PROFESSOR OLANIKE ADEYEMO, FCVSN, FEnv, FAAS, FAS, FTWAS

Professor Olanike Adeyemo is the Pioneer Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation and Strategic Partnerships) at the University of Ibadan, Ibadan. Since assuming office in 2017, she has made concerted efforts to reposition as well as build human capacity at the University of Ibadan; she is reputed for excellent leadership skills, creative thinking, high level of integrity, and ability to identify and nurture great talents.

As a researcher, she pioneered scholarship and leadership in “One Health”, an innovative transdisciplinary research that cuts across traditional boundaries and paradigms to create novel conceptual, methodological, and translational innovation at the environment-livestock-wildlife-human interface. Her findings from studies on environmental pollution, food safety /anti-microbial resistance, and emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases provides credible transdisciplinary research-backed evidence on the complex linkage between Environmental, Animal and Human Health with significant policy implication for Nigeria, the African Continent and indeed the rest of the world. She has attracted grants/awards towards research and professional development.

She makes contributions to national, regional and international development by offering services; for example, Professor Adeyemo was appointed an epidemiological and toxicological expert on the Joint FAO/WHO Expert Committee on food additives, contaminants, natural toxins, and residues of Veterinary drugs (2011-2015, 2016-2021). She was invited to join the Expert Committee on Science Advise in Africa; a project commissioned by the International Network for Government Science Advice (INGSA) and executed by Nigerian Academy of Science (2019). She was also invited to join the Expert Group of the High-Level Panel on Building a Sustainable Ocean Economy (2019). Professor Olanike Adeyemo does philanthropy through membership of Zonta International club, board membership and active participation in the activities of the fame Initiative, which organizes value driven class-based leadership and civic engagement program for underserved teenagers in secondary schools.

 Professor Olanike Adeyemo is renowned internationally; she is an elected Fellow of academies of Science (s), including, Nigerian Academy of Science, African Academy of Sciences, The World Academy of Sciences. She was featured in “Women in Science – Inspiring Stories from Africa”, “Black Achievers in Science and Technology” and recently recognized as “Scientist of the Year 2020” in the “Natural Sciences category” of the Open International Competition by the International Achievements Research Center, Chicago, IL, USA. 

AVI LIRAN

TEDx/IDEASx speaker (Economist, MBA) 

On a mission to delight the world; one person, one workplace at a time. His interactive talks and experiential programs focus on Positive Leadership, Values and Purpose to cultivate a Delightful Organisational Culture (DOC). Avi is the creator and designer of the edutainment concepts of “Delivering Delight”, “Leading with Values & Purpose” and “Joy-Care Leadership”. He has been researching the topic of effective appreciation since 2006. Avi believes that everyone in the world is a “Chief Delighting Officer.” All it takes is to develop Awareness, cultivate the right attitude and to take conscious Actions. Avi helps leaders and managers transform and upgrade their culture to create a Delightful Employee Experience (DEX) that empowers employees to become super engaged and passionate to deliver an authentic Delightful Customer Experience (DCX). Avi has shared his thought-provoking, inspiring, content-rich, interactive, entertaining, memorable and always delightful presentations to delighted audiences across 18 countries in Asia-Pacific, Europe and the Middle East (including Australia, Bhutan, China, Estonia, France, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Malaysia, The Maldives, The Netherlands, Philippines, Singapore, Spain, Switzerland, Thailand and Turkey) Avi’s practical approach leverages on his diverse international experience in leadership and management positions in the corporate and the public sectors. He was a VP of marketing in two ICT companies. As a diplomat (Economic, Trade and Tourism Attaché for Southeast Asia) he initiated and negotiated formation of two bi-lateral R&D and VC funds. He worked with Singapore Telcom to invest in the first 9 start-up companies. With a delighted client list, including Dell-EMC, Lenovo, Credit Suisse, Marriott, MBS, Visa, Turkish Airlines, Accor Hotels, UOB bank, SingTel and many other top organisations, you are set for a delightful and transformational learning experience. 

