Joy Gitau is a young visionary leader who promotes harmony and peace through conflict transformation, fostering inclusive social change, facilitating knowledge exchange through storytelling and mentorship, and encouraging individuals to utilize their talents for positive societal transformation. Professionally, Joy is a passionate peace and justice practitioner and serves in multiple capacities such as an Executive Director at Amani Communities Africa (ACA), a distinguished peace organization and Mediation Training Centre Mediation Practitioner, a tutor, and a mentor at ACA Associate at JK Mbaabu Advocates. Joy is also a Legal Director at Wakilisha Initiative, an organization dedicated to child justice and serves as a Board Member of the Association of Certified Mediators and a Board Member of the Women Regional Network for Peacebuilders in Kenya. She was part of the team that took part in the development of the National Standard curriculum for mediation training and mentorship, and continues professional development in Kenya.

Hayatu Nura Ashafa is a dedicated peacebuilder, mediator, and youth advocate with over eight years of experience in conflict resolution, peacebuilding, and youth empowerment. As Co-Director of the Interfaith Mediation Centre (IMC) in Nigeria, he has led initiatives that have impacted over 3,000 youth and women, equipping them as transformative leaders and peace mediators. Previously, he served as the Katsina State Project Coordinator for the USAID-funded CIPP project, focusing on preventing violent extremism and conflict resolution. Beyond IMC, he is the Executive Director of Ashafa Relief Foundation and Co-Founder of the Interfaith Youth Enlightenment Initiative. An alumnus of multiple leadership and peacebuilding programs, including COFP and NIREC, Hayatu specializes in Preventing Violent Extremism (PVE), conflict management, and project evaluation. He holds a Bachelor’s in Communication Studies from IUCG, Ghana, and a Master’s in Conflict Management and Peace Studies from the Nigeria Defense Academy. Passionate about social justice and youth empowerment, he continues to inspire change and build peaceful communities.

Nyasha Freeman Musikambesa is a Peace Practitioner who has worked across the East and Southern African region for oer nine years, employing various innovative tools to promote interfaith and intergenerational dialogue. He has previous experience engaging with the humanitarian coordination system through active involvement in NGO consortia that include organizations from Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania. Additionally, he has worked withing working groups at the regional level, collaborating with the African Union, USAID, and United Nations platforms. Currently, Nyasha works as P/CVE Advisor for the Youth Innovation Center Mozambique and his efforts stem from a deep belief in the power of youth-led solutions. Having worked directly with young people across borders, he understands the unique challenges they face in these regions, including poverty, lack of access to education and opportunities, and vulnerability to radicalization.

Chukwudi Njoku is a geographer, environmentalist, and peacebuilder with a Ph.D. in Population and Development Studies from the University of Calabar. He specializes in peacebuilding, conflict management, climate change, and environmental risk mitigation. As the Peacebuilding Capacity Building Coordinator at the Foundation for Partnership Initiatives in the Niger Delta (PIND), he designs and implements peacebuilding projects, conducts conflict research, and engages with stakeholders. He is also an adjunct lecturer at the University of Port Harcourt’s Center for Gender, Conflict, and Development Studies. Additionally, Chukwudi co-founded Sustainability Pathways for Africa, an NGO focused on environmental risk data collection and analysis in Nigeria.

John Bongei is the Country Director of FCA Kenya and Secretary of its Board. With over 22 years of experience in humanitarian and development work across East and Southern Africa, he specializes in disaster risk reduction, resource mobilization, quality assurance, capacity building, and peacebuilding through USAID projects. He holds a Master’s in International Studies and has contributed to World Bank research. A certified trainer in conflict sensitivity, John has worked extensively in Kenya, Somalia, Ethiopia, Uganda, South Sudan, Mozambique, and South Africa, advancing sustainable development and peace initiatives.

Rev. Sr. Veronica Ifeyinwa Onyeanisi, a Missionary Sister of Our Lady of Apostles (OLA), is the Executive Director of the Women’s Interfaith Council (WIC) and coordinator of the OLA Justice, Peace, and Integrity of Creation (JPIC) Nigeria Province. A dedicated gender advocate and peacebuilder, she promotes interreligious dialogue, freedom of religion, and women’s rights.

She holds a B.A. in Educational Foundations/Fine Arts and Design and a Master’s in Educational Administration and Planning, along with certifications in leadership, conflict resolution, and project management. A fellow of the Institute for Global Engagement and the Cardinal Onaiyekan Foundation for Peace, she has led advocacy and mediation efforts across Africa and beyond. Sr. Veronica has authored numerous articles and edited Women’s Interfaith Council (WIC) Approaches to Social Cohesion for Sustainable Peace in Kaduna State.

Birtukan Mitiku, a peacebuilding expert from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, holds a Bachelor of Laws from Jigjiga University and a Master’s in Public International Law. She has also completed various courses in mediation and peacebuilding at both international and local levels.

With over eight years of experience, Birtukan has worked with governments, INGOs, NGOs, and international organizations, specializing in conflict resolution through mediation, community dialogue, capacity building, and negotiation. She has addressed conflicts such as land disputes, ethnic and religious tensions, and refugee community issues in Ethiopia and South Sudan.

Her work focuses on managing innovative programs for marginalized groups, particularly youth and women, addressing conflict-related challenges within Ethiopian society.