Noëlla Coursaris Musunka

Noëlla Coursaris Musunka, a Congolese/Cypriot philanthropist and international model, is the Founder & CEO of Malaika, a grassroots non-profit that empowers girls and communities in the Democratic Republic of the Congo through education-focused initiatives. Established in 2007, Malaika’s impact spans a school, a community center, and a clean water program, all provided free of charge. This organization serves as a scalable model for global replication, evidenced by the release of the Malaika Model Toolkit during UNGA week in 2022.

Having graduated with a degree in business management, she leverages her expertise as a sought-after keynote speaker at prominent forums including the World Economic Forum in Davos and esteemed academic institutions like Cambridge, Oxford, Harvard, and MIT. Her speeches often focus on philanthropy, education, and leadership, aiming to inspire audiences to find and pursue their passions. Her notable recognitions include being named one of BBC’s 100 Most Influential & Inspirational Women of the Year in 2017, receiving an award at the 100 Years of Mandela celebration in 2018, and being honored as a Daughter of Greatness by the Muhammad Ali Center in 2022.

In addition to her role at Malaika, she holds positions as an Advisor at Concordia and an Ambassador for the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria. She is also a member of the United Nations Conscious Fashion and Lifestyle Network and the L'Oréal Fund for Women Endowment Fund Advisory Committee, and has served as a two-time judge for EY’s World Entrepreneur of the Year Award. Musunka continues to use her platform in fashion, working with brands like Agent Provocateur, Vogue, and Vanity Fair, to advocate for the education and empowerment of young girls in the Democratic Republic of Congo.