The Radio Community Board of Trustees

Hellen Ikuse Samuel,

Chair

She strongly advocates for independent journalism and media freedom, free speech, and freedom of expression. Hellen is a senior journalist with eighteen years experiences in then Sudan and now South Sudan. Hellen is currently overseeing the department of program production at Eye Radio, which is South Sudan’s only independence national broadcaster. Before South Sudan’s independence Hellen was head of English department in the European service at Sudan National Radio before joining Sudan Radio Service (SRS) as the bureau chief in Khartoum.

Education

BSc Sciences, Juba University Khartoum, College of Rural Development and Community Studies.

The Rev. Canon Dr. Joseph Zebedayo Bilal

Deputy Chair

He is a leading member of the clergy working to advance peace, reconciliation and education. Joseph is the Acting Deputy Vice Chancellor for The Episcopal University (TEU); and member of the mediation team that advise the church leadership in issues of justice, peace and reconciliation in South Sudan. He is also working with the Leadership of the Anglican Province of South Sudan to setup the colleges for the University.

Education

PhD in Social Science, London School of Theology, Brunel University, UK Research on Religion and Conflict in Sudan.

MA in Applied Theology, Trinity College, University of Bristol.

BA (Hons) in Theological Studies, Trinity College, University of Bristol, UK

Marial Dongrin Ater

Board Member

He brings business expertise and strategic management experiences as a banker with 8 + years in the development, operations, financial, marketing and strategic management experience. Marial has held various managerial roles in the banking industry working for KCB bank in both South Sudan and Kenya. He has specialist experience in areas of: income generation and business initiatives; organizational and statutory regulations; and policies and procedures. Marial has demonstrated success in areas of capacity development and financial planning and discipline.

Education

PhD (ongoing) Business Administration (Strategic Management), University of Nairobi, Kenya.

MA Business Administration – Strategic Management, Catholic University of East Africa (CUEA)

BSC Economics, Daystar University, Kenya.

Issa Muzamil Sebit

Board Member

He is a leading advocate on media law, freedom of expression, access to Information and free speech in South Sudan. Issa is the Interim President of Bar Association/Bar Council, South Sudan and an advocate and managing partner of Juba Associates. As a legal practitioner, he advises TRC on legal matters and also provides legal advice to more than 10 international NGO’s & companies. Issa has successfully represented in a number of high-profile cases involving human rights, freedom of association and expression.

Education

PHD (ongoing) in Law University of Dar-Es- Salam 2019- 2020.

LLM procedural and international legal practices University of Dar-Es-Salam, Tanzania.

LLB Nkumba University, Entebbe, Uganda.

Nigel Ballard

Board Member

He brings extensive journalism and media development experience and serves on the board as a technical advisor. Nigel has 10 + years’ experience working as a broadcast journalist for the BBC along with 7 years’ experience as an international development leader in the field of journalism, broadcasting and media. He has worked in South Sudan at a strategic level, planning and implementing an extensive and diverse media development program. This included leading specialist teams and managing multi-million-dollar budgets. Nigel specialises in capacity development in areas of journalism, editorial policy, media freedom, organisational development and strategic planning.

Education

MA Anthropology of Development and Social Transformation, University of Sussex.

Post Graduate Diploma in Broadcast Journalism, Falmouth College of Arts.

BA (Hons) Library and Information Studies, University of Brighton

Chris Marol

CEO & Network Managing Editor

He has 10 + years’ experience as a broadcast journalist, editorial and operational manager and leader. As CEO Chris has steered The Radio Community’s transition from being run by an international NGO to becoming a leading independent South Sudanese media house. Chris brings to the position extensive experience as a journalist in South Sudan along with considerable project management, financial, logistical and leadership ability.

Education

BA Business Administration, Assam Don Bosco University India, School of Commerce and Management.

Diploma in Advertising & Public Relations Cambridge international College, UK.

Certificate in Essentials of Broadcast Management Sole Plaatje Media leadership institute, Rhodes University, South Africa.