Mr. Francis Kiwanga brings over 17 years of experience in the legal, civil society and development sectors. He has held senior management positions in reputable organizations including the Foundation for Civil Society, Matrix Consulting, the Legal and Human Rights Centre, and the Tanzania Federation of Cooperatives.

Mr. Kiwanga possesses strong managerial skills and a broad understanding of development issues, philanthropy, civil society management, and the private sector in Tanzania and East Africa. His extensive knowledge and experience include grant management, corporate governance, public policymaking, civil society organizations, and mediation/arbitration of legal disputes.

He has also provided consulting services on a wide range of topics, including grant management and resource mobilization, governance, natural resource management, and social enterprises.

Mr. Kiwanga holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) from the Eastern and Southern African Management Institute (ESAMI) in Arusha and a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from the University of Dar es Salaam. He is a practicing advocate in Tanzania and has served as a Board Member in various professional bodies, including the East Africa Law Society, the Tanganyika Law Society, the World Grantmakers Forum (WINGS), the East Africa Philanthropy Network, and the Africa Philanthropy Network, National Oversight Committee-Trademark Africa, Flaviana Matata Foundation, Ruaha Assets, and Dar es salaam Gymkhana Club.

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Adv. Tike Mwambipile is a passionate advocate for women’s rights with over 18 years of experience.

As the Executive Director of the Tanzania Women Lawyers Association and Chief of Party of Mwanamke Imara Activity, she leverages her expertise in Leadership, Gender, Human Rights, and Law to empower women. Empowering women through legal expertise, Adv. Tike Mwambipile has secured legal representation for over 1000 marginalized women and children.

She has a proven track record of success in program management, having led initiatives that increased women’s participation in leadership, land ownership, economic empowerment for women, spearheads movement building initiatives and amplifying women’s voices against violence.

Her dedication and cheerful demeanor make her a highly respected leader and a valuable team player.

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Gidibo Tindwa is a seasoned angel investor and development consultant with a rich background in international development, impact investing, and strategic advisory. With experience, Gidibo has made significant contributions to numerous sectors, including financial inclusion, healthcare, education, and sustainable development across various regions, particularly in Africa.

Professional Background

Gidibo is an experienced angel investor focused on early-stage startups with high growth potential. He supports innovative solutions addressing key social and economic issues, with a diverse portfolio in fintech, health-tech, edtech, and Agri-tech. His extensive experience includes strategies driving socio-economic development, enhancing financial services, improving healthcare, and fostering educational opportunities for girls in underserved communities. Gidibo’ s investments in health-tech startups have revolutionized healthcare delivery in low-resource settings, facilitating the deployment of telemedicine solutions, mobile health clinics, and affordable medical devices.

Gidibo has provided consulting services to leading international organisations, NGOs, and foundations. His expertise lies in designing and implementing development projects that promote sustainable economic growth, gender equality, and social inclusion. Gidibo offers strategic guidance on market entry, expansion, and sustainability. His insights, grounded in a thorough understanding of local contexts and global trends.

A champion of impact investing, Gidibo leverages his financial acumen to support ventures that generate positive social and environmental outcomes. His investments are characterised by a deep commitment to ethical practices and long-term sustainability.

With a strong background in project management, Gidibo excels in overseeing large-scale initiatives from conception to completion. His approach ensures that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and with the desired impact.  Passionate about gender equality, Gidibo has launched several programmes aimed at empowering women and youth. These initiatives focus on entrepreneurship, vocational training, and leadership development, creating pathways for economic independence and social empowerment.

Gidibo is driven by a mission to create lasting, positive change in the world. His work as an angel investor and development consultant reflects his unwavering commitment to leveraging financial resources and strategic insights to improve lives and build resilient communities. Through his investments and consultancy, Gidibo continues to empower entrepreneurs, uplift underserved populations, and champion sustainable development.

Eng. Mrs. Wilhelmina is a Tanzanian WASH expert registered and licenced by the Engineers Registration Board (ERB) as a professional civil – Sanitary engineer with over 25 years of experience in  Tanzania in aspects of water and environmental sanitation. She holds a Masters degree in sanitary engineering from Rostov Don State Building Academy, Russia.

