Staff
Niamani Mutima – Executive Director
Throughout her career, Niamani has developed a reputation for her skill in connecting people and ideas.
She joined AGAG in 2001 and has guided its evolution from an idea to a vibrant network, working in partnership with the Steering Committee, members, and other colleagues working at the intersection of philanthropy and Africa.
Before joining AGAG Niamani worked with the Africa-American Institute (AAI) in various departments and programs. As part of the Office of the Corporate Secretary she worked with the Board of Trustees. As part of the Conference Program staff, she organized domestic and international conferences on topics ranging from media, trade and economic development to gender, education, and international policy issues.
As Director of Field Services for the USAID African Leadership and Advanced Skills project, Niamani managed a grants programs for African-based organizations and promoted networking among African professionals working across the continent in different sectors. She was editor of two project newsletters and numerous reports. In her extensive travel throughout Africa, Niamani worked with stakeholders ranging from government and university officials to international NGOs and civil society organizations. Central to her work is a commitment to connecting people with common interests to learn from each other.
Niamani has a bachelor’s degree in Anthropology from Princeton University and a master’s degree in Philanthropic Studies from Indiana University Lilly Family School of Philanthropy.
Steering Committee – 2024
Respected members of the philanthropy community volunteer their expertise and leadership as members of the Steering Committee. They serve as ambassadors and collaborate with the staff in achieving the mission of the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group.
Nyeleti Honwana, Program Officer
Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation
Nyeleti has been a Program Officer at the Harry Frank Guggenheim Foundation since August 2015, having completed an M.A. in International Relations from Boston University. Ms. Honwana hails from Mozambique and is a self-proclaimed “suitcase kid” having grown up in South Africa, Senegal, England, and the US. She received the Herman Eilts Thesis Award for best graduate thesis for her dissertation, titled ‘Social Movements in Africa: Mozambique and Civil Disorder,’ which examined the role of the state in mitigating the effect of popular protests in Mozambique.
Yvonne L. Moore, Founder and Managing Director,
Moore Philanthropy
Yvonne L. Moore is the Founder and Managing Director at Moore Philanthropy, and President of partner organization, Moore Impact. She brings over 25 years of experience in the government, civil society, and philanthropic sectors to her work in providing strategic and tailored philanthropic advisement and solutions to families, individuals, and institutions.
Vuyiswa Sidzumo, Regional Director
Office of Southern Africa, Ford Foundation
Vuyiswa is the Regional Director for Southern Africa of the Ford Foundation South Africa Office. Before joining Ford, she served as the Director of the Mott Foundation Office in South Africa. Her prior positions include serving as a director at the then National Department of Provincial and Local Government (now Cooperative Governance and Traditional Affairs), where she served as liaison to the donor community in South Africa. Between 1995 and 2002, she worked at the Sedibeng Centre for Organizational Effectiveness and the United Nations Development Programme. Sidzumo holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Science from Wits University in South Africa.
ADDING VALUE TO PHILANTHROPY TO AFRICA
Why the Africa Grantmakers’ Affinity Group?
We believe that a strong network of informed and connected funders is a necessary ingredient for robust, effective and responsive philanthropy to benefit African communities.
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