Devotha Brown
Devotha Brown is a woman who brings both precision and compassion to her work. As Fianace Head at DMDO, she doesn’t just manage numbers, she manages impact. “Every number I handle,” she says, “represents a person and a story. Through my work at DMDO, I want to inspire young women to step into leadership, stay true to their values and make a difference in their communities with confidence.”
Devotha grew up in Mbeya, a city in western Tanzania between Lake Malawi and Lake Rukwa, some 1,000 kilometres from Masasi. “I come from a family that values education and discipline,” she explains. “My mother’s resilience and my father’s integrity shaped how I approach my life and work.” Though she is single, Devotha adopted a child, an experience that has grounded her deeply: “Becoming a mother taught me to be responsible and to think beyond myself.”
Devotha’s path into finance and development was sparked by her older brother, who ran a small NGO in Mbeya. “Watching him dedicate his life to helping women and vulnerable families activated a sense of purpose in me,” she recalls.
That sense deepened during her university internship, when she worked directly with women-led cooperatives and saw the transformative power of financial literacy. “That was the moment I realised: I could use accounting not just to report, but to empower.”
Devotha attended Kilakala Girls’ Secondary School and then Ifunda Girls’ for her A-levels, where she studied EGM (Economics, Geography, and Mathematics) and discovered a lasting interest in economics. She pursued a Bachelor of Commerce in Accounting at the University of Dar es Salaam Business School and later completed the Leadership for Change programme at Moshi Cooperative University. Today, she is a Certified Public Accountant recognised by the National Board of Accountants and Auditors in Tanzania.
At DMDO, Devotha’s work is meticulous and mission-driven. She manages project budgets, monitors expenditures and ensures full compliance with donor requirements. “I spend a lot of time reviewing financial reports, but I also do field visits to verify accountability,” she says. “I need to know the money is doing what it’s supposed to do.”
One of her most effective contributions has been developing an Excel-based tool for real-time expense tracking by field staff—a system that has increased both efficiency and trust. “It’s simple,” she explains, “but it’s made a big difference. Everyone understands it. And that’s the point.”
When asked what keeps her going, she doesn’t hesitate. “I once saw a single mother start her own business after receiving financial training through our support,” she says. “That’s the kind of impact I want to be part of.” A defining moment for her came during an emergency reforestation project in Njombe. “We were distributing funds for seeds during a drought. Seeing how timely financial decisions could literally change the future for struggling farmers was powerful.”
Outside the office, Devotha finds balance through routine and connection. She sets aside evenings and weekends for her daughter, attends church regularly and finds solace in music. “I also lead local savings groups,” she adds. “It’s my way of continuing the work I love, but in my own community.” Her family values - sympathy, honesty, hard work, and accountability - guide her both professionally and personally.
Looking ahead, Devotha envisions DMDO growing into a nationally respected and internationally registered NGO. “We’ll attract more donors and scale our projects across Tanzania,” she says. “The need is great, and we are ready.” And as that vision takes shape, Devotha intends to keep doing what she does best: blending professional excellence with a deep belief in the people behind the data. “Every project I manage is a chance to create stability and opportunity. That’s what drives me.”
