Who We Are

The Organization

SDWE (Sustainable Development and Women Empowerment) is an organization that works for the empowerment of women around the world. With its physical presence in North America and Africa and partners all over the world, SDWE strengthens the power and leadership of women and youth.

Our Mission

To contribute effectively to the socio-economic advancement of women and youth for sustainable development in their communities and beyond.

Championing women empowerment

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Our Core Values

Equality

We foster an egalitarian world that ensures equal access to opportunities for all women and girls, regardless of their background..

Inclusion

We are committed to creating an inclusive environment that embraces diversity and supports the socio-economic advancement of women at local, national, and global levels.

Altruism

We channel every action and decision to address the unique challenges faced by women and youth, tailoring programs and interventions to prioritize their well-being and development in all sectors.

Innovation

We encourage innovative approaches and solutions to address the unique challenges faced by women and girls in their socio-economic advancement journey.

Cameroon

Yaounde

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United States

5721 Phelps Luck Drive, Columbia, MD, 21045

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SDWE works in Cameroon through its major partner, VEPDEF (https://vepdef.wixsite.com/site), a Cameroon-based non-profit organization with 36 antennas spread across three main regions: Center, Littoral and West.

SDWE is a registered non-profit with the 501(c)(3) status. It is present in two states, Maryland and Massachusetts, covering the following counties:

Maryland – Howard County; Montgomery County and Prince George’s County.

Massachusetts – Middlesex County.

BOARD OF DIRECTORS

Ms. Josiane Sylvie Mbakop Noukeu is a seasoned gender advocate and expert in NGO/Cooperative Development and Access

to Finance with over 25 years of experience in project management, gender equality financial inclusion, environmental sustainability, and social justice. A strong entrepreneur with a keen sense of leadership, she has successfully founded and managed numerous local NGOs both in Cameroon and the United States, including VEPDEF/MUDEF COOPCA, AWEP Cameroon, and LEAD Cameroon.

Ms. Mbakop Noukeu is deeply passionate about promoting education, democracy, peace, and economic well-being for women in both rural and urban sectors. Her work has significantly advanced financial inclusion and empowered women and youth through business activities. She has trained, mentored, and enrolled countless individuals in initiatives spanning environmental issues, access to finance, and entrepreneurship.

Her extensive experience includes collaborations and consultancies with numerous donor agencies such as the Belgium Technical Cooperation (BTC), Belgium Raiffeisen Foundation (BRS), International Labour Organization (ILO), United Nations Development Program (UNDP), German Cooperation (GIZ), International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD), French Development Agency (AFD), United States Agency for International Development (USAID), United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF), and the World Council for Credit Unions (WOCCU).

Ms. Mbakop Noukeu has also worked with international training institutions and universities, including AUCD Cotonou, Boston University, Training Center for Bankers (CFPB) Paris, and Middlebury University. As a recipient of the Hubert H. Humphrey Fellowship at Boston University, she developed a groundbreaking proposal for integrating immigrant communities through an innovative approach linking education, health, and entrepreneurship.

Currently, Ms. Mbakop Noukeu is a member of the steering committee of multiple NGOs and serves as a consultant for the Cameroonian government on matters related to women’s empowerment and sustainable development. She has recently taken on the role of evaluator for several national and regional strategic projects aimed at improving living conditions for underserved populations.

As the President of the Board at SDWE (Sustainable Development & Women Empowerment), Ms. Mbakop Noukeu leverages her extensive expertise to ensure the effective implementation of the organization’s vision and mission. She holds a Master’s degree in Cooperative and Association Management and is completing a PhD program in Entrepreneurship and Financial Inclusion, focusing on facilitating access to finance for women and youth.

KEY QUALIFICATIONS: NGO AND COOPERATIVE MANAGEMENT- PROJECT MANAGEMENT AND EVALUATION – ENTREPRENEURSHIP, GENDER, AND FINANCIAL INCLUSION-ENVIRONMENT AND SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT.

Oumarou Malaiteke is a distinguished lawyer with extensive experience in both national and international legal arenas. Admitted to the Cameroon Bar Association..

in November 1999, Oumarou has cultivated a career marked by a commitment to human rights and legal excellence.

Educated at the University of Yaoundé II, where he earned his Bachelor of Law (LLB) in 1994, Oumarou furthered his studies with a Master of Law (LLM) in Business Law from the University of Douala, graduating in 2009. His educational journey has been complemented by numerous specialized training programs, including intensive courses on US Legal Methods, Alternative Disputes Resolution, and Legal English, all under the auspices of the Institute for US Law.

Oumarou’s professional experience is equally robust. Beginning his career at the law firm of Nsoh & Teulawo in Douala, Cameroon, he worked as an Advocate in Training from 1997 to 1999. He then established the Law Offices of Oumarou Malaiteke in Douala, where he has served as Managing Advocate. In this role, he has represented clients in civil, commercial, labor, human rights, and criminal matters across various jurisdictions in Cameroon. His expertise also extends to mediation, international commercial arbitration, and investment settlement law.

Beyond his legal practice, Oumarou is deeply involved in community and cultural activities. He serves as the National Coordinator for Rescue Mission Cameroon, an NGO dedicated to promoting sustainable development and environmental awareness among young people. Additionally, he holds the position of National Treasurer for WUCUDA, a cultural association with deep roots in the Kingdom of Babessi, Cameroon, and has been an elected Financial Secretary for WUCUDA-USA since 2011.

