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LEADERSHIP TEAM
Media Matters for Women is a team of professionals, including three full-time journalists, whose mission is to connect rural women and girls in Sierra Leone with the tools to be healthy, live safely, and fully enjoy their rights.
MMW Sierra Leone Leadership Team
With an unwavering commitment to advancing gender equality and women’s rights, Florence Sesay has emerged as a leading force in the fight for women’s empowerment in Sierra Leone. As the Executive Director of Media Matters for Women Sierra Leone, she has spearheaded groundbreaking initiatives that have transformed the lives of countless women across the nation.
Florence’s journey as a champion for women’s causes began early in her career as a journalist, where she witnessed firsthand the challenges and marginalization faced by women in various spheres of life. Fueled by a deep passion for social justice, she dedicated herself to amplifying the voices of women and advocating for their equal representation and participation in decision-making processes.
Florence’s impact extends beyond her organization, as she has been a vocal advocate for women’s rights on national and international platforms. Her tireless efforts have been recognized through numerous accolades, including as a Vital Voices Fellow and winner of the Women Forward Mentor of Distinction Bronze Award by the US Women’s Business Council for Peace. From 2021-2023 she represented Sierra Leone as a member of the Civil Society Regional Reference Group (CS-RRG) Spotlight Initiative Program.
Beyond her professional achievements, Florence is a respected mentor and role model, inspiring a new generation of women leaders in Sierra Leone. Her unwavering dedication, strategic acumen, and compassionate leadership have earned her the admiration and respect of colleagues, partners, and communities alike.
FLORENCE SESAY
EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Alinah Oliet Kallon is an award-winning broadcast journalist and producer based in Makeni and a co-founder of MMW. Alinah is our senior journalist for the Bombali district and the producer for our radio show, Mamie & Omo. Her career took off in 2006 when she was selected to be one of nine journalists who formed the core team of Cotton Tree News, a nation-wide media project funded by several European countries and located at the University of Sierra Leone. Her work has been recognised by UNICEF and the BBC World Service Trust. She has an MBA from the Catholic University of Sacred Heart in Milan, Italy. and a B.A. in Mass Communication (Honours) from the University of Sierra Leone. Alinah was awarded the “Chancellor’s Leadership Award” and the United Bank for Africa’s “Africa Trail Blazer Award.”
ALINAH OLIET KALLON
PROJECT MANAGER, NORTHWEST PROVINCE
Ndeamoh Mansaray is an MMW co-founder and our senior journalist based in Waterloo, Western Rural Area. Ndeamoh has been recognised with achievements in radio programming targeting women and girls, including writing and starring in the innovative Mamie & Omo radio drama series. She began her radio career at Cotton Tree News, the largest public service media project in post-war Sierra Leone, and continued her work while earning her degree in Mass Communications from the University of Sierra Leone. Ndeamoh was selected by the U.S. Embassy to travel to Nairobi, Kenya, to participate in a Democracy and Journalism conference in 2023 and she has been honoured by the UN Women to travel to Addis Ababa to participate in negotiations on the Sustainable Development Goals as the only civil society representative from Sierra Leone. She is a member of Women in Media Sierra Leone and the Sierra Leone Association of Journalists.
NDEAMOH MANSARAY
SENIOR JOURNALIST, WESTERN RURAL PROVINCE
Zainab Sheriff is our senior journalist based in Kenema in the Eastern province. Zainab was selected in 2023 as a Fellow by the Journalism Centre on Global Trafficking in conjunction with the University of Georgia. She gained her Teacher’s Certificate at the Eastern Polytechnic University in Kenema and has been a reporter for Gola Agricultural Radio Station since 2016. Zainab speaks Mende, Krio and English. Zainab goes above and beyond in her work as a journalist and mediates in cases of rape and violence against women in areas throughout the Eastern region. She successfully negotiated with Chiefs in the Kenema District to return land owned by women.
ZAINAB SHERIFF
SENIOR JOURNALIST, EASTERN PROVINCE
MMW Sierra Leone Board
MARIAMA KHAI FORNA
MMW SL BOARD CHAIR
Mariama Khai Fornah is a Sierra Leonean journalist, gender activist, radio producer, radio presenter, radio mentor and reporter. She currently works as the Communication and Research Manager for the African Development Bank-sponsored project “TVET Image Campaign.” Mariama previously worked as a Radio Mentor/Reporter at BBC World Service Trust as well as Radio Producer and Program Manager at BBC Media Action Sierra Leone where she produced a program to support cocoa farming in Sierra Leone and contributed to BBC Media Action’s dedicated program on Ebola – “Kick Ebola Nar Salone.”
