Africa has the resources to thrive. We partner with communities to unlock that abundance.
We are Africans serving Africa. We’re committed to the long run, until the job is done and communities are enabled to thrive.
Impact-driven leader | Humanitarian strategist | Global advisor
Isak Pretorius is a seasoned African executive and humanitarian leader with over 20 years of experience driving social impact, economic development, and cross-sector partnerships across the continent. He currently serves as Group CEO of ForAfrika, the largest indigenous African humanitarian organization, which reaches more than 6.3 million people annually across eight countries.
A passionate advocate for Africa’s growth, Isak is recognized for bridging the gap between nonprofit and for-profit sectors to deliver sustainable development. He has advised governments, global donors, NGOs, and businesses on designing high-impact, scalable strategies that support African communities, economies, and ecosystems.
Isak is also a respected global speaker, having presented on platforms such as TED, the United Nations, the Clinton Global Initiative, and other prominent business and development forums. A long-standing member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), where Isak currently serves as Chair of the Global Deal Network as well as Global Business Network (GBS) Content Chair. He is a recipient of the YPO Africa Impact Award and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting, Economics, and Financial Management from the University of South Africa.
Isak lives in Africa with his wife, their three children, and their Goldendoodle.
Jim Lutzweiler brings a rare and comprehensive portfolio of 25 years of expertise and experience across the spectrum of global program development to improve the lives of people. He has worked for and with every facet and major stakeholder type – from foundations, corporations and government entities that sponsor development, to NGOs and companies that implement programs in host countries. His perspective and insight into what works and what doesn’t in various situations and contexts is invaluable creating mission-driven coalitions, developing public-private partnerships, and building & leading executive teams.
He developed and applied these skills with a global perspective through working and living in 80 countries in his career, at organizations such as Foundation for a Smoke-Free World,10 years resident in West and Southern Africa working with Joint Aid Management, World Vision and Catholic Relief Services; and with PepsiCo and AARP Foundation.
As the Chief Revenue Officer at ForAfrika he is responsible for driving core revenue business functions, multi-stakeholder public-private partnerships, executive coaching and strategy.
Abeba Amene is Chief Executive Officer for the Humanitarian and Development division at ForAfrika To Thrive, where she leads strategic programming initiatives aimed at empowering 20 million Africans to sustainably provide for themselves by 2036. With over two decades of experience in humanitarian and development work across East and the Horn of Africa, Abeba brings exceptional expertise in conflict analysis, peacebuilding, and resilience programming. Her expertise spans conflict-sensitive programming, regional advocacy, policy development, and stakeholder engagement across government agencies, parliamentary groups, and civil society organizations throughout the region.
Bianca Lima-Boekhoud is Social Enterprise General Manager at ForAfrika and a member of the Executive Committee. She is a commercial and strategy leader with extensive experience across African commercial development, social enterprise, and shared value creation.
Since joining ForAfrika, Bianca has played a central role in establishing the organisation’s Social Enterprise division, shaping its strategic, commercial, and operational foundations. In her current role, she leads the growth and implementation of ForAfrika’s social enterprise portfolio, overseeing strategy, partnerships, capital mobilisation, and early-stage operations to ensure long-term sustainability and impact.
Susannah Hastings joined ForAfrika in 2021 as Chief of Staff, bringing with her a strong background in leadership enablement, strategic coordination, and organisational development. Prior to joining ForAfrika, she served in the Global Management Team of the Deal Network at the Young Presidents’ Organisation (YPO), where she contributed to the design of high-value educational and networking programmes that facilitated shared learning and access to exclusive global business content.
Susannah is deeply committed to building a values-driven culture and strengthening leadership. Her focus is on enabling clarity, connection, and accountability to help ForAfrika deliver on its mission and to empowering Africa to thrive.
Mercy Kanyi is a seasoned Finance Executive with over two decades of experience in leading high-impact operations across Africa in respected international NGOs. Her track record includes spearheading strategic financial transformation, risk and compliance frameworks, and multi-donor grant management of large portfolios.
Her expertise extends deeply into IT, Human Resources and Supply Chain leadership, having led teams large across these functions in various organizations like Save the Children, World Vision, WWF, and most recently AERC, before she joined ForAfrika. Mercy has led complex ERP migrations, driven automation, and introduced innovative tools that streamlined operations, boosting organizational efficiency. She is keen to empower teams to thrive in dynamic environments. Her ability to foster collaboration between finance and programmatic teams has ensured seamless programmes budget execution and elevated operational agility.
Mission-Driven Technologist | Digital Transformation Leader | AI Governance Strategist
Ajay Gupta is a mission-driven technology executive with more than 25 years of experience building and transforming large-scale digital systems across global nonprofits, financial services, and Fortune 500 enterprises. As Chief Strategy and Technology Officer at ForAfrika, Ajay leads the organization’s digital transformation journey, modernizing IT infrastructure, building enterprise AI adoption and governance frameworks, and developing performance management systems that strengthen operational resilience and transparency across multiple African country offices.
Prior to ForAfrika, Ajay served as Chief Advisor to the CIO at Allegis Group, a $16 billion global staffing firm, where he advised on establishing an Office of the CIO, software development strategy, and enterprise AI adoption. Earlier, as Vice President of Software Development and Operations at Common Securitization Solutions, he directed the development of a mission-critical financial platform supporting the $6 trillion U.S. housing market—delivering $500 million in annual taxpayer savings while maintaining 99.9% platform reliability and automated business controls to achieve SOC2 compliance. He also spent over a decade at Nielsen Inc., where he led multiple teams across different time zones and large-scale software initiatives across the U.S. and global markets.
Ajay’s career spans engineering roles at Raytheon and Corvis Inc., grounding his executive perspective in deep technical expertise. He holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science from the University of Maryland, College Park, and a Bachelor of Engineering in Electronics and Communications from Gulbarga University, India.