Avi is certified as consultant and trainer of: 

• Appreciative Inquiry by Dr. David Cooperrider – Case Western Reserve University 
• Value of Values programs and game by Dr. Dolan – ESADE Business School 
• Barrett Values Centre Certified Cultural Assessment & Transformation. 
• Train the Trainer by Dr. Thiagi 
• Impro by Keith Johnston 
• Basketball youth coach – Wingate Institute for Physical Education and Sports

DR NDIDI NNOLI-EDOZIEN

Director at Interswitch Financial Inclusion Services

Dr Nnoli joined Dangote as the Group Chief Sustainability and Governance Officer in March 2017. Under her leadership, Dangote Cement published its first globally-benchmarked Sustainability Report in 2017. Her mandate is to lead the effort of integrating Sustainability Thinking and Reporting across all Dangote Businesses in Africa. She was previously engaged at the Lagos Business School/Pan-Atlantic University, with responsibility for Public-Private partnerships, as well as teaching Ethics, Sustainability and Social Entrepreneurship. She has served as a nominee Director for the World Bank/IFC since 2012 and serves on a few non-profit boards, including co-chairing the Private Sector Advisory Group on SDGs, initiated by the Presidency in February 2017. She founded the Growing Businesses Foundation in 1999, which serves corporates like Unilever, MTN, Mobil and Citi in building sustainable local economies at the Bottom of the Pyramid. She initiated Rising Tide Africa, which seeks to harness women angel networks, investment and mentoring to transform Africa. She is an alumni of the Wharton School and the London School of Economics, a Reinhard Mohn Fellow of Bertelsmann AG, and obtained her doctorate degree from Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Frankfurt in 2006. She published various Books including “Development is about People, Business is about Ethics” and “Ownership & Management Structures: African Traditional Values applied to Modern Issues of Sustainability & the Corporate Governance Function”. She started her career at FSDH, subsequently founding the SecTrust (Afrinvest) Asset Management Division, and then serving the Public Sector as Director, Strategy & Monitoring, Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) and Presidential Committee on Job Creation. She successfully ran a public-private sector consulting firm from 2007 till 2017, while raising two daughters who presently study Architecture and Human Ecology. She speaks fluent German and conversational French. 

NETA HANIEN

Neta is an Advisor of the YILFellowship. For 7 years, she was a criminal prosecutor in the Israeli Ministry of Justice. While working as a lawyer she happened to visit Jisr a Zarqa, the most poor Israeli Arab village -a fishing village located on a beautiful beach. She thought Jisr would be a perfect destination for travelers in Israel looking for an off-the-beaten-path experience and saw the positive impact that tourism could make on the local economy. It was a chance to rewrite the story of her life and make a change. She went door to door in Jisr searching for a local Arab  partner until she met Ahmad Juha. After a successful crowdfunding campaign the two jewish & Arab visionaries opened Juha’s Guesthouse, which has since been selected as the “Best Social Business 2015” in a competition sponsored by Bank Hapoalim and Yediot Aharonot . IVN and the Jewish Federation of San Francisco have invested in it as well. For travelers from across the world, the hostel provides an authentic experience and volunteering opportunities, and is a locus for initiating a variety of social projects. Juha’s Guesthouse has injected hope and energy into the local economy. Some residents are now giving handicrafts workshops; some are hosting traditional meals; others are establishing new shops. Another project established by Neta is Young Leaders,which empower local Arab youth and provides training for local Arab youth to serve as guides for Birthright groups ( Jewish youth from around the world). The guides share their personal stories and take the groups on a tour of the city, enabling a meaningful and more intimate encounter. Neta was  one of the 3 final winners of the “Rappaport prize for women generating change 2015 ” During the last 3 years Neta was also consulting to social business entrepreneur/organisations, and went through a mentoring training by ROI and served as a Mentor in the ROI mentorship program. Neta is a keynote speaker- topics: Social Impact, Impact investment, sustainable tourism, decision making, crowdfunding, sustainable development.

