Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD) - Executive Director
 
Resume: Leah Mitaba is a Legal, Development and Communications Specialist who is currently Head of Secretariat at the Zambia Council for Social Development (ZCSD).  Leah shapes national, regional and international development through advocacy for human rights-based policies, input into policy development and programme direction. Her passion is to work towards ensuring that all, especially previously marginalized groups are not left behind. She has experience working on local CSO strengthening, Participatory Governance, Fighting Inequality and Economic Empowerment. 

Motivation: I have a demonstrated track record in civil society working with women, children, rural communities, persons with disability and some of Zambia’s most excluded communities as well as Corporate and Political Leaders and therefore infuses leadership with a gender, disability and fighting inequality lens in her work. Through this, it is clear that certain sections of people continue to be excluded from participation in civil, social and economic sectors. And in cases of disaster, continue to face the brunt. I have also seen that the world has enough for everyone yet the high levels of inequality manifest in high poverty levels, discrimination and gender based violence. Three years ago, I got my first job to lead a network organisation and while quite a lot has been achieved, I have also faced significant challenges which at times required for me to either reach out to other experts in my field and actually bemoan the lack of a focused resource to strengthen my leadership journey and this is what motivated me to reach out to this opportunity to learn and share with others. As a leader, I also realized that many times the back stopped at me to either make a decision or an informed technical advice to the Board of my platform and so there was a lot of learning in this area too.

Fun fact: I identify with the name – Peaceful Moments and Butterfly – because I thrive on finding creative ways to bring people together while encouraging them to embrace what makes them unique – whether it is organizing group projects, mentoring others, or simply sharing ideas that inspire collaboration.

In relation to the butterfly, I am intrigued by butterflies because they symbolize transformation which resonates with the need for transformative thinking and actions whether at individual or group level to be able to be and influence the change we may wish to see.