We are a diverse team of health professionals and community leaders passionate about promoting gender equality
Meet the Team
Based in Malawi and shaped by global experience, our team blends local insight with international perspective to challenge the status quo. We come from health, development, and community sectors — bringing diverse voices, shared values, and a deep commitment to doing things differently. Together, we’re building bold, grounded solutions that last.
Casey English
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Casey moved from California to Malawi in 2017, serving as adjunct faculty at Mzuzu University’s School of Nursing and Midwifery, where she focused on clinical teaching and practice improvement in district hospitals across the country. She has also worked in Liberia, Ghana, and Uganda, applying field-based experience to strengthen menstrual health and sexual and reproductive health programming alongside her work in Malawi.
A registered nurse with a Master’s in International Public Health, Casey is known for bridging cultural and knowledge gaps with humility, adaptability, and humor.
Elizabeth Msukwa
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Elizabeth is a seasoned public health professional with over 13 years of experience in SRHR programming, working directly with the Government of Malawi as well as non-governmental organizations. Her career journey — from frontline Nurse/Midwife at a district hospital to Programme Manager at the national level — reflects her commitment to expanding quality SRHR services to underserved young people and communities across Malawi.
Elizabeth brings deep technical expertise in contraceptive access and SRHR service delivery. As a mid-career woman leader, she is poised to contribute her frontline and managerial expertise to strengthen SRHR and MHH services at CARVE, while deepening her leadership capabilities to drive even greater impact for adolescent girls and young women in Malawi.
Shammah Chidambe
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Shammah is a seasoned operations professional with 9 years of global experience in logistics, financial management, and safety oversight. His proven ability to enhance operational efficiency and foster team collaboration makes him an invaluable addition to CARVE.
Passionate about volunteerism and leadership development, Shammah's expertise aligns perfectly with CARVE's mission to empower young people and advance sexual and reproductive health rights. His leadership will be instrumental in driving the impact of CARVE’s programs in Malawi..
Jessica Swart
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Jessica has over 17 years of experience in international development, with a strong focus on Malawi and other Southern African countries. Throughout her career with leading international NGOs, she has developed and implemented large-scale, multi-sectoral programs, successfully mobilizing and managing over USD $150 million in funding. Her work spans major donors, including USAID, FCDO, the EU, Global Affairs Canada, private foundations, and UN agencies.
Jessica brings deep expertise in partnership development, strategic planning, project management, gender equality, safeguarding, monitoring and evaluation, and adaptive learning. Her technical leadership has been instrumental in delivering impactful, sustainable programs across multiple sectors.
She holds a Master of International Affairs from Columbia University in New York and a Bachelor of Political Science and English from the University of Southern Californi
Chifundo Kamulete
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Born and raised in Malawi, Chifundo is a public health professional and youth advocate dedicated to advancing sexual and reproductive health and rights across her communities. As a District Coordinator at CARVE Africa, she is known for creating safe, engaging spaces where young people can openly explore menstrual health, gender norms, relationships, and the SRHR issues that shape their lives.
With hands-on experience coordinating community programmes and facilitating youth-led initiatives, Chifundo brings professionalism, empathy, and energy to every engagement. Her ability to connect with both community leaders and young people drives meaningful conversations that challenge stigma, harmful cultural practices, and misinformation.
Committed to community empowerment and lasting social change, Chifundo continues to use her voice to build healthier, more informed, and more confident communities across Malawi.
Tisu Chakhoma
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Tisungane Chakhoma is a District Coordinator at CARVE Africa with over six years of experience in sexual and reproductive health and rights and community systems strengthening. She leads the implementation of menstrual health and SRHR programmes at district level, ensuring alignment with national priorities and donor standards.
Tisungane works across health, education, and community structures — coordinating with District Health Management Teams, traditional leaders, schools, and youth networks to improve access to youth-friendly services and accurate SRHR information. She brings deep expertise in demand creation, capacity building, and grassroots engagement.
She holds a BA in Humanities from the University of Malawi and is driven by a commitment to advancing adolescent health through evidence-based, community-centred approaches.
USA (501c3) Board of Directors
Mark Miness
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Mark Miness brings valuable expertise and experience to the CARVE Africa board. As a Partner at Generation Investment Management since 2020, he demonstrates a strong commitment to sustainability and shared prosperity, aligning with CARVE Africa's mission.
Mark's previous roles as a director at AMP Capital, vice president in institutional sales at Cohen & Steers, and associate director at Wellington Management Company further highlight his extensive background in finance and investment. These experiences equip him with insights into financial management and strategic decision-making, which are essential for guiding CARVE Africa's financial sustainability and growth.
