Meet our Team
Ayanna Nahmias, PMP
Founder And Executive DirectorAyanna Nahmias, PMP is the Founder and Executive Director of Zimbabwe Farm Project. She is a certified Project Management Professional and Information Technology consultant, who initially self-capitalized the Zimbabwe Farm Project in 2015. She uses social entrepreneurship to increase women’s empowerment and food security. She believes that the only path to self-sufficiency, self-determination, and freedom is achieved through skills-based learning and work opportunities. As a daughter of Africa, it was important for her to honor her father’s legacy after his passing in Zimbabwe. He was a Pan-Africanist who believed in and worked for Africa’s empowerment and self-determination. She carries on this dream and is committed to “leaving the world a better place than the one into which she was born.”
Call:+1 202 669 6626
Charles Chirwa
Project ManagerCharles Chirwa is the Project Manager at Zimbabwe Farm Project, responsible for all farm logistics and administration. Charles has over 12 years of experience in farm logistics and management, including practical experience in commercial farming of tobacco, corn beans, sunflowers, potatoes, poultry and macadamia nuts production. His experience also includes managing teams spanning over 100 people which has included working with women and girls to success. He has previously worked at Three Sister Farms. He also has experience in creating market linkages of local produce to local supermarkets and other companies including Ethical Leaf Tobacco and CLT. Charles believes that “if we empower women through agriculture, we empower the whole nation”.
Call:+263 77 273 9408
Keresenzia Maponga
Poultry ManagerKeresenzia Maponga is the Poultry Manager at Zimbabwe Farm Project. She is responsible for ensuring the welfare of the flock, feed management, vaccinations, production performance and sales reports. Additionally, she manages and motivates a team of women planting, weeding, and harvesting vegetables by hand. She acts as a liaison for local women working on the farm and management, including monitoring time and attendance, assigning tasks and work assignments around the farm. has been working in the agriculture sector for the past 10-years. Before joining the Zimbabwe Farm Project, she worked at other local farms, leading large teams of farm workers and ensuring production of natural, high-quality foods to local communities. Keresenzia believes that women are able to do anything they have set their mind to, if they are given enough support.
Alvin Kalira, Esq.
Legal AdvisorAlvin Kalira is the project legal Advisor at Zimbabwe Farm Project. He is our legal advisor with areas of support in contracts and labor law. He is currently a Senior associate of the firm Musengi and Sigauke. He graduated from the University of Zimbabwe with a LLBS (Hons) degree and holds qualifications as a legal practitioner, conveyancer, and notary public. Alvin is well trained in civil and criminal litigation though he is particularly interested in labor law, corporate law and intellectual property law. He is also a member of the Law Society of Zimbabwe and the Zimbabwe Institute of Patents and Trademarks Association (ZIPTA) and board member for Christian College of Southern Africa. He has a penchant for the outdoors and enjoys reading particularly motivational books. Alvin believes that “Ethics is knowing the difference between what you have a right to do and what is right to do.”
Beatrice Ngwenya
Training ManagerBeatrice Ngwenya is the training Manager at Zimbabwe Farm Project. She is responsible for designing, delivering, and measuring impact of capacity building training for local women and girls partnering with Zimbabwe farm project. Beatrice holds a Sociology Degree and master’s degree in Development Studies with Women’s University. She has over 25+years of experience in designing, delivering, and evaluating training for children, youth and adults (including both males and females), expatriates, diplomats and locals employing participatory, peer to peer and knowledge sharing training formats. She is passionate about gender equality and the emancipation of women. Beatrice believes that “if women are given the right capacity, the sky will not even be the limit for their empowerment”
Bokani Dube
Finance OfficerBokani Dube is the Finance officer at Zimbabwe Farm Project. Bokani’s responsibilities include overseeing the financial operations of the organization, internal control management, and preparation of financial reports. He holds a BCom (Hons) in Financial Accounting from University of South Africa and has more than five years’ experience in finance roles such as Financial Accounting and External Audits. He has worked for corporations such as Deloitte and Bandiwhilila Trust Bokani has a passion for serving and values development of the African continent. Bokani is in charge of financial management and is excited to be in this role mainly because of the impact it has on the surrounding communities and the development of women. Bokani believes that the greatest responsibility to mankind is in how much impact we make.