Devang Vussonji is the Founding Director of Elimu-Soko, a pan-African organization that works with governments to identify, pilot, and scale evidence-based education innovations within public education systems. His work focuses on strengthening government capacity to adopt and sustain proven solutions that improve learning outcomes across Africa.

Over the past decade, Devang has worked with Ministries of Education, philanthropic foundations, and education innovators to bridge the gap between successful pilots and lasting systems change. His work spans education policy, government partnerships, innovation adoption, and sustainable financing for public education.

Devang has advised governments and development partners across Africa on education reform and has led initiatives supporting the design, evaluation, and scale-up of interventions in areas including teacher professional development, foundational learning, and education technology. He is a regular contributor to global discussions on education systems strengthening and the future of government-led innovation.

He serves on the Board of HakiElimu, where he supports the organization's mission to advance equitable, high-quality education through evidence, citizen engagement, and stronger public accountability.

Philipo is a Partner of PAMAK, a professional services firm specializing in Audit, Tax and Advisory services.  A seasoned auditor, having previously served as a Senior Manager at Deloitte & Touche, where he led the Public Sector docket, following a successful tenure at PricewaterhouseCoopers.

As an Associate Certified Public Accountant in Public Practice (ACPA-PP) registered by the National Board of Accountants and Auditors (NBAA). Philipo specializes in transforming public sector entities; optimization of internal controls, risk management and financial resource efficiency. He does guide organizations in managing geopolitical and operational challenges to maintain strategic focus.

Philipo holds a Bachelor of Commerce (B. Com) in Marketing from University of Dar es Salaam, an MBA from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI); and a Diploma in International Public Sector Accounting Standards (IPSA). Driven by passion for youths, he actively mentors the next generation of professionals in realizing their leadership potentials.

Khalifa Said stands at the vanguard of Tanzania's evolving media landscape as a courageous journalist, dedicated advocate for press freedom, and innovative media entrepreneur. As the Co-Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Chanzo, a pioneering digital-first media initiative, Mr. Said has established himself as an influential voice in East African journalism despite the challenging press environment in his home country.

Born on October 20, 1992, Mr. Said's journalistic journey began at Tumaini University College in Dar es Salaam, where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in Mass Communications in 2016. His formal education has been continuously supplemented by specialized media training and workshops and fellowships both within Tanzania and internationally, reflecting his commitment to journalistic excellence and professional growth.

Mr. Said's professional trajectory reveals a journalist unafraid to challenge power and pursue difficult stories. Before co-founding The Chanzo in July 2020, he honed his craft at Tanzania's leading English newspaper, The Citizen, and its Swahili counterpart, Mwananchi, where he served as a feature and political reporter for three years. During this formative period, he developed an intimate understanding of Tanzania's political, social, and economic dynamics, laying the groundwork for his future endeavours.

In a media environment where press freedom is described as "a luxury," Mr. Said has distinguished himself through his willingness to ask tough questions of government officials and non-state actors alike. His investigative work often ventures into territory many consider risky given Tanzania's political climate, yet he remains steadfast in his pursuit of truth and accountability. This courage stems from his unwavering belief that journalists must hold power to account to build a more open and fairer Tanzania.

The founding of The Chanzo in July 2020, alongside co-founders Tony Alfred K and Joel Ntile, represents the culmination of Mr. Said's vision for independent journalism in Tanzania. Under his leadership as Editor-in-Chief, The Chanzo has rapidly established itself as a trustworthy news source that goes beyond merely reporting events to illuminating their deeper significance. The outlet's commitment to "people-centred journalism" reflects Mr. Said's conviction that media must serve the public interest rather than power.

Currently overseeing a team of seven journalists from across Tanzania, Mr. Said has cultivated a newsroom that embodies the principles of veracity and accuracy. The Chanzo's reputation for rigorous reporting has flourished under his guidance, with the organization now working toward establishing the first-of-its-kind Chanzo Media-Art and Tech Centre, a forward-thinking initiative that acknowledges the evolving nature of information consumption and dissemination.

Mr. Said's written work spans a diverse range of critical issues, including citizenship, politics, good governance, digital rights, and human rights. His articles have appeared in prestigious regional and international publications such as Development, The Elephant, Africa is a Country, and Medium. His coverage of Tanzania's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic and his analysis of how the Tanzanian government weaponises identity and citizenship have been particularly notable contributions to public discourse.

