Board Members
The Following individuals make up the FLM’s Board:
Maria de Lurdes Mutola - President and Founder
The Founder and President of the Lurdes Mutola Foundation. Her endeavor began with the inception of the Foundation in 2001, with the culmination of the first years of formal activities taking place in 2003. She has a history of philanthropy since her early glories in racing in the early 1990s. She took the necessary step to start a Foundation after she saw that it was common in the United States, among athletes and celebrities. She was nominated as a 2007 Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum, also adorned as an UNICEF Ambassador in 2003 and as the 800m Gold medalist in the 2000 Olympics. She is the President of the Board of Directors since its legal establishment in 2004.
Diogo Milagre Mate - Vice-President
The current Deputy Executive Secretary of the National AIDS Council and an ex-professional Football player. He finished his Educational Psychology Bachelors degree from the Pedagogic University of Maputo in 1991, a Masters in Agricultural Development at the University of Aberdeen, Scotland in 1995, and an MBA from the University of Liverpool, England in 2005. He has been a long time supporter, helping with program development and most recently as a reader for the final version of the Foundation’s Strategic Plan. Mr Mate sits on the Board since November 2007.
Alves Duarte
Is the Executive Director of Eurofin and Managing Director of Eurobrand, also the former Head of Marketing, Communications and Corporate Affairs at the Standard Bank Head Office in Maputo. He holds an BBA in Corporate Finance and Strategy from the University of New Castle in Australia and a MBA in Marketing and Business Development from the University of Wales Bangor. His first work with the FLM began at its inception phase, as the Business Director for Ogilvy, he donated his time to creating a communication strategy for the FLM. Mr Alves sits on the Board since November 2007, and is a member of the Board’s Fiscal Council.
Safira Magide Fagilde
Is an Educational Expert who currently works as an adviser to the Ministry of Science and Technology. She received her first teaching credential in 1977 as a Math teacher for secondary school. She has since received her Bachelor degree in Education from the University Eduardo Mondlane, Masters in Educational Studies from Adelaide University in Australia and a Ph.D in Education from the Unviersity of Western Cape in South Africa. She is also the current President of the Mozambican Athletics Federation. Mrs Fagile sits on the Board since November 2007, and is the President of the Board’s Fiscal Council.
Bela Lithuri
An Attorney for the Real Estate Management company DOMUS. DOMUS was one of the initial Private supporters of the FLM. She Finished her studies in Law at the University Eduardo Mondlane in 2001. Her pro-bono work includes leading seminars on the Law of the Family, for the Mozambican Association of Female Lawyers, as well as cases involving low income litigants and marginalized youth. Ms Lithuri sits on the Board since November 2007, and is a member of the Board’s General Council.
Denise Namburete
The Country Manager for the Soul City Health Communication Program N’weti. She Holds a Masters in Communication and Culture from the Federal University of Rio De Janeiro, Brazil and a Marketing Certificate from the Superior School of Advertising and Management also in Rio de Janeiro. She participated in the steering committee at the commencement of the creation of the FLM’s strategic plan in 2006 and worked previously on strategic issue papers for the FLM. Ms Namburete sits on the Board since November 2007.
Elisangela Vanessa Rassul
The Head of Planning and Programs for the Office of the First Lady of Mozambique. She has extensive artistic and therapeutic training, having spent five years working and studying in Brazil. She recently finished a Bachelors degree in Project Management, with a thesis on International Conflicts. She became involved with the FLM through her work with the Office of the First Lady and the projects that they share. Mrs Fagile sits on the Board since November 2007, and is the Secretary of the Board’s Fiscal Council.
Mario James Seuane
An Adviser to the Minister of Justice. He studied for four years in Cuba, returning in 1995 with a Degree in Law from the University of the Orient, Havana. He was instrumental in creating the essential bi-laws and legal code for the inception of FLM as a Foundation as there was no precedent for a non-for profit institution that could hold assets and invest. Mr Seuane sits on the Board since November 2007, and is the secretary of the Board’s General Council.