Susan Gumisayi Mbaya

Sue is a seasoned policy entrepreneur. She has over 20 years of policy advocacy, advisory and development experience at national, regional levels and global levels, with a focus on African States and the African Union.  Sue has a solid track record of outstanding delivery both as an individual and as a leader of multicultural, cross functional teams. She is passionate about accountable governance, which she pursues in the areas of women's and children health as well as the determinants of health, primarily - conflict and humanitarian crises and resource governance (with a focus on women’s land rights).

Upon joining the PMNCH Secretariat, Sue assumes responsibility for leading the Campaigns and Partner Engagement (Countries and Regions) portfolio. She is also focal point for PMNCH’s parliamentary engagement workstream as well as the sexual, reproductive health and rights (SRHR) workstream. Sue also serves as the focal point for the Inter-Governmental Organisations (IGO) and the Non-Governmental Organisations (NGO) constituencies of the Partnership. 

Prior to joining PMNCH, Sue held a variety of roles. Among these were: Crisis Action, Director of the African Union Liaison Office (Ethiopia); SM and Associates, Founder and Managing Associate (South Africa); Inter-Parliamentary Union, Policy Advisor on Sexual, Reproductive, Maternal and Child Health (Geneva); World Vision International, Africa Director for Advocacy & Justice for Children (Kenya); Southern African Poverty Network, Regional Director (South Africa); Compassion Ministries, Regional Director (Zimbabwe & Mozambique).

Through these roles, Sue has established herself in the areas of institutional leadership, representation, coalition building and stakeholder engagement. Over the years, Sue has had the opportunity to contribute to and lead several agenda-setting, multi-stakeholder processes at regional and international levels. She has gained a rich and diverse experience and incorporating intergovernmental, multilateral and parliamentary institutions; civil society and grassroots formations as well as private sector, academic and research organisations.