Oumarou’s diverse skill set includes proficiency in Westlaw, LexisNexis, MS PowerPoint, MS Word, and MS Outlook. Fluent in French, he also works as an interpreter and translator. His leadership extends into the business world as the administrator and owner of Universal Auto Services INC, and he is a consultant with law firms in the DMV area.

Oumarou Malaiteke’s career is a testament to his dedication to the legal profession and his commitment to making a positive impact on society through his various roles in law, community service, and business.

Ms. Micheline NYA is a distinguished professional with over a decade of experience in the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector. Throughout her ..

career, she has been deeply involved in driving social change and development, particularly focusing on sustainable development and the empowerment of women. Her extensive work in the NGO sector highlights her dedication to creating positive and lasting impacts in communities, utilizing her expertise to address pressing social issues and advocate for vulnerable populations.

In addition to her NGO work, Ms. NYA brings years of experience in Cameroon implementing government-to-business projects across various sectors including education, public works, and banking. Her role in these projects has been pivotal in fostering economic development and enhancing public infrastructure. As a former cadre of Cameroon’s Ministry of Territorial Administration, she has gained invaluable insights into government operations and policy implementation, further enriching her professional portfolio and enhancing her ability to navigate complex regulatory environments.

A founding member of the SDWE (Sustainable Development and Women Empowerment), Ms. NYA serves as a board of directors advisor, where she leverages her extensive knowledge and experience to guide the organization’s strategic direction. Her competencies in education, childcare policies, project management, and quality improvement processes have been instrumental in advancing the NGO’s mission. Additionally, she is a passionate disability advocate with a proven track record of championing the rights and inclusion of individuals with disabilities, demonstrating her unwavering commitment to creating a more inclusive and equitable society.

Shamita V. Kamlem is a distinguished youth activist with over seven years of dedicated service in the areas of gender …

equality, public health, and education. Her journey in activism began in the Central African Republic, where she witnessed firsthand the pressing issues affecting young people, particularly girls and women. With a fervent passion for driving social change, Shamita advocates for the rights and well-being of marginalized communities.

Throughout her career, Shamita has been a force in the fight for gender equality. She has partnered with numerous NGOs to develop and implement programs aimed at empowering young women and girls. Her work has included organizing workshops and seminars that address critical issues such as gender-based violence, reproductive health, and economic empowerment. In the field of public health, Shamita’s contributions have been equally impactful. She has been instrumental in creating and promoting health education initiatives that target both urban and rural populations. Her advocacy has focused on improving maternal and child health, combating infectious diseases, and promoting mental health awareness.

As a member of the SDWE (Sustainable Development and Women Empowerment) board of directors, Ms. KAMLEM brings a unique and cross-continental perspective that helps the organization design effective programs to address challenges related to gender, health, and education within immigrant and minority communities

Ms. Anik Laure NOUDOU is a dynamic leader with over 10 years of experience in the non-governmental organization (NGO) sector in in both Cameroon and the United..

States. Throughout her career, Ms. Noudou has held various roles within NGOs, focusing on projects aimed at empowering women in rural and underserved communities.

In addition to her NGO work, she is a Teaching Fellow in French Language & Literature at Boston University (BU). She holds an MA in Translation and Interpretation from the University of Yaoundé 1 in Cameroon and another MA in French Studies from Boston College. Her research interests are centered on the writing and reception of postcolonial literary and filmic narratives in French.

Ms. Noudou currently serves as a Case Manager and Harm Reductionist with the Boston Public Health Commission and works as a Patient Access Representative at Boston Medical Center. Anik’s passion for women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship led her to contribute to SDWE’s sister organization, VEPDEF (Women Volunteer for the Promotion of Education of the People’s Democracy, Peace, and Economic Well-Being). She now serves as Secretary for See The Way – SDWE, following her passion for women’s empowerment and entrepreneurship.

Ms. Noudou is completing a PhD in Francophone Studies at Boston University.

Mireille Laurentine Tchakounte Tchatat, Epse Tetsopgang, defines herself as a committed feminist. She firmly believes

that educating women by instilling values and knowledge ensures that they will pass them on to their children, who will, in turn, become adults with better values for the nation and, consequently, for the entire world. Her main areas of interest include issues related to children and women, sustainable development, female leadership, and change management, to name just a few. Mireille Laurentine is an active member of several women’s associations whose primary objective is to fight poverty by encouraging and helping their members develop financial independence.
In 2017, she was the only Cameroonian among the 152 fellows from developing countries selected by the U.S. government for participation in the 2017-2018 Fulbright Scholarship Program as part of the Humphrey Fellowship. She received training in public policy analysis and public administration, focusing on U.S. public service management standards. This Humphrey Fellowship program changed her perspective on leadership and helped her improve her interpersonal skills. In September 2018, she was a panelist at a conference in Johannesburg, South Africa, on the theme “Building a Better Future for Our Continent.” In August 2024, she was in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, as a panelist at a conference on the theme “Promoting Sustainable Development for Women.” Her skills, dynamism, and loyalty have earned her several honors, including the Hubert H. Humphrey Award (Fulbright) in 2018 – United States of America; the Gold Medal of Honor for Work in 2016 – Cameroon; and the Silver Medal of Honor for Work in 2012 – Cameroon. Mireille Laurentine spares no effort whenever her expertise is sought on matters relating to women and children.