Management

Salome Chavula-Kayira joined Pinnacle in March 2025 and is a seasoned finance professional with 21 years of experience in Financial Management and Reporting, Risk Management, Budgeting, Auditing, Microfinance, Grant Management, and Compliance.

She is a Fellow Certified Chartered Accountant (FCCA) and a Certified Accountant under the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM).

She began her career in audit, spending nine years in the field— as an Audit Senior at KPMG and as an Audit Supervisor at AMG Global. She then transitioned into financial leadership, serving as Head of Finance and Administration for The Hunger Project Malawi for twelve years, while concurrently holding the same role at The Hunger Project Zambia for five years.

Beyond financial management, Salome has expertise in ERP systems, having worked as a Subject Matter Expert in system design, implementation, and data migration (Sage Intact) for The Hunger Project Global

Committed to continuous growth, Salome is currently pursuing her Master’s Degree with UNICAF Malawi.

Zagwa joined Pinnacle Financial Services in March 2020, bringing 17 years of experience in the microfinance industry. Starting his career in Customer Service Department at Airtel in 2006, he has progressed through various roles at reputable institutions, including GreenWing Financial Services, CreditLink Debt Collectors, Select Financial Services, and now Pinnacle Financial Services.

With expertise in Sales, Customer Service, Collections, Operations, and Risk Management, Zagwa has held leadership positions as Collections Manager, Regional Manager, Operations Manager, Commercial Manager, and Credit Risk Operations Manager, demonstrating a proven track record of driving growth and leadership.

Academically, Zagwa holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree from Malawi School of Government (MSG), an Advanced Diploma in Business Administration from MUBAS, and is currently pursuing an MBA with ESAMI. He has also attended various courses that enabled him to acquire other financial services-related certificates ranging from anti-money laundering, credit analysis and credit portfolio management, Debt recovery management to risk and compliance management.

Monase Chinamale is a seasoned financial services executive with over 16 years of experience in banking and microfinance, specializing in distribution strategy, sales leadership, and market expansion. She currently leads Distribution Channels and Marketing, spearheading national growth through agency networks, payroll partnerships, satellite expansion, and performance-driven marketing execution.

Her strategic focus centers on revenue acceleration, institutional penetration, and building scalable distribution systems that drive sustainable portfolio growth. Monase previously spent 13 years at FINCA Malawi, where she progressed from Branch Manager to Regional Manager, overseeing multi-branch operations, portfolio quality, and regional performance.

She began her career at Izwe and later joined Pinnacle Financial Services as a Business Development Officer before advancing into executive leadership. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration and Entrepreneurship and is currently pursuing a Master’s Degree at the Malawi College of Accountancy (MCA).

Ethel Nthara possesses 18 years of work experience in providing Banking services, Credit Analysis and Risk Management, Customer Relationship Management and Sales and Marketing.

Leadership

She worked at Standard Bank of Malawi as a Business Banker under SME and Team Leader. She joined NBS Bank as an SME Team Leader responsible for managing Sales and Marketing activities under the entire Limbe cluster. Ethel has vast experience in managing SME clients and she is responsible for driving Sales under the SME business at Pinnacle.

Professional and Academic Qualifications

Ethel Nthara is a holder of a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship obtained from Malawi College of Accountancy. She is a dynamic leader in Pinnacle Financial Services quest in providing convenient loans supporting Small and Medium Enterprises in Malawi.

He brings skills in customer engagement, effectiveness in managing people and enhancement of closing deals, maintaining a broad network of strategic stakeholders both internal and external to ensure that the correct communication and decision-making channels are open and available. Ensuring that supportive, open relationships exist with all business units and product areas, all customers, all stakeholders and service providers within the Company.

Leadership

He has worked with NBS Bank Plc for 13 years as a Team Leader for SME Central region, SME Account executive and Branch operations officer.  He has vast experience in providing professional after-sales support to maximise customer loyalty and remaining in regular contact with clients to understand and meet their needs under the SME sector.

Academic Qualifications

William is a holder of Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and Entrepreneurship obtained from Nkhoma University and Advanced Diploma in Banking with Institute of Bankers of Malawi.

Trevor Kabambe is a dynamic and results-driven Data and Technology Analyst, leveraging a solid educational foundation and diverse international experience to drive innovation and excellence in the realm of data analytics and business management.

Leadership

With a rich background spanning from Namibia and the United Kingdom, Trevor brings a unique global perspective to his work. His exposure to different business landscapes has honed his adaptability and cross-cultural communication skills, making him an invaluable asset in diverse professional settings.

Academic Qualifications

Trevor graduated from Swansea University with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Business, furthering his academic pursuit with a Master’s degree in Business Management. Trevor’s academic achievements serve as a testament to his strong analytical skills and a comprehensive understanding of both economic and business dynamics. He is also a certified Data Analyst from Google Data Analytics, demonstrating his commitment to staying at the forefront of technological advancements and his proficiency in harnessing data to derive meaningful insights for businesses.

Nita Kanjaye is a seasoned professional with a diverse skill set and a track record of success in various capacities. With a comprehensive background in finance, administration, and sales analysis, she has proven her ability to drive results and achieve milestones throughout her career.

Leadership

During her tenure as a Sales Analyst at Airtel, Nita excelled in developing and successfully implementing innovative sales and distribution models. Her contributions were pivotal in enhancing product distribution strategies, showcasing
her analytical prowess and strategic thinking. In her current role, Nita has demonstrated proficiency in financial management and administrative leadership. Her strategic approach has contributed to the smooth functioning of operations, ensuring financial stability and organisational efficiency.

Academic Qualifications

Nita has a strong foundation in financial accounting, holding a certificate from the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Malawi (ICAM). She also holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accountancy from Exploits University as well as a certification on Product Development and Marketing, from Malawi Microfinance Network in collaboration with LUANAR.

Chimwemwe Mtima Jere is a seasoned banking professional with over 22 years of experience, having built strong expertise in relationship management across corporate, SME, and personal banking, alongside experience in leasing, treasury, product marketing, operations, strategic planning, and corporate governance, including board leadership roles. He currently leads efforts in rebuilding the enterprise lending business, strengthening team leadership to foster a highperformance culture, and establishing strategic partnerships that drive business synergies and sustainable growth. He holds an Executive MBA and a Bachelor of Business Administration from Malawi Polytechnic, Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Banking and Finance from the Institute of Financial Services/University of Manchester, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing. He is a Chartered Member of the London Institute of Banking and Finance (UK) and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (UK). Notably, he grew a leasing portfolio by 105% (2017–2021), spearheaded a 280% loan book growth for a new Service Centre (2014–2017), and pioneered several key initiatives, including the Premium Gold offering and strategic performance reporting frameworks.