Executive Committee
Our Executive Committee are the driving force behind our mission. Each member brings unique expertise, passion, and dedication to advancing our goals, ensuring that every initiative is guided by strong leadership, collaboration, and integrity.
Executive Committee
Kosam Nyamdela
Chair
About
Kosam is a project management professional and business leader. He has taken part in and led several successful large transformation projects and programs in broadcasting engineering, telecommunications and other business forms over more than 30 years. Kosam played a key role in leading technical teams and contractors in the analogue to digital TV broadcasting transformation in New Zealand and Australia.
He holds an MBA – Strategic Planning from Heriot Watt University, Scotland and a Masters in Professional Business Analysis from Victoria University of Wellington. In all his years of experience, Kosam has successfully trained, coached and mentored tradespeople, technicians, engineers, project management professionals, students and executives in technical, business and leadership skills. Kosam is past president and CEO of Project Management Institute of New Zealand. He led PMINZ through a change process with award winning initiatives which have been recognised by PMI Global and AuSAE.
Kosam is the founder of his own consultancy – Global Consultants Limited which specialises in empowering businesses and individuals to formulate and realise sustainable goals. Kosam’s passion and interest in joining the ACCW executive is to help raise the African community profile and ability perception in New Zealand with the ultimate aim of realising the recognition that all worthy Africans deserve. Kosam believes that if all Africans unite and put aside any real or perceived differences, we can collectively achieve our aspirations and more importantly, those of our offspring by paving a clear path of success for them.
Nigussie Geda Fenja
2nd Vice Chair
About
Maxwell Fobi Kontor
Assistant Secretary
About
Maxwell is pursuing a PhD in Urban Planning at Victoria University of Wellington. His doctoral research focuses on climate change adaptation, urban resilience, and environmental justice, with a particular interest in advancing innovative planning and design strategies that foster inclusivity, social equity, and climate-resilient urban futures.
Maxwell has held several leadership and advocacy roles at Victoria University of Wellington, including serving as an International Student Ambassador, an Executive Member of the Postgraduate Students’ Association, and a member of the Faculty of Graduate Research Board. In these roles, Maxwell contributed to discussions and advocacy on student experience and wellbeing.
He holds a BSc in Policy Planning and an MSc in Planning, Monitoring, and Evaluation from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. Professionally, Maxwell has experience in project management and policy planning, including the coordination of donor-funded development projects. Maxwell’s commitment to ACCW is driven by a passion for transparent communication and ensuring that all voices within the community are valued and heard.
Kudakwashe Ruchaka
Treasurer
About
Kudakwashe Ruchaka is a seasoned audit professional with over three years as an Audit Manager in Aotearoa, he brings a wealth of insight, integrity, and leadership to his work. He brings a strong focus on Ethics & Professionalism—values that guide both his career and personal life.
Originally from Zimbabwe, Kudakwashe grew up with a deep appreciation for community, resilience, and shared responsibility—principles rooted in ubuntu that continue to shape his worldview. He is passionate about creating spaces where people from diverse backgrounds can connect meaningfully, share knowledge, and thrive together.
Beyond the professional sphere, Kudakwashe is an avid football enthusiast. He actively plays in social leagues across Wellington and proudly serves as the captain of the Zimbabwean football team based in the city. For him, sport is not just a pastime—it’s a powerful tool for building community, fostering unity, and celebrating cultural identity.
Having worked across borders and cultures, Kudakwashe understands the challenges and opportunities that come with diaspora life. He is committed to using his voice and experience to support initiatives that empower families, foster inclusion, and advocate for equitable opportunities in Aotearoa.
Cynthia Makau
Executive committee member
About
Cynthia Makau is a wife, mother of 3 amazing kiddos and an accountant by profession. She is an analytical thinker and loves reading books by African writers in her free time. Her all time favourite author is Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie and has read all her books, currently reading them.
Cynthia was born and bred in Kenya, where she grew up enjoying and experiencing the rich sense of ubuntu. She is keen to ensure that this same experience can be replicated in Aotearoa. She considers herself a global citizen having worked or lived in different countries and having experienced different cultures including Ethiopia, Tanzania, United Kingdom and Papua New Guinea.
Cynthia embraces ACCW vision and is keen to use her voice to reach to bring together women from different cultures to enhance the connectivity and make a positive contribution in advocating for issues families from diaspora may face in Aotearoa.