EYAL HALAMISH

Eyal is an entrepreneur, activist and executive leadership coach. Eyal has built a number of businesses which sit at the intersection of business, government and technology. He has worked with entrepreneurs across the US, UK, Australia and SE Asia to take their businesses from startup through to investment. His startup journey began as founder and Director of OurSay, an international, award-winning smart city application which works with cities across Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to engage citizens in neighbourhood and city-wide decisions. Eyal has been an engagement and communications consultant for executives of major corporations including BHP Billiton, NAB and AGL. Eyal is an advisor to the Swinburne University of Technology Social Innovation Research Centre and a Board Member of Code for Australia. He has been recognised by the World Economic Forum as a Global Shaper and is a fellow of both the Unreasonable Institute and the Center for Sustainability Leadership. Eyal is also a founding faculty member of the School of Life where he works with startup and corporate teams on developing emotionally intelligent workforces.

DR TOBILOBA MOODY

Oluwatobiloba Moody is a Program Officer with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), Nigeria Office, where he is tasked with responsibility for the set up and establishment of WIPO’s operations in Nigeria. He has previous work experience with the Centre for International Governance Innovation (CIGI) in Waterloo, Canada, the WIPO Traditional Knowledge Division as well as the Appellate Body Secretariat of the World Trade Organization (WTO) in Geneva, Switzerland, and the law firm of Olaniyi George & Co. LLP in Ibadan, Nigeria.  Tobi has a Ph.D. in global intellectual property law from Queen’s University, Canada, where he studied as a Vanier scholar, an LL.M. in international trade and investment law (cum laude) from the University of the Western Cape in South Africa, and an LL.B. from the University of Ibadan in Nigeria. He is a member of the Nigerian Bar.

DR NATALIE BEINISCH

Natalie Beinisch is Executive Director of Growing Business Capital in Lagos, where she is responsible for the facilitating the development of sustainability-related ecosystems in Nigeria. Before moving to Lagos, she ran the Engagement Programme for Aegon Asset Management’s Responsible Investment team in the Netherlands and headed the Academic Network at the United Nations Principles for Responsible Investment in London. Prior to her work in sustainable finance, Natalie cut her teeth in leadership development, having begun her career at Duke Corporate Education, the world’s leading bespoke provider of executive education. She holds a PhD and an MSc from the London School of Economics and a BA from McGill University in Canada. 

Terri Mashanda

Terri Mashanda is the founder of Tentessa Coaching. She is an executive team coach, trainer and facilitator with over 2 decades of experience. She is passionate about making a difference in people’s lives and passionate about making businesses successful with happy employees, stretching individuals to stop doubting themselves and their limiting beliefs. Terri believes in simplicity, in working with the spirit of play, daring to dream big, working towards mastery, owning our choices and showing up in life.

She has over 20 years of experience, which she earned living, working and running businesses in several African countries. Born in Zimbabwe, she has opened and operated businesses in Zimbabwe, South Africa, Nigeria, Kenya and Malawi.

Terri received her academic and professional training variously in the UK, USA, South Africa, Israel, Croatia and UAE. This cross-cultural experience has given her a highly specialised insight and understanding of the dynamics of companies with a multi-cultural workforce, especially those doing business in Africa.

MICHAEL NWOSEH

Michael is a result-oriented professional with experience in youth marketing, retail banking, marketing strategy, brand management, media planning, business development and non-profit management. He is currently the Head, Strategy and Growth at Data Science Nigeria and has also worked in other notable organizations like Etisalat Nigeria and First City Monument Bank Limited (FCMB)

He holds a Certificate in Professional Marketing from the Chartered Institute of Marketing, London, United Kingdom, an Executive Masters in Project Management from CUPE International, Bournemouth, United Kingdom and a Bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry from the University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. He has also attended training on Marketing Strategies in Telecoms from the famous Telecoms Academy, London, United Kingdom.