Ajay lives in Washington, D.C., with his wife, their two children, and their Aussiedoodle.
Caroline Kagendo Githinji joined ForAfrika in April 2026 as Group Chief Marketing & Communications Officer, leading the global marketing and communications strategy that builds the ForAfrika brand, deepens donor engagement, and amplifies the stories of community-led impact across the continent.
Caroline has successfully built and repositioned brands, forged strategic partnerships, and aligned communications with broader business and impact goals. She is also an experienced board director, contributing to governance, communications and resource mobilisation efforts.
She is passionate about the power of storytelling to influence outcomes, change behaviour and drive sustainable change. Her mission — and the one that brought her to ForAfrika — centres on advancing access, equity and opportunity across African communities, and on helping to build an Africa that thrives.
Paul Edwards is a serial entrepreneur who has successfully built several businesses into leading companies in Asia and Africa.
These include Multichoice/DSTV, Astro (Malaysia), Johnnic, MTN, Chartwell Capital and Emerging Markets Payments (EMP).
Paul is also co-founder of VantagePay, a pan-African payments company.
He is a past member of The Harvard Kennedy School International Advisory Board, the EDS European Advisory Board, the Mauritius Central Bank Advisory Committee and the UCT Graduate School of Business Advisory Board.
Ann Pretorius and her late husband, Peter, founded Joint Aid Management (JAM), now known as ForAfrika, in 1984.
For almost 40 years, they served the organisation as co-founders, strategic planners and tireless foot soldiers. Together they received several prestigious accolades, were one of five finalists in the AidEx 2014 Humanitarian Hero of the Year Award and winners of the 2018 African Ubuntu Award for Social Responsibility.
After Peter’s passing in August 2018, Ann assumed the role of CEO of the JAM Group. Her passion, determination, unique interpersonal skills and vast experience in administration and marketing, have helped steer the group to its pre-eminent position as Africa’s largest indigenous non-governmental organisation, serving millions of people in six countries.
A mother of six, with 14 grandchildren, Ann genuinely understands and appreciates the value of the family foundation and is fully supportive of the decisions and direction the new leadership, under her son Isak, is taking.
Chris Hellmich
Experienced Litigation Attorney | Humanitarian Legal Advocate
Mr. Hellmich is a former Patton Boggs LLP (now Squire Patton Boggs) commercial litigation partner with strong experience handling complex national and international litigation. His litigation experience, including six years in the US Army JAG Corps, allowed him to try dozens of cases to juries and the court personally.
During his fourteen years at Patton Boggs, he was part of the firm’s international dispute resolution group, where he formed, managed, and led teams of outside attorneys and multidisciplinary professionals on matters ranging from antitrust and banking to product liability and white-collar crime.
In 2013, Mr. Hellmich formed his own law firm. He provides outside general counsel advice to start-ups and litigation services to companies and individuals nationwide, with a focus on California employment disputes.
Since 2006, Mr. Hellmich has served as a pro bono general counsel to ForAfrika USA and its predecessor, Joint Aid Management USA, Africa’s largest indigenous NGO that provides emergency relief and sustainable food security solutions across the continent. Mr. Hellmich joined the Board of Directors in 2016.
Florian Kemmerich is a global impact investor, business growth strategist, and board member, driven by the powerful belief encapsulated in his leitmotif: "Impact Lives, Share Profits." He is Managing Partner at KOIS and Co-Founder of Resilienture where his work spans across major sectors, with a primary focus on improving livelihood, empowering communities, and addressing global challenges such as economic empowerment,
climate change, and global health. Former executive roles, among others, were at Palladium, Bamboo Capital, Olympus and B.Braun.
Florian successfully mobilized close to $1 billion in capital for companies and funds that deliver both financial and social returns. His mission is rooted in the belief that “Impact is my dedication to people, planet, peace, and prosperity. Not to nourish my ego with a legacy, but as a deeper devotion and greater purpose of my life.”
Throughout his career, Florian has remained devoted to creating solutions that empower communities at risk and believes that economic empowerment, resilience, and global health via impact investing is where, “Don’t give a person a fish to feed them for a day; don’t teach them how to fish to feed them for a lifetime; but rather invest in their fishing business to empower the livelihood of their entire community.”
A globally active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Florian has initiated impactful initiatives such as the Global Impact Report, co-founded the Planet Action Network and the North Star Chapter. His work continues to engage with fellow YPO members to combine profit & purpose to make sustainability a core business driver.
In addition to his professional achievements, Florian is a passionate musician, former paratrooper, fluent in five languages (German, English, Spanish, French, and Italian), and a devoted husband and father of five. In younger years he was a European Judo Champion, part of the German national team (U21) and competed in the 1. Bundesliga.
Kate is an established board contributor and strategic leader with excellent judgement and an impact focus. This is honed by 30 years of operational and board roles in emerging markets, strategy, philanthropy and impact investment. She is co-founder of Bateleur Partners. Kate’s board experience includes BRAC, the London Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund, Access: The Foundation for Social Investment, DOT Glasses, and ForAfrika Group and ForAfrika Social Enterprise boards. She has served (or serves) in roles as Senior Independent Trustee, ARC Chair, Remco Chair and as a member of various Investment Committees and grant-making panels. In her career she worked for the World Bank Group, Bain & Company and Government of South Africa under Nelson Mandela before building a leading education foundation. Kate’s focus is on aligning governance, strategy and management of operations through a clarity of vision and purpose and a culture of impact measurement, learning and excellence in delivery.
Maserame Mouyeme is the director of Nala Leadership Circle and has vast experience in executive leadership roles in the African region.
With a Bachelor of Social Science and an MBA, she has served in various sectors including general management, marketing, customer and commercial development, public affairs, communication and sustainability.
Serving on a number of committees, Maserame has worked towards ensuring the progression of women in executive roles and is a driver of shared value, sustainability initiatives, diversity and transformation.
