This November, the Social Impact Marketing Summit (SIMS) 2026 returns for its 4th edition, themed “AI for African Non-profits.” Running alongside it is the third edition of the Humanitarians of Africa Awards, the annual recognition program under the Humanitarians of Africa Initiative that celebrates non-profit leaders, social entrepreneurs, community organisations, volunteers, and other changemakers driving impact across the continent.
The awards have grown fast. Across its first two editions, the program has drawn more than 1,500 nominees from 25 African countries, honoured 24 recipients, and told over 50 stories of humanitarian and social impact from across the region. With nominations now open for 2026, that reach looks set to expand further.
As non-profit leaders, program managers, and change makers gather to explore how AI can power Africa’s social impact sector, they’ll be joined and evaluated by a judging panel built for the moment, bringing together decades of experience in media, advocacy, education, and grassroots impact. Here’s who’s on the panel so far.
Dr. Nizar Chaari; Founder, EPIK Leaders and Tunivisions Foundation
A Tunisian media veteran and pan-African leader, Dr. Chaari has empowered over 50,000 youth across 15+ African countries through ethical leadership and civic engagement programs. A former TV host and 2024 presidential candidate, he brings a firm belief that Africa’s youth are its present, not just its future.
Raquel Kasham Daniel; Founder & Executive Director, Beyond the Classroom Foundation
A social entrepreneur, author, and media strategist, Raquel has dedicated her career to advancing education and opportunity for children and adolescent girls across Africa. Through Beyond the Classroom Foundation, she has led initiatives in education access, child safeguarding, menstrual health education, and girls’ empowerment that have reached thousands of children and families in Nigeria.
She’s also the author of 30+ children’s books and educational resources, the creator of educational board games designed to make learning more engaging for African children, and the host of two radio shows on children, parenting, education, and community development.
Ambassador Maryben Omollo; Founder, The Maryben Foundation
An internationally recognized entrepreneur, speaker, and mental health advocate, Ambassador Omollo has spent over seven years turning pain into purpose reaching over 50 million people across 14 countries through keynotes, corporate training, and community engagement.
Beyond The Maryben Foundation, which drives mental health awareness, gender-based violence response, and women and youth empowerment across Kenya, South Sudan, South Africa, and Uganda, she serves as Chairperson of the East Africa Serf Transport Cooperative and Vice President of the AfCFTA Young Entrepreneurs Federation. Her work has earned her 16+ international awards, including 2024 Mental Health Influencer of the Year and a place among Africa’s Top 40 Under 40 for Women Empowerment.
Leslie “Lee” Kasumba; Founder/CEO, She Speaks Africa | Head of Channel O Africa
Dubbed “The Continental Synergist,” Lee built “She Speaks Africa Global” around a simple idea: culture is currency. Spotify, the Gates Foundation, NBA Africa, and NBC Universal have all backed her vision.
A Ugandan media powerhouse with over two decades in the industry, she’s the voice behind The Africa Whisperer podcast, has co-hosted the BBC’s World Have Your Say to more than 20 million listeners worldwide, and has interviewed global icons from Snoop Dogg to Missy Elliott. Known as South Africa’s “First Lady of Hip Hop,” she has shaped policy work with AGA Africa and AUDA-NEPAD and pop culture moments from the AMVCAs to Big Brother Africa, earning a SOVAS award, recognition from the NAACP Image Awards, and the title of barrier-breaker from Uganda Airlines along the way.
Each of these judges brings a distinct lens of youth civic engagement, girl-child education, mental health advocacy, and pan-African media influence to the evaluation of the ideas, campaigns, and innovations shaping the future of non-profit work on the continent. Their presence reflects SIMS 2026’s commitment to bringing seasoned, credible voices into the room as the sector reckons with what AI means for African non-profits.
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