She has experience working with the government’s local authorities (Dodoma Municipal), international NGOs (WaterAid), and the UN (UNICEF). Has experience leading and working on WASH in rural and urban areas, with farmers and pastoralist communities, working at the policy and implementation level, ,building and maintaining effective relationships with government actors, donors, IPs, and civil society in gender sensitive WASH programme  design, implementation, and coordination, including building  collaborations.

She has also served as the National Coordinator for Water Supply and Sanitation Collaborative Council (WSSCC) and Chairperson of Tanzania Water and Sanitation Network (TAWASANET). Wilhelmina has been a member of Consumer Consultative Council for EWURA and National Water Board representing CSOs. Currently she is working with the National NGO Sanitation and Water Action (SAWA) as Head of Programmes and Extension Services. Her special passion in this work is to give sanitation, hygiene, and menstrual health and hygiene much greater eminence and recognition and to see sustainably managed water and sanitation services to ensure continued service for all.

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Sterling McDavid is the Founder and Principal Designer of Sterling McDavid Design, a New York City based interior design and real estate development firm established in 2014.

Drawing on inspiration from extensive travels, an active interest in the arts and a curious eye, Sterling and her team examine each project in rigorous detail, thoughtfully balancing elements of elevated design to meet each clients sophisticated lifestyle. Additionally, Sterling redevelops single family residential properties as well as acquires residential rental properties. The studio’s work has been featured in numerous publications including Architectural Digest, The Wall Street Journal, Vogue, Luxe and Hamptons Magazine.

Sterling is also an active member of the UNICEF New York Board of Directors. She dedicates much of her spare time to UNICEF and can frequently be found in the field providing hands-on support to the world’s most vulnerable children.

Prior to launching her company, Sterling worked at renowned Parisian architecture firm Projectiles and prior to that she was an analyst at Goldman Sachs.

Sterling lives in New York City with her husband Carey and their two children Quinn and Maya.

Lauren Picciano is the global head of communications at Vestiaire Collective. With over 15 years of public relations experience, Picciano has created and executed large-scale brand awareness campaigns for some of the biggest names in luxury retail including Saks and Bergdorf Goodman, leveraging her deep knowledge of strategic communications, celebrity relations and influencer marketing to achieve broad brand awareness.

Picciano previously oversaw PR, Celebrity and Influence for Saks, where she was charged with establishing a more modern brand narrative through crafting 360-degree communications initiatives and building a strong influencer and ambassador program. During her tenure at Saks, Picciano created first-of-its-kind holiday partnerships between the company and former first lady Michelle Obama and the Obama Foundation’s Girls Opportunity Alliance program as well as a collaboration with Elton John and the Elton John AIDS Foundation.

Prior to joining Saks, Picciano held roles of increasing responsibility including overseeing PR for Town & Country and Marie Claire at Hearst and leading Bergdorf Goodman’s public relations, events and social media team, among others.

A serial entrepreneur, astute investor, and accomplished software engineer, Mr. Khalfan has established a remarkable track record of success in launching innovative products, securing partnerships with leading brands, and generating substantial revenue.

With an innate ability to identify emerging market trends and harness the power of cutting-edge technology, Mr. Khalfan has spearheaded the development of a thriving product line that has captivated the attention of industry giants such as Starbucks, Victoria's Secret, WeWork, Urban Outfitters, and State Farm. His groundbreaking products have garnered widespread media coverage in prominent publications like ABC TV's "The View," Live with Kelly & Michael, GQ, Cosmopolitan, InStyle, StyleWatch, and Ebony magazines, further solidifying their impact on the consumer landscape.

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Mr. Khalfan's entrepreneurial spirit and technological expertise have been recognized with numerous accolades, including:

• 2013: African Business Leader of the Year by the Corporate Council on Africa

• 2014: New York Techno Innovator of the Year by United Colors of Fashion

• 2014: Entrepreneur of the Year by Applause Magazine

• 2015: Outstanding Achievement by a Young Alum by the University of Massachusetts Amherst

Beyond his entrepreneurial endeavors, Mr. Khalfan is an avid ping pong player, passionate surfer, and voracious reader. He is also a devoted husband and father, seamlessly balancing his professional achievements with a fulfilling personal life.

Mr. Khalfan holds a Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Mathematics from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. Further enriching his expertise, he pursued diplomas in Blockchain Technologies, Cryptocurrencies, and Artificial Intelligence from MIT. 

