Board of Directors

Donbell Mandala has served as the CEO of NICO General Insurance since April 1, 2017. In addition to his executive leadership, Donbell holds key governance roles, serving as the Board Chairperson of the Malawi Agricultural and Industrial Investment Bank (MAIIC) and as a Board Member of NICO Technologies Limited.

"As Chairman and Director of Rugare Mental Health Organization, I am deeply passionate about revolutionizing mental health care in our Malawi. I believe that every individual deserves access to quality, compassionate, and inclusive support. Our organization though still at its infancy stage, is more than dedicated to breaking down stigma, fostering empathy, and empowering individuals to thrive."

Abigail Bonongwe brings over 30 years of experience in clinical care delivery and healthcare management to her role at Rugare Mental Health Organization.

Her experience spans clinical leadership, operational management, and strengthening the delivery of quality health services.

"Mental health is just as important as physical health. It affects our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Love yourself and make your mental health a priority. Moyo ndi Mpamba, Usamalireni."

Chifundo Molleni is a results-driven Business Management Consultant with over 10 years of expertise across leadership, administration, and project management.

She is passionate about championing inclusive and highly supportive environments that foster holistic well-being. Chifundo remains firmly committed to building a culture of systemic care, compassion, and open dialogue.

"I firmly believe that mental health is the foundation of a fulfilling life. Everyone deserves to be heard, valued, and empowered. I am committed to creating a culture of care and compassion. Together, let's foster an environment that feels safe to talk, listen, and support each other."

Dr. Michael Mphatso Udedi is a distinguished public mental health specialist, researcher, and policymaker working at both national and continental levels.

He currently serves as the Principal Technical Officer for Non-Communicable Diseases, Injuries, and Mental Health (NCDIMH) at the Africa CDC. In addition, he is the Assistant Director of Curative and Medical Rehabilitation Services (Mental Health) at the Malawi Ministry of Health, where he provides strategic leadership for the integration and advancement of mental health services nationally.

He bridges policy, practice, and academia through his academic roles as an Adjunct Assistant Professor of Epidemiology at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an Honorary Lecturer at Kamuzu University of Health Sciences (KUHeS).

Dr. Udedi has co-authored over 60 peer-reviewed publications, with research focusing on integrating mental health into chronic care systems, strengthening service delivery models, and developing scalable community-based psychosocial and suicide prevention interventions.

He is a strong advocate for mental health, committed to improving public awareness, reducing stigma, and expanding access to quality mental health care across communities.

Patricia Araru (Trish) brings over 40 years of experience in public health, having worked across humanitarian, development, and post-conflict settings in countries including Rwanda, Kenya, Burundi, the Solomon Islands, and Malawi.

She served for 19 years within Malawi's Ministry of Health, leading work on Aid Effectiveness and later coordinating emergency health responses during major public health crises, including the COVID-19 pandemic, cholera outbreaks, and tropical cyclones.

Trish's passion for mental health began in the late 1980s during the HIV/AIDS pandemic, when she trained as a counsellor and went on to lead HIV/AIDS counselling services at the Hospital for Tropical Diseases in London. She also co-founded a community outreach programme that provided counselling and awareness services for refugees, survivors of torture, and other marginalized communities from East and Central Africa living in the UK.

Her international work has included supporting the development of HIV counselling services in Burundi and establishing referral pathways for survivors of gender-based violence in the Solomon Islands. In Malawi, she contributed to the development of the National Mental Health Policy and the drafting of the Mental Health Bill.

Throughout her career, Trish has been a dedicated advocate for integrating mental health into broader health systems, particularly within emergency and underserved settings. She remains committed to advancing mental health equity, reducing stigma, and ensuring that people have access to compassionate, culturally responsive care.

"Mental health is the thread that holds communities together. To heal nations, we must first care for the minds and hearts of their people."

Otiyela Mtema brings nearly a decade of leadership experience in youth-led and youth-serving initiatives, with a strong focus on creative, community-driven development and youth empowerment.

He currently serves as the Director of Programmes at Zaluso Arts, where he leads impactful projects that use art as a tool to engage with public health, identity, and complex social issues. Through his work, he explores how creative expression can be used to spark dialogue, build awareness, and support community wellbeing.

As a published researcher, Otiyela's work focuses on youth gambling harms and arts-based approaches to health promotion. His research bridges academic knowledge with practical, grassroots community engagement and has been featured in leading international publications, including BMJ Global Health.

His professional practice is grounded in equity, participation, cultural relevance, and social impact. He is committed to advancing mental wellness as a key foundation for building strong and resilient communities.

Otiyela believes in the power of expression and connection in healing and growth. As he puts it, giving people space to express themselves creatively helps them process experiences, feel understood, and begin to heal. He is passionate about advancing this vision through his work with Rugare.