Nomfundo Walaza is a clinical psychologist, conflict transformation mediator and a human rights activist who co-founded the Unyoke Foundation with Chris Spies in November 2017. She is a dedicated and passionate peacebuilder and mental health specialist who has, in recent years, focused her work in accompanying the next generation of peacebuilders. She is passionate about ensuring that young women get the recognition they deserve in working for peace, and that they get equal representation when peace agreements are signed.   She believes that the unyoke process of intergenerational accompaniment will play a key role in empowering and connecting young local peacebuilders, as they seek lasting solutions to intractable conflicts in their communities. “Africa will transform conflicts, if we take the time to invest in the next generation of passionate and aspirant peacebuilders”.

Chris Spies, Founding Director of Dynamic Stability, and co-founder of Unyoke Foundation alongside Nomfundo Walaza, has decades of experience as a seasoned trainer; facilitator; dialogue practitioner; accompanier; and peacebuilder. Chris and  Nomfundo, have been co-facilitating intergenerational dialogues and Unyoke Retreats since 2012, fostering connections among local and international peacebuilders. With a focus on nurturing an inspiring network of peacebuilders, his passion lies in walking alongside the younger generation of peace leaders toward creating a sustainable foundation for peace, beginning in Africa and extending globally.

Akunna Onwu, a seasoned executive and leadership coach, organisational learning and development professional, admitted Advocate, and people transformation enthusiast, brings a unique blend of experiences in banking, compliance, academia, and human capital development to our board. With a passion for transforming lives, she is not just a change-maker but a catalyst for social impact. Drawing from her rich global experiences, Akunna inspires transformation through personalized coaching, compelling public speaking, and innovative program development. At the heart of her mission is a personal commitment to equipping individuals and businesses with tailored insights, empowering them to overcome challenges, build new competencies, and achieve their most meaningful aspirations

Joe Louis Washington is a human rights advocate, social critic, curator of stories, and peacebuilder. Joe’s professional background spans the areas of university-related teaching and training (including in various capacities as an international lecturer and trainer in human rights and conflict resolution); public policy development and analysis; philanthropy; and peacekeeping.

Joe has presented papers and/or published articles on topics related to conflict prevention, the right to self-determination, human security, the Gandhian approach to non-violence, the rights of indigenous peoples, and barriers to the effective implementation of human rights, specifically economic, social, and cultural rights.

Joe currently serves as Managing Director of The Nia Foundation (TNF)/Stichting Nia, an organization dedicated to finding ways and means to share the accumulated knowledge, skills, and wisdom found in the various ‘human libraries’ of those associated with TNF for generations to come.

Peggy Jean-Louis is a visionary leader with over 17 years of global expertise in fostering connections and igniting impactful change. As a trailblazer in strategic partnerships and philanthropy across higher education, the NGO realm, and the creative industries, Peggy has consistently delivered collective impact by uniting people and ideas.

Having successfully secured six to seven figures in philanthropic funding from corporate giants for The London School of Economics and Political Science, Peggy stands as a true architect of positive transformation. The passion for education fuels her mission, currently co-establishing I-LEAD, a ground-breaking pedagogy research centre for the future of business education at King’s College London.

In an exciting endeavour to shape the future, Peggy is on the verge of launching a ground-breaking business focused on providing career education for African teens. This innovative venture reflects Peggy’s unwavering commitment to empowering the next generation with the knowledge and skills they need to thrive.

Priscilla Sigila holds a B. Com Hons (Acc) degree and Internal Auditing National Diploma. She is currently employed as an Accountant at a financial services entity. She has years of experience in accounting, finance, internal controls, and auditing. She has significant exposure to a variety of entities from unlisted to listed organisations. She has been a member of the board committee, audit committee, chair of the board and finance committee of a public sector entity and chair of board of trustees committee for a non-profit organization where she provided valuable insights and perspectives on governance, knowledge of operational and financial control issues.

Preeti Thapa is The Asia Foundation’s deputy country representative in Nepal. She is a peacebuilder, lawyer, mediator, and certified master trainer in mediation and dialogue with more than 25 years of experience in law, human rights, gender, peacebuilding, and governance. Preeti provides support in managing the Foundation’s work in Nepal including program development, implementation, grant management, administration, financial management, and office security.

 Preeti has worked for The Asia Foundation for over twenty years in various capacities, most recently as director of Justice and Governance in Nepal. During her tenure with the Foundation, she has developed expertise in access to justice and strategic peacebuilding through community mediation and multi-stakeholder dialogue; mentored staff members on project management, oversight, and capacity building of local partners; served as liaison with the Office of the Prime Minister and Council of Ministers’ Gender Empowerment and Coordination Unit, the Ministry of Peace and Reconstruction, the Office of the Attorney General, and the National Human Rights Commission; and played an instrumental role in building strong relationships with government officials, members of the judiciary, civil society, and donors. 

 Thapa worked with Nepal’s Ministry of Law and Justice on mediation policies and, in particular, contributed to the passage of the Mediation Act and Regulation. Most recently, she played an integral role in supporting Nepal’s continued peacebuilding through the transition to a federation of provinces. Thapa is a member of the Nepal Bar Association and of the Community Mediators’ Society Nepal. She is a visiting faculty member at Kathmandu University, the Army Command and Staff College, Shivapuri Nepal, and a resource person at the Folke Bernadotte Academy, Sweden on Mediation and Dialogue.

Nomfundo Walaza, Bishop Paride Taban of Kuron Peace Village in South Sudan and Chris Spies