The Team

We are a global team with strong values. We believe in treating every person with respect and dignity and see education as fundamental for individuals to live empowering and prosperous lives.

Our core values and principles include respecting cultures, customs and traditions of all people and always striving to behave in a culturally appropriate manner.

To have fundamental respect for human rights as per the UN Charter on Human Rights and zero tolerance for any forms of sexual misconduct.

We have zero tolerance for any form of fraud, corruption or embezzlement of Kwera resources (material or financial).

Read our full Code of Conduct here.

Staff & Volunteers

Jimmy Scavenius

Founder and CEO

In 2015, Jimmy gave up his job as a corporate finance lawyer, sold all his belongings and moved to Malawi. In founding Kwera, he has committed his life to ensure more young people become highly educated and skilled, and ultimately help them transform lives in their communities.

Chimwemwe Kamwendo

Chief Operating Officer

Chimwemwe began her career as a teacher and has since worked in government, civil society and the private sector. Chimwemwe passionate about education and her aim is to inspire other people to realise the great potential within them.

Louise Kofod Thomsen

Head of Impact

Louise is an experienced sustainability practitioner advising organisations on how to be better contributors to society. Louise is excited about heading Kwera's communication efforts and building strong awareness about higher education.

Lodovica Tranchini

Head of Business Development

Lodovica works in NGO project management and started her career in Malawi, where she left her heart. She is passionate about helping young people reach their full potential and working to provide opportunities for others.

Anders Bruun

Chief Financial Officer

Anders has 23 years of experience from the largest danish labour market pension fund (PensionDanmark) as a CFO. Before that Anders worked as a CPA (Certified Public Accountant) in Deloitte, Copenhagen.

Renata Pinheiro

Head of Marketing

Renata is a business executive with 20+ years of experience with a passion for strategic value creation through brand-building concepts. Expertise in the areas of marketing, corporate communications, public relations, branding, creative campaigns, strategy and management.

Kaare Damgaard

Head of Strategy

Kaare is an independent strategy and M&A advisor with more than 15 years of strategy consulting experience from both global consulting companies as well as corporate positions. Kaare provides support in relation to strategy, business development and fundraising.

Paula Barbosa Rodrigues

Legal Manager

Paula is a Brazilian attorney-at-law. Coming from a developing country herself, she knows that having higher education and the right soft skills are essential for achieving one's dreams in an environment with limited possibilities.

Richard Makala

Project Manager

Richard is passionate about social media and working with young people to help them realise their potential. In line with his studies he is also aiming to be part of the change in wildlife conservation.

Lars Bjørn Houlind

Financial Advisor

Lars is an independent executive advisor with extensive experience within mergers & acquisitions, divestitures, investments, and finance. He provides financial advisory services relating to fundraising and other financial matters for Kwera.

Tendai Banda

Learning Advisor

Tendai has over 5 years’ experience in youth development. She believes that youth are the leaders of today and supports students at Kwera to navigate their studies and plan for a productive life after university.

Meta de Boer

Learning Partner

Meta is an organisational consultant and executive coach. At Kwera she contributes to the development of the skills programme, where she combines her love for learning, education and Africa with her belief in global equality.

Sophie Coughlan

Learning Partner

Sophie is a freelance coach and learning professional. Convinced of the power of education for personal and societal transformation, Sophie works with a team of learning advisors to develop and deliver Kwera’s skills programme.

Chimwemwe John Paul Manyozo

Learning Advisor

Chimwemwe is a PhD Student in Developmental and Education Psychology at Central China Normal University. He is passionate about supporting young people to achieve their dreams.

Natalia Gorzov

Learning Advisor

Currently, Natalia is pursuing an MBA at University of St Gallen, previously she worked in marketing and sales. She is a firm believer that good education is a great start to the life of your dreams.

Cigdem Cam

Design Manager

Cigdem is an experienced graphic designer. She has worked over three years in various fields of design. As she grows in her career, she applies her design skills to develop strong design process. She is a passionate designer with experience in book, editorial, and digital design.

Esther Yolamu

Financial Associate

Esther is a holder of an accounting degree. She is passionately dedicated to breaking barriers that hinder education and to inspiring and guiding the young minds of Malawi.

Emmanuel Wellman Banda

Learning Advisor

Emmanuel is a Social Scientist, with a specialty in Economics and Public Administration. He is passionate about Youth Development. He values justice and equality for all and strives toward helping the youth realize and capitalize on their potential, for the eventual development of their societies.

Vera Seriese

Director Alumni Relations

With a diverse background in creative partnerships, event management and fundraising spanning sectors such as healthcare, entertainment, and education, Vera is dedicated to establishing a strong and sustainable alumni community for Kwera. She firmly believes that fostering a sense of belonging is essential for success.

Boards

Niklas Korsgaard Christensen

Chairman, Denmark

Niklas is a lawyer by training and has since 2004
 worked as a lawyer for Plesner where he 
is now managing partner and vice chairman of the board
 of the firm.

Lykke Ogstrup Lunde

Board member, Denmark

Lykke is an experienced reporter specialised in asset management, impact and sustainability investments. She is also chairperson of Velux Stiftung (Switzerland) and Velux Foundation (Denmark). Lykke’s background brings important insights to Kwera’s board.

Thomas Kvorning

Board member, Denmark

Thomas is a former partner at Altor, a private equity firm focusing on leveraged buyout and growth capital investments in primarily Northern Europe. Thomas is now in the process of setting up his own family office, which will also have a focus on impact investments.

Shawo Mwakilama

Board member, Malawi

Shawo is an experienced development practitioner with more than 13 years of experience. He holds a Ph.D. in Development Studies and has worked in consulting and research assignments for local and international organisations in Malawi.

Norah Siame-Nsanja

Board member, Malawi

Norah is a chartered governance professional and a seasoned legal practitioner with abundant banking experience. She currently works for Standard Bank Plc. Malawi as the Head of Legal and Company Secretary.

James Zinyama Phiri

Board member, Malawi

James is an organisational and social development expert. He was born in a village with no education facilities but went on to attain a Master’s. James passionately believes that children must have opportunities for education.

Colette Thornicroft

Board member, Malawi

Colette is Special Assistant on International Relations to the President of the Republic of Malawi where she has worked on projects for the President of Malawi in his capacity as an Education Champion.

“After graduating I look forward to starting my career, to simply not making a living but a difference as a medical laboratory scientist. Challenging myself to be the best in my career I can be, and contribute positively to the health sector in our country.”

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