Meet Our Team
Driven by a shared commitment to empowering African organizations, Lizz and Banele bring a unique blend of experience, passion, and expertise.
Lizz Mhangami
Elizabeth Mhangami, known as Lizz, is a nonprofit professional with nearly 20 years of experience in resource mobilization, program design, and strategic partnership management, particularly focused on Africa. Originally from Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and now based in Chicago, Lizz has worked across various sectors, including sustainable development, youth empowerment, and gender equality.
As the founder and former Executive Director of Vanavevhu - Children of the Soil, a youth-led social enterprise in Zimbabwe, Lizz supported local youth communities in building sustainable programs and creating lasting impact. She also served as Director of Advancement at Waterford Kamhlaba, UWCSA, in Eswatini and Director of Major Gifts at Mikva Challenge in Chicago, where she led efforts to strengthen external relations and enhance fundraising capacity.
Lizz is particularly interested in how African nonprofits can engage with high-net-worth individuals and foundations in the US to build meaningful, long-term partnerships. She specializes in individual giving, major gifts strategy, and board engagement, and has helped organizations design fundraising programs that align with their mission and goals.
With a collaborative leadership style and a focus on practical solutions, Lizz is committed to fostering connections between African nonprofits and international donors, and believes in the potential of philanthropy to create lasting social change.
Banele Nkambule
Banele Nkambule is a seasoned fundraising consultant with over a decade of experience in philanthropy, specializing in donor analytics, strategic donor relations, and innovative fundraising techniques such as design thinking. He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from Colorado College, USA, and a Fundraising Specialization from the University of California, Davis. This blend of academic rigor and hands-on expertise allows him to craft compelling cases for support that resonate with donor interests and align with organizational goals.
With a strong commitment to educational equity and economic empowerment, Banele has dedicated over eight years to expanding access to education and building capacity in diverse communities. His global fundraising experience spans Europe, Asia, North America, and Africa, where he has successfully developed winning proposals for international donors. He has held significant roles at prestigious institutions, including Donor Relations Manager at Waterford Kamhlaba UWCSA, Fundraising Coordinator at Amala Education in the UK, and Fundraising Lead for Govuka, a 501(c)(3) NGO.
Banele's expertise goes beyond traditional fundraising. By incorporating design thinking into his strategy, he creates innovative value propositions and tailored solutions that benefit both donors and beneficiaries. His strength in donor cultivation and event management ensures the successful design and execution of high-impact projects.