Evidence that opens markets. Partnerships that expand opportunity.

Brendan oversees FinMark Trust’s strategic direction and operations. His leadership experience spans development services, sector education and training, agricultural finance, and international legal and regulatory affairs.

Grant is an executive member of FinMark Trust with more than 25 years’ experience across research, data, finance and operations. He holds a master’s degree in research psychology.

Lesego leads FinMark Trust’s South African financial inclusion programme, directing initiatives that deepen inclusion, strengthen economic participation and support sustainable livelihoods.

Damola leads regional work on cross-border trade, remittances, financial integrity and financial inclusion monitoring. He brings more than a decade of sector experience and holds a master’s degree in econometrics.

Kingstone leads the organisation’s research activities, including FinScope surveys and other data offerings across Africa and beyond. His research career spans large-scale analytics, research design and statistical modelling.

Shirley oversees knowledge sharing, communications, interactive platforms, and monitoring and results measurement. She is committed to evidence-based development and effective collaboration.

Jabulani has more than 20 years’ research experience and supports the design and implementation of FinScope surveys, providing technical assistance across the SADC region.

Abel is a Chartered Statistician who uses data and statistical evidence to inform policy and advance financial inclusion, with a focus on outcomes, resilience and financial wellbeing.

Lungisani manages the Generating Better Livelihoods for Grant Recipients project. His experience includes public employment programmes, sustainable livelihoods, poverty alleviation and community development.

Bobby has extensive experience in survey management and data analytics. He develops analytical tools that financial inclusion practitioners can adapt and apply in their own markets.

Tabitha supports FinScope studies through stakeholder engagement, survey design, data cleaning, analysis and report writing. Her research interests include development finance and economic growth.

Matsiedi identifies business and partnership opportunities for the Generating Better Livelihoods programme, drawing on experience in enterprise, skills and community development.

Obert has more than 12 years’ experience in financial inclusion and MSME research. His work includes the development of MSME360, a diagnostic tool applied in Eswatini and Malawi.

Michael develops user-friendly digital products and visual experiences that make large datasets useful to decision-makers. He has more than 20 years’ experience with web-based products.

Phumelele leads a pilot that supports child support grant recipients through training, skills development, job creation, entrepreneurship and social empowerment.

Nicola manages innovation and technical assistance projects across the SADC region, with expertise in project management, data analytics, econometric modelling and applied research.

Vuyi oversees implementation of the GBL project across seven pilot sites in Gauteng, Free State and KwaZulu-Natal, bringing senior leadership and stakeholder management experience.

Dionne develops written reports and digital content for FinMark Trust. Her communications experience spans strategy, reputation management, public relations and content marketing.

Phathutshedzo coordinates schedules, budgets, resources and stakeholder relationships for the SADC financial inclusion programme. She holds an honours degree in economics.

Robert coordinates projects across the programmes portfolio, covering project design, implementation, monitoring and reporting across regional and thematic initiatives.

Karabo leads the community digitalisation project, supporting inclusive digital payment ecosystems in low-income South African communities.

Akhona conceptualises and implements financial inclusion programmes in South Africa. Her background includes research and programme implementation in rural communities.

Tessa works in monitoring, evaluation and learning, with a focus on marginalised communities, youth empowerment and meaningful social transformation.

Nqobile is a community development practitioner with experience advocating for diversity, equity and inclusion across a range of underserved groups.

Lesego supports programme administration and coordination, including implementation tracking, financial compliance and stakeholder engagement.

Marlene provides project management, financial and human resources support, managing contracts, funder relationships and project delivery across the organisation.

Helen delivers financial management, budgeting, analysis and reporting to support transparent decision-making and maintain FinMark Trust’s financial integrity.

Kholiswa supports the finance team in delivering integrated financial services, applying value-for-money principles and established organisational policies.

Pearl supports FinScope survey design, data management, analysis and reporting, using economic research and data to help drive informed decisions.

Tumelo is an agricultural economist focused on economic research, food security, industry transformation and inclusion for women-, youth- and black-owned agricultural MSMEs.

Charity provides essential support that keeps the organisation running smoothly. Her community work includes initiatives supporting women, girls and older people.

Sabelo brings more than 25 years’ finance-sector experience to financial inclusion work in Eswatini, including banking supervision, investment facilitation and project appraisal.

Florence brings more than 24 years’ public-sector development experience, including 15 years advancing financial inclusion and financial-sector development in Lesotho.

McEwen leads FinMark Trust’s Malawi country programme. His experience spans central banking, financial-sector development and digital finance across Africa and the Pacific.

Blessing coordinates financial inclusion initiatives in Zimbabwe, combining project implementation, stakeholder engagement and quantitative and qualitative analysis.

Palesa has coordinated financial inclusion programmes in Lesotho since 2012, building strong relationships with government, the central bank and development partners.