Sandra Chuma
Sandra Chuma holds postgraduate degrees in marketing and journalism, including a Master of Science degree with Honours in Multimedia Journalism & Documentary Filmmaking from Columbia Journalism School. She is a multimedia journalist and award-winning documentary filmmaker, and was selected as the inaugural Documentary Fellow during her time at Columbia University.
For more than 15 years, Sandra has successfully blended business leadership, entrepreneurial innovation and creativity. She has been engaged in multiple entrepreneurial ventures, and has also led teams in supporting clients operating across the globe, specifically in North America, Europe and Africa. In 2006, prior to attending Columbia University, Sandra partnered with her husband to create OBP (Open Business Process), an IT and management consulting company. Over the course of 7 years, they grew the company into a highly successful consulting firm, offering guidance on IT and business strategies; and successfully sold the business in 2016.
Sandra understands that stories of inspiration have the power to change and shape lives. During her studies at Columbia University, she was captured by the ability of documentary film to tell complex and multi-faceted narratives with sensitivity and depth.
Sandra’s most recent project, PLUS!, a documentary about the plus-size fashion industry, was highly regarded for it’s narrative of an industry that is typically ignored. The film was selected to screen at many highly-regarded festivals, and won several awards, including a 2016 Gracie Award. She was also awarded first prize in the NBC Sports CPTR’D Contest for Queens & Knights, her profile of the Gotham Knights – an inclusive rugby team in New York City, which she co-directed and produced. Sandra intends to continue this momentum through Ndini, a venture that melds her business acumen, her love of story and her fearless exploration of the world around her.
While her work and education has taken her around the globe, Sandra has remained connected to her Zimbabwean roots, cultivating a passion for the country and continent she was raised in.
The concept for Ndini was born from Sandra’s desire to support and empower the young women in her life, having endured a personal struggle to find representation in the media that celebrated true African potential. Still feeling as though the narratives are restricted, Sandra hopes to provide access to the untold stories of exceptional African women that will resonate, inspire and ignite strength.
