Hauwa Kazeem Yerima is a distinguished equity advocate, seasoned program leader, and social justice champion with years of experience driving transformative change within mission-driven organizations. As a Senior Program Associate at the MacArthur Foundation, Hauwa co-led the Just Imperative Committee (JIC), a cross-departmental initiative aimed at embedding equity and inclusion into the Foundation’s culture, policies, and practices. This committee collaborates with global offices, including India and Nigeria, to implement the Just Imperative framework, which emphasizes a commitment to justice in all aspects of the organization’s work.

Hauwa's leadership in the JIC encompasses managing day-to-day operations, facilitating critical conversations, and fostering organizational culture change. Her contributions include developing communication strategies, liaising with stakeholders across the Foundation, and sharing impactful updates at the Board level. Her role reflects her dedication to advancing equity by addressing systemic challenges and cultivating partnerships that promote sustainable, inclusive progress.

With a deep-seated commitment to servant leadership, Hauwa has supported and guided numerous initiatives throughout her career. At the MacArthur Foundation, she has played an integral role in the grantmaking process, reviewing proposals and budgets to align with program strategies, and ensuring grantees are supported effectively. Beyond her administrative acumen, she has actively contributed to equitable recovery efforts, advocating for communities most affected by the pandemic, and participating in affinity and working groups to drive meaningful change.
Hauwa’s earlier roles at the Zero Corruption Coalition and Women’s Rights Advancement & Protection Alternative underscore her lifelong dedication to addressing social injustices, including anti-corruption advocacy and legal support for women facing rights abuses.

A trained lawyer with an MSc in Counter Fraud and Corruption Studies from the University of Portsmouth, Hauwa’s academic credentials are complemented by certifications from Harvard Kennedy School and the University of Chicago, equipping her with the tools to lead successful programs and assess their effectiveness.

As a Mountaintop Executive Fellow, Hauwa will receive personalized professional development to further strengthen her leadership and expand her equity-focused work, empowering communities and fostering transformative impact on a global scale.