Muzammil Rengony started his career in 2011 in the field of accounting, taxation and auditing as a client assistant and is now client service manager for Adansonia Management Services Ltd in Mauritius, where ForAfrika is registered.
While managing a team of accountants and administrators who are responsible for a portfolio of clients, he is also pursuing his studies towards his Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification.
Muzammil acts as a director for a number of global businesses and part of his duties include the day-to-day administration of ForAfrika as well as being a board member.
Najiba Bauker kicked off her career as a corporate administrator in the Mauritian global business sector and is currently team leader at Adansonia Management Services Ltd.
In addition to serving as a board member of ForAfrika, Najiba also handles -day-to-day administrative tasks.
She acts as a director for a number of other global businesses administered by Adansonia and is pursuing her studies towards her Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) qualification.
Dr Zindler is a Senior Lecturer at Lancaster University, he educates current and future leaders/entrepreneurs on responsible leadership, governance, and multi-capital strategy. He is also a Business Humanizer at the global branding firm Innate Motion. His passion for positive impact extends to co-founding the Young Presidents Organization’s (YPO) Planet Action Network and the Regenerative Alliance. He also serves as a Partner at NOW Partners and is a Founding Member of the Virtual Advisory Board (VAB) and For Good Leaders communities. Previously, he held leadership roles as group CEO of Medair, the international disaster relief organization, chair of Mercy Ships Switzerland, board member of the Resilience Institute. In addition to teaching, advising and mentoring leaders and their organisations was his very recent conference presentation on philanthropy, faith, and human flourishing.
Isak Jan Pretorius
Impact-driven leader | Humanitarian strategist | Global advisor
Isak Pretorius is a seasoned African executive and humanitarian leader with over 20 years of experience driving social impact, economic development, and cross-sector partnerships across the continent. He currently serves as Group CEO of ForAfrika, the largest indigenous African humanitarian organization, which reaches more than 6.3 million people annually across eight countries.
Isak began his career humbly as a driver at Joint Aid Management (JAM) in 1996 and rose through the ranks to become CEO. Since then, he has led high-impact organizations such as Afriscope Holdings, providing tailored business solutions for companies entering Sub-Saharan Africa, and Gatestreet Africa, a capital-raising and financial intelligence firm focused on African markets.
A passionate advocate for Africa’s growth, Isak is recognized for bridging the gap between nonprofit and for-profit sectors to deliver sustainable development. He has advised governments, global donors, NGOs, and businesses on designing high-impact, scalable strategies that support African communities, economies, and ecosystems.
Isak is also a respected global speaker, having presented on platforms such as TED, the United Nations, the Clinton Global Initiative, and other prominent business and development forums. A long-standing member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), Isak currently serves as Africa Regional Chair and Vice Chair of the Global Deal Network. He is a recipient of the YPO Africa Impact Award and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting, Economics, and Financial Management from the University of South Africa.
Isak lives in Africa with his wife, their three children, and their Goldendoodle.
Dr. David Koop is the lead pastor of Coastal Church in Vancouver. With a background in the petroleum industry, Dave’s journey took him from his consulting business to answering God's call in 1994 to plant a church with his wife Cheryl under the skyline of Vancouver. Today Coastal Church is a culturally diverse, spirit-filled church in Vancouver with 8 surrounding campuses. He also pioneered the Eden project to reach the hurting in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside by opening the Eden Café, a ministry which supports the local community and where employment opportunities are provided to those recovering from addiction or recently released from incarceration. Dave also serves as a director on a number of non-profit boards. Beyond his role as a pastor and community leader, Dave is deeply invested in family, enjoying his role as a father of four children and six grandchildren.
Jim Lutzweiler
Collaborative Leader | Coalition Builder | Global Strategist
Jim Lutzweiler brings a rare and comprehensive portfolio of 25 years of expertise and experience across the spectrum of global program development to improve the lives of people. He has worked for and with every facet and major stakeholder type – from foundations, corporations and government entities that sponsor development, to NGOs and companies that implement programs in host countries. His perspective and insight into what works and what doesn’t in various situations and contexts is invaluable creating mission-driven coalitions, developing public-private partnerships, and building & leading executive teams.
His skillset includes strategic planning and tactical execution within challenging, dynamic environments, public policy formulation and market development, advocacy and consumer strategies, shared value partnerships, Operations and Revenue executive management, and philanthropic funding.
He developed and applied these skills with a global perspective through working and living in 80 countries in his career, at organizations such as Foundation for a Smoke-Free World,10 years resident in West and Southern Africa working with Joint Aid Management, World Vision and Catholic Relief Services; and with PepsiCo and AARP Foundation.
As the Chief Revenue Officer at ForAfrika he is responsible for driving core revenue business functions, multi-stakeholder public-private partnerships, executive coaching and strategy.
Justinus Adriaanse is an entrepreneur, builder, and systems thinker with a passion for unlocking human potential through purpose-driven ventures. Over the past 20 years, he has founded and led multiple organizations across technology, education, and social enterprise—including as Co-Founder of WeThinkCode_, a groundbreaking software engineering academy that identifies high-aptitude youth from underserved communities and equips them for world-class tech careers.
His work spans building platforms that empower individuals—from real estate innovation at Private Property, to employee ownership and financial literacy at Umgundi, to fostering entrepreneurial peer communities through EO.
At the heart of everything he builds is a consistent throughline: helping people and organizations reconnect—to purpose, to roots, and to each other.
Justinus believes deeply in Africa’s potential and is committed to designing institutions that drive long-term, systems-level impact.
Grace’s journey with ForAfrika began more than 10 years ago, during her internship semester at (then) JAM Deutschland. Now, she is a development professional with over eight years of experience in international project coordination, fundraising, and donor engagement.