Mr. Khalfan's exceptional combination of software engineering prowess, entrepreneurial drive, and technological foresight has propelled him to the forefront of business leadership and innovation. He stands as a true visionary, shaping the future of technology and inspiring others to realize their full potential.

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Whitney Headen didn’t set out to be an entrepreneur, but after seven years of leadership experience at media companies like Viacom, iHeart, Defy, and ESSENCE Magazine, Whitney realised that in order to see the impactful change she wanted, she’d have to build her own bridges.

Witnessing resistance to industry-wide disruption throughout her career inspired Whitney to found creative agency 19th and Park, where she’s currently CEO, as an agency that thinks critically across issues facing the field and turns them into opportunities to innovate. This has led brands like Facebook, Apple, Amazon, Coca Cola, McDonald’s, Samsung, and many more to entrust 19th & Park with their strategic direction and creative campaigns.

With an uncanny ability to recognise talent and a passion for mentorship, it prompted her to start to The Life Currency, an empowering, education-first cross media company that focuses on creating digital first mentorship.

The Life Currency provides resources for young people entering the workforce who lack the community needed to foster exponential growth in their personal and professional lives, garnering over 1 million views within the company’s first year.

CEO and Founder of Mondayswimwear & the Pilates class

Gregory Schmitt currently serves as the Vice President of Finance at Manolo Blahnik, where he directs the company’s financial well-being and expansion strategies across North America. With nearly three decades of financial expertise, Gregory has carved a distinguished career path, previously holding pivotal roles as Brand CFO for Cartier North America and as Global Executive Director of Finance at Chanel’s International Headquarters. During his decade-long tenure at Chanel, he played a key role in steering the company’s global growth trajectory.

Before venturing into the luxury and fashion sector, Gregory amassed invaluable experience in both the media industry, working at CBS Television, and the investment banking sector in New York. These diverse experiences have honed his financial acumen and strategic vision, laying the foundation for his success in executive leadership roles.

Beyond his professional achievements, Gregory is deeply committed to philanthropy, particularly in supporting underprivileged children in developing countries. Over the past fifteen years, he has dedicated his time and expertise to serving on the boards of the African Children’s Choir and Les Couleurs Charity, organizations focused on educating, empowering, and providing opportunities for disadvantaged youth in Africa and Haiti.

Born in Canada, Gregory pursued his undergraduate studies at the University of Western Ontario before continuing his education at McGill for post-graduate studies. Despite residing in New York City for over two decades, his Canadian roots remain a significant part of his identity and perspective.

As a board member of the Flaviana Matata Foundation, Gregory brings a wealth of expertise and compassion to furthering the charity’s mission. His multifaceted background in finance, coupled with his longstanding commitment to philanthropy, positions him as a valuable asset in driving impactful and sustainable change for those in need.

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Nathan Chiume is a senior risk and compliance expert with over 10 years of experience at notable Wall Street asset management firms such as Citigroup, Deutsche Bank, and Jennison Associates. He has a strong record of significant contributions in investment management and portfolio-trading risk mitigation for equity and fixed-income securities.

He previously managed grants and financial operations for Africa-based economic research teams at New York University (NYU) Africa House. Nathan also provides investment advisory services to Africa investors, with a mission is to bridge the gap between traditional finance and impact investments, creating a more sustainable world. He also serves on the board of Yamba Malawi, a nonprofit that is in the forefront of the effort to eliminate childhood poverty in Malawi. He is a Finance and Investment graduate of Baruch College, City University of New York.

Ambika Makin serves as Director of Marketing & Communications for Longchamp, where she leads strategic brand initiatives, talent, partnerships, and communications across the United States and Canada.

Prior to joining Longchamp, Ambika spent over a decade in agency leadership roles, including serving as Vice President at Manifest Group, managing global clients across digital, experiential, and creative marketing. She has also held senior positions at Sunshine Sachs, where she directed large-scale programs for brands, celebrities, and non-profit organizations.

With a background in building integrated campaigns and fostering cross-functional collaboration, Ambika focuses on driving brand growth through storytelling, strategic partnerships, and innovative marketing. 

Guided by the philosophy of “work hard and be kind,” Ambika dedicates herself to causes that create positive community impact and building meaningful connections.

Born and raised in Alaska and having attended university in Oregon, Ambika now calls New York home.

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