Dr Mary Shawa is the Honorary President of Chanasa.  Dr Mary Shawa has recently reitred from her post as Chief Director in the Ministry of Transport and Public Works. Having worked as a Secretary for Nutrition, HIV and AIDS; and Secretary for Gender,  Children,  Disability and Social Welfare.  She is the Chair for Finance and Administration for the Regional University Forum for Research and Development (RUFORUM) in agriculture and she also chairs a numbers of organisations' trustees and boards. She holds a PhD in Nutrition and Socioeconomic Development, a Masters Degree in Clinical Nutrition Dietetics, a Postgraduate Diploma in Good Resources Related to Community Development, and a Diploma in Agriculture.