Grace has extensive experience with leading proposal development, partnership management, and compliance across ForAfrika’s programs in Africa.
Driven by a deep commitment to serving disadvantaged communities, her goal is to maximize the impact of ForAfrika’s work across underserved regions of Africa, empowering people and creating lasting change.
Having lived abroad for over 15 years, traveling all over the globe while serving the poorest of the poor and facing the hardship of numerous people, Maren’s heart for disadvantaged in particular women and children and a deep commitment to bring social justice to an unjust world has been shaped. In the past, Maren has served with different faith-based NGOs in the US and has been part of ForAfrika’s team in Germany since 2014. Additionally, she serves on the German board since 2019.
Maren holds a Bachelor degree in Theological Studies from the US as well as a degree in Management of Social Services from Germany.
Since 2019, Matthias has been voluntarily serving at Germany ForAfrika, the first three years he has served as a member of the advisory board before joining the German board of directors in 2022. His expertise as a tax consultant as well as his broad understanding of legal matters combined with his compassion to helping Africa to thrive has greatly enriched the German entity.
Maserame Mouyeme is the director of Nala Leadership Circle and has vast experience in executive leadership roles in the African region.
With a Bachelor of Social Science and an MBA, she has served in various sectors including general management, marketing, customer and commercial development, public affairs, communication and sustainability.
Serving on a number of committees, Maserame has worked towards ensuring the progression of women in executive roles and is a driver of shared value, sustainability initiatives, diversity and transformation.
Abeba Amene is Chief Executive Officer for the Humanitarian and Development division at ForAfrika To Thrive, where she leads strategic programming initiatives aimed at empowering 20 million Africans to sustainably provide for themselves by 2032. With over two decades of experience in humanitarian and development work across East and the Horn of Africa, Abeba brings exceptional expertise in conflict analysis, peacebuilding, and resilience programming. Her expertise spans conflict-sensitive programming, regional advocacy, policy development, and stakeholder engagement across government agencies, parliamentary groups, and civil society organizations throughout the region.
Prior to her current role, Abeba served as Chief Programmes Officer at ForAfrika as well as Country Director for Joint Aid Management (JAM) South Sudan, and held senior positions with Oxfam GB as Resilience Policy and Advocacy Advisor. Her extensive field experience includes work with the Institute for Security Studies, FECCLAHA (Regional Conference of Churches), and the Bonn International Centre for Conversion, focusing on small arms proliferation, pastoralist security and community transformation. An author and researcher, Abeba has documented extensively on topics including pastoralist resilience, small arms control, and sustainable development in conflict-prone areas.
Since beginning her professional career in 2004, Lebogang has made an impact through roles that spanned across the Marketing, Non-Profit, Corporate Social Investment (CSI), Entrepreneurship, and Transformation fields - with the aim of creating a positive impact in the world.
She currently oversees the Broad-Based Black Economic Empowerment (BBBEE) portfolio at Microsoft South Africa, having joined the company as their B-BBEE Executive in October 2022.
Previously (from 2004 to 2011), she held Marketing and CSI positions at companies like GlaxoSmithKline, Vodacom, and Unilever South Africa. Within that period, she co-founded a youth-focused NPO to address challenges experienced by youth – particularly those in child-headed households – in Diepkloof, SOWETO.
Her volunteer experience includes supporting a gender re-education programme at a high school in Alexandra, Johannesburg, where she led weekly discussions with Grade 11 learners.
In 2011, she ventured into entrepreneurship and founded Motopi Consulting, a firm through which she supported clients in creating measurable impact across millions of lives through B-BBEE, CSI, and community-impact marketing initiatives.
Her board experience includes serving on the board of Heineken South Africa (2018–2023), where she also chaired both the Heineken Foundation Trust’s Board of Trustees and the company’s Social and Ethics Committee. She also served on the board of Children of the Dawn from 2017 to 2022.
Lebogang holds an Honours and undergraduate degree in Marketing Communication from UNISA and the University of Johannesburg respectively, a Certificate in Social Entrepreneurship from GIBS, and completed the B-BBEE Management Development Programme at Wits University. As a 2016 Mandela Washington Fellow, she also holds a certificate in Design-Driven Entrepreneurship and Human-Centred Design from Dartmouth College (Hanover, NH, USA).
At home, she is a mother to a lively ten-year-old daughter and an inquisitive fourteen-year-old son. She balances her busy schedule with boxing workouts, baking treats for family and friends, and indulging her love of reading.
Beatrice Vetter is a global health leader with more than 20 years of experience spanning NGOs, industry, and academia. Driven by integrity, commitment, and curiosity, she works at the intersection of healthcare innovation, access, and impact, helping organizations, governments, and entrepreneurs bring solutions to the people who need them most.
Most recently, Beatrice served as Programme Director at FIND, a global health NGO, where she built and led a new global programme on chronic diseases. Under her leadership, the programme expanded access to diagnostics in countries across Africa, Asia, and Latin America, and forged partnerships with UN agencies, governments, and industry.
Earlier in her career, she was responsible for global product strategy at Roche Diagnostics and contributed to critical health initiatives through research positions at the Swiss National Centre for Retroviruses, the Imperial College London Diabetes Center, and King’s College London.
Today, Beatrice acts as a Global Health Advisor, supporting NGOs, think tanks, and social enterprises with ecosystem intelligence, strategic partnerships, and market access strategies.
A dual German-Swiss national, Beatrice holds a PhD in Medical Research from University College London and a Diploma in Biological Sciences from Heidelberg University.
Melanie Wirth is currently a MEL Specialist and Finance professional at an international NGO and has several years of experience in development cooperation, including through her previous work at the umbrella organization for Christian development organizations in Switzerland. She has conducted numerous project visits in various African countries, ranging from a few weeks to several months, gaining hands-on insights into local development processes.
