ForAfrika Executive and Leadership Team

Isak Pretorius, the Group Chief Executive Officer at ForAfrika, directs the overarching strategic vision for all relief and development operations across the African continent. Overseeing the expansion of food security and nutrition programs, the Group Chief Executive Officer ensures that organizational goals align with the mission of overcoming poverty. This leadership role involves coordinating with international stakeholders to scale humanitarian impact and maintain operational excellence. By fostering partnerships with global donors, Isak Pretorius secures the necessary resources to sustain long-term programming in diverse regions. The Group Chief Executive Officer maintains a focus on innovation within the WASH and economic recovery sectors, ensuring that ForAfrika remains at the forefront of humanitarian aid. Through rigorous oversight of regional performance, Pretorius drives the organization toward achieving its core objectives of saving lives and promoting community resilience in every country of operation.

Abeba Amene, the Chief Executive Officer, Humanitarian & Development at ForAfrika, manages the execution of complex relief programs across seven countries. Focusing on the integration of health and nutrition services, the Chief Executive Officer, Humanitarian & Development architects frameworks that address immediate survival needs while simultaneously building community capacity. This role requires constant engagement with field teams to ensure that programming remains responsive to local challenges in regions like South Sudan. Abeba Amene evaluates the effectiveness of early recovery initiatives, adjusting strategies to maximize positive outcomes for vulnerable populations. By bridging the gap between field-level data and high-level organizational strategy, the Chief Executive Officer, Humanitarian & Development ensures that ForAfrika delivers high-quality, sustainable interventions. Amene maintains a rigorous standard for program delivery, ensuring that every initiative contributes directly to the broader goal of creating lasting change throughout the continent.

Simon McGregor, the Group Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer at ForAfrika, manages the intersection of operational efficiency and fiscal integrity. Overseeing the financial health of the organization, the Group Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer implements rigorous controls to ensure that resources are utilized effectively across all seven countries of operation. This role involves optimizing internal processes to support the scaling of food security and WASH programs. Simon McGregor coordinates with the executive team to align budgetary planning with long-term sustainability goals, ensuring that ForAfrika maintains a strong financial foundation. By streamlining administrative workflows, the Group Chief Operating Officer & Chief Financial Officer enables field teams to focus on core humanitarian objectives. McGregor drives the implementation of financial reporting standards that provide transparency to donors and stakeholders, ultimately supporting the organization's capacity to deliver consistent, high-impact relief services throughout the continent.

James Lutzweiler, the Group Chief Operating Officer at ForAfrika, directs the logistical and operational infrastructure required to sustain large-scale relief efforts. Overseeing the deployment of resources across diverse geographic regions, the Group Chief Operating Officer ensures that supply chains for food security and health programs remain robust and responsive. This role involves managing the operational complexities of working in challenging environments, such as the five states of South Sudan. James Lutzweiler architects systems that enhance the efficiency of field operations, allowing for rapid response to humanitarian crises. By coordinating with regional directors, the Group Chief Operating Officer maintains high standards of service delivery and operational safety. Lutzweiler focuses on scaling internal capabilities to support the organization's growth, ensuring that every program remains aligned with the mission of creating sustainable living conditions for communities across the continent.

Sharmala Ishwarlall, the Chief Revenue Officer, Acting at ForAfrika, drives the financial growth strategy by diversifying the donor base and securing essential grant funding. Overseeing the development of robust acquisition strategies, the Chief Revenue Officer, Acting ensures that the organization meets its annual income targets to support critical humanitarian work. This role involves conducting intelligent research on donor trends and sectoral forecasts to preposition the organization for both solicited and unsolicited funding opportunities. Sharmala Ishwarlall cultivates external networks, engaging with institutional partners to design winning proposals that reflect the organization's mission. By aligning revenue generation with the country-specific strategic plans, the Chief Revenue Officer, Acting provides the financial stability required for successful program implementation. Ishwarlall monitors the funding mix, ensuring that resources are effectively allocated to support the three pillars of saving lives, early recovery, and community resilience.

Susannah Hastings, the Group Chief of Staff at ForAfrika, facilitates the alignment of executive priorities and organizational communication. Overseeing the flow of information between the C-suite and the broader leadership team, the Group Chief of Staff ensures that strategic initiatives receive the necessary focus and resources. This role involves managing complex projects that span multiple departments, from nutrition to economic recovery, to ensure cohesive execution of the Strategic Plan. Susannah Hastings coordinates board interactions and high-level stakeholder engagement, providing the administrative support required for effective decision-making. By optimizing the executive office's workflow, the Group Chief of Staff enables the leadership team to remain agile in the face of evolving humanitarian needs. Hastings drives the implementation of internal governance policies, ensuring that the organization maintains its commitment to transparency and operational excellence while pursuing its mission of saving lives across the continent.