Tatenda Geeny Makunde Zhakata is a seasoned finance executive with over 15 years of progressive experience in financial management, auditing, and strategic leadership across the banking and corporate sectors.
Zhakata currently serves as the Chief Financial Officer of Steward Bank, Zimbabwe’s leading digital bank, where she plays a pivotal role in driving financial strategy, regulatory compliance, and sustainable growth.
Appointed CFO in 2023, Zhakata oversees the bank’s financial performance, reporting, and risk management functions. Her role involves ensuring robust financial controls, compliance with regulatory frameworks, and the implementation of sound internal control systems to safeguard assets and maintain transparency.
Addtionally,Zhakata also provides critical financial insights to the Board of Directors and senior management, enabling informed decision-making that strengthens the bank’s market position.
Before her elevation to CFO, Zhakata served as Financial Controller at Steward Bank from 2021 to 2023, where she streamlined reporting processes, enhanced compliance mechanisms, and strengthened the bank’s risk management framework. Earlier, she held the position of Chief Financial Officer at Ethical Holdings, where she contributed to business transformation initiatives, aligning financial strategies with long-term corporate goals.
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Tatenda’s career foundation was built at Deloitte, where she spent over a decade rising through the ranks from Articled Clerk to Audit Manager. During her tenure, she led audits across diverse industries, assessed internal controls, supervised teams, and provided advisory support to clients on risk management and compliance. This period honed her analytical skills, leadership acumen, and strong ethical grounding.
A seasoned finance leader, Tatenda is known for her ability to balance financial stewardship with strategic foresight. Her expertise spans financial risk management, performance measurement, regulatory compliance, and stakeholder engagement. She is also highly skilled in leadership, team development, and problem-solving, ensuring that financial functions align seamlessly with organizational objectives.
TheCFO Magazine’s CFO of the Week recognizes exceptional Chief Financial Officers across the globe, celebrating their outstanding leadership, impactful achievements, innovative solutions, extensive industry expertise, and invaluable contributions to their organizations.