Her academic background includes a Master’s degree in Development Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Theology and Social Management. Her previous professional experiences have shaped her areas of focus: she has worked with children with special needs in church and school, strengthening social skills with a focus on supporting vulnerable groups. Additionally, she has training as a draftsman, providing her with a solid understanding of planning and structured work.
Her combination of technical expertise, social experience, and academic training can also be applied in her role as a board member at ForAfrika Schweiz.
Tobias Thurnherr is a Swiss-based strategist and advisor with a deep commitment to social innovation and sustainable development. With a background in business administration and organizational leadership, he brings over a decade of experience in leading projects through complex challenges and helping them unlock their transformative potential. His career spans roles in banking, insurance and nonprofit governance, where he has consistently championed transparency, empowerment, and long-term thinking.
As a member of the advisory board for ForAfrika, Tobias contributes his expertise with a deep understanding of African cultures, especially in West Africa, thanks to his extensive travels and field work. Through his many successful projects, providing clean water to underserved rural communities, he knows the importance of passing on knowledge. He believes that meaningful change in Africa begins with listening, learning, and building trust with local communities. His approach combines analytical rigor with human-centered values, making him a vital bridge between donors, implementers, and the people they serve.
Tobias holds degrees in Business Administration with a minor in Tourism and a major in Business Development. He is passionate about creating systems that enable dignity, resilience, and opportunity. He currently works as a project manager at a cooperative bank in Switzerland and heads strategically important digital projects.
Isak Jan Pretorius
Impact-driven leader | Humanitarian strategist | Global advisor
Isak Pretorius is a seasoned African executive and humanitarian leader with over 20 years of experience driving social impact, economic development, and cross-sector partnerships across the continent. He currently serves as Group CEO of ForAfrika, the largest indigenous African humanitarian organization, which reaches more than 6.3 million people annually across eight countries.
Isak began his career humbly as a driver at Joint Aid Management (JAM) in 1996 and rose through the ranks to become CEO. Since then, he has led high-impact organizations such as Afriscope Holdings, providing tailored business solutions for companies entering Sub-Saharan Africa, and Gatestreet Africa, a capital-raising and financial intelligence firm focused on African markets.
A passionate advocate for Africa’s growth, Isak is recognized for bridging the gap between nonprofit and for-profit sectors to deliver sustainable development. He has advised governments, global donors, NGOs, and businesses on designing high-impact, scalable strategies that support African communities, economies, and ecosystems.
Isak is also a respected global speaker, having presented on platforms such as TED, the United Nations, the Clinton Global Initiative, and other prominent business and development forums. A long-standing member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), where Isak currently serves as Chair of the Global Deal Network as well as Global Business Network (GBS) Content Chair. He is a recipient of the YPO Africa Impact Award and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting, Economics, and Financial Management from the University of South Africa.
Isak lives in Africa with his wife, their three children, and their Goldendoodle.
Adja Awa Diakite is a senior financial services leader based in London with over 16 years of experience in global markets, transformation, risk management and governance within leading international banking institutions. She currently serves as Transformation Director in Global Markets Institutional Sales at BNP Paribas, where she leads strategic client-experience governance initiatives and large-scale transformation programmes.
Throughout her career, Adja has worked at the intersection of strategy, risk oversight and regulatory compliance, including senior roles in Global Markets and Group Internal Audit at BNP Paribas and valuation risk management at Deutsche Bank, where she contributed to strengthening control frameworks and regulatory remediation initiatives.
Beyond her corporate leadership, Adja is deeply committed to advancing sustainable development in Africa. She is the Co-Founder and Governance Lead of the nonprofit Nantaka Fanga and serves as President and Ambassador of the University of Chicago Booth Alumni Club of Africa (UK Chapter). She holds an MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business and an M.Phil. in Applied Mathematics and Quantitative Finance from Paris Dauphine/ENSAE
She brings strong experience in governance, risk oversight, stakeholder engagement and nonprofit leadership to support ForAfrica's mission and impact.
Professor Alan Whiteside OBE has had fulfilling academic and personal career. Born in Kenya, he grew up in Swaziland, and was educated at Waterford Kamhlaba, then the only multiracial school in southern Africa. He holds a BA (Hons) and MA from the University of East Anglia and a D. Econ from the University of Natal.
He was awarded an Overseas Development Institute Fellowship in Botswana in 1980. He moved to the University of Natal in Durban and in 1998 established the Health Economics and HIV/AIDS Research Division (HEARD). From 2013 to 2021 he held the Chair in Global Health Policy at the Balsillie School of International Affairs in Waterloo, Ontario. He worked for the British Department for International Development as a Senior Research Fellow from 2009 to 2012. He has carried out numerous consultancies and run many short courses.
He is the author and co-author of numerous books and articles, mainly on HIV/AIDS and health. In March 2020 he began researching and writing about COVID-19.
Engineer | Entrepreneur | Community Leader
Alberto is a civil engineer with extensive experience working for some of the world's largest engineering firms, delivering significant projects across the UK. He has established multiple businesses within the engineering sector and contributed to several prestigious projects throughout the country.
In addition to his engineering pursuits, Alberto holds various leadership positions on multiple boards, showcasing his commitment to guiding organizations toward success. He leads a large team within a Christian community, where his passion for leadership and helping individuals discover their true gifts shines through.
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, Alberto has served on the UK Board of ForAfrika for many years, reflecting his deep-rooted passion for seeing Africa thrive.
Dr. Elikem Christian Tamaklo is a physician, entrepreneur and board chairman with 15+ years of experience transforming and scaling healthcare organisations across Africa and the UK. He trained at St George’s University of London and began his career as an emergency physician in Liverpool, before returning to Ghana to lead the Nyaho Healthcare Group.