YEAMA THOMPSON
MMW SL CO-BOARD CHAIR
Yeama Thompson is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Initiatives for Media Development, owner of the Spectrum Newspaper, and Board Member of the Innovations for Governance Reform in Sierra Leone. She serves as Communication Strategist Consultant with the Open Government Partnership in Sierra Leone. Yeama rose through the ranks from a cub-reporter at the Sierra Leone Daily Mail to Editor of The Chronicle newspaper, producing a radio program focused on women and children. She implemented a human rights reporting strategy in 2012 which contributed to peaceful elections as Country Director of Journalists for Human Rights; and launched a training initiative for female media executives working closely with the Women in Media Sierra Leone (WIMSAL), BBC Media Action and Journalists for Human Rights.
MARIAMA DUMBUYA
MMW SL BOARD MEMBER
Mariama Dumbuya is a barrister and solicitor, her experience includes extensive pro bono work all over the world. She was the president of L.A.W.Y.E.R.S., a Sierra Leonean organization that promotes and protects the legal rights of women. She has organized programs to protect the rights of women and girls and has worked on laws promoting gender equality and addressing FGM. She has been appointed by the African Union to serve as Election Observer during national and run-off elections in both Liberia and Mauritania. She holds law degrees from De Monfort University, Sierra Leone Law School, and Fourah Bay College.
CLEMENTINE AKRAN
MMW SL BOARD MEMBER
Clementina Akran is a Data Scientist at Statistic Sierra Leone (Stats SL) heads the Open Data and Visualisation Section in the Data Science Division. She serves as the Sierra Leone enhanced General Data Dissemination System (e-GDDS) Coordinator, Focal person – United Nations Statistical Commission Working Group on Open Data, Stats Sierra Leone Data Selection Editor, Co-chair the Open Data Council of Sierra Leone and COVID-19 Ambassador, “Corona Fet Ambassador”. Credible data saves lives!
ZAINAB CLARKSON
MMW SL BOARD MEMBER
Zainab Clarkson is a Senior Development Consultant and Gender Specialist with strong expertise in organizational development and results-based management. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Wheels for Humanity Sierra Leone, the co-founder of Salone Business Women’s Hub and the Director of Growth Access Solutions Sierra Leone. She has consulted for the International Finance Corporation, Oxfam, African Union and ECOWAS Election Observation Team. Zainab is a strong advocate for Women and Children Rights and a recognised expert in diversity issues and organisational development. Zainab is the Women’s Entrepreneurship Day (WED) Country Ambassador for Sierra Leone.
DR. HON. REV. MARIE JALLOH
MMW SL BOARD MEMBER
Dr. Hon. Rev. Marie Jalloh holds a Doctorate degree in Philosophy Education, a Master’s in Agricultural Extension and Rural Sociology and over two decades of experience in government as Deputy Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and as a Member of Parliament where she served as the Chairperson for the Committee on HIV/AIDs. She has consulted on issues of gender, community development, and food commodities. As Deputy Minister, Dr. Jalloh is responsible for the development of all agricultural programs in the country as well as the government’s 5-year strategy for gender mainstreaming in agriculture which has integrated women into large-scale farming
MMW International Team
LISA FARLEY SEBREE
GLOBAL EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Lisa Farley Sebree is the Global Executive Director for MMW U.S. She holds a law degree from Georgetown University and a B.S. in Business Administration from the University of Kansas. Lisa’s career in law ranged from criminal defense work to commercial matters and import/export law. As in-house counsel for a multinational telecommunications corporation, she held global responsibility for international trade issues. Lisa worked with ECPAT International to produce its Global Legal Review on Sexual Exploitation of Children Online, a comprehensive tool for prosecutors and human rights activists worldwide. Lisa has served on MMW’s International Advisory Council for many years. She was the IAC’s chairperson and a trustee for MMW UK from 2019 to 2022 before taking up her current position.
JENNIFER FORKER
US BOARD CO-CHAIR
Jennifer Forker is a public relations and communications professional. She was a journalist for 20 years, working at daily newspapers and for The Associated Press. Jennifer received a Master of Divinity from the Iliff School of Theology in Denver and a Bachelor of Science degree in Journalism from the University of Kansas in Lawrence.
