New Institute Leadership Team

Posted November 21, 2025

Meet the New Institute’s Leadership Team, that will serve for the next six years (2025-2031).

 

Sister Coltrida Mulima Mooya RSHM, Institute Leader

Sister Coltrida Mulima Mooya was born in Monze district in the southern part of Zambia. Her first encounter with the RSHM sisters occurred when she attended secondary school at St. Joseph’s Chivuna, a school run by the RSHM in the Diocese of Monze. She made her first vows on January 4, 1997, followed by her perpetual profession on April 23, 2005.  A teacher by profession, Sister Coltrida’s training includes primary education, Special Needs Education, and Geography. For many years, she taught primary school students, enjoying working with beginners. She also taught students with special needs, particularly those with vision impairments, at St. Mulumba Special School. Later, she assumed Area leadership responsibilities.

Sister Conceição Pereira RSHM, Counselor and General Treasurer

Sister Conceição Pereira was born in Guimarães, northern Portugal. She is the youngest of twelve siblings and, since she was a little girl, she dreamed of becoming a missionary. She has a degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree in Sociology. She attended the Pastoral Theology Course and has a Master’s degree in Discernment and Spiritual Accompaniment. Since 2004, the year she took her First Vows, she has shared and collaborated in the mission of knowing and loving God, making Him known and loved in social services and projects, in youth and vocational ministry, in communications, and in the treasury of the Portugal Area. Within the spirituality of the Institute, she is interested in the history and life of Fr. Jean Gailhac, in administration at the service of charism and mission, and in new technologies at the service of communicating identity and spirituality. Participation in international meetings and living with sisters from different cultures has helped her to cultivate the gifts of unity, internationality, and interculturality.

Sister Madalena Serafim Manhiça RSHM, Counselor

Sister Madalena Serafim Manhiça is from Mozambique and has a background in education, with a great passion for training young people for religious life. She has served in several primary and secondary schools in Gurué, Quelimane, and Maputo, and has collaborated with the CIRMO Delegation and the Santa Bakhita Inter-Novitiate School. She was a professor at the Catholic University of Mozambique and served on the Episcopal Commission for Catholic Education, contributing to the creation of a network of Catholic schools in the country. She is motivated by the desire to be a woman of prophetic hope, serving with joy and fidelity.

Sister Maria Teresa Nogueira RSHM, Counselor

Sister Maria Teresa Nogueira was born in the diocese of Porto, in northern Portugal. She has a degree in Philosophy and Religious Sciences and a master’s degree in Spiritual Accompaniment and Discernment. She is a Sister who is passionate about the charism, founders, and spirituality of the Institute, committed to its deepening and dissemination. Sharing the mission, she has taken on services in youth and vocational ministry, formation of sisters and lay people, education and leadership of RSCM schools, and leadership of the Portugal Area. In her journey, she has developed an experience of internationality, ecclesial communion, sensitivity, and commitment to JPIC in response to the forms of poverty of our time.

Sister Sipiwe Phiri RSHM, Councilor

Sister Sipiwe Phiri is currently serving her second term as a Councilor of the RSHM. She is from the Zambezi Area, which includes the countries of Zambia—where Sipiwe was born—and Zimbabwe, where she also lived. A passionate educator, Sr. Sipiwe was a teacher at St. Joseph School in Chivuna, Zambia. She is also active in pastoral work, helping young people to discover their life vocation, whether as religious or lay people.

Sister Veronica Brand RSHM, Councilor

Sister Veronica Brand was born in England but grew up in Zimbabwe (then Rhodesia) coming to know the RSHM while a student in Marymount, Mutare.   After her formation and studies in New York, most of her ministry was back in Africa, where she was involved in Social Work education and development outreach in the newly Independent Zimbabwe. She then served as Inter Africa Coordinator, liaising between the RSHM in Mali, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe before being elected to serve as General Councilor / Treasurer. After four years in Zambia, she was called to serve as the RSHM NGO representative at the United Nations in New York, a post she has held since 2013.

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