The Backbone of Change:
Our Leadership

Currently serving as a member of the SEA-T Advisory Committee of GIZ Africa, Gloria plays a pivotal role in guiding this strategic program designed to support the Afro-feminist sector. She contributes to directing resources for joint advocacy actions and evidence-based campaigns, fostering a space for continuous exchange, collective learning, and strategic orientation to strengthen the feminist movement across the continent.

Gloria is the Africa Director of Réseau des Femmes Leaders pour le Développement (RFLD). Under her leadership, RFLD has achieved Observer Status with the African Union ACHPR and expanded its reach across the continent. She holds a Master's degree in Communications and Project Management and is currently a PhD candidate. Gloria is a mother of three and a tireless advocate for women's rights.

Her influence spans the continent. She was selected by the African Union African Governance Architecture as a Youth Ambassador for the Governance Continental Roadshow Campaign. Gloria also serves on the Steering Committee of the CHARM Africa Consortium (funded by Sida) and acts as the Benin Country Advisor for UAF Africa. She has successfully mobilized resources from major donors including Sida, Amplify Change, AWDF, CIVICUS, and the Black Feminist Fund, leading consultations in over 15 countries for institutions such as the EU and Women Deliver.

Dr. Sandrine Liliose Chikou is a socio-anthropologist and seasoned researcher who seamlessly blends academic rigor with grassroots action. Holding a Ph.D. in Socio-Anthropology, she is a lecturer at the University of Abomey-Calavi and the Executive Director of the Trois Sœurs Education Fund. Her work is dedicated to promoting education, women's empowerment, and social development through evidence-based interventions.

Sandrine has extensive experience managing international grants and projects funded by partners such as the US Embassy, IDRC, and Amplify Change. She has directed diverse initiatives ranging from STEM education for primary schools to cultural preservation and women's entrepreneurship. Her expertise includes designing conflict prevention manuals, facilitating community forums on non-violent communication, and conducting socio-anthropological research on critical issues like gender-based violence.

At RFLD, Sandrine brings her deep understanding of grant management and project implementation to her role as Senior Grants Officer. She is instrumental in ensuring compliance, maximizing resource utilization, and guiding the strategic direction of funded programs. Her dual perspective as both a researcher and a practitioner allows her to design and oversee projects that are not only compliant with donor requirements but also deeply responsive to the social realities of the communities they serve.

Mary Norkai Dowuona is a highly skilled administrative professional with over a decade of experience in office management and executive support. With a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration specializing in Human Resources, she possesses a strong foundation in organizational efficiency and team coordination. Her career is characterized by a commitment to maintaining high standards of confidentiality, professionalism, and operational smoothness in fast-paced environments.

Mary brings valuable experience from the diplomatic sector, having served as a Secretary at the Libyan Embassy in Ghana. In this capacity, she acted as the primary point of contact for the Ambassador's secretariat, managing complex schedules, confidential records, and high-level correspondence. She has a proven track record in providing logistical support for diplomatic visits, liaising with government authorities, and ensuring the seamless execution of official protocols.

As the Executive Office Lead at RFLD, Mary ensures the efficient functioning of the executive team. Her ability to prioritize tasks, handle sensitive information with discretion, and coordinate across departments makes her the linchpin of the organization's daily operations. She is a resourceful problem-solver who fosters a productive work environment, enabling the leadership team to focus on strategic goals while she expertly manages the administrative backbone of the organization.

Florence Eniayehou is a dedicated monitoring and evaluation specialist with a strong academic foundation in Political Science and International Relations, complemented by a Master's degree in Gender and Peacebuilding. Her career focuses on integrating gender perspectives into development projects and ensuring that programs deliver measurable, sustainable outcomes for women and youth.

Florence has served as a gender specialist and legal consultant for significant infrastructure projects, such as rural and urban electrification initiatives, where she conducted gender audits to ensure inclusive development. Her experience extends to managing projects focused on sexual health rights and youth needs, demonstrating her ability to navigate complex social issues with sensitivity and analytical rigor.

As the Head of Impact & Learning at RFLD, Florence is responsible for the organization's monitoring and evaluation frameworks. She ensures that all initiatives are rigorously tracked and assessed, allowing for continuous learning and adaptation. Her work is critical in demonstrating the tangible impact of RFLD's interventions to donors and stakeholders, ensuring that every program contributes meaningfully to the organization's mission of gender justice.