DR. RENEE BOTTA
US BOARD CO-CHAIR
Renee Botta, Ph.D., is an associate professor in the Department of Media, Film & Journalism Studies at the University of Denver. She has spent 20 years working in Haiti and throughout Africa to improve health outcomes through health promotion and participatory communication. Her research focuses on culture-centered dialogue, relationships and messaging in Water, Sanitation and Hygiene (WASH) projects and HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment. Renee is particularly interested in developing participatory communication models tailored to the local socio-cultural context. She’s also interested in the motivational role that income-generating activities and community-driven social innovation play in sustaining behavioral change and in sustaining health outcomes. Renee studied communication about HIV and AIDS as a Fulbright Scholar in Zambia in 2003. She continues to study health communication and behavior change in a number of countries including Malawi, Haiti, Zambia, Kenya, South Africa, Rwanda, Botswana, and the United States. She has also focused on WASH in Kenya, Malawi and Haiti and since COVID-19 has been looking at similar issues in Denver among those experiencing homelessness.
KATIE FAULDS
UK BOARD CHAIR
Katie Faulds is a Principal Consultant at Crasner Consulting, focusing on legal search and management consultant. In parallel, she works as a Vice President within Crasner Capital, a boutique investment bank. Katie is a passionate philanthropist and advocate of women’s rights and empowerment and of diversity and inclusion. She chair’s the active women’s groups within Crasner. Katie speaks English, German and Spanish. She holds a first class honors degree in International Business with modern languages.
SHARON BYLENGA
FOUNDER & MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Sharon Bylenga was inspired to set up MMW in 2010 while working in Africa building public radio stations in post-conflict and crisis zones. She experimented and proved that mobile phones and solar chargers are highly effective and significantly less costly than radio in meeting the information needs of rural women and girls. Sharon earned her master’s degree in agricultural economics and has extensive experience as a U.S. diplomat with the U.S. Foreign Agricultural Service and as a consultant for the World Bank and United Nations. She currently serves as a member of the Core Group of the National Alliance of Women’s Organizations (NAWO) in England.
MUAZ CISSE
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Muaz Cisse is an experienced leader in information technology, including eight years heading the implementation of complex IT infrastructures for Fondation Hirondelle, a global nonprofit which partners with the UN to build nation-wide media projects in Africa. Muaz earned his master’s from the University of Fribourg in Switzerland. He recently joined New Access, Geneva. He aims to use his IT expertise to effectively lead in the revitalization of his continent and promote sustainable development.
DR. MARGARET THOMPSON
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Margaret Thompson, Ph. D., is the MMW journalism trainer, secretary of the MMW US advisory board, and an International Advisory Board member. She is a professor emerita in multicultural and global communication and journalism. Margie has also been a journalist for over 25 years, primarily with women’s independent media in Central America and the United States. She received her Ph.D. from the University of Wisconsin-Madison in Mass Communication & Journalism.
GAIMIN NONYANE
TRUSTEE, MMW UK
Gaimin Nonyane is an experienced economist with extensive experience in emerging and frontier markets. She is an experienced leader with a strong focus on building effective teams and strong customer relationships and communication skills. Gaimin is currently Director at K-Frontiers Solutions Ltd and holds a master’s degree in International Economics and Policy and an honours degree in Economic Studies with Law.
ANTHONY SKINNER
TRUSTEE, MMW UK
Anthony is a Senior Consultant of Marlow Global, advising clients on political risk in Africa. He has over 12 years experience as a research manager and risk analyst and advises investors on global social, governance and security risks. Anthony holds a MSc in International Relations from the London School of Economics and a MA (Honours) in Politics from the University of Edinburgh. Anthony speaks German, French, and Turkish.
LEAH JEWETT ROYALL
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Leah Jewett Royall is a writer, editor and the founder of Outspoken Sex Ed, a social enterprise focused on encouraging parents to talk openly with their children about sex and relationships issues. Leah studied at Columbia University and for 20 years was Deputy Chief Sub-Editor on the Observer Magazine of The Guardian. She founded and directs Outspoken Sex Ed.
LARKA MCCRAY
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Larka McCray is a former Executive Recruiter and Commercial Real Estate broker. Based in Kansas City, she is a co-founder of the Friends Board for Turning Point: The Center for Hope and Healing and is heavily involved in Be Headstrong, and Carolyn Glasoe Bailey Foundation. Larka’s philanthropic values were instilled by her family and continue to spread throughout her sphere of influence. Larka is passionate about MMW’s mission, having three sisters and a daughter.
