Kabanda Lopa Chilekwa, a distinguished legal professional and passionate speaker is the Co-founder and partner at CC Gabriel & Co Legal Practitioners, a business law firm driven by its vision of using the law to support enterprises to build legacy businesses that create sustainable wealth. Kabanda's journey, driven by her passion for impactful networking, led her from her role as in-house Counsel at the Development Bank of Zambia to becoming a stalwart legal partner to businesses in Southern Africa . Kabanda served as Counsel in the International Law and Agreements Department at the Ministry of Justice of the Government of Zambia. Her role involved offering legal advice on Government initiatives geared towards invigorating the private sector. Notably, her expertise extended to investment and public-private partnership negotiations, as evidenced by her pivotal role in the Public Private Partnership Technical Committee and the GRZ Technical Committee on Investment Protection and Promotion. Kabanda's work transcended borders as she played a vital role in negotiating domestic, bilateral, and multilateral agreements for regional integration and trade facilitation under esteemed bodies such as WTO, COMESA, and SADC. With an extensive career spanning over 15 years in both the public and private sectors, her dedication to cultivating and nurturing relationships has significantly contributed to her well-rounded expertise. She had served on the Boards of the Zambia Postal Services Corporation, the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy an International Studies and Infratel. Kabanda's educational journey showcases her commitment to personal growth and knowledge acquisition. Having obtained an LLB from the University of Zambia, she also holds a Master's degree in International Trade Law-Contracts and Dispute Resolution from the University of Turin, coupled with a Master's degree in International Business Law from Queen Mary University of London. Kabanda is certified by the Zambia Institute of Diplomacy and International Studies in Diplomatic Practice, Protocol and Public Relations. Her academic achievements, including the prestigious Chevening Scholarship Award by the Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office of the Government of the United Kingdom, underscore her dedication to continuous learning and global networking. Beyond her professional accomplishments, Kabanda has served as President of the Chevening Alumni Association of Zambia, fostering connections among fellow scholars and enhancing the impact of shared experiences. She is an avid toastmaster dedicated to contributing to the understanding within Africa that effective communication is a critical pillar for leadership development. Kabanda’s Leadership philosophy is encapsulated by Antione de Saint-Exupery's words that, "If you want to build a ship, don't drum up the men to gather wood, divide the work and give orders. Instead, teach them to yearn for the vast and endless sea". This reflects her belief in the transformative power of fostering a network driven by shared aspirations and boundless horizons.