Mark's educational background, with a BS in Finance & Marketing from Questrom School of Business, Boston University, provides him with a solid foundation in finance and business management. This knowledge equips him to contribute effectively to discussions on fundraising strategies, financial planning, and organizational development within CARVE Africa.
His diverse experiences and alignment with the organization's mission and values position him well to contribute meaningfully to CARVE Africa's success.
Edgar D’Mello
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Edgar is a retired senior financial services executive. He brings over four decades of experience across treasury, investment operations, asset servicing, and relationship management, with a strong focus on pension funds, central banks, sovereign wealth funds, and inter-governmental entities in the Middle East and Africa.
Edgar has a proven track record in building and restructuring high-performing teams, strengthening governance, and providing strategic financial oversight, making him a valued advisor and steward of organizational resources.
Since retirement, Edgar’s focus has been to give back to the community and he is currently a member on the Board of Governors for a primary school and Trustee for two other charities, providing intellectual support on their governance and financial activities.
Casey English
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Casey English is the visionary founder and Executive Director of CARVE, driven by her profound love for Malawi and knowing firsthand what the power of quality information can do specifically in enhancing health outcomes.
Throughout her nursing career, Casey volunteered in various countries, including Haiti, Nicaragua, El Salvador, Peru, and India to fuel her desire to learn outside her comfort zone while being able to provide a skill. These experiences fueled her desire to deepen her understanding of global health, leading her to pursue a Master's in International Public Health from the University of Sydney, Australia.
Casey's commitment to making a difference in the field of global health brought her to Malawi, where she served with Seed Global Health and the Peace Corps. She spent two years with the University of Mzuzu teaching nursing students both clinically and didactically, contributing significantly to capacity building in the healthcare sector.
Today, Casey considers herself fortunate to call Malawi home, where she continues to lead CARVE's efforts in promoting SRHR and empowering communities to achieve gender equity and improved health outcomes. Her leadership, passion, and dedication are driving forces behind CARVE's mission to create positive and sustainable change in Malawi and beyond.
Claire Graham
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Claire is an experienced international development worker with MSc degree in International Development and 19 years of work experience. Claire has worked as the Director of Programmes and Operations within Banja La Mtsogolo for a little over a year, overseeing their projects, operations, research and marketing operations. Previously, Claire’s experience focused on senior level SRHR program management and health system strengthening at regional, global and country levels such as in India and Madagascar.
Claire is an advocate and expert of women’s health in general and their Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights in particular.
Kara Tureski
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Kara Tureski is a globally recognized leader in social and behavior change (SBC), with more than 25 years of experience designing and leading transformative health and development programs across over 25 countries. She brings deep expertise in behaviorally informed, evidence-based programming, health systems strengthening, and capacity development.
As Principal and Managing Director of Adaptive Consulting, LLC, Kara advises global organizations on strategic SBC design, scale-up, sustainability, and new business development.
Prior to founding Adaptive, she spent a decade leading FHI 360’s SBC portfolio, where she secured and managed complex, multimillion-dollar donor-funded initiatives—including serving as Project Director for USAID’s global Inspire SBC flagship.
Kara is a trusted advisor to governments, funders, and implementing partners, and a recognized thought leader in advancing systemic, locally driven approaches. Her cross-sectoral work spans family planning and reproductive health; maternal and child health; water, sanitation, and hygiene; HIV; pandemic preparedness; malaria; and gender equity. A frequent contributor to global SBC guidance, peer-reviewed literature, and thought leadership, she is deeply committed to fostering equitable, community-rooted change.
Kara holds an MPH in Global Health from the George Washington University and a BA in Psychology from the University of Richmond. She lives in Arlington, Virginia, with her family and their very energetic goldendoodle
Alex Tindale
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Alex Tindale brings legal expertise and a unique blend of international development and tech sector experience to the CARVE Africa board. Building on her Bachelors in Law and Masters in International Law, she has worked in women’s rights across continents (Australia, Asia, Africa and Europe) and through both the UN and NGO systems. She has had a particular focus on ending gender based violence and sexual and reproductive health rights. Now working in the private sector as a senior data protection lawyer, Alex brings additional tech and data expertise. Eager to extend her impact through CARVE Africa, Alex aims to serve the furtherance of menstrual health and hygiene and sexual and reproductive health rights in Malawi through contributions to legal, regulatory and governance issues with CARVE Africa.
Emily Cercone
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Emily Cercone is a seasoned international public health leader with over a decade of deep connection to Malawi. Her commitment to the country began in 2014 when she worked within the Ministry of Health’s Department of Planning and Policy Development, an experience that cemented her long-term desire to contribute to the health and wellbeing of Malawians.