As CEO, he steered the group’s growth from a single hospital into a multi-site healthcare platform employing 600+ staff and 100 medical specialists. He led a sector-first digital transformation in Ghana, introduced cloud-based electronic medical records, and oversaw more than US$7 million in local and international financing, including IFC investment. During the covid-19 pandemic, Nyaho became the first private provider to manage national testing and treatment, earning the organisation state honours. His leadership has been recognised by CNBC and EMY Africa awards.
Dr. Tamaklo is founder and principal of Chrysalis Transformation Advisors, guiding founders and boards through complex governance and growth transitions. He serves on multiple health sciences and leadership boards, strengthening collaboration and impact across the continent.
Lamia Rashid is a strategic adviser and systems thinker with 30 years of leadership experience in international development and humanitarian work across more than 20 countries in Africa, Asia and the Middle East. Known for her ability to make sense of complex contexts, she brings deep operational insight paired with a community-centred lens. Lamia has led strategy, operations and multi-sectoral programmes in food systems, agriculture, nutrition and social enterprise with global organisations including BRAC, the International Rescue Committee (irc), Save the Children, Action Against Hunger and GiveDirectly.
She currently serves as an advisory member on the board of Book Bunk, an organisation restoring Nairobi’s public libraries as inclusive spaces for learning, culture and civic exchange. Lamia completed her master’s at the London School of Economics and her bachelor’s at Hampshire College in the USA.
She is committed to dignified, evidence-led development that unlocks community agency and enables long-term thriving.
Chris Hellmich
Experienced Litigation Attorney | Humanitarian Legal Advocate
Mr. Hellmich is a former Patton Boggs LLP (now Squire Patton Boggs) commercial litigation partner with strong experience handling complex national and international litigation. His litigation experience, including six years in the US Army JAG Corps, allowed him to try dozens of cases to juries and the court personally.
During his fourteen years at Patton Boggs, he was part of the firm’s international dispute resolution group, where he formed, managed, and led teams of outside attorneys and multidisciplinary professionals on matters ranging from antitrust and banking to product liability and white-collar crime.
In 2013, Mr. Hellmich formed his own law firm. He provides outside general counsel advice to start-ups and litigation services to companies and individuals nationwide, with a focus on California employment disputes.
Since 2006, Mr. Hellmich has served as a pro bono general counsel to ForAfrika USA and its predecessor, Joint Aid Management USA, Africa’s largest indigenous NGO that provides emergency relief and sustainable food security solutions across the continent. Mr. Hellmich joined the Board of Directors in 2016.
André Shearer is the founder and chairman of the Indaba Foundation, a New York-based non-profit, and chairman of the Indaba Institute. His global leadership in the wine industry spans almost 30 years as co-founder, CEO and current chairman of Cape Classics, the largest importer of South African wines into the United States, with its seal appearing on more than 30% of all bottled South African wine imported to the U.S.
A passionate advocate for early childhood development, André has pioneered systemic investment in ECD in South Africa through teacher training, global research partnerships and funding initiatives, including the STIAS-Indaba Foundation ECD initiative. His work has been recognised globally, including the 2015 Desmond Tutu Phelophepa Achievement Award.
He is chairman and shareholder of the Newberry House Group, developing a world-class Montessori and Cambridge showcase school in the Helderberg area of South Africa. Born in Johannesburg, André travels between New York and Africa, speaks four languages and offers strategic consulting to select global businesses.
Daryn-Lee Cronson
Global PR Strategist | Crisis Communications Expert | Event & Brand Leader
Daryn-Lee Cronson is an accomplished public relations and communications strategist with over 25 years of experience in building global brands. Based in Zug, Switzerland, she specializes in corporate communications, crisis management, event planning, and strategic marketing.
Her career began as an account executive and later a partner at GGi Communications, a globally affiliated public relations consultancy. She has led high-profile campaigns and crisis management programs for major multinational clients across industries including technology, pharmaceuticals, FMCG, and tourism. Daryn-Lee has also played a pivotal role in international events such as the Miss World Pageant, the Victor Sports Awards, and the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 in South Africa.
Most recently, she has served in leadership roles within the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), managing global events and strategic communications. Her expertise in negotiation, media relations, and business development enables her to navigate complex corporate challenges with agility and effectiveness.
With a passion for high-impact storytelling and reputation management, Daryn-Lee brings creativity, innovation, and a results-driven approach to every project she undertakes.
Isak Jan Pretorius
Impact-driven leader | Humanitarian strategist | Global advisor
Isak Pretorius is a seasoned African executive and humanitarian leader with over 20 years of experience driving social impact, economic development, and cross-sector partnerships across the continent. He currently serves as Group CEO of ForAfrika, the largest indigenous African humanitarian organization, which reaches more than 6.3 million people annually across eight countries.
Isak began his career humbly as a driver at Joint Aid Management (JAM) in 1996 and rose through the ranks to become CEO. Since then, he has led high-impact organizations such as Afriscope Holdings, providing tailored business solutions for companies entering Sub-Saharan Africa, and Gatestreet Africa, a capital-raising and financial intelligence firm focused on African markets.
A passionate advocate for Africa’s growth, Isak is recognized for bridging the gap between nonprofit and for-profit sectors to deliver sustainable development. He has advised governments, global donors, NGOs, and businesses on designing high-impact, scalable strategies that support African communities, economies, and ecosystems.
Isak is also a respected global speaker, having presented on platforms such as TED, the United Nations, the Clinton Global Initiative, and other prominent business and development forums. A long-standing member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), where Isak currently serves as Chair of the Global Deal Network as well as Global Business Network (GBS) Content Chair. He is a recipient of the YPO Africa Impact Award and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting, Economics, and Financial Management from the University of South Africa.
Isak lives in Africa with his wife, their three children, and their Goldendoodle.
