Our Team
AGCIH is led by a Founder & Executive Director and guided by an independent Board of Trustees providing strategic direction and fiduciary oversight across governance, gender equality, digital transformation, and public-sector innovation.
To understand how the Board functions and the principles that guide our work, read our Governance & Board Charter.
Leadership
The Office of the Executive Director provides overall strategic leadership for AGCIH.
Danai Hazel Kudya
Founder & Executive Director – Africa Governance & Civic Innovation Hub (AGCIH)
Danai Hazel Kudya is a governance and rule of law specialist with more than 15 years’ experience supporting institutional strengthening, accountability, and public-interest governance in Zimbabwe and across Africa. Her work has spanned independent commissions, UN entities, and civil society, including leadership of complex multi-stakeholder programmes in demanding political and operational environments.
At AGCIH, she provides strategic leadership grounded in governance discipline and implementation experience, applying long-standing expertise in public law, institutional accountability, and governance reform to high-impact digital and AI-enabled public systems. Her focus is practical: strengthening mandates, oversight pathways, and governance readiness so institutions can move from ambition to responsible, trusted implementation.
Board of Trustees
The Board of Trustees provides independent oversight and strategic guidance, ensuring that AGCIH’s work remains rooted in strong governance, inclusion, ethics, and public interest outcomes.
Ms. Shimtah Atipa Nembaware
Trustee – Gender, Inclusion & Equity
Manager, Complaints Handling & Investigations – Zimbabwe Gender Commission
Ms. Shimtah Atipa Nembaware is an experienced gender equality and human rights practitioner with over a decade of work spanning investigations, community programming, and rights-based institutional response. She currently serves as Manager, Complaints Handling & Investigations at the Zimbabwe Gender Commission, supporting national efforts to strengthen prevention, redress, and institutional accountability relating to gender-based harms, including those arising in digital environments.
Within AGCIH, she provides strategic guidance on gender-responsive governance, safeguarding, and inclusion as the Hub develops practical tools for responsible AI and public-sector innovation.
Ms. Mirirai Muyengwa Mapasure
Trustee – Digital Transformation & AI Governance
Data Scientist & IT Consultant – Public Health & ICT
Ms. Mirirai Muyengwa Mapasure is a Data Scientist and IT Consultant with extensive experience across ICT and public health. She brings a blend of technical expertise, data-driven decision-making, and strategic advisory work in government and development settings.
Within AGCIH, she provides strategic guidance on digital transformation, AI adoption, and data governance, supporting a governance-led approach to technology choices that is ethical, inclusive, and context-aware.
Ms. Tinah Kadhau
Trustee – Legal, Governance & Compliance
Ms. Tinah Kadhau provides governance oversight on legal compliance, institutional governance, and organisational risk management. She supports AGCIH to maintain strong internal controls, clear decision-making processes, and alignment with applicable legal and ethical standards.
Profile summary to be published in line with AGCIH’s governance and communications protocol.
Mrs. Catherine Mareya-Chiviya
Trustee – Finance, Audit & Risk Oversight
Mrs. Catherine Mareya-Chiviya provides stewardship on financial governance, accountability, and organisational risk oversight. She supports the development of transparent financial systems, audit readiness, and responsible resource management that strengthens confidence among partners and stakeholders.
Profile summary to be published in line with AGCIH’s governance and communications protocol.
Reserved Seat
Trustee – Youth, Innovation & Future Readiness
This Board seat is reserved to ensure AGCIH remains connected to emerging ideas, innovation ecosystems, and next-generation perspectives in governance, AI, and digital transformation.
The appointment will be announced in due course. The Trustee will strengthen AGCIH’s engagement with youth priorities, experimentation, and new forms of civic innovation.