We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Ms. Maria Bellocci as Chief Operating Officer of the SFA Foundation, effective March 2026. 

Maria brings over 30 years of leadership experience spanning the private and non-profit sectors, with deep expertise in strategic operations, financial management, governance, risk and compliance, and donor accountability. 

Most recently at GSG Impact, Maria led global HR, finance, governance, and programme delivery, managing a 30-person team across seven countries and overseeing a budget exceeding £5 million. Her tenure as COO at the Africa Research Excellence Fund (AREF) saw her drive a landmark transformation: shifting the organisation from a UK-based charity into a truly Africa-led institution, with full operational infrastructure established in The Gambia and the UK. 

Maria has secured and managed partnerships and contracts worth over £10 million with world-class funders including FCDO, the Gates Foundation, Robert Bosch Stiftung, Japan’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and NHS England. 

She is known for building resilient, scalable operating models that allow mission-driven organisations to grow with integrity, through transparent decision-making, strong controls, and operational excellence. 

Maria holds an Executive MBA with Distinction and professional qualifications in leadership, agile project management, and change management. 

We are proud to welcome Maria to the SFA Foundation family. Her passion for empowering institutions, and translating research into real-world impact makes her an exceptional fit for our mission to support, strengthen, and promote science and innovation in Africa.