Jim Lutzweiler
Collaborative Leader | Coalition Builder | Global Strategist
Jim Lutzweiler brings a rare and comprehensive portfolio of 25 years of expertise and experience across the spectrum of global program development to improve the lives of people. He has worked for and with every facet and major stakeholder type – from foundations, corporations and government entities that sponsor development, to NGOs and companies that implement programs in host countries. His perspective and insight into what works and what doesn’t in various situations and contexts is invaluable creating mission-driven coalitions, developing public-private partnerships, and building & leading executive teams.
His skillset includes strategic planning and tactical execution within challenging, dynamic environments, public policy formulation and market development, advocacy and consumer strategies, shared value partnerships, Operations and Revenue executive management, and philanthropic funding.
He developed and applied these skills with a global perspective through working and living in 80 countries in his career, at organizations such as Foundation for a Smoke-Free World,10 years resident in West and Southern Africa working with Joint Aid Management, World Vision and Catholic Relief Services; and with PepsiCo and AARP Foundation.
As the Chief Revenue Officer at ForAfrika he is responsible for driving core revenue business functions, multi-stakeholder public-private partnerships, executive coaching and strategy.
Michael Stopforth
Visionary Industrialist | African Enterprise Advocate | Global Growth Strategist
Michael Stopforth is a seasoned business executive with over three decades of experience across industrial services, manufacturing, and international business development. As CEO of Topfix Holdings, a leading South African industrial services group, he has driven strategic expansion into the Middle East and the United States while building job-creating platforms that empower underserved communities.
His career began in accounting after qualifying through UNISA and completing his articles in South Africa. He went on to work as a management accountant in the UK before returning to take on senior leadership roles in both listed and privately held companies. Michael has since led a range of cross-border ventures, including the establishment of African-made brands in the U.S., operating from his base in Nashville, Tennessee.
Deeply committed to Africa’s advancement, Michael has championed business initiatives focused on youth employment, skills development, and enterprise growth, often collaborating with nonprofit and community organizations to drive measurable, long-term impact. His efforts are rooted in a belief that sustainable business can be a force for transformation across economic, social, and cultural spheres.
He resides in Nashville with his wife, Fietie, and their two teenage sons, Owen and Noah, and remains closely connected to ongoing development work in South Africa and beyond.
Roberta Annan
Trailblazing Impact Investor and Philanthropist | Global Advocate for
Sustainable Development | Award-Winning Business Leader Roberta Annan is a dynamic business executive and philanthropist with over a decade of experience in international business expansion, impact investment, and government relations. She is the Founder and Executive Chairperson of the UN Global Compact Recognised company- Annan Capital Partners, a boutique investment and advisory firm specializing in philanthropy advisory, venture building fund managed and own balance sheet impact investments. Through her leadership, she has spearheaded initiatives such as the 150 million Impact Fund for African Creatives (IFFAC), platform which supports the growth of Africa’s creative industries and sustainable textile manufacturing through one of its silos, Black Heritage Textiles Group )BHTG).
A recognized leader in sustainable development, Roberta serves as a United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador, where she advocates for Africa’s Green Recovery and fosters public-private partnerships to drive environmental and socio-economic progress. She has played instrumental roles in strategic investment projects.
Roberta's extensive career includes advisory roles for high-net-worth individuals and global brands, supporting market entry strategies and impact-driven investments across Africa. She has worked with entities such as the United Nations Development Programme, UN Global Alliance for ICT & Development. She holds an MSc in Biotechnology from Georgetown University and a BSc in Biochemistry and Biotechnology from Carleton University. Her contributions have been recognized with numerous awards and recognition by Forbes, CNBC,
CNN, BBC and Bloomberg. She was also named in 2021 as one of the 100 most influential Africans and 2025 - WEF New Champion. She is also on the board of ForAfrika Foundation and the African Fashion Foundation, a non profit she founded in 2012, that incubates and awards scholarships to budding African fashion designers.
Awards & Recognitions
Roberta Annan remains a champion of African development, leveraging her expertise to drive investment, entrepreneurship, and social impact across the continent.
Steve Muntean
Global Security Innovator | Risk and Resilience Strategist | Humanitarian Tech Advocate
Steve is dedicated to driving innovation in global security through active risk management and the strategic application of disruptive technologies. With extensive business experience as a CEO, founder, or investor in over a dozen companies, including high-growth startups, middlemarket businesses, and a public company (NASDAQ), Steve brings a wealth of expertise to the table. His passion for connecting people and technology enables organizations to navigate complex security and risk challenges with precision and purpose.
Currently, Steve leads two complementary ventures—Overwatch Risk 360 and Overwatch Capital—focused on advancing security and resilience on a global scale. These ventures deliver world-class security and risk management solutions and support disruptive technologies shaping the future of global security, intelligence, enterprise defense, emergency response, and humanitarian aid.
Steve is dedicated to enhancing security and humanitarian aid efforts in Africa. By fostering long-term resilience and providing life-saving aid when needed most, Steve significantly impacts the lives of others. He serves on various profit and non-profit boards, including ForAfrika and the National War College Alumni Association. Steve is also a member of the Young Presidents Organization (YPO), and a graduate of the University of Pennsylvania.
Florian Kemmerich is a global impact investor, business growth strategist, and board member, driven by the powerful belief encapsulated in his leitmotif: "Impact Lives, Share Profits." He is Managing Partner at KOIS and Co-Founder of Resilienture where his work spans across major sectors, with a primary focus on improving livelihood, empowering communities, and addressing global challenges such as economic empowerment,
climate change, and global health. Former executive roles, among others, were at Palladium, Bamboo Capital, Olympus and B.Braun.
Florian successfully mobilized close to $1 billion in capital for companies and funds that deliver both financial and social returns. His mission is rooted in the belief that “Impact is my dedication to people, planet, peace, and prosperity. Not to nourish my ego with a legacy, but as a deeper devotion and greater purpose of my life.”
