Felister Dossi: breaking ceilings and redefining women leadership

Felister Dossi is a trailblazing Malawian lawyer and football administrator who’s breaking barriers in the world of sports and law.

As a legal head at Nico Group, which includes NBS Bank and Eris Properties, she’s a force to be reckoned with.

Her impressive career just got a boost with her appointment to Fifa’s Legal Standing Committee, making her the first woman in Malawi to hold such a position and one of the select few lawyers representing Malawi on the global football stage.

She was nominated by Football Association of Malawi (FAM), describing it as a vote of confidence not just in her professional ability, but in her values and standards.

Felister said: “Criteria for appointments included and not limited to consideration of the candidate’s profile and experience, diversity of background, eligibility screening, integrity checks and fit and proper tests conducted under Fifa Governance Regulations.”

The lawyer’s passion for football was ignited by her late father, Moses Dossi and she’s now paying it forward by serving on the Football Association of Malawi (FAM)’s executive committee and chairing key committees.

She’s a strong advocate for women’s representation in leadership and believes that with supportive environments and clear priorities, women can excel in both family and professional life.

With 18 years of experience as a practicing lawyer, Felister holds a Bachelor’s Law Degree from the University of Malawi and an MBA from Eastern and Southern African Management Institute.

She’s a mother of two and a role model for aspiring women leaders in Malawi.

Representing Malawi on football’s international stage, Felister joins a select group of lawyers from across Fifa’s 211 member associations appointed to guide the world’s most popular sport through complex legal landscapes. 

Her appointment, which runs until 2029, is not just a personal achievement, but a moment of pride for Malawian football and women’s leadership.

Felister has long combined her professional excellence with passionate involvement in football governance, including serving on the FAM’s executive structures and various committees.

These include chairing the competition and marketing committee, legal committee and member of FAM emergency committee, contributing to the sport’s development at home. 

At the Nico Group, she leads legal strategy and legal governance across one of Malawi’s leading financial services networks and has built a reputation for rigorous legal insight, building resilient legal functions, legal risk management, legal advisory and mentorship. 

Felister admits to intentionally developing and showing another dimension of herself through football and sports in general as part of who she has been since childhood.

She said her father used to take her to football matches at Kamuzu Stadium while Felister was in primary school.

“Football games and match highlights were the only channels we watched at home. His influence created a connection that has stayed with me throughout my life, and it has been a lasting influence,” she adds,.

Felister said balancing the demands of a senior corporate role with the responsibilities of serving on a global Fifa committee has been easy because of supportive leadership, both at Nico Group and at NBS Bank.

“I believe balance is possible because of alignment with my leadership on my passion for football and their understanding of the same. I am fortunate to work with bosses who trust me, value performance over optics and support my involvement in football administration,” she observed.

She also attributed her legal background to her effectiveness in football administration as Felister provides legal advice to FAM.

“On the other hand, football has made me improve my leadership, resilience and people skills,” she said.

Felister believes her role at Fifa creates meaningful space to bring African and specifically Malawian lens to discussions, ensuring Malawi football is understood within the broader football framework.

“The role contributes to among others, three critical developmental areas for me which are capacity building, governance and leadership essential in my different roles at FAM.

“The knowledge gained will be applied back home in these committees and in my capacity as an executive member of FAM, to improve amongst others, its statutes, regulations, disciplinary processes and overall governance and compliance of the game,” she said.

She said under-representation of women at executive and decision-making levels has been addressed over the years, although several barriers remain.

She observed that historically, leadership and decision-making positions were perceived as ‘belonging to men’ with limited pathways for women to enter and advance.

“For instance, in football administration, social and cultural norms often reinforce the perception that football is a ‘male sport’; hence, females are impliedly discouraged or don’t have the confidence and courage to compete for positions.

“This dimension has also changed as we have seen a lot of interventions both by Fifa and member associations to include women at all levels of decision making,” she said.

Felister noted organisations need to be more intentional in providing equal opportunities for women.

She said they should promote an inclusive environment that values diverse perspectives and policies that challenge gender biases. 

Felister added: “However, as women we also need to play a part and be ready to take up such positions confidently, add value and deliver otherwise if we are given a seat at the table, we should demonstrate that we are capable, competent and deserving of that space not simply our presence as women.”

She said Fifa statutes have specific provisions that prescribe the number of women to be in certain committees, funding for women development programmes and in some instances where some leadership positions are specifically reserved for women and /or to be competed for by women only.

“My appointment is a reflection of Fifa’s commitment in fostering inclusivity in football, the same framework being cascaded to all member associations to adopt,” she added.

Felister said motherhood has shaped her sense of priority, teaching what truly matters and how to manage time with intention.

“I have learnt how to be intentional in making time for my kids, including school drop offs and taking them along during some of my football trips which ideally take most of my weekend time.

“The same concept has worked at work where I am able to priotise matters, nature talent and build teams with the same values,” she said.

Her message to women who worry that leadership and family cannot coexist is; the two are not exclusive, they can reinforce each other.

Felister observed that leadership or football administration does not entail sacrificing family and motherhood responsibilities.

She said: “With supportive work environments, clear priorities and goals, it is possible to lead efficiently at home and be present for your children and family.

“Women should not feel they need to choose. Their experiences as mothers can be a source of strength, resilience, mentoring and not limitation.”

Felister has served in Escom and SOS Children’s Village board.

She has a certificate in general management from University of Pretoria’s Gordon Institute of Business Science.

She is a third born daughter in a family of six born to Moses and Gladys Dossi.