Board of Directors
The Canada-Africa Development and Relief Agency (CADRA) is governed by a 9 member board of directors that reflects the diversity of the African continent and brings together a wealth of experience in philanthropy, international issues and human rights.
- Edward Ndopu, Founder and President
- Marlene Ndopu, Vice President & CFO
- Anthony Kasongamulilo, Vice President & COO
- Franzina Noronha
- Brendan Kamau
- Sibongile Dumisani
- Nadia Chukwuma
- Razia Ibrahim
Edward Ndopu, Founder and President
Ottawa, Canada
What is his background?
Edward Ndopu has an extensive background in a number of key business sectors that include publishing, broadcast and print journalism, national fund development in the international development charity sector and running a public relations consulting practice. Born and bred in Africa, Edward was profoundly influenced by the level of poverty and inequality that he witnessed - and his interest and commitment to humanitarian work was cemented. Much of his career has been focused on helping others break out of poverty and illness, to give them the opportunity to flourish and grow old. He has since moved into the international development charity sector.
What does he do?
It is his commitment and philosophy to a team environment that successfully brings together the wide diversity of skills and talents required in achieving goals and deadline driven projects.
Edward is responsible for the overall operations of the organization as he alternates between Canada and Africa. He is the founder and president of Canada-Africa Development and Relief Agency, Canadian Aid to Africa, The African Children's Emergency Care Fund, along with a few other non-profit social justice and development organizations. Edward founded CADRA out of the conviction that there is much Canadians can learn and contribute to Africa by working as part of a community of international citizens committed to achieving social and economic justice.
Leading the strategic direction of an organization and developing new vision for its program direction, creating strong and dynamic teams as well as mobilizing resources and funding are areas where Edward has a great deal of experience and success.
What type of experience does he have?
As a volunteer and Board member to numerous organizations, Edward has gained sound experience in policy formulation, negotiations, strategic planning and organizational development. In addition, he has participated as a delegate and author to a number of international forums, including various United Nations conferences and African non-governmental agencies.
What has he acheived for CADRA?
Under Edward's directorship, CADRA has formed strong long-term partnerships with dozens of non-governmental organizations and communities in Africa. He has conducted extensive research and produced an array of reports, articles and videos on African peoples issues.
Marlene Ndopu, Vice President & CFO
Ottawa, Canada
What does she do?
Marlene has focused on building mutually supportive relationships among women's groups in Canada and Africa around issues of poverty, women's health and political participation. Marlene's work focuses on creating opportunities for women to collectively identify their own problems and solutions and on strengthening women's voices and political platforms.
What type of experience does she have?
In her capacity as a gender and development specialist she has facilitated workshops and provided training and advice on policy-making to numerous organizations in the public, private and NGO sectors. She has presented at regional and international conferences on a range of issues, some of which include: gender and trade in Africa and gender and development policy in Africa, and is currently Board member on several NGOs.
Anthony Kasongamulilo, Vice President & COO
Toronto, Canada
What does he do?
Anthony is a fundraising consultant and as member of a number of professional groups, and with a background in marketing, he brings experience in brand development, relationship building and fundraising to the CADRA Board.
What type of experience does he have?
Anthony loves the outdoors and has travelled extensively around the world and believes innovative approaches such as those promoted by CADRA are needed to increase the effective delivery of assistance in developing countries. His experiences in the developing world have convinced him that there is an urgent need for updating the current aid effort with modern business techniques and principles, in order to create efficiencies and minimize unintended consequences.
He is a passionate advocate for the poor and underprivileged and is deeply committed to assisting in positive aid initiatives. An avid reader, Anthony also has wide community volunteer experience as a motivational workshop leader to attract volunteers to Africa, has been a frequent guest speaker at meetings on the struggle against abject poverty in Africa and the role of international organizations.
Franzina Noronha
Toronto, Canada
Franzina Noronha has worked for many years in Canada in community development, policy analysis and advocacy on issues of social justice and international cooperation, especially related to Africa and Asia. Franzina supports CADRA's donor relations and fundraising program as well as its general administration.
Brendan Kamau
Nairobi, Kenya (East Africa)
What type of experience does he have?
Brendan Kamau has an extensive background in education, culture and international development and holds a doctorate degree from the University of Nairobi. Brendan has worked with many African NGOs and poverty organizations as well as his work with international organizations such as the UN.
Brendan has published numerous articles on the issue of poverty in Africa and participated in numerous conferences and panel discussions on poverty issues. He founded AfrikaConsult to provide mid level management services to development projects.
Sibongile Dumisani
Johannesburg, South Africa (SADC)
Sibongile Dumisani is an advisor on economic development and management issues and has considerable experience in rural development programs in Africa. She brings a history of social justice activism, political organizing, and community development.
Nadia Chukwuma
Abuja, Nigeria (West Africa)
Nadia Chukwuma holds a master's degree in environmental studies and has worked for NGOs in community-based conservation in rural regions of Africa and has a background in environmental activism.
Razia Ibrahim
Cairo, Egypt (North Africa)
What type of experience does she have?
Razia Ibrahim has long worked to address the myriad of issues facing Africa's rural communities in all areas of health, justice, education and social services. Since 1995, Razia has served in both a professional and volunteer capacity within Africa's social service sector, assisting in the creation of numerous innovative programs to support healthy communities.
What does she bring to CADRA?
Razia is convinced that, only as we learn to appreciate the value each culture brings to our African community, can we assure Africa's continued development and progress. She brings drive, enthusiasm and experience to the CADRA Board.