Major Gogo Ashifie is a seasoned finance and compliance expert with over 15 years of experience in financial analysis, budgeting, and strategic leadership within the development sector. As a Fellow Chartered and Certified Accountant (FCCA) and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants (ICA-Ghana), he brings a rigorous standard of financial stewardship to RFLD. His career is defined by a proven track record of strengthening internal controls, mitigating risks, and ensuring regulatory compliance across complex, multi-country operations.

Major Gogo has managed extensive financial portfolios for major international donors, including USAID, DANIDA, DfID, Sida, the World Bank, and the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. His expertise includes overseeing the financial operations of the Afrobarometer Network across more than 30 African countries, where he conducted thorough due diligence and financial assessments. He has successfully prepared and managed multi-million dollar budgets for high-stakes projects, such as national election support programs, consistently ensuring audit readiness and financial transparency.

Beyond financial management, Major Gogo is an influential leader who has established internal audit units and developed comprehensive grant management policies. He excels in communicating complex financial concepts to diverse stakeholders and has served as a key advisor to boards on governance and risk management. His ability to drive cost reductions while optimizing cash flow has been instrumental in the sustainable growth of the organizations he serves.

Dr. Pascal Dohou is a distinguished academic and development practitioner with deep expertise in sociology, risk management, and civic engagement. Holding a Ph.D. in Sociology of Development and a Master’s in Disaster Risk Management, he combines rigorous academic research with practical field experience to drive RFLD’s programmatic strategy. His work is grounded in a profound understanding of the socio-cultural dynamics that shape development in West Africa.

As a university lecturer and researcher, Dr. Dohou has contributed significantly to the body of knowledge on governance, conflict prevention, and social inclusion. He has served as a Technical Advisor for Institutional Reform at the Ministry of Decentralization and has been a key member of national commissions on traditional chieftaincy and agricultural orientation. His ability to bridge the gap between theoretical frameworks and actionable policy makes him a vital asset in designing programs that are both evidence-based and culturally resonant.

Dr. Dohou has led numerous high-level consultations for international bodies and has developed critical resources, including guides on conflict prevention and manuals on civic space. His extensive publication record covers topics ranging from prison sociology to the role of women in traditional power structures. At RFLD, he oversees the design and implementation of programs, ensuring they effectively address the root causes of inequality while fostering community resilience and social cohesion.

John Gbenagnon is a dynamic project manager and human rights activist with over a decade of experience advocating for gender equality and social development across Africa. With a Master's in Project Management and a background in Communication and Marketing, John excels in bridging the gap between strategic vision and operational execution. His career is marked by a passionate commitment to empowering diverse stakeholders through training, research, and advocacy.

John has held pivotal roles in leading regional monitoring initiatives and communication strategies for major organizations. His experience includes serving as the West Africa Communication Consultant for Equality Now, where he coordinated campaigns to end Female Genital Mutilation, and as a Communication Officer for the African Centre for Democracy and Human Rights Studies (ACDHRS). He possesses a strong ability to identify organizational needs, design capacity-building sessions, and foster partnerships with both NGOs and the private sector.

At RFLD, John leverages his multilingual skills and deep understanding of the West African human rights landscape to drive strategic development. He has been instrumental in monitoring civic space and democracy projects, providing technical support to state institutions, and managing project budgets. His results-oriented approach ensures that RFLD’s initiatives are not only well-planned but also effectively communicated and rigorously monitored for maximum impact.

Rebecca Hossou plays a vital role in ensuring the organizational health and operational efficiency of RFLD. As the Head of Administration and Care, she oversees the daily administrative functions that keep the organization running smoothly, while simultaneously championing a culture of well-being for the team. Her work is central to creating a supportive environment where staff can thrive and remain resilient in the face of challenging advocacy work.

With a keen eye for detail and a deep commitment to feminist principles of care, Rebecca manages logistics, procurement, and office administration with precision. She ensures that internal policies are not only compliant but also reflect the organization's values of inclusivity and respect. Her leadership in this dual role ensures that RFLD remains structurally sound while fostering a workplace that values the human element behind every project and initiative.