co-CEO

Lucy Minayo is a human rights lawyer with over two decades of experience in the development sector. Before joining AMPLIFY Girls, she was the Executive Director of NurtureFirst, a global funder and capacity builder focused on building systems that support home-based childcare providers, whose set-up and launch she successfully led. Under her leadership, NurtureFirst established itself as a thought leader in building childcare systems that recognize the service as a public good and a human right. Throughout her career, Lucy has built vast networks that have been instrumental in her work with international, regional and national organizations. She has established and nurtured functional networks on sexual and reproductive rights and implemented advocacy strategies with strategic partners in the African Union. She is well-versed in organizational capacity strengthening and has a track record of leading efforts to enhance the ability of proximate leaders and their organizations to access resources and critical decision-making spaces. A passionate advocate for the rights of women and girls, Lucy believes in development that is localized and in touch with the needs and priorities of communities. 

co-CEO

A nonprofit professional with substantial on-the-ground focus, Zack has experience with gender, health, and education initiatives across four different continents. He has been a fan of AMPLIFY Girls ever since he participated in the first full partner gathering in Rwanda in 2018. He is the former Executive Director of WISER International, an organization that Zack worked with for over 10 cumulative years, supporting its efforts in girls' education in Kenya. Beyond the international space, Zack is the youngest-ever board member for the NC School of Science and Mathematics (NCSSM) Foundation, where he advises on strategy and development. Zack holds degrees in Global Health and Cultural Anthropology from Duke University as well as a post-baccalaureate certificate in Nonprofit Management. He is a former Benjamin N. Duke Scholar, a recipient of the Paul Farmer Award for Justice and Social Responsibility, and a recipient of NCSSM’s Maius Opus Moveo Young Alumni Award. He lives in Washington, DC with his partner of 10 years, Madelaine, and his at-home coworker, Gimli the chihuahua.

Director of Partner Learning

Winnie Nyabenge, MPH, is a public health and organization development professional with over a decade of experience in the social impact space. She has extensive experience in health, gender, education, and livelihood Project design, Implementation, Management, Monitoring and Evaluation, and Advocacy. She has worked with rural, urban, and refugee communities and supported local organizations in Africa in organization development including program design and management. She is PRINCE 2(Foundation and Practitioner) certified, a YALI, Common Purpose, and Acumen Fellow. Winnie is passionate about the empowerment of girls and young women and she brings to AMPLIFY Girls over a decade of experience working with and supporting local organizations in advancing the rights of girls and women in East Africa.

Director of Research and Evidence

Asimwe is passionate about championing children's rights to education, health, and love among many. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Project Planning, Management, and Community Development from Dodoma University. Her practical work experience includes working with the street involving children, youth, and adolescent girls with 7+ years of experience in overseeing program and research activities implementation.

She was previously the Director of Programs at the Girls Livelihood and Mentorship Initiative (GLAMI). Aside from her career background, Asimwe enjoys progressive learning by sharing and listening to understand.

Partner Resource Director

Anthony Wafula brings to the network over 20 years of expertise in international development with extensive experience in global business development, grants management, strategic planning, organizational leadership, program design and management, advocacy, journalism, research, monitoring, and evaluation.

Anthony is passionate about creating sustainable impact and his career has been defined by a commitment to delivering results that align with the needs of communities and the goals of the organizations he serves. He has had the privilege of championing initiatives that advance civic rights, gender equality, diversity, and inclusion, all while fostering meaningful partnerships to drive social change in over 20 countries across the world.

Beyond work, Anthony is an avid hiker, an aspiring marathoner, a fitness enthusiast, a dedicated Rotarian, and a lifelong learner who loves pushing boundaries and testing limits.

Development and Operations Manager

Staci is a dedicated nonprofit fundraising professional who loves connecting people to charitable causes they find meaningful. She joined AMPLIFY Girls in February of 2023, bringing over 8 years of fundraising experience from the nonprofit sector. Her previous roles include serving as Development Manager for Innovations for Poverty Action, an international nonprofit working to alleviate global poverty. Staci has an academic background in the social sciences and the law and holds degrees from Smith College, Columbia University, and the University of Washington. She lives outside of Phoenix, AZ, with her husband, two young sons, and two Labrador retrievers.

Communications Manager

Salim Segawa, ACIM, is a marketing communications professional with over 8 years of experience in the field of Digital Media & Communication. He has honed his expertise in marketing and communication working across different verticals including FMCG, social enterprises, not-for-profit organizations, and broadcast media.

Communications Officer

Purity Kemei is a passionate Media and Communications specialist with experience in Digital Communications and Strategy Development and holds a Bachelors's Degree in Journalism and Mass Communication from Kibabii University. Purity is passionate about Digital Storytelling for Impact and leveraging the digital space to communicate the need for empowerment among adolescent girls and young women while highlighting the inequalities they face in rural and marginalized communities.

RCT Coordinator

Aikande has joined AMPLIFY Girls` team as the RCT Coordinator of The Binti Shupavu Study that is aimed at evaluating the impact of developing adolescent girls’ agency and other soft skills on educational outcomes over 4 years in Morogoro.

Previously, Aikande was the Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL) Coordinator at GLAMI, where she oversaw the effective execution of MEL activities within three regions. She holds a Master's Degree in Monitoring and Evaluation from The Open University of Tanzania. Since 2020, Aikande has worked alongside various education and health program consultants, helping organizations utilize data for learning through Research & MEL services and enhanced program improvement.

Beyond her professional life, Aikande enjoys listening to podcasts, reading, watching shows, and traveling.

Partner Learning Associate

Gloria is passionate about supporting marginalized communities particularly rural girls and women through mentorship and capacity development. She strongly advocates for designing and implementing evidence-based initiatives that foster accountability and collaboration among different stakeholders to build inclusive communities that are more agile and fit for the future, while promoting sustainable change.
Gloria has a bachelor’s degree in counseling psychology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Management Organizational Development at the United States International University-Africa.