Taught by her parents from an early age to value and uphold faith, family, education, and humanity, Mufalo Chitam is a leader, advocate, and community builder who is transforming Portland’s immigrant support network into a strong and inclusive resettlement system. With 30 years of experience in advocacy and community organizing, Chitam has expanded critical initiatives, including multilingual “Know Your Rights” materials, the Maine Immigrant Resource Hub & Hotline, and enforcement-impact tracking, helping communities respond to emerging challenges.

Mufalo is civic-minded, generous, thoughtful, and gifted with a tremendous ability to connect across ethnic communities, regardless of differences in experience or need. Under her leadership, the Maine Immigrants’ Rights Coalition (MIRC) now represents more than 100 member organizations, including immigrant constituency and advocacy groups, direct service organizations, and grassroots community organizations. Together, they work to elevate the voices of New Mainers as they find their way, build community, and contribute to a more diverse and inclusive Maine for future generations. MIRC has become one of Maine’s leading immigrant rights organizations.

Throughout her career, Mufalo has worked in a variety of capacities to help people live fulfilling and dignified lives. Her professional experience includes positions with ChildFund International, the University of Southern Maine, United Way of Greater Portland, the National Multiple Sclerosis Society, the National Kidney Foundation, Easter Seals Maine, the American Red Cross, and Granite Bay Care. She has also served on numerous boards and advisory councils throughout Maine and currently advocates on the United States Commission on Civil Rights Maine Advisory Committee.

An American of Zambian descent, Mufalo holds a BA in Public Administration and Library Science from the University of Zambia. She serves on the boards of the National Partnership for New Americans and the Federal Reserve Bank of Boston’s Community Development Advisory Council, as well as Maine’s Ending Hunger and Office of New Americans Advisory Councils. Her leadership and service have been recognized with numerous honors, including being named a 2026 Courage Project awardee, Spurwink’s 2023 Humanitarian of the Year, and a 2022 Mainebiz Woman to Watch.