Matambila Chuunga: Defining Cybersecurity Leadership Through The Pursuit of Habitual Excellence

In the rapidly evolving landscape of financial technology and digital banking, few elements are as critical as security. Yet for Matambila Karima-Chuunga, the Regional Chief Information Security Officer at United Bank for Africa Zambia, the concept of security transcends mere protocols and firewalls. It is rooted in a deeper philosophical framework that views excellence not as a sporadic achievement but as a daily discipline. Her approach to leadership has positioned her as a formidable figure in the industry, one who is reshaping how institutions perceive trust, resilience, and organizational culture in an increasingly interconnected world.

The Foundation of Excellence

At the core of Matambila’s professional ideology lies a guiding principle that has shaped her trajectory and the growth of her organization: the belief that excellence is a habit rather than an event. This perspective serves as the bedrock for her leadership style. She posits that sustainable growth is rarely the result of isolated victories or momentary successes. Instead, it stems from the rigorous standards upheld daily and the myriad choices made by a team committed to precision. By embedding discipline and accountability into the very fabric of the corporate culture, she has fostered an environment where continuous improvement is the norm rather than the exception.

This philosophy extends beyond her personal work ethic. It is about cultivating a collective mindset where high standards are expected at every level of the hierarchy. The result is a ripple effect that strengthens performance and deepens trust throughout the organization. Her vision is to normalize these high standards, thereby empowering individuals to take full ownership of their roles. This strategy ensures that growth is not only rapid but also resilient and driven by a clear purpose. It creates an institution capable of thriving amidst stability and disruption alike, proving that the most robust defense is a culture of unwavering quality.

Proactive Alignment and Strategic Vision

A defining moment in Matambila’s career—and a turning point for her business mission—was the decision to proactively align operations with international information security standards well before regulatory pressures made it mandatory. Operating in a technology landscape that shifts with dizzying speed, she recognized early on that the pillars of trust, resilience, and scalability would determine the success of their next growth phase.

This bold decision was not merely about compliance; it was a strategic maneuver to future-proof the business. Strengthening the security posture to satisfy both local and global requirements did more than mitigate risk. It unlocked new opportunities and opened doors to markets and partnerships that might otherwise have remained inaccessible. This move significantly elevated the organization’s credibility with stakeholders and regulators. It demonstrated that bold, forward-looking choices, when grounded in solid principles, serve as accelerators for both organizational impact and industry leadership. By positioning the bank to grow with confidence, Matambila reinforced the lesson that security is a business enabler rather than a hindrance.

A New Metric for Success

In a sector often dominated by bottom lines and profit margins, Matambila employs a broader set of metrics to gauge success. While financial results remain important, she places equal weight on impact and alignment. On a personal level, she defines success as the privilege of engaging in work she loves—leading with curiosity and a genuine excitement for building something meaningful. She believes that this intrinsic energy is what sustains long-term leadership far more effectively than numerical targets ever could.

Professionally, her gauge for success is reflected in trust and legacy. Her goal is to build a strong cybersecurity culture where security measures are embedded into the workflow rather than enforced as an afterthought. When an organization can demonstrate that it protects data and operates responsibly, it signals enduring value to partners, regulators, and stakeholders. For Matambila, true success is achieved when an institution becomes resilient, trusted, and fully prepared for the future. It is about creating a space where people and systems thrive in unison, and where every decision is driven by a clear and overarching purpose.

Resilience in the Face of Limited Representation

Matambila’s journey has not been without its hurdles. One of the most significant challenges she has faced is navigating professional spaces where representation was limited and visible role models were scarce. Leading as an exception in a field where she was often one of the few women required a deep reservoir of resilience and confidence. It demanded an unwavering belief in her own capabilities despite the lack of external validation from peers who looked like her.

Her response to this challenge was to anchor her leadership in substance. She focused on consistency and the quality of her work, allowing the integrity of her leadership to speak louder than any demographic statistic. Rather than viewing the absence of representation as a deficit, she transformed it into a catalyst for action. It drove her to lead visibly and to challenge conventional norms. By doing so, she has helped shape more inclusive institutions that are ready for the future. This experience reinforced a critical lesson: that impact is not defined by authority or mere presence, but by the ability to inspire others, shape culture, and open doors for those who will follow.

Transforming Compliance into Strategy

In the complex ecosystem of modern banking, strategic partnerships are vital. For Matambila, some of the most transformative relationships have been those cultivated with regulatory bodies. While many view regulators solely as enforcers, she took a different approach by building open and collaborative channels of communication. This strategy ensured compliance with evolving standards while simultaneously strengthening trust and credibility across the entire ecosystem.

These partnerships allowed her organization to anticipate risks and respond proactively to emerging threats. It facilitated the embedding of a culture of security and accountability throughout the enterprise. Far beyond the box-ticking exercise of formal compliance, these relationships became strategic enablers. They positioned her organization as a trusted and forward-looking entity capable of leading responsibly. Matambila demonstrated that strategic collaboration, when grounded in transparency and shared purpose, can unlock innovation. It elevates industry standards and builds a resilience that serves the entire sector.

Agility in a Region of Change

Operating in a region defined by rapid change requires a specific set of attributes to remain relevant. Matambila emphasizes the importance of agility, foresight, and a commitment to continuous learning. To ensure her organization stays prepared for the future, she invests heavily in emerging technologies and anticipates regulatory shifts before they occur. By embedding international best practices, she ensures that both systems and personnel are ready for whatever the future holds.

Equally important to her strategy is the cultivation of a mindset where innovation and adaptability are daily practices rather than one-off initiatives. This approach ensures that the organization can do more than just respond to change; it can shape it. By maintaining this proactive stance, Matambila delivers sustainable value and maintains the trust of stakeholders in an ever-evolving landscape. It is this forward-thinking adaptability that keeps her organization at the cutting edge of the industry.

Global Recognition and Milestone Achievements

The impact of Matambila’s work has garnered significant international attention. One milestone she holds particularly close is her recognition as one of the “2025 Cyber Titan Award Winners – Top 10 Global Women Leaders in Information Security” by Trellix. This accolade serves as a powerful validation of her personal efforts and her broader mission. It underscores the impact of building a culture centered on excellence, trust, and resilience.

Beyond the personal achievement, this recognition highlights the critical importance of representation in the technology sector. It shows unequivocally that women can and do lead at the forefront of cybersecurity. For Matambila, this award is a reminder that consistent focus and integrity can break barriers. It is proof that purpose-driven leadership inspires others and elevates both people and institutions. The legacy created by such milestones extends far beyond individual achievement, paving the way for a more diverse and capable industry leadership in the years to come.

Guiding the Next Generation

Matambila offers profound advice to aspiring entrepreneurs and future leaders who wish to emulate her success. She urges them to focus on impact rather than authority. In her view, true leadership is defined by the creation of meaningful change and the ability to inspire others. It is about building organizations that deliver lasting value to their communities and stakeholders.

She advises emerging leaders to let purpose be their compass. A clear mission drives decisions, fuels resilience during tough times, and shapes a positive culture. She encourages them to invest in excellence and to surround themselves with people who will both challenge and support them. Her final reminder is that leadership is measured by the difference one makes, not the title one holds. She calls on the next generation to embrace opportunities to innovate and to lead in ways that leave institutions stronger, more inclusive, and better prepared for the future.