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Trustees

Mary Kaphweleza Banda, Malawian. An MP and Minister for HIV & AIDS in Malawi since July 1999, Mary is well known for mobilising men and women to form groups in order to participate in the ongoing self help schemes in her constituency. She is also a member of the National Commission of Women in Development and the ministerial focal point for gender in Southern Africa Development Community. Joined ActionAid Board in 2001, and Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

Ken Burnett, British. Founder of Burnett Associates, an advertising, marketing and publication agency specialising in donor communications and development. A member of the Board of the International Fundraising Group and a former vice-chairman of the Institute of Charity Fundraising Managers, he is author of 'Relationship Fundraising' and other books. UK Director of ActionAid 1977-80, and Director of ActionAid's fundraising and communications departments 1980-1982. Joined ActionAid board in 1995 and became Chair of the Board in July 1998. Joined Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

Patrick Dowling, Irish. Chairman of ActionAid Ireland. Career mainly in banking and finance. Has been Finance Director of a number of public limited companies and is presently a director of Waterford Crystal Limited and Group Secretary of Waterford Wedgwood plc. Joined Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

Candido Grzybowski, Brazilian. General Director of the Brazilian Institute of Social and Economical Analysis (IBASE), an internationally well-known and respected non-governmental organisation in Brazil. Candido was involved in the creation of the Inter-American Agriculture and Democracy Network (RIAD) and the World Social Forum and participated in civil society processes with GATT and the constitution of the World Trade Organisation. Joined the ActionAid Board in 2001, and the Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

Noerine Kaleeba, (Chair) Ugandan. Community mobilisation adviser for the Joint United Nations programme on HIV & AIDS (UNAIDS). A charismatic leader with extensive capacity to mobilise communities from local to international levels, she is totally committed to the vision of a future world without AIDS, based on personal experience of AIDS in the family. Also dedicated to the emancipation of women in partnership with men. Recently awarded an honorary doctorate by Nkumba University of Social Sciences in Uganda. Joined ActionAid Board in 1999, and became Chair of the Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

Roberto Kishinami, Brazilian. Executive Director of Greenpeace Brazil from September 1994 to March 2001. Founding member of Partido dos Trabalhadores (Workers' Party), in 1980. Partner of NRG Ltd, an energy and environment consultancy company based in Brazil. Joined ActionAid Brasil Board in 2001, and the Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

Janie Ligon, American. A management consultant and formerly a senior manager at Levi Strauss & Co with global responsibility in marketing, finance, sales and sourcing. Serves on the Boards of other UK and US non-profit, educational and business organisations. Joined ActionAid Board in 2001, and the Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

Diego Masi, Italian. Founder and currently president of the first, and now leading, promotion marketing agency in Italy. Diego is closely involved in politics - he was elected as town hall member of Milan for 5 years (1985-1990) and as a member of the Italian National Parliament in 1994. He has also written extensively on politics. Joined the Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

Alexandra Mitsotaki, Greek. Alexandra studied Political Sciences at the Institute of Political Sciences in Paris, and went on to study Development Law before working for the OECD. She helped establish ActionAid Hellas in 1998, and joined the Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

M. Ramaswami (Ramu), Indian. A technology and operations banking professional with extensive experience in information technology development and banking operations in an international environment, he has worked in India, Hong Kong, Singapore, London and New York. His strong background in the IT sector he will give ActionAid valuable support in this area. Joined the ActionAid board in December 1999, and the Board of ActionAid International in 2003.

International management team

  • Chief Executive
    Ramesh Singh
  • Regional Director, Africa
    Alegresia Akwi Ogojo
  • Regional Director, Asia
    John Samuel
  • Regional Director, Americas
    Adriano Campolina de Soares
  • UK Director
    Richard Miller
  • Italy Director
    Marco de Ponte
  • Policy Director
    Koy Thompson
  • Finance Director
    Nigel Saxby-Soffe

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