David Bainbridge
Executive Director

“I have worked for over 35 years in the international relief and development sector, serving in a variety of humanitarian and senior leadership roles. Throughout my career I’ve continually encountered situations where people with disabilities face exclusion and extreme poverty, and this injustice is what drew me to CBM Global. I have always worked in partner-based NGOs as I firmly believe authentic, local partnership is the key to effective locally led development and humanitarian action.”

Robert Donnelly
International Director

“Motivated by my values of justice and a more equal and fairer world, I have worked for International NGOs for more than 30 years. Over this time, I have held a number of roles, including Country Director roles in Malawi and The Gambia and head office roles in the UK and Ireland. Outside of Europe, I have lived and worked in Malawi, Sierra Leone, The Gambia, Zambia, and South Africa. The diversity in CBM Global; the collective will to be the best we can be; and the energy to achieve lasting and meaningful change make CBM Global a great organisation to work with. I value the opportunity I have to contribute to our mission and shape the way we work.”

Anita Smeets
International Manager

“After a career in banking, I turned to development work and to CBM nearly 15 years ago and worked in support and leadership positions across programme, finance, and project management. In 2020 I proudly joined CBM Global. I can no better express what drives me in my work, then referring to CBM Global’s values of striving for justice, pursuing excellence, embracing partnership, championing inclusion, and living with integrity. I find most professional satisfaction in supporting others to thrive.”

Eva Alonso
Global Head of Human Resources

“With more than 20 years of experience in Human Resources, I started my career in Spain as a career advisor for my university, providing support to fellow students in their job search. Since then I have moved to different HR advisory and management roles within the private sector and consulting firms. I have developed my career in the areas of Recruitment, Performance Management, Compensation and Benefits, Policy Writing, and Training and Development. I am passionate about people and committed to creating an inclusive job environment where employees feel engaged, valued, and supported.”

Uffe Ekstedt
Finance Director

“I joined the CBM family five years ago and continue to be very excited about working with such a dynamic global team from every corner of the world. My passion at work is to drive for simplification and continuous improvement. Previously I worked for 30 years for the global express courier company TNT Express where I worked in various Finance, Commercial, and General Management positions, before deciding to join CBM and the NGO world, which I find very rewarding.”

Michi Nombrado
Senior Communications Officer

“I have worked in various communication roles with research firms, private companies, and non-profit organisations. I believe that communication can help achieve sustainable social change and development. I have personally seen the barriers that hinder marginalised communities, including people with disabilities, from reaching their full potential. Fighting injustice and oppression is important to me. I am ecstatic to be in an organisation that amplifies voices from the Global South and tackles inequality.”

Thomas Simon
Global Head of Information and Communication Systems

“Before joining CBM Global, I had the opportunity to get to know many areas of IT during my 10 years as a system administrator at a law firm, and then spent three years as an IT manager at a consulting firm working on internal projects in the areas of infrastructure, system hardening and strategy consulting. With my passion for IT, I want to enable everyone to give their best.”