Pezo Mateo Phiri is an international development and governance specialist with over 20 years of experience working with international donors, government institutions, and civil society. She currently serves as Senior Project Advisor at the European Centre for Electoral Support (ECES) for the EU-funded PRO-DEM Zambia – Strengthening Democracy and Electoral Governance in Zambia project, where she provides strategic guidance on governance, accountability, and institutional strengthening programs.

She previously served as Temporary Program Manager for Environment and Natural Resources at the Embassy of Sweden in Lusaka and held senior leadership roles with Sida, where she led governance, human rights, and gender portfolios, and coordinated donor engagement on democracy and accountability. She has also held senior positions with USAID and the Canadian International Development Agency (CIDA), supporting anti-corruption, public sector reform, and inclusive governance initiatives.

Pezo holds a Master of Public Administration from the University of Zambia and is widely recognized for her leadership in advancing transparent, inclusive, and accountable governance systems.