The quality and impact of Mr. Said's journalism received formal recognition when he was honored with the 2021 Best Digital Journalist (Male) award from Tanzania Digital Awards, cementing his status as a leading figure in the country's digital media sphere. This accolade acknowledges not only his technical proficiency but also his commitment to journalistic integrity in a challenging media environment.

Beyond his professional accomplishments, Mr. Said's approach to journalism is deeply informed by his personal philosophy and political convictions. His social media presence, with thousands of followers across multiple platforms, offers insights into his interests in politics, social justice, revealing the multifaceted nature of his intellectual engagement.

Mr. Said's journalism is characterized by passion, rigour, boldness, and adherence to core news values. He believes deeply in journalism's vital role in the global debate and admires the relentless focus on integrity that defines the profession at its best.

Khadija Shariff is an international education, gender, and economic empowerment specialist with over 15 years of experience working across East Africa and the United States. She has partnered with community organizations, schools, and NGOs to advance education, youth development, and women’s empowerment. Khadija is a leader of the Assessment of Life Skills and Values (ALiVE) initiative in Zanzibar, Tanzania, and serves as the Country Lead for the Regional Education Learning Initiative, with a focus on socio-emotional learning and life skills development.

As the Executive Director of Milele Zanzibar Foundation, she leads programs that improve maternal health, education outcomes, and livelihoods for rural and underserved communities. Passionate about equity and social justice, Khadija is committed to empowering women and youth as agents of change and building resilient, inclusive systems that enable communities to thrive. Through her strategic leadership and community-centered approach, she continues to drive sustainable solutions that create lasting social impact.

Advocate Imelda Lulu Urrio is a seasoned human rights and gender expert with over 20 years of advancing gender justice, access to justice, and community empowerment in Tanzania. She holds an LL.B and LL.M in Procedural Law and International Legal Practice from the University of Dar es Salaam and has been a member of the Tanganyika Law Society since 2005.

Adv. Urrio has extensive expertise in human rights programming, institutional strengthening, skilled in stakeholder engagement, facilitation of multi-sectoral dialogues, and translating complex legal frameworks into actionable community interventions. She holds a strong track record of working with Government institutions, Development Partners, and Civil Society Organizations.

Throughout her career, she has played a pivotal role in strengthening CSO capacity, supporting legal and policy reform processes, and advancing gender-responsive programming at both grassroots and national levels. She has held key roles at the Legal and Human Rights Centre (LHRC) and maintains active engagement with leading CSOs, including the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association (TAWLA) and the Child Dignity Forum (CDF). She currently serves on the Boards of Women in Law and Development in Africa - Tanzania (WiLDAF), Tanzania Network on Human Trafficking (TANAHUT), and Tanzania Legal Aid Network (TANLAP) contributing to governance, strategic oversight, and programmatic direction.

Adv. Urrio is the Founder of Hodari Hub, a capacity development firm, and works as an independent consultant supporting organizations to enhance institutional effectiveness, governance, and impact.

Japhet is a Co- Founder of HakiElimu since its establishment in 2001. Together with a few other co-founders, he joined the secretariat team to develop and implement the first 3-year strategy working at managerial and support supervision positions. Japhet poses exiting background in his social and career life, starting from being a professional livestock management and veterinary expert and gradually moving into social development and human right activist over the years. He holds a Master's Degree in International Relations and Development Studies and Advanced Diplomas in Livestock Management and Community Program Management respectively.

Japhet is a seasoned champion of human rights with a strong passion on education, gender and inclusion as among the fundamental human rights. He is actively engaging in advocating for citizen’s awareness on their rights and promotion of good practices from duty bearers to ensure these rights are adhered to. He has extensive experience working with pastoralist, organizing farmer groups, children and education programs drawn from his career with public (government), and civil society organizations (national and international NGOs) and donor programs for more than 30 years. Japhet (now retired from active employment) is still an active participant in social development and human right dialogues and debates and enjoys learning and playing the coaching and mentorship roles to youth and where needed. He is still passionate to see the dream/vision of HakiElimu prevail.