MaryAnn Chikwanda is an accomplished People and Governance executive with extensive experience in people strategy, employee relations, and board leadership across Africa and Asia. 

As Chief People and Governance Officer for Project Yananai, she provides strategic leadership for the global People and Governance Division, overseeing talent management, organisational culture, compliance, governance frameworks, and sustainability across the organisation's international operations.

MaryAnn currently serves as a People Business Partner for Africa and Asia at a major international organisation, where she leads people strategy and employee relations across diverse jurisdictions. She has held the role of Employee Relations Manager at a global banking group in Zambia, managing complex employee relations matters and driving people initiatives. MaryAnn also brings significant board experience, currently serving as Board Vice Chairperson of the National Remote Sensing Centre and as a member of the Finance and Administration Committee of the Lusaka South Multi‑Facility Economic Zone. She has also served as PTA Secretary at Chengelo School.

MaryAnn holds an MBA in International Business and a BA (Hons) in Business Studies from the University of Greenwich, and is an Associate Member of the CIPD with a CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management. She is a trusted advisor to the Chief Executive Officer and Board of Trustees, championing inclusive, high‑integrity people systems and governance practices that enable mission‑driven organisations to thrive.

As a key member of the Chief Officers Group, MaryAnn is committed to building a resilient, high‑performing workforce and embedding a culture of accountability, transparency, and continuous improvement across Project Yananai's global teams.