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.
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.