SUZANNE SPEARS
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Suzanne Spears specializes in international disputes and Business and Human Rights law. She has handled disputes involving Africa, the energy and natural resource industries and human rights. She has worked for international human rights and foreign relations organisations, including the UN, the Inter-American Institute for Human Rights and the Council on Foreign Relations. She is an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at University of Notre Dame in London, where she teaches International Arbitration and Business and Human Rights.
DELIA PEREZ-PAYA
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Delia Perez-Paya helped found MMW, she has extensive experience in global business and is a recognized leader in the field of corporate transformation. She earned a master’s degree in Economics from the European University in Bruges. She began her career with Accenture going on to work as the Vice President of Sales and Marketing with oversight for Commercial excellence for Lafarge. She currently works at Etex in Global Pricing and Sales Excellence. Delia speaks four languages and lives in Paris with her husband and two young daughters.
LIZ UMLAS
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Liz Umlas helped found MMW, she is an independent researcher and consultant with extensive experience in the field of business and human rights, and a particular interest in labor rights issues. She was a senior analyst in socially responsible investment research, and has worked for Oxfam America and UNHCR. She is a co-founder of Sustainable Finance Geneva, and has designed and taught masters courses in business and human rights at the University of Fribourg and Oxford University. Liz has a doctorate in political science from Yale University.
IRENE WARD YATES
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Irene Ward Yates is an experienced global business leader whose corporate experience includes leading global tax organizations for publicly traded multinational corporations. She holds an MBA from the University of Cincinnati, a law degree from Salmon P. Chase College of Law and a B.S. in Business Administration from Miami University. She currently works as a management consultant and executive coach. In addition to MMW, she serves as a board or advisory council member with Green Halo Scholars and The Salvation Army. She has been involved with MMW since 2021.
DANIELLE PRINCE
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Danielle Prince is an experienced international nonprofit professional and passionate advocate for women’s rights. Danielle is fundraiser and communications expert who works for Fund for Congolese Women, a women’s fund in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Previously, she worked on women’s human rights projects in Cambodia, Germany, Ghana, India, South Sudan and the USA. Danielle, who speaks three languages, holds a Master’s Degree in International Development Studies and a post-graduate certificate in Psychological Trauma and in Fundraising Management from the University of Washington in Seattle.
PETA BARRETT
MMW INTERNATIONAL ADVISORY COUNCIL MEMBER
Peta Barrett is a global feminist with more than five years of experience in building relationships and partnerships for gender equality and the rights of women and girls internationally. In her current role at the nonprofit mothers2mothers, Peta is working with teams across 10 African countries to deliver HIV and primary care services to marginalized communities through a proven mentor mother model. Peta is an experienced consultant, supporting operational and fundraising strategies for charities and social enterprises.
MMW Interns
2023
LUCY ELLIS
Lucy aided in grant applications, United Nations work, website design, and research on podcast production.
2022 & 2023
CAMILLE FOWLER
Camille consolidated and analyzed data and worked with the team to produce policy briefs and reports on SGBV, health, and civic education
2022
MADELINE MACKENZIE
Madeline trained our staff members in IT skills, and helped us to continue our Period Power Project.
2021
JASMINE ADAMS
Jasmine put together fact sheets and reports on SGBV and safe elections based on information from sent to us by our journalists.
2021
JENSSEN SEBREE
Jenssen worked on extending our social media coverage and strategy by connecting with other organisations and partners.
2020
RACHEL BERMAN
Rachel assisted in consolidating our descriptions into a “Tool-Kit” for those interested in implementing our concept elsewhere.
2020
ELIZABETH COOPER
Elizabeth used her graphic skills to create digital presentations for Wamama Tujenge and Mamie and Omo.
2020
SAUMYA SINHA
Saumya developed our Period Power Project, designing graphics and writing instructions for young girls to learn how to sew pads.
2020
ANNA SEBREE
Anna worked closely with our Community Liasion, Josephine, on our social media plan and strategy.
2020 & 2019
NATHAN SEBREE
Nathan documented his trip to Sierra Leone, bringing valuable stories and pictures from Sierra Leone to the global stage.
2019
JANE THUROW
Jane reported on the amazing work that each of the journalists are doing from her trip to Sierra Leone.