About me
I do good, well.
Talent is everywhere, but opportunity is not. I've spent my career trying to close that gap by serving as a conduit between communities and organizations on the frontlines of change.
I'm a social impact adviser and nonprofit board director with 9+ years of experience transforming visionary ideas into meaningful social impact, with expertise spanning social impact, economic mobility, racial and gender equity, sustainability, philanthropy, NGOs, partnerships, communications, and stakeholder engagement. I am a trusted partner to executives, helping them bridge the gap between strategy and execution. Ever a global citizen, I’ve lived and worked in the U.S., Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. I bring this cross-cultural perspective to my work.
“The best way to predict the future is to create it.”
My motto
I’m also passionate about Africa and dedicated to supporting its visionary innovators. As the co-host of the Afro-Catalyst podcast and an advisor to TheBoardroom Africa Foundation, I amplify their stories and activate their potential. Through my role as a Board Director of pioneering nonprofits SOS Sahel and Operation Fistula, I further contribute to driving meaningful change. I have been recognized as one of the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent under 40 in media and culture.
I hold a BA from Yale University and an MSc from the London School of Economics, where my research focused on global and corporate governance in emerging markets. I have a certificate in Strategic Philanthropy in Emerging Markers from the University of Cambridge’s Judge Business School. I am also an alumna of the Princeton in Africa Fellowship.
I've written for the World Economic Forum and the Center for American Progress as well as media such as NPR, Quartz, Fast Company, Slate, CNBC, Forbes, Project Syndicate, African Business Magazine, Harvard Africa Policy Journal, OkayAfrica and Fields Magazine. I’ve spoken at Google, Yale, Georgetown, the Inter-American Dialogue, Expo 2020, Latitude59, and more on business, culture and politics.
Introducing Jikoni
On weekends, you'll find me in the kitchen, at the farmer's market, or exploring a new restaurant.
On this site, you’ll also find my food blog, Jikoni (Kiswahili for "kitchen"), my love letter to the foods and flavors of Africa and its diaspora.
Growing up, food in my home was a vibrant pan-African fusion with unique combinations like supakanja (Gambian okra stew) and ugali (an East African maize-based side dish similar to polenta). Over time, my pan-African outlook extended from the kitchen to the classroom to the workplace. Jikoni is part celebration of Africa's history and cuisine, part exercise in cultural anthropology as I sleuth through the origins of many of these dishes. I'm an amateur chef, so there will be a lot of trial and error, but hopefully a lot of learning and a great deal of fun.