Maria Kisumbi
Gwynn Oak
Summary
Philanthropic and human rights leader with 15+ years of experience advancing justice, human rights, democracy, and civil society across Africa and the U.S. Deep expertise in policy advocacy, government relations, funder engagement and collaboration. Known for centering equity, empathy, humility, and joy.
Overview
20
20
years of professional experience
Work History
Director Policy and Government Relations
Humanity United
03.2022 - Current
- Regularly engage with policymakers, philanthropy peers, and advocacy organizations to amplify partner voices and drive aligned impact.
- Build meaningful connections among key policymakers, philanthropy peers as well as various advocacy organizations.
- Lead vision and strategic development for the HU policy function.
- Manage and direct team-wide grantmaking initiatives.
- Advocacy for advancement of HU and HUA's strategic priorities.
- Lead and advise on policy matters within HU, representing a strong policy voice.
- Collaborate with HU's program teams to align on shared policy goals and maximize impact opportunities.
- Spearheaded creation of platforms like the U.S.-Africa Futures Summit and facilitated the funder round table on the future of development, positioning HU as a systems catalyst.
- Utilize strategic thinking to analyze complex policy issues, informing recommendations for government relations and policy development
- Supervise government relations efforts to ensure alignment with organizational goals and objectives
- Provide thought leadership on policy and government relations matters.
- Build and maintained a robust network of relationships with government officials, weaving a collaborative approach to policy development and advocacy
- Prioritize policy team's professional development.
Senior Advisor, Policy And Government Relations
Humanity United
08.2018 - 03.2022
- Worked across HU’s portfolios to ensure our policy advocacy is informed by the needs of our partners and aligned with our portfolio goals.
- Fostered strong relationships with government officials, motivated to work collaboratively on policy matters and drive positive change
- Developed and implemented effective policy and government relations strategies to engage and inform the target audience on key legislative issues
- Recommended updates to current legislation, regulations and policies.
- Researched existing policies and procedures to gain firm understanding of current conditions.
- Managed implementation of policy and program initiatives.
- Facilitate communication and relationship development between different stakeholders.
- Inaugural RAD member and employee led initiative that works to raise awareness about some harmful and extractive aspects of philanthropy and advocates for restorative and regenerative practices both within and outside of TOG.
- Part of the team that developed Humanity United inaugural organization strategy.
- Inaugural DEIJ action team member that kickstarted HU DEIJ journey
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams in developing and implementing effective policy and government relations strategies.
- Developed and implemented strategic policy initiatives, leveraging verbal communication skills to build strong relationships with key government contacts
Human Rights and Governance Technical Advisor
German Technical Cooperation (GIZ)
02.2015 - 07.2018
- Integrated Human Rights Based Approach into development strategies.
- Enhanced operational capacity of the Ugandan National Planning Authority.
- Offered strategic guidance to the Uganda Human Rights Commission, enhancing human rights protection in Uganda.
- Oversaw budgeting for civil society projects.
- Assisted select civil society organizations in planning programs effectively.
- Assisted in enhancing the capabilities of specific civil society organizations.
- Identified potential partnerships with civil society organizations.
- Designed Human Rights-Based Approach Training Program for staff capacity enhancement across National Planning Authority, sectors, and ministries.
- Improved cooperation between the National Planning Authority and significant government bodies such as the Uganda Human Rights Commission and Equal Opportunities Commission.
- Enhanced the capacity of civil society actors to deliver services effectively.
- Facilitated knowledge management for GIZ and partners by producing and assembling success stories.
Legal Officer
Avocats San Frontiers
12.2014 - 11.2015
- Created platform for delivering accurate legal services to communities experiencing adverse effects from regional oil operations.
- Engaged target communities concerning business and human rights issues.
- Participated in alternative dispute resolution sessions with external mediators.
- Participated in shaping policy reform discussions under the Protect, Respect, and Remedy framework.
- Identified methods to access assistance from a pool of lawyers serving project-impacted areas.
Coordinator
Law And Advocacy for Women in Uganda
01.2006 - 07.2013
- Contributed to strategic program planning and performance tracking.
- Contributed to the creation of legislative drafts for laws addressing trafficking in persons and female genital mutilation.
- Coordinated cases challenging Female Genital Mutilation as a discriminatory practice.
- Created campaigns for swift approval of key legislation like the Prohibition of FGM Act and Trafficking in Persons Act.
- Designed comprehensive training modules to enhance understanding of newly enacted legislations.
- Advocated for gender-sensitive laws in collaboration with government and civil organizations.
- Contributed to creating civil society coalitions addressing maternal mortality from unsafe abortion.
Education
LLB - Law
Makerere University
12.2016
Master of Laws - undefined
Georgetown University Law Center
05.2014
Skills
- Government Relations
- Cross-Functional Team Management
- Strong Communication Skills
- Strategic Organizational Development
- Project Management
- Relationship building
- People management
- Project management
- Team management
- Creativity and innovation
- Project coordination
- Employee development
- Decision-making
- Verbal and written communication
- Strategic planning
- Operations management
Timeline
Director Policy and Government Relations
Humanity United
03.2022 - Current
Senior Advisor, Policy And Government Relations
Humanity United
08.2018 - 03.2022
Human Rights and Governance Technical Advisor
German Technical Cooperation (GIZ)
02.2015 - 07.2018
Legal Officer
Avocats San Frontiers
12.2014 - 11.2015
Coordinator
Law And Advocacy for Women in Uganda
01.2006 - 07.2013
Master of Laws - undefined
Georgetown University Law Center
LLB - Law
Makerere University
Publications
- Analyzed international trade policy and intellectual property regimes impacting least developed countries’ access to essential medicines, offering policy recommendations adopted in advocacy campaigns. Africa Development / Afrique et Développement Aug 2017
- Provided in-depth political analysis on electoral governance and citizen trust, highlighting implications for democratic resilience and policy reform in Uganda. Just Security Feb 2021
- Highlighted analytical strengths in civic engagement and institutional inclusivity, critiquing summit design and advocating for equitable inclusion of civil society in governance and policy shaping. The Foreign Service Journal. Jun 2023
- Demonstrated critical acumen in U.S.–Africa relations, emphasizing human rights gaps in policy making and advocating for more rights-centered engagement. World Politics Review Dec 2023
Awards
National Security & Foreign Affairs Leader, Diversity in National Security Network, National Security & Foreign Affairs Leader
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