Mar 3, 2025
Munich, Germany — Cornerstone International is pleased to announce the appointment of Mr. Misheck Lyuba Chitanda as its new Chief Program and Grants Officer.
As a co-founder and Board Member, Mr. Chitanda is well positioned to oversee this department fully and in this management leadership role, Mr. Chitanda will oversee the Foundation’s global grants management and program strategy, while strengthening donor engagement, institutional partnerships and community-driven development initiatives across Africa, the Middle East and other emerging regions. He will also lead efforts to expand the Foundation’s humanitarian, livelihoods, education, WASH and social impact programming.
Mr. Chitanda brings more than 25 years of international development leadership experience spanning Iraq, Syria, Zambia, Botswana and the Democratic Republic of Congo. Throughout his career, he has successfully mobilised and managed over US$650 million in donor funding and has built strategic partnerships with leading international institutions and the European Union.
Prior to joining Cornerstone International, Mr. Chitanda served in several senior grants and fundraising leadership positions. His work has focused on humanitarian response, mine action, community mobilisation, agriculture, cross-border trade, climate resilience and NGO capacity strengthening. Across these initiatives, he has consistently delivered measurable impact, including helping create more than 25,000 jobs through community development programmes and maintaining exceptional donor retention and compliance performance.
“Misheck brings a rare combination of strategic fundraising expertise, operational leadership and deep community engagement experience,” said the Chairlady, Margo Zsold of Cornerstone International. “His proven ability to translate local needs into sustainable development programmes and long-term donor partnerships makes him an invaluable addition to our executive leadership team as we expand our international impact.”
Mr. Chitanda is widely recognised for his strengths in grants management, fundraising strategy, donor relations, programme design, MEAL systems and community-centered development approaches. He has also played a significant role in strengthening local NGO capacity and advancing localisation efforts within humanitarian and development sectors.
Commenting on his appointment, Mr. Chitanda said:
“I am honored to join Cornerstone International at such an important stage in its growth and global engagement. I look forward to working closely with our partners, donors, and communities to expand sustainable and inclusive programmes that empower vulnerable populations, strengthen local institutions and create lasting social impact.”