Dr. Mandas Marikanda is one of the facilitators for the upcoming 2022 CORPORATE SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY AUTUMN SCHOOL set for 4-6 May in the resort city of Kariba.
Dr. Marikanda is the Chief Executive Officer of the Zimbabwe Women’s Microfinance Bank (ZWMB) and has passion for financial inclusion for excluded communities such as rural population and disadvantaged groups including youths, young girls, orphans and women.
She has more than 26 years’ experience in development finance designing innovative financial interventions such as group savings, implementation of microfinance, innovative lending initiatives in rural communities and is a seasoned consultant and accredited trainer for ICT/ILO Making Microfinance work. She has been working with women and youths offering practical initiatives for entrepreneurship, employability among youths and young women. Dr. Mandas was Executive Director for Pundutso Microfinance (a World Vision partner) and as part of the World Vision fraternity, she undertook various assignments in Malawi, Mozambique, South Africa, Swaziland, and Zambia.
She holds a PHD in Economic Empowerment and microfinance from Aldersgate College Philippines. She is a holder of an MBA in leadership with Eastern University of USA and an HRUP (Honors) degree from the University of Zimbabwe and holds various certificates in training, leadership, and counselling and bible leadership.
Awards given to date:
- Overall Winner of the Zimbabwe Institute of Management 2018 National Leadership Excellence Awards – Northern Region
- Overall National Winner of the Zimbabwe Institute of Management 2018 National Leadership Excellence Awards
- Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce Winner CEO of the Year Women in Enterprise Conference Awards 2018
- Mega fest Bronze Award Winner CEO of the Year 2019
- Proweb Women CEO of the year 2019
- Proweb Outstanding Achievement Award 2019
- Institute of Corporate Directors- Woman Championship in Boards 2019
- Zimbabwe Business Awards Business Woman of the Year National 2019 CEO Round Table Entrepreneurial
- CEO of the Year 2ND Runner Up 2019
- CEO Round Table CEO of the Year
- 1st runner up-Woman Corporate Director of the Year: Public Enterprises/Parastals- Institute of Corporate Directors Zimbabwe 2020
- 2nd runner up-Innovative /Turnaround Strategic Corporate Director of the Year: Public
- Enterprises/Parastals – Institute of Corporate Directors Zimbabwe .2020
- Zim Life Agricultural Merit Award Women in Agriculture Award- 2020
She has worked tirelessly for the advancement of women and girls in Zimbabwe by spearheading several initiatives that bring about inclusivity of women in the economy. In an interview with the Herald, Dr Marikanda said
“For me women’s month is not a time to cry, it’s our time to look at what we have achieved and do much more.”
