In Her Words
Conversations with women leading development in Zambia
USAID’s mission in Zambia is at a unique moment in time with a significant number of women serving in leadership positions and directing the work that has immediate impact on the lives of people in the country.
We reached out to a cadre of women who are on the frontlines and asked them to speak about their professional journeys to help encourage the continued diversity of future leaders in the development arena and to generate a deeper understanding that expertise, leadership, innovation, and passion are gender-neutral principles.
“So much progress has been made; it is worth noting and celebrating that. It underscores the importance of continuing to meaningfully contribute, individually and collectively, to a world where diversity, equity and inclusiveness are valued, championed and celebrated, including in the boardroom.”
Dr. Muka Chikuba-McLeod serves as the project director for the JSI Research & Training Institute Inc., and implements the USAID DISCOVER-Health Project that supports health service delivery programs in Zambia.
“I started my career working as a medical doctor, with a patient or client in front of me, face-to-face, depending on me to deliver my absolute best to help address their needs,” says the physician with degrees from the University of Zambia and Harvard University. “Even as I expanded my sphere of work into public health working for the greater good, I never lost the ability to see the face, the human being, at the receiving end of what I do every day.”
When asked if the fact that one is a woman or young still matters in this line of work, Muka said it does, but less so than it did 30 years ago. “So much progress has been made; it is worth noting and celebrating that. It underscores the importance of continuing to meaningfully contribute, individually and collectively, to a world where diversity, equity and inclusiveness are valued, championed and celebrated, including in the boardroom.”
“I doubted many times that I would survive in this field, but it was because of other women, many of whom are women of color, who didn’t ask or expect me to change that I have had staying power all this time.”
Dwan Dixon has over 20 years of international development experience, managing and supporting large, complex USAID-funded programs. As chief of party for the USAID Supporting and AIDS Free ERA (SAFE) Project, she provides overall strategic leadership and oversight for the USAID-funded program and ensures comprehensive HIV treatment for over 300,000 individuals.
“I doubted many times that I would survive in this field, but it was because of other women, many of whom are women of color, who didn’t ask or expect me to change that I have had staying power all this time,” says Dwan. “When others were dismissive, or supportive but not yet ready to extend a hand, these women not only stood up for me but paved a bit of the way before me to grow. They acknowledged my work and supported my potential, they were the ones who extended me a helping hand and made space for me.”
“I am driven by challenges. I thrive on learning about tough challenges and then working to identify and implement solutions.”
“The children’s knowledge of climate change and how it presents itself in our communities blew me away. Not only were they engaged, but they could also relate it to events in Zambia.”
Catherine Picard and Moliehi Shale are members of the leadership team for the USAID/Zambia Alternatives to Charcoal Project, which represents a planned U.S. Government five-year investment to help reduce deforestation and forest degradation related to the production of charcoal in Zambia. This project takes a market-driven approach to this challenge by catalyzing a shift in urban household cooking away from charcoal towards private sector-led low emissions technologies and fuels.
Catherine, who serves as chief of party for the project, with over 20 years of experience in international development, notes: “I am driven by challenges. I thrive on learning about tough challenges and then working to identify and implement solutions. Whether I am working to address conflict diamonds or Zambia’s consumption of charcoal I believe positive and sustained change is possible.”
Moliehi, a climate change research and development professional with more than 10 years of experience in the sector, serves as the private sector engagement coordinator for the project.
Recounting a memorable experience during her career she said: “About a year ago I was invited to my son’s first-grade class to talk about what I do. I wanted to describe climate change and its effects on the African continent and the role of research in identifying and responding to our unique challenges. The children’s knowledge of climate change and how it presents itself in our communities blew me away. Not only were they engaged, but they could also relate it to events in Zambia.”
“To young people, my advice is please be patient with yourselves. It takes time to become good at what you do and build credibility in an industry. You will eventually get there if you stay consistent.”
The chief of party for the USAID Accountable Governance for Improved Service Delivery Project, Maureen Simuyandi is an international development professional with 20 years of experience managing projects funded by USAID, the Global Fund, the UK Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office, and the Denmark development cooperation.
“I wanted to work in a sector that would accord me an opportunity to do meaningful work where I could contribute towards improving the lives of people,” says Maureen. “I knew that I could contribute in improving their lives especially in the areas of health, education, economics and democracy as strengthened systems in these areas would lead to greater opportunities for them.”
USAID is committed to a diverse, equitable, inclusive workplace where everyone has an opportunity to thrive. We invite you to read the full conversations with these and other remarkable women at USAID.gov/Zambia — In Her Words.
About the Author
Chando Mapoma is the Senior Development Outreach and Communications Officer at USAID’s Mission in Zambia.
