Continuing a legacy of bold leadership at Mama Cash 

Mama Cash’s Supervisory Board is delighted to announce that Happy Mwende Kinyili has officially taken on the role of Executive Director. They have been Co-Executive Director over the past three years, alongside Saranel Benjamin until her departure in August 2025. This decision follows a Supervisory Board review of Mama Cash’s leadership model after having a co-ED structure for three years.   

We thank Happy for their vision and commitment. Each and every executive leader in Mama Cash’s history has heralded a new era of renewed vigour, adaptation, and strategy shits, often in difficult and urgent contexts. Happy’s ongoing leadership has instilled deep confidence in us that Mama Cash will face the complexity of our time with creativity, brilliance, and excitement, even around challenges. 

‘I step into this role with a deep sense of honour, alongside both excitement and humility. I stand on the shoulders of brave and bold feminists who have shaped an extraordinary path for this organisation, and I carry that legacy forward with deep respect. Our vision and mandate remain clear, and our direction steadfast – particularly in a moment when the how of our work is more critical than ever. With the strength of an incredible team and a committed board, I’m confident we will meet this moment with purpose, courage, and care.’
– Happy Mwende Kinyili, Executive Director

Mama Cash stays committed to feminist principles of shared leadership at every level of our organisation, not just at the Executive Director level. We do this through deliberate choices, strong systems, and ongoing investment in time, reflection, and resources.  

On behalf of the Supervisory Board,
Oriana Lopez Uribe & Sara Vida Coumans (Co-Chairs)