The Board of Directors of the Federation are very pleased to announce a new chapter in IFACCA’s governance and leadership, with the new appointments of the Chair and Deputy Chair.
The IFACCA Board convened on 11 February 2026 for its 78th meeting, where they elected Mr Maanka A. Chipindi, Director and CEO, National Arts Council of Zambia as the new Chair of IFACCA and Ms Michelle Chawla, Director and CEO, Canada Council for the Arts as the new Deputy Chair of IFACCA, commencing 1 April 2026. Both distinguished leaders begin their new roles at IFACCA united in their commitment to advancing international dialogue and exchange, shaped by our core values of solidarity, inclusion, reciprocity, and mutual learning.
Mr Chipindi succeeds Ms Kajsa Ravin, Director General of the Swedish Arts Council, as Chair, who ends her tenure as Director General of the Swedish Arts Council and subsequently her position as Chair of IFACCA, at the end of March 2026.
As Chair, Ms Ravin has provided exemplary leadership, deepened collaboration with Members, and amplified IFACCA’s work at international forums. Most recently, last September she led IFACCA’s delegation at MONDIACULT 2025, which brought more than 70 representatives from National Member institutions to Barcelona, where IFACCA hosted one of its largest Member convenings alongside the global conference, outside of our World Summits on Arts and Culture.
Ms Ravin’s leadership as Chair is grounded in over five years of active engagement as a Director on the IFACCA Board, where she served on the 10th World Summit Committee for the Board; hosted the 9th World Summit on Arts and Culture in Stockholm, Sweden in 2023, on safeguarding artistic freedom; and contributed her knowledge and expertise across many other IFACCA projects and initiatives. We thank Ms Ravin for her insight, leadership, and service to the Federation, and at the conclusion of her term as Chair, we will formally farewell and congratulate her on the extensive contributions she has made on the Board.
New Chair of the IFACCA Board:
Maanka A. Chipindi (Zambia)
Mr Maanka A. Chipindi is the Director and CEO for the National Arts Council of Zambia since 2017 and joined the IFACCA Board as a Director in May 2025. Mr Chipindi is a leader in the cultural and creative sectors of Zambia and is recognised for his significant contributions to advance and champion arts and culture in the Africa region and beyond. With a deep understanding of cultural governance, he also brings expertise to the role of Chair in strategic public‑sector leadership, governance oversight, and cross‑agency project stewardship, alongside the development and implementation of evidence‑based policies and frameworks that strengthen accountability, cultural outcomes, and the long‑term advancement of the arts and cultural sector.
In accepting the position, Mr Chipindi affirms, “I am deeply honoured to be elected Chair of IFACCA. IFACCA represents a vital platform for us in Zambia, across Africa, and throughout our international network. In a world that is more complex than ever, organisations like IFACCA keep us connected, engaged, and in meaningful dialogue. I look forward to working with our Executive Director, Magdalena Moreno Mujica, the IFACCA Secretariat, my esteemed colleagues on the IFACCA Board, and all our members across our global community as we continue to advance the role of arts and culture and champion the full breadth of our cultural expressions.”
Ms Magdalena Moreno Mujica, Executive Director of IFACCA affirmed, “we are delighted to welcome Maanka Chipindi as the new Chair of IFACCA. As the visionary Director of Zambia’s National Arts Council, Mr Chipindi has played a pivotal role in shaping Zambia’s cultural landscape, bringing over 14 years of experience in arts administration and a strong commitment to strengthening creative ecosystems. His belief in the arts as a catalyst for inclusive development is evident in his dedication to ensuring that festivals, fairs, and cultural events serve as engines for job creation and community transformation. A Fulbright scholar, his academic grounding—a Master’s in Arts Administration from Columbia University and a Bachelor’s from the University of Zambia—reinforces his commitment to making arts and culture accessible to all.”
“We look forward to his stewardship as Chair, confident that his vision, integrity, and steadfast commitment to cultural diversity will advance IFACCA’s global purpose and enrich collaboration across our international community.”
New Deputy Chair of the IFACCA Board: Michelle Chawla (Canada)
Ms Michelle Chawla has led the Canada Council for the Arts as Director and CEO since June 2023 and joined the IFACCA Board as a Director in May 2025. Under Ms Chawla’s leadership, the Canada Council for the Arts ensures that almost 90 percent of its annual government funding goes directly to the arts sector. This includes support for over 3,500 artists and over 1,900 arts organisations in more than 2,000 communities across the country, whose work strengthens the economy, fosters unity and a sense of belonging.
With nearly 30 years in the field of public arts and culture funding, Ms Chawla has extensive leadership expertise in public policy, intergovernmental relations, governance, corporate communications, international engagement and major transformation initiatives. Prior to her appointment, she was the Director General of Strategy, Public Affairs and Arts Engagement, and she had previously served as the Secretary-General for the Canadian Commission for UNESCO.
Ms Chawla is deeply committed to making sure the arts are a vibrant part of Canadians’ lives in communities big and small, rural and remote, urban and suburban, from coast to coast to coast. Ms Chawla champions the role of the arts as a unifying force that reflects and strengthens Canadian identity, a powerful driver of jobs and economic growth and a catalyst for creativity and new ideas. She believes the arts helps communities adapt to change, grow local economies, promote Canada on the world stage, and bring people together while strengthening Canadian culture and identity.
In accepting this position, she said, “I’m honoured to take on the role of Deputy Chair and to support IFACCA’s vital international work. At a time of profound global transformation, arts and culture help us build understanding and imagine new possibilities together. I look forward to deepening our collective efforts so that creativity can continues to benefit people and communities around the world.”
Ms Magdalena Moreno Mujica affirmed, “Ms Chawla brings exceptional leadership in cultural policy and governance, and has long championed the work of IFACCA throughout her tenure at the Canada Council for the Arts. Since joining the Board, she has been an active and thoughtful contributor to IFACCA’s vision and direction. Her deep understanding of the issues facing governments, the creative and cultural sectors, and society at large reflects a truly holistic approach to addressing systemic challenges and fostering lasting, positive change. We are delighted by her appointment, and I look forward to working closely with her in this new leadership capacity on the Board.”
Read more about the IFACCA Board