Introducing the people behind MDIF

Oluwadara Ajala is responsible for understanding the needs of participants in MDIF’s Nigeria Media Innovation Program (NAMIP) and co-designing and implementing capacity-building interventions to meet those needs. She uses her expertise in program management, strategic business development and audience research to help independent media organizations in the NAMIP cohort identify and experiment with innovative growth strategies. She has worked in development across public health, communications, advocacy and media for close to a decade. Before joining MDIF in 2022, she worked at Nigeria Health Watch. Her educational background is in health sciences and includes a degree in microbiology. She is based in Abuja, Nigeria and speaks English and Yoruba.

Deji is responsible for executing the Nigeria Media Innovation Program (NAMIP). He uses his expertise in journalism, media development, media innovation and program/project management to provide support for the beneficiaries of the program. He has worked in media development, tech, non-profit and public administration for more than 10 years. Before joining MDIF in 2022, he worked at the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID). His educational background is in Computer Science and Mathematics and includes a double honors degree in both fields. He is based in Abuja, Nigeria and speaks English and Yoruba.

Temitayo Akinyemi is responsible for providing technical support to participants in the Nigeria Media Innovation Program. He uses his expertise in newsroom innovation and management to aid newsrooms in designing and implementing new sustainable solutions for storytelling. He has worked in media for more than five years. Before joining MDIF in 2024, he worked at Zikoko Citizen as Editor-in-Chief and HumAngle as Interactive Editor. His educational background is in law. Temitayo is based in Lagos and speaks English and Yoruba fluently, while learning Finnish as a third language.

Muhammad Dalhatu is Program Assistant at MDIF’s Nigeria Media Innovation Program (NAMIP). He uses his expertise in project management and public relations to support NAMIP’s work to transform the independent media space in Nigeria. He has worked in the NGO and non-profit sector for more than five years. Before joining MDIF in 2023, he worked at World Youth Group as the Communications Lead. He earned his Master of Arts in International Relations at the CUNY Graduate Center.  

After 10 years of working in editorial, including Washington Correspondent and Editor for Poland’s iconic daily Gazeta Wyborcza and Editor-in-Chief of Sport.pl, Marcin became Digital Media Manager and Head of Business at the Sport.pl Group. As Managing Director for Gazeta.pl, one of the leading websites in Poland, he oversaw most of Agora’s digital brands, editorial, product, marketing and business teams. Marcin also has experience as a business consultant on leadership, digital transformation and high-performing teams.

Mayuri is responsible for implementing the Amplify Asia program. She uses her expertise in journalism as well as in audience and revenue strategy to coordinate with media partners in South and South-East Asia in Amplify Asia, as well as coaches and experts who help newsrooms build their business capacity. She has worked in journalism for 10 years, both on the editorial side as a journalist and editor, as well as on the business side, building visual journalism products and conducting audience research. Before joining MDIF in 2022, she worked at the City University of New York (CUNY) coordinating professional development programs, at the BBC as editorial lead for the East Asia Visual Journalism team, as well as in various newsrooms in South-East Asia. Her educational background is in journalism and digital products, and includes a master’s degree from New York University (NYU) in digital innovation. She is based in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and speaks English and Malay. 

Jelena leads strategic initiatives to drive investment opportunities and provide technical assistance to media beneficiaries in the Western Balkans. As Director of the MDIF Western Balkans Fund, she shapes strategy, drives growth and ensures punctual execution of the Fund. Drawing on more than two decades of media experience, including notable roles at B92 Serbia, Ringier Axel Springer Serbia and the USAID Cardno project Cooperation for Growth, Jelena brings deep sector and regional expertise to the role. Her academic background includes a BSc in Computer Science and an Executive Master of Business Administration, as well as a Franklin Covey training licence. Based in Belgrade, Serbia, Jelena speaks Serbian, English and Russian.

Sebenzile is an experienced journalist, strategic communications expert and media development practitioner. She previously led a regional organization supporting investigative journalism in southern Africa. She has also worked in the social justice and human rights sector in Africa, and previously held a senior managerial role at a regional human rights and social justice non-profit organization. Sebenzile was awarded the prestigious Fulbright Humphrey Fellowship, through which she specialized in digital storytelling and strategic communications at the Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication at Arizona State University. She holds a BA Journalism degree majoring in International Relations, and Honours and Master’s degrees in Gender Studies from the University of Pretoria.

Vivian Ojomu is responsible for handling logistical arrangements, maintaining records, facilitating communication and carrying out administrative tasks for the Nigerian Media Innovation Program (NAMIP), using her expertise in corporate communications and events planning to manage clients. She has worked in the non-profit sector for more than five years. Before joining MDIF in 2023, she worked at the Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative. Her educational background is in computer science from the University of Abuja, Nigeria, where she gained a Bachelor of Science degree. She is currently pursuing her postgraduate degree in Development Communication from Nasarawa State University in Nigeria. She is based in Abuja, Nigeria. 

As Program Director for Asia, Tessa is responsible for managing relationships with MDIF’s investment clients throughout South-East and South Asia (excluding India) as well as for identifying potential new clients in the region. She also designed and leads the teams running two of MDIF’s regional technical assistance programs to strengthen the business capacity of small to medium-sized independent media and develop their potential for long-term sustainability.

