Our Team
Lyra UK
Maria Spink, Founder and Executive Director
Maria is a social entrepreneur with a background in the financial sector and carbon finance. After 17 years in senior positions in international banking in London, Maria joined the Executive Board of Green Resources - a tree planting and renewables company, active in East Africa. Working with local labourers and village elders in the Iringa Region, Maria learnt about the acute vulnerability of girls attending schools without safe accommodation and was shocked by the many voiceless women who were child brides or had experienced teenage pregnancies. Maria founded Lyra in 2012 in recognition of the significant impact when investing in girls' and young women's education and entrepreneurship. Maria is dedicated to gaining social and economic equality for girls and women in rural Tanzania. Maria is also a member of the Lyra Board.
Vesal Kuchumov, Global Programs and Compliance Manager
Vesal is a seasoned humanitarian and development professional with over 10 years of experience leading multi-sectoral programs across the Middle East, Africa, and Europe.
She currently serves as Global Programs and Compliance Manager at Lyra in Africa, where she oversees Lyra’s various programs, while ensuring full compliance with internal policies and international standards. Vesal has held various roles with the red cross red crescent movement, the UN, and other organizations, with a strong focus on program management, emergency response, and CVA. Vesal has a background in public health, epidemiology, and psychology, with ongoing academic training in the latter.
Lyra Tanzania
Gerald Usika, Program Manager and Acting National Director
Gerald Usika is a development professional with over 15 years of experience leading donor-funded programs in education, youth empowerment, digital systems, and capacity building. He has built a strong record of providing strategic vision, operational leadership, and partnership management to strengthen organizations and deliver results that respond to community needs.
Most recently, Gerald served as Acting Chief of Party and Deputy Chief of Party for the $19Milion USAID/Tanzania Monitoring, Evaluation, Learning, and Adaptation (TMELA) Activity. In this role, he was responsible for program oversight, organizational strategy, fundraising engagement, and stakeholder coordination. He has directed more than 25 USAID evaluations and assessments across sectors such as basic education, digital learning, youth workforce readiness, and community development, with a focus on rural and underserved populations.
Gerald has also held senior roles with Save the Children, the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), and Global Affairs Canada (GAC). His work has contributed to improving education quality, expanding digital learning, supporting youth job placement, and advancing skills training programs.
He holds a PhD in Policy Planning and Management from Sokoine University of Agriculture and is passionate about advancing inclusive, evidence-driven approaches to education and youth development in Africa.
Illuminata Kiponda, Construction Coordinator.
Illuminata Kiponda graduated from Ardhi University with a Bachelor of Building Survey. Illuminata's passion for serving the community extends to her desire to help young girls achieve their goals and gain confidence in their abilities. Her experience and expertise are currently being utilized by Illuminata as an independent consultant on construction projects in Africa.
Noel Kiula Samwel, Technical Consultant.
Samwel, Noel Kiula. Is a Systems Developer as well as a Technician. He earned a Bachelor of Science Degree in Information Technology and Systems from Mzumbe University. Noel enjoys contributing his skills to the exciting technological advances that occur on a daily basis. Noel previously interned with Tanzania Telecommunication Company Limited (TTCL). Noel is currently working as a technical consultant for Lyra in Africa.
Dorice Kimambo, Gender Equality Officer.
Dorice is a vibrant community practitioner with a background in Economics. She is passionate in promotion of gender equality and equity by empowering girls and women in the community to attain their full potential through promotion of quality education and economic growth.
Previously she worked with National and International organizations such as Digital Opportunity Trust (DOT), Raleigh Tanzania in several projects and UNICEF Tanzania as a Digital business facilitator, project leader, Team leader and Children’s Rights Champion coach.
In these roles she excelled to transform community youth to transform their business from analog to digital while promoting 70 to 30 gender ratio of women to men respectively, Equip youth with entrepreneurial skills enable them to start their business, transformed communities to adopt the use of clean energy sources and also promoted children rights during and post COVID -19 pandemic.
Currently Dorice works with Lyra in Africa as Gender Equality Officer.
Konzo Ikweta, Digital Learning Fellow.
Konzo is an experienced education professional with over nine years in project management across humanitarian and development contexts. His expertise includes education, child protection in emergencies, school feeding, sponsorship programs, and women’s empowerment. Currently, he is a Digital Learning Fellow at Lyra in Africa, focusing on using technology to improve learning outcomes. He previously served as Education Program Coordinator for refugee programs with Save the Children International in Camps. Konzo holds a Bachelor of Arts with Education from Saint Augustine University of Tanzania and PMM Certification from Save the Children. He has also undertaken training in project and budget management, safeguarding, and Education Technology. His professional background spans roles at several organisations, including Save the Children, Global Communities, Project Concern International, and the Ministry of Education. Konzo is deeply committed to enhancing educational access and quality through digital innovation in Tanzania.
Gift Mafue, Imarika Jamii Program Coordinator.
Gift Mafue is the Imarika Jamii (Livelihoods) Program Coordinator at Lyra, where he has worked since 2018. With ten (10) years of experience in donor projects management, rural community engagement, and front-line training, Gift previously held roles at ANSAF as a Project Officer and at World Vision Tanzania as a Livelihoods Program Facilitator. He is also an entrepreneur running his own poultry farm and is dedicated to helping rural communities acquire new skills that drive lasting change. Gift holds a Bachelor's degree in Agricultural Economics and Agribusiness
Yusuph Msagati, Finance Manager
Yusuph Msagati is a seasoned Certified Public Accountant with over 14 years of hands-on experience in finance and accounting, with a strong focus on the non-profit sector. His career spans both local and international NGOs, where he has consistently delivered strategic financial leadership, strengthened compliance frameworks, and championed efficient fiscal management. Prior to joining Lyra in Africa, Yusuph built a reputation for excellence in financial stewardship and capacity building across diverse development organizations. He is deeply committed to transparency, accountability, and sustainable financial practices, contributing meaningfully to initiatives that drive social impact.
Alice Kisaka
Alice is a results-driven accountant with hands-on experience in financial operations, budgeting, reporting, and administrative support. With a strong educational background in Accounting and Finance from Mzumbe University, Alice has developed a keen eye for detail and a deep understanding of financial regulations. Her expertise spans preparation of detailed financial reports for management and stakeholders, external audit support, statutory compliances, and payroll. Currently serving in a finance role in Lyra in Africa, she is committed to making a meaningful impact through responsible stewardship and sound financial leadership.