Our people

Festus Alex Chinaza (he/they) is a young pro-feminist leader, gender justice advocate, and community organiser dedicated to advancing the rights, dignity, and inclusion of women and LGBTQI+ persons in Nigeria and across Africa. With over nine years of experience spanning movement building, governance, monitoring and evaluation, community-led development, and strategic advocacy, Alex brings an intersectional and people-centred approach to social justice work, centring lived experiences, amplifying marginalised voices, and challenging systemic inequalities.

Alex is the Founder and Executive Director of Hearty Empowerment and Rights Initiative (HER-Initiative), a youth-led organisation working to expand access to affirming healthcare, economic inclusion, and safer spaces for marginalised young people in South-East Nigeria. Through HER-Initiative, Alex has led community-driven initiatives focused on narrative change, participatory storytelling, policy engagement, and grassroots organising that strengthen the visibility, resilience, and agency of queer communities.

He currently serves as the national coordinator of the Network for Rights and Community Inclusion (NeRCI), the Board Treasurer of Pan Africa ILGA, and on the Africa Gender and Equality Council of the Global Network for Rainbow Catholics (GNRC). He has previously served on the COC Netherlands Power of Pride International Advisory Committee and its end-of-project MEL reference group.

Alex’s work is rooted in the belief that sustainable social transformation is only possible when communities are meaningfully centred in decision-making, resource allocation, and policy influence. His leadership continues to bridge grassroots activism with institutional advocacy, advancing collective liberation through gender justice, economic equity, and inclusive social change.