Mark Udoh Mbat
Funding and Partnerships Associate
Meet our gap closer of the month, Mark Udoh Mbat, Funding and Partnerships Associate. Mark shares about his work at the Foundation and what he finds most rewarding about it. “Knowing that my contributions help create sustainable solutions and transform lives makes the work deeply fulfilling and inspires me to keep striving for greater impact.”
Please share your educational and professional background
I hold a BSc in Economics from the University of Uyo and a Certificate and Diploma in Professional Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, UK. I began my career at Simon Page College of Marketing as the Programmes Coordinator, where I managed the delivery of professional marketing courses and collaborated with senior industry professionals across the continent to develop innovative learning experiences. I joined KPMG West Africa as the Sector Executive for the Infrastructure, Government, Healthcare, and International Development sector. In this role, I supported strategic initiatives, including stakeholder engagement and market intelligence, contributing to impactful projects that addressed critical societal challenges. This blend of academic and professional experiences equipped me with a solid foundation for driving meaningful change in my current role.
What inspired you to pursue a career in the development sector?
My inspiration to pursue a career in the development sector comes from a deep-seated belief in the power of strategic collaboration to drive meaningful change. During my time at KPMG West Africa, I worked on initiatives that addressed critical societal challenges, and I saw how well-structured interventions could transform communities. This solidified my dedication to leverage partnerships and innovative approaches to create sustainable impact.
What do you do at the Foundation?
I work as the Funding and Partnerships Associate, where my primary responsibility is to drive strategic collaborations and secure resources that support our initiatives. I focus on building and managing partnerships with organisations that align with our mission, ensuring impactful programmes and sustainable outcomes.
What does your typical day look like?
A typical day for me involves a mix of strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and project management activities. From morning reviews and planning to collaborating with internal teams, research and strategic outreach, drafting partnership proposals, concept notes, NDAs, and MOUs to solidify collaborations, engaging with existing and prospective Partners, attending industry events, webinars, meetings and professional development. Each day balances strategic vision with execution, ensuring that partnerships are nurtured, resources are mobilised, and the Foundation’s goals are advanced.
What makes the work that we do at the Foundation unique?
The work we do at the Foundation is unique because we address critical gaps in public service and healthcare, transforming lives at scale. By blending strategic partnerships, innovative programmes, and a relentless focus on impact, we empower communities, build capacity in public institutions, and create sustainable solutions that close the gap between Africa and the rest of the world. Our commitment to lasting change sets us apart.
What do you find most rewarding about your work?
What I find most rewarding about my work is seeing the tangible impact of our efforts—whether it's a public servant gaining the skills to drive meaningful change, or a community experiencing improved access to quality healthcare. Knowing that my contributions help create sustainable solutions and transform lives makes the work deeply fulfilling and inspires me to keep striving for greater impact.