American Tobacco Zambia Plc a leading multicategory business where she oversees matters pertaining to government, regulatory and corporate affairs, company secretarial and legal compliance with applicable laws. Her previous roles have included; the Chief Executive Officer of the Zambia Association of Manufacturers (ZAM), coordinating the Regional Network of Agricultural Policy Research Institutes in East and Southern Africa (ReNAPRI) and as Policy Analyst (ZAM). She is currently serving as the Vice President/Chairperson of ZAM and serves on the Boards of Madison General Insurance Company Limited (MGen), the Higher Education Authority (HEA), and is her final year of tenure on the Board of the Zambia Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ZACCI). She is an award-winning Director with professional membership to the Institute of Directors (IoDZ) where she received recognition for her contribution to the practice of Corporate Governance as the Institutes first recipient of the Sombo Muzata Rising Star Award. She has served on various national technical committees, working groups, and Boards providing input on issues pertaining to the sustainable national development, the promotion of and development of commerce, and advocating for membership interests and visibility.