Memory Bandera
Director of Programs & Administration at the East & Horn of Africa Human Rights Defenders Project
Memory Bandera has contributed to the management of complex programs in various African countries in different sectors over the past two decades. She has a demonstrated history of working on programs (development and implementation) and organizational development in the civic and social organization industry. She has experience working in complex environments and overseeing culturally diverse professional teams to deliver optimized outcomes. Memory is currently the Director Programs and Administration with DefendDefenders and AfricanDefenders, a continental NGO which focuses on emergency protection; research and advocacy; and capacity building of human rights defenders across Africa. She has spearhead numerous resource mobilization and advocacy efforts.
At present, she manages a multi-million-dollar portfolio of over 20 active projects annually, funded by various international development partners including but not limited to the European Union, SIDA, USAID, National Endowment for Democracy, Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Belgium, Netherlands, Iceland, Norway, Ireland), DANIDA, Open Society Foundations, and various UN agencies.