Tessa has worked on media and human rights issues in Asia since 1985. Before joining MDIF in 2002, she was Director of Human Rights, Media and Civil Society Programs for The Asia Foundation in Jakarta, managing a multi-million-dollar grant portfolio and a staff of ten. Prior to that, she worked as a consultant for the UK-based freedom of expression organisation Article 19, the Indonesian non-profit Institute for Studies on the Free Flow of Information (ISAI) and the BBC World Service Trust. In 2011, Indonesia’s Alliance of Independent Journalists (AJI) honoured Tessa with its Tasrif Award, presented to an individual who has contributed to freedom of the press or has fought injustice or corruption. Tessa has a degree in South-East Asian Politics and History from the University of London, has lived and worked in South-East Asia since 1995 and speaks fluent Indonesian.

Bilal is responsible for clients and special programs across Africa and MENA. He brings almost two decades of finance, management and editorial experience to this role, helping media companies navigate challenging business and operational environments. Before joining MDIF in 2017, Bilal worked for KPMG, Al Jazeera and successfully scaled a digital media startup. Bilal is a Chartered Accountant (CPA equivalent) and holds a post-graduate diploma in Journalism and Media Studies from Rhodes University. He received his undergraduate degree in Finance and Marketing, and honours degree in Accounting from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal.

Brigitte Read coordinates the regional expansion element of MDIF’s South Africa Media Innovation Program (SAMIP), supporting program participants from Namibia, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Lesotho to accelerate digital media innovation and sustainability. She worked for newspapers, magazines and in public relations, but has specialized in media development in Africa for more than 10 years. Before joining MDIF in 2021, she worked at the Konrad Adenauer Stiftung’s Media Programme Sub-Sahara Africa and at Wits University’s Centre for Journalism, where she set up the Africa-China Reporting Project. She is based in Johannesburg, South Africa, has a master’s degree in journalism and speaks English, Afrikaans and German.

As Senior Program Officer for Amplify South Africa, Khumo is responsible for the program’s grant funding management, coordinating capacity-building initiatives (workshops, training, coaching and mentorship) to the cohort, and communication and marketing (writing weekly and monthly blog posts, newsletters, website updates and social media updates). Khumo holds a Master of Management in Innovation Studies from Wits Business School and a BSc degree and honours in Urban and Regional Planning from Wits University. She previously worked as Project Manager at the South African Cities Network. 

Kamal is our Senior Program Officer for Asia and part of the Amplify Asia Program. Prior to joining MDIF, he was the Director of News at Aaj TV. Before that he was the Director, Center for Excellence in Journalism at IBA in Karachi.

With over twenty-six years of extensive experience in journalism, Kamal brings a wealth of knowledge to our team. He served as the founding Editor of The Express Tribune, an English language national daily associated with the New York Times. Additionally, he is recognized as a fellow of the Center for Democratic Development and Rule of Law (CDDRL) at Stanford University.

Kamal holds an MSc in Economics with a specialization in Media and Communication Studies from the London School of Economics. His expertise extends beyond traditional roles, having also served as a lecturer in Journalism at Monash University, Australia.

Ana Soffietto is responsible for MDIF’s portfolio in Latin America, strengthening relationships within the media ecosystem in the region and developing strategic initiatives. Before joining MDIF, she was Head of Product at Grupo Octubre, one of Argentina’s largest media companies, where she oversaw product strategy and audience research and founded its first interactive and data team. Ana has also worked as a consultant and coach in media, technology and audience development for programs such as GNI Startups Lab Hispanoamérica for Google and Sembramedia, Product Inmersion for Small Newsrooms for CUNY and Impulso Local for Meta, Adepa y Dosunos.

Since the beginning of her career, she has been passionate about the intersection between journalism, communication and technology. This led her to participate as co-founder and co-director of MediaChicas, a non-profit organization with the mission of bridging the digital gender gap. Ana was a professional fellow at the International Center for Journalists (ICFJ) in 2019. She is a journalist with a bachelor’s degree in Communications from the University of Buenos Aires. Ana is based in Buenos Aires, Argentina and speaks Spanish and English.

Nolwazi is responsible for executing Amplify South Africa. She is an award-winning broadcast journalist, queer feminist, social justice activist and writer with a keen interest in media and narrative strategy. Before joining MDIF, Nolwazi served as Communications and Media manager and Acting Co-Director at Iranti, a human rights advocacy organisation that advocates for the advancement of the rights of LBQTI persons in Africa. Prior to her work in the non-profit sector, Nolwazi spent over a decade as a broadcast journalist crafting radio and TV shows covering news and current affairs in South Africa and globally. She has led editorial teams at eNCA, 702, Power 98.7, and The Big Debate SA as an Executive Producer and Programme Editor. She has also written on politics and current affairs, as well as gender and race, for publications such as City Press and EWN. Nolwazi is a senior Atlantic Fellow for Racial Equity with Columbia University in New York and the Nelson Mandela Foundation in Johannesburg, and a Global Atlantic Fellow. She is also a Ruth First Scholar.

Sibahle Zuma is a Program Assistant at MDIF’s Amplify South Africa project. Prior to joining MDIF, Sibahle served in various roles, including as a Research, Communications, and Campaign Assistant at Amnesty International, Program Assistant at CIVICUS, and Campaign Assistant at Crisis Action. She holds a degree in law and political science from the University of Cape Town and the University of Kwa Zulu-Natal respectively. Sibahle is passionate about supporting initiatives that promote social justice and media development.