ADVISORY BOARD
Chouchou Namegabe
Chouchou Namegabe. Chouchou is an extraordinary Congolese radio journalist and co-founder of the South Kivu Women’s Media Association (AFEM). A brave, inspiring and visionary woman, she has a profound understanding of the critical and fundamental role that Congo’s women must play in defining the country’s future. Truly remarkable.
ALINE MUGISHO
Aline Mugisho is a member of the Walk the Congo expedition team. She has led a life that has been characterized by unfailing fortitude in the face of unbelievable hardship. Forced from her home in eastern Congo due to widespread violence, she headed to South Africa as a refugee. She is currently finishing her doctorate at Columbia University, looking at women’s resilience in conflict settings.
“I am a greater believer that individual success is failure...my passion is to work with vulnerable communities through capacity building.”
Sir Ranulph Fiennes
Army officer, explorer and philanthropist, Fiennes was named by the Guinness Book of Records as ‘the world’s greatest living explorer’, Sir Ranulph Fiennes has spent his life in pursuit of extreme adventure, risking life and limb in some of the most ambitious private expeditions ever undertaken.
Amongst his many record-breaking achievements, he was the first to reach both Poles, the first to cross the Antarctic and Arctic Ocean, and the first to circumnavigate the world along its polar axis.
Noella Coursaris Musunka
Noella is a model, philanthropist, entrepreneur and mother, committed to empowering Congolese girls and their communities through education.
In 2007, Noëlla founded Malaika, a nonprofit that educates and empowers girls and their communities in her home country of the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Today, Malaika consists of a free, accredited school that provides a comprehensive education to 340 girls, in addition to a community center that offers a range of programs to 5,000 youth and adults each year, and a clean water program that services 30,000 people each year through the refurbishment and building of 17 wells.
Jon Little
Jon served in the UK Armed Forces as a Parachute Regiment officer for eight years, including operational deployments in Europe, Africa, the Middle East and Asia. Following a 10+ year career in corporate security leadership appointments in two blue chip multinationals, including seven years living in Africa, he is now a freelance security risk management consultant, alongside various other business management ventures.
Jon spends his spare time entertaining his three daughters, cooking, travelling, reading, following current affairs and the global agenda, and trying to keep fit; and he is delighted to be a part of the extraordinary Walk the Congo mission.
JOhnny moko
Johnny F. MOKO is a graphic designer, entrepreneur and founder of CongotoGlobal.
Johnny graduated in Visual Psychology. After working on digital projects with brands such as Universal Music UK, EA Games and Madame Tussaud, Moko decided to create a platform that brings together the global village of Congolese people. CongotoGlobal, is a leading digital platform with the mission is to inform, entertain and educate the world about the Congo and its culture. The platform already has a reach of 140,000 engaged followers, largely Congolese people living all around the world. It is a place men, women and young people of all nations can visit to access valuable information about the Congo, experience the country and immerser themselves in its history and culture. CongotoGlobal organises events that showcase Congolese values.
Connect with Moko on LinkedIn and Instagram. Follow CongotoGlobal on Instagram.
FABrice muamba
Fabrice Muamba is a retired Premier League footballer who previously played for Arsenal, Birmingham City, Bolton Wanderers and England Under-21s. Born in Zaire (now the Democratic Republic of the Congo), he moved to England at the age of 11. Fabrice started his football career at Arsenal where he was enrolled in the youth team. He later moved to Birmingham City, helping the team win promotion to the Premier League a season during which he was voted Player of the Year. Fabrice played internationally for England at every youth-level. He captained England's Under-19s and went on to make 33 appearances for England's Under-21s.
When his playing days ended, Fabrice forged a career in the media while graduating from Staffordshire University in 2015 with a degree in Sports Journalism. He has worked as a pundit, motivational speaker and has recently completed his UEFA A license. Fabrice is dedicated to raising awareness of heart conditions and treatment and is an ambassador for the Arrythmia Alliance's Hearts and Goals campaign.
JD Stier
JD Stier is a human rights activist, impact entrepreneur, award-winning documentary filmmaker and Obama White House alumnus.
In 2014 JD founded Stier Forward, which leads in the areas of transparency and inclusive structures. Since 2014, Stier Forward has advanced thought leadership, producing film and media, incubating and launching next generation social impact initiatives. JD has produced two feature-length documentaries, When Elephants Fight (Netflix, Amazon, Apple) and Merci Congo (VICE). Stier Forward then launched its Stand With Congo organizing hub with Special Envoy Tom Perriello, Actor Robin Wright, Nobel Peace Prize winner Dr. Denis Mukwege.
JD has contributed to the front pages of Politico, Huffington Post, hosts The Mighty Pod, and is a recurring guest on MSNBC.
Connect with JD on LinkedIn, follow him on Instagram and Mighty Peace Coffee on Instagram
Patrick Clift
Policy Director, Blackstock Consulting. A former journalist, Patrick has almost 20 years’ experience in media and communication, advising clients of all kinds across public relations, public affairs, corporate communication and strategic consultancy. Prior to joining Blackstock Consulting, Patrick enjoyed roles at the global financial institution BNP Paribas, where he was head of PR and corporate communication for the UK’s real estate advisory business; and in political communication, advising global investors and institutions in their dealings with government, parliamentarians, the media and other key stakeholders. The first seven years of Patrick’s career were spent as a journalist with work published across national newspapers and trade titles. Patrick is a judge for the Property Marketing Awards, a not-for-profit event organised annually by the Chartered Surveyors’ Company. Connect with Patrick on Linkedin.
MukHtar Ahmed
Mukhtar qualified in Medicine from Newcastle University in 2010. As well as studying Medicine he also took the time to gain a Bachelor’s degree in Anatomy and Physiology and a Masters with Merit in Tissue Engineering and Regenerative Medicine from the University of Manchester.
Mukhtar is currently a trainee in Emergency Medicine in the Yorkshire deanery and is hoping to complete training in 2021. He has enjoyed his role as an expedition doctor, particularly in remote high altitude environments. One of his proudest achievements was in 2015 where he was able to aid and support the ascent of 12 injured service men to the summit of Kilimanjaro. It was on this trip that he was introduced to Toby, and they have been friends ever since.
In his spare time away from the stressful and high adrenaline environment of Emergency Medicine Mukhtar enjoys long walks in the moors with his wife and dogs, trail running and bouldering. He is very excited to be a part of this exciting and challenging expedition and is looking forward to contributing his skill set to help the team succeed in its mission.
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