Business Biography

Born in Zambia Africa, Malungoh Hakalima came to the United States on a full scholarship to  attend the University of Hartford in Connecticut. She graduated from the Barney School of Business with a B. S. in Business Administration in 1987.

In December 1987, she joined civil service and worked for the State of Connecticut, Department of Revenue Services for 33 ½ years, more than 27 of which were in management. 

Malungoh generously gives of her time and personal funds to meet the needs of others.  For many years, she and friends, purchased food, prepared, served it and gave warm clothing to homeless individuals at the Hartford Green in Connecticut.  

In July, 2022 she founded and registered a non-profit organization in Zambia called Malungoh-Aid for Zambia Limited (MAFZA). Through MAFZA, a pre-school that had been closed due to lack of financing in a village called Loonde was reopened. School furniture and teaching aides as well as uniforms, shoes, backpacks and much more were provided for the children. MAFZA hired two teachers, and has been paying their salaries monthly. Reopening of the school was featured on national news. A larger school to accommodate all pre-schoolers in Loonde and other surrounding villages was built and is operating under the responsibility of the community.

In March 2023, Malungoh joined the board of The Oliver-Benoit Foundation Co. a 501c-3 organization that provides personal hygiene kits, clothing and more to homeless individuals, students in Hartford public schools, and homeless shelters in greater Hartford communities and the state of Massachessets. She has volunteered to purchase personal hygiene products, assemble and hand out the kits. She realized that the children and individuals who needed the kits were all from low income families and also food insecure.

In April 2024, Malungoh founded The Malima Foundation Corporation, a 501c-3 organization that delivers groceries monthly to individuals, children in greater Hartford public schools and their families to mitigate food insecurity. 

Malungoh has lived in a greater Hartford suburb for more than 25 years, enjoys playing guitar, tennis, watching crime mysteries, working out, and is a certified aerobics instructor. She enjoys clothing and interior design, the arts and owns Malima Designs, a clothing and jewelry design business. She is a certified Personal Stylist through New York Fashion Institute Technology (FIT).

Business Biography

Mary Oliver-Benoit is the Founder, Chairman of the Board and Executive Director for the Oliver-Benoit Foundation Co.  Mary originates from Hartford, CT.  She started her career back in 1979 in the banking industry, where she earned her way up into supervisory positions.  In the 1990s, she moved on to the State of CT and worked in several technical and supervisory roles until she retired in 2015. 

While still working full-time for the State of CT, she started her own commercial cleaning company in 2008.   Seventeen years later, that business is thriving and has served well over 500 properties and employed approximately 300 individuals since inception.   

At this time, Mary wants to give back to the greater Hartford and greater Springfield communities by helping those most in need; the homeless and others who may be in similarly desperate situations.  She feels strongly about helping people who may be having a rough time getting on their feet and believes that everyone should be treated with dignity, respect and kindness.

In 2024, she joined the board of the Malima Foundation as the Secretary because she believes that conquering and easing food insecurity for families is a very worthy cause.

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