Throughout his career, Florian has remained devoted to creating solutions that empower communities at risk and believes that economic empowerment, resilience, and global health via impact investing is where, “Don’t give a person a fish to feed them for a day; don’t teach them how to fish to feed them for a lifetime; but rather invest in their fishing business to empower the livelihood of their entire community.”
A globally active member of the Young Presidents’ Organization (YPO), Florian has initiated impactful initiatives such as the Global Impact Report, co-founded the Planet Action Network and the North Star Chapter. His work continues to engage with fellow YPO members to combine profit & purpose to make sustainability a core business driver.
In addition to his professional achievements, Florian is a passionate musician, former paratrooper, fluent in five languages (German, English, Spanish, French, and Italian), and a devoted husband and father of five. In younger years he was a European Judo Champion, part of the German national team (U21) and competed in the 1. Bundesliga.
Brad Smith is a private assets investor, strategist, and advisor focused on unlocking capital and leveraging technology to transform food systems, build resilient economies, and drive sustainable growth across emerging markets.
A CFA Charterholder, he brings over a decade of experience spanning private credit, equity, venture capital, and advisory, with a strong focus on Africa and South Asia. His work sits at the intersection of investment performance and development impact, with particular expertise in sustainable finance, ESG, food systems, and technology-enabled transformation across traditional sectors.
Brad has held senior investment roles, including Investment Director at CDC Group (now British International Investment), where he led the origination, structuring, and execution of over USD 400 million in investments across multiple sectors and geographies. Prior to this, he worked in banking across a range of sectors and regions, with a strong focus on Africa.
In recent years, Brad has expanded his focus to advisory and entrepreneurial ventures. As a Partner at Nirman Ventures, he supports the development of a venture platform investing in construction and clean technologies. Alongside this, he advises emerging market businesses and investors on fundraising, strategy, governance, and portfolio management, with a strong emphasis on impact investing, sustainable finance, and technology-driven business models.
Brad has worked closely with Invictus Group Plc for several years, focusing on the food trading, logistics, and processing sector across Africa, spanning M&A, capital raising, and strategic development. His work intersects with organisations such as ForAfrika, reflecting a shared focus on food security, resilient supply chains, and sustainable livelihoods.
Throughout his career, Brad has worked across more than 20 countries, building deep networks across investors, financial institutions, and operating partners, with a consistent focus on delivering both financial returns and meaningful impact.
Isak Jan Pretorius
Impact-driven leader | Humanitarian strategist | Global advisor
Isak Pretorius is a seasoned African executive and humanitarian leader with over 20 years of experience driving social impact, economic development, and cross-sector partnerships across the continent. He currently serves as Group CEO of ForAfrika, the largest indigenous African humanitarian organization, which reaches more than 6.3 million people annually across eight countries.
Isak began his career humbly as a driver at Joint Aid Management (JAM) in 1996 and rose through the ranks to become CEO. Since then, he has led high-impact organizations such as Afriscope Holdings, providing tailored business solutions for companies entering Sub-Saharan Africa, and Gatestreet Africa, a capital-raising and financial intelligence firm focused on African markets.
A passionate advocate for Africa’s growth, Isak is recognized for bridging the gap between nonprofit and for-profit sectors to deliver sustainable development. He has advised governments, global donors, NGOs, and businesses on designing high-impact, scalable strategies that support African communities, economies, and ecosystems.
Isak is also a respected global speaker, having presented on platforms such as TED, the United Nations, the Clinton Global Initiative, and other prominent business and development forums. A long-standing member of YPO (Young Presidents’ Organization), where Isak currently serves as Chair of the Global Deal Network as well as Global Business Network (GBS) Content Chair. He is a recipient of the YPO Africa Impact Award and holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Accounting, Economics, and Financial Management from the University of South Africa.
Isak lives in Africa with his wife, their three children, and their Goldendoodle.
Kate is an established board contributor and strategic leader with excellent judgement and an impact focus. This is honed by 30 years of operational and board roles in emerging markets, strategy, philanthropy and impact investment. She is co-founder of Bateleur Partners. Kate’s board experience includes BRAC, the London Evening Standard Dispossessed Fund, Access: The Foundation for Social Investment, DOT Glasses, and ForAfrika Group and ForAfrika Social Enterprise boards. She has served (or serves) in roles as Senior Independent Trustee, ARC Chair, Remco Chair and as a member of various Investment Committees and grant-making panels. In her career she worked for the World Bank Group, Bain & Company and Government of South Africa under Nelson Mandela before building a leading education foundation. Kate’s focus is on aligning governance, strategy and management of operations through a clarity of vision and purpose and a culture of impact measurement, learning and excellence in delivery.
With more than 20 years of work experience in the private and non-profit sector and a proven track record for successfully leading strategy and implementation projects, building partnerships and managing complex senior stakeholder relationships, Maike is currently the Vice President for Socioeconomic Development at Anglo American, a global mining company with operations in South Africa and Latin America. In her role she is responsible for the Thriving Communities pillar of Anglo American’s Sustainability Strategy, which includes livelihoods, education and community health, providing strategic support to the assets on the pathways and programmes to deliver on these targets. She is responsible for providing Group-wide strategic guidance in relation to Anglo American’s socioeconomic development work and oversees the company’s employee volunteering programme, Ambassadors for Good.
Previously she was the Head of the Anglo American Foundation, a rapidly expanding corporate fund in the field of long-term socioeconomic development, which is focused on empowering youth to create a greener and fairer future. Maike started her career as a management consultant with McKinsey & Company Germany before joining TechnoServe, an international economic development organisation working in South America and Africa. In addition, she worked in executive search and sustainable coffee. She is currently based in London.
Maike holds a Master in International Affairs from Columbia University, a B.Sc. in Business Administration from Northeastern University Boston and a Diplom-Betriebswirt from the European School of Business, Germany.
In addition to her professional achievements, Maike is a passionate trail runner, coffee afficionado and enjoys spending her time in nature.
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