Happy Mwende Kinyili has been appointed Executive Director of Mama Cash, marking a key milestone in her leadership within the global feminist philanthropy space.
Having worked with the organisation since 2014, she previously served as Senior Programme Officer before becoming Director of Programmes in 2017, and most recently Co-Executive Director.
“I step into this role with a deep sense of honour, alongside excitement and humility. I stand on the shoulders of bold feminists who have shaped this organisation, and I carry that legacy forward with respect,” said Happy Mwende.
Her appointment follows a strategic review of the organisation’s leadership structure after three years of a co-Executive Director model. The transition positions her at the helm of one of the world’s leading feminist funds at a time when movements for gender justice, human rights, and equity are evolving rapidly.
Before joining Mama Cash, Happy built her leadership foundation at UHAI East African Sexual Health and Rights Initiative, where she worked from 2009 and rose to Director of Programmes. At UHAI, she played a central role in supporting activist-led grantmaking processes and strengthening movement capacity across East Africa.
Her work also included co-creating regional convenings that brought together some of Africa’s largest gatherings of LGBTI activists, sex worker movements, and donors, spaces designed to foster collaboration, strategy, and solidarity.
With over two decades of experience, Happy Mwende Kinyili has contributed significantly to advancing feminist philanthropy, human rights advocacy, and social justice movements across the Global South.
Leadership Vision and Feminist Values
Reflecting on her work, Happy describes Mama Cash as a space where feminist visions can be realised collectively. She highlights the organisation’s commitment to amplifying voices that are often excluded from mainstream funding and decision-making spaces.
“Mama Cash focuses on creating space for people who remain unseen and unheard, supporting them to claim their place and shape their futures,” she notes. Central to this is the principle of self-determination, the belief that individuals and communities have the agency to define their own paths.
As Executive Director, she envisions a future where feminist movements across sectors can come together to collaborate, strategise, and build collective power.
Happy Mwende Kinyili’s appointment carries broader significance beyond organisational leadership. It reflects the growing influence of African feminist leaders in shaping global institutions and redefining the future of philanthropy.
Her leadership journey is grounded in long-term impact, movement-building, and strategic clarity,an approach that continues to shift how resources are mobilised and distributed within global feminist ecosystems.
With a strong team and committed board, Mama Cash is expected to continue advancing its mission of supporting feminist movements worldwide through values-driven, inclusive, and transformative leadership.
Happy Mwende Kinyili’s appointment signals a new chapter for Mama Cash,one defined by continuity, innovation, and deep-rooted commitment to feminist principles.
For African women and global changemakers alike, her leadership stands as a powerful reminder that African voices are not only shaping conversations but also leading institutions that influence the future of equality, justice, and social transformation.
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