Pan-African executive and women’s economic advancement champion to lead the Trust into its next chapter.

The Graça Machel Trust today announced the appointment of Ms Shiphra Chisha as its new Chief Executive Officer, effective 1 July 2026. A distinguished Pan-African executive, entrepreneur, and economic transformation expert with more than two decades of experience, Ms Chisha has served as the Trust’s Director of Programmes and was appointed following a deliberate and thorough process led by the Trust’s Board of Trustees.

Ms Chisha brings to the role deep institutional knowledge of the Trust’s work alongside a formidable external profile. She is the President and Co-Founder of African Women in Business, a Pan-African organisation representing women entrepreneurs across the SADC region, and she currently serves on the AfCFTA Private Sector Platform Leadership Board, representing the Graça Machel Trust – ensuring women’s economic interests are reflected in Africa’s continental trade agenda. Her appointment marks both a continuation of the Trust’s mission and a significant strengthening of its leadership capacity.

“Shiphra has been a steadfast part of this institution. She understands our work, our communities, and she carries the same fire that drives everything we do. I have every confidence in her leadership, and I look forward to seeing her take the Trust forward into its next chapter.”

– Mrs. Graça Machel, Founder, Graça Machel Trust

Shiphra Chisha, pictured with regional women leaders, entrepreneurs and partners at the Women Creating Wealth Entrepreneurs Summit. From left: Dr Theopista Ntale of NFNV Uganda; Dr Graça Malindi of NABW Malawi; Gisèle Yitamben of NFNV Cameroon; Andia Chakava, Managing Partner at Afrishela (Kenya); Aishatu Aminu of NFNV Nigeria; Dr Tukiya Kankasa-Mabula, outgoing Chairperson of the GMT Expert Leaders Group in Zambia; Penny Mapoma of NFNV Zambia; Aishah Ahmad of the Expert Leaders Group in Nigeria; Emma Kawawa of NFNV Tanzania; Korkor Cudjoe, Entrepreneurship Programme Manager at GMT; and Maureen Sumbwe, Chair of ZFWEB and COMFWB in Zambia.

At the Graça Machel Trust, Ms Chisha has been central to strengthening the national and sectoral networks, women’s economic and financial inclusion programmes, and the Pan-African Adolescent Girls’ Movement.

Beyond the Trust, her career spans transformative work with mining corporations, governments, financial institutions, and development stakeholders across the continent. She was instrumental in implementing the work of the  Anglo American Inyosi Coal Community Development Trust, the Hernic Tshwaranang Community Development Trust, and previously served as Chief Executive Officer of the Sishen Iron Ore Mine Community Trust and Global Executive Head of the BRICS Institute. She holds an MBA, a Bachelor of Commerce in Economics from the University of Johannesburg, and has completed the Strategic Leadership Programme at GIBS and the BRICS China Executive Leadership Development Programme.

“I am deeply honoured by the trust placed in me by the Board and by Mrs Machel. The Graça Machel Trust exists to change the conditions of women’s and girls’ lives across our continent and that is a responsibility I carry with great seriousness and with great joy. I look forward to working with our teams, our partners, and our communities as we build on the strong foundation we have together.”

– Ms. Shiphra Chisha, Chief Executive Officer, Graça Machel Trust

 

The Graça Machel Trust leadership team at the 2025 Women Creating Wealth Summit. Standing, from left: Theresia Njeri, Chief Finance Officer; Shiphra Chisha; Andia Chakava, Managing Partner at Afrishela; and Korkor Cudjoe, Senior Entrepreneurship Programme Manager. Seated, from left: Christina Jansen, People and Culture Manager; Theo Sowa, outgoing Interim CEO and Trustee; H.E. Graça Machel, Founder; and Leila Akahloun, Senior Advisor to H.E. Graça Machel.

The Board also extended its sincere gratitude to Ms Theo Sowa, founding Board member and Interim CEO, for her exceptional leadership and steady stewardship of the Trust during this interim period and her ongoing support of this transition.

“I have had the genuine privilege of working alongside Shiphra, and I want to say clearly: this is not a transition that requires reassurance. The Trust is in excellent hands. I have seen how she thinks, how she leads, and how she shows up for the women and communities this institution exists to serve. She does not need to step into this role and prove herself – she has already done that, many times over. I remain deeply committed to GMT as a Board member, and I look forward to continuing to contribute to a mission that matters more now than ever.”

– Ms. Theo Sowa, Board Member & Outgoing Interim CEO, Graça Machel Trust

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For media inquiries, contact: communications@gracamacheltrust.org