Her Excellency, Dr Justina Mutale is a globally acclaimed Zambian-born philanthropist, author, and advocate for gender equality and education. She is the Founder and President of the Justina Mutale Foundation, a non-profit organisation registered in both the United Kingdom and Zambia. The Foundation is dedicated to empowering women and girls through leadership training, entrepreneurship development, and scholarship programmes, particularly targeting underprivileged young women from rural and disadvantaged communities in Africa. ​

Dr Mutale’s career spans over three decades in international development, diplomacy, and gender advocacy. She served in the Gender Section of the Commonwealth Secretariat in London, contributing to the drafting of the Commonwealth Gender Plan of Action (2005–2015) and participating in the European Working Group of the Bond Network, which influenced the European Gender Plan of Action addressing the Sustainable Development Goals (2015–2030).

An accomplished author, Dr Mutale penned the international bestseller The Art of Iconic Leadership: Power Secrets of Female World Leaders and co-authored Women on Corporate Boards: An International Perspective. Her insights have been featured in various global publications, including Forbes magazine. ​

Dr Mutale holds numerous honorary doctorates and has been recognised with several accolades, such as the African Woman of the Year award and the Mandela 100 Prize, honouring her humanitarian efforts that reflect the values of Nelson Mandela.

In addition to her philanthropic work, Dr Mutale serves on various international boards, including the World Leaders Forum in Dubai, and holds positions such as Global Envoy for Gender Equality at the International Women’s Think Tank in Atlanta, USA. She is also the Convener of the World Summit on Women and Girls, a platform that brings together global leaders to discuss and promote gender equality and women’s empowerment. ​

Dr Mutale continues to be a prominent figure in global discussions on gender equality, education, and leadership, contributing to initiatives aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals and the African Union’s Agenda 2063.