She most recently served as a Foreign Service Health Officer with USAID, and has previously held roles with CDC, Innovations for Poverty Action, and UNICEF. Emily brings extensive technical expertise across sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR), HIV, maternal and child health, nutrition, WASH, health systems strengthening, global health security, birth and death registration, and monitoring and evaluation. She has lived and worked in Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Indonesia, Bangladesh, and other countries across Asia and sub-Saharan Africa.
Emily is particularly passionate about menstrual health and SRHR, given Malawi’s adolescent pregnancy rate and school completion challenges. With USAID’s recent global funding cuts, she sees CARVE Africa as a critical actor in filling the gap for youth-centered, rights-based health programming.
She is excited to bring her experience and expansive global health networks to support CARVE Africa’s mission as a board member.
Malawi Board of Directors
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Mr. Msiska, hailing from Rhumpi in the Northern Region of Malawi, brings a wealth of expertise to our board of directors. Currently serving as a Branch Manager for a prominent Malawian business, he specializes in the marketing and production of beverages, showcasing his exceptional skills in the industry.
Having previously engaged in HIV/AIDS and Sexually Transmitted Infection awareness work, Mr. Msiska has collaborated with renowned partners such as USAID and Chibuku. These experiences have fostered his deep commitment to addressing crucial health issues within the community.
Mr. Msiska's character shines through his unwavering loyalty, honesty, and humility. Descending from a line of Chiefs, he is a passionate advocate for workplace equality, always striving to create an inclusive and empowering environment for all.
His diverse background and remarkable qualities make Mr. Msiska a valuable asset to our board of directors. We are privileged to have his insights and contributions as we work towards our mission of creating a positive impact through CARVE..
Owen Msiska
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Mr. Bheda brings a unique blend of business acumen and a deep commitment to education and inclusiveness to our esteemed board of directors. His extensive experience includes serving as Chairperson for Mount View Primary School and Central High School in Blantyre, where his initial mandate was to elevate the schools to international recognition. Under his guidance, these schools not only achieved that goal but have consistently ranked among the top 5 in academic excellence nationwide.
Mr. Bheda's dedication to inclusivity extends beyond gender equality, as he has played a pivotal role in increasing female enrollment from 3% to an impressive 52% in Form 5/6. Furthermore, he has spearheaded initiatives to improve enrollment for Indigenous Malawians, successfully raising it from 3% to 48%. His advocacy for inclusivity extends to special needs education, where he established a dedicated department to promote awareness, ensure safety, and provide tailored education for children with special needs and their parents.
Energetic, passionate, and driven, Mr. Bheda is a constant force within our board, relentlessly pursuing sustainability and genuine impact through CARVE Africa. He is motivated by a desire to transcend the confines of the aid industry mechanics, pushing us beyond the status quo. For Mr. Bheda, the pillars of impact, local leadership, and quality are essential in all our endeavors.
We are honored to have Mr. Bheda as a member of our board, and we eagerly anticipate the transformative contributions he will continue to make, ensuring CARVE Africa's enduring success.
Irfan Bheda
Imogen Feilding
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Imogen is an impassioned champion for quality education and inclusivity, dedicated to breaking down barriers and ensuring equal access to education in various countries including Malawi, Egypt, and the UK. With a postgraduate certificate in education from the UK, her expertise is particularly focused on primary school students.
During her tenure as Head Teacher and Lead Administrator at a school in Northern Malawi, Imogen played a pivotal role in ensuring that numerous vulnerable girls were able to remain in school. Her unwavering commitment to keeping girls within the educational system is unparalleled, and her efforts have had a profound impact on the lives of these young individuals.
Imogen's unrelenting drive to maintain the highest standards of quality education aligns perfectly with the values cherished by CARVE Africa. Her dedication to providing equitable opportunities for all students is at the core of our mission. Imogen's passion and unwavering pursuit of excellence make her an invaluable member of our board of directors, inspiring us to continually strive for educational empowerment and lasting impact.
Betti Nhlane
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Betti, a native of Mzuzu, Malawi, epitomizes the spirit of community mobilization, leadership, and passionate advocacy for menstrual health. She has been a driving force behind the establishment of CARVE Africa, serving as a cultural liaison and igniting the organization's mission. Betti's influential role within her community is characterized by her remarkable sense of humor, which transcends language and cultural barriers.
For the past five years, Betti has collaborated closely with the founder, Casey English, beginning with humble women's groups in her living room and progressing to comprehensive menstrual health and hygiene training sessions. Now, as a member of the board of directors, Betti ensures that community advocacy remains at the forefront of CARVE Africa's work, addressing the most fundamental needs and aspirations of the community.
Betti's unwavering commitment to empowering individuals and championing menstrual health makes her an invaluable asset to our board. Her deep-rooted connection to the community and wealth of experience continue to shape the organization's impact and drive. We are honored to have Betti's guidance and expertise as we work towards our shared vision of menstrual health empowerment in Malawi and beyond.