In November 2012, he was one of the top 50 youths selected across Nigeria to participate in an intensive mini-MBA programme themed Venture in Enterprise Management Programme (ViEMP) at The Lagos Business School, Pan-Atlantic University, Lagos, Nigeria.

Asides from his 9-5 job, he writes, speaks at conferences and youth programmes on Marketing, Entrepreneurship, Personal Branding and Leadership. 

OSAZE EZEKIEL

Osaze Ezekiel is a highly knowledgeable IT Sales professional with 20 years at leading global corporations in areas of business intelligence, sales, cloud strategic business planning, big data, digital business, customer relationship management, project management and business analytics. He has a Bachelor of Science in Geography and Regional Planning from the University of Benin and a Master of Science in Information Systems Management from the University of Liverpool, UK and is currently running a Doctorate in Business Administration with Specialty in Business Intelligence with Capella University, USA. He has successfully led and worked on several Business Intelligence, analytics and Data Warehouse projects. He is an avid writer of technology and business articles, and you can read some of his articles on LinkedIn. He is currently managing partner at Initium Analytics.

DR RAJI RILWAN

Dr Raji Rilwan is a public health expert and head of WHO mission in Cross River State, Nigeria. An erudite public health professional with over nine years cognate experience in planning; monitoring and evaluation of interventions aimed at optimizing maternal and child health with special focus on immunization, integrated disease surveillance and response as well as accelerated control of emerging and re-emerging diseases of public health importance. I am an active player in the global effort towards polio eradication; the second disease in human history close to extinction. I am a public health manager; skilled in human and financial resource management effectively utilizing and accounting for donor funds for laudable interventions while coordinating activities of colleagues and other partners in achieving set targets and goals. I am a public speaker, readily sharing my public health work and field experience with local and international audiences including wealthy philanthropists with the goal of stimulating donor funding for laudable public health activities. I am passionate about; and remain open to; initiatives that focus on equitable access to health care especially amongst women, children, the elderly and vulnerable populations. 

NNAMDI IFEAGWU

An accomplished commercial strategist with years of experience leading brands and advising multinationals on the Pharmaceutical, the FMCG and the Retail industries. His experience in business opportunities and commercial landscaping spans across Pharmacy, Retail, FMCG, Hospitality and Ecommerce.

Nnamdi led the pioneer commercial team that launched, in Lagos in a space of 5 months, 6 franchises of the DIA Group, a Spanish retail giant quoted on the Ibex 35 with 8000+ outlets globally. He went on to serve as the Commercial Director for a Nigerian growing retail giant, where he rose to become the Vice President for Corporate Sales and B2B, before vying off to co-found the Hutzpa Commerce 360, where he serves as the Managing Partner.

He has a B.Pharm degree from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN) and is certified in both global business strategies and business administration by the Metropolitan School of Business and Management (MSBM), UK. Nnamdi is a Council Member at Gerson Lehrman Group (GLG), a New York-based company that connects its clients with consultants with topical or industry expertise in variety of fields.

CHISOM EZEILO

Chisom, a 2019 Government of Ireland Scholar, is an enthusiastic young lady who is currently pursuing a Master Degree in Fintech at the National College of Ireland, Dublin. Her journey into the Fintech journey started after she launched an Investment Club for some of her colleagues. Driven by passion and enthusiasm she is building expertise to become a thought leader within her industry while also gaining knowledge in building the Operations and Strategy arm of Fintech companies. At the moment, she prides herself as a Fintech researcher as her current realities require intense research into current happenings within the industry. 

Beyond Fintech, she is an advocate of African natural hair and the African culture as a whole. Her personal mantra is: ‘People should try to live as intentionally as possible because almost anything can be achieved by living intentionally and being consistent.’

Chisom is a 2018 pioneer fellow of the YIL fellowship. She is going to be the first fellow invited back to facilitate a class at the YIL Fellowship bootcamp.

OBICHI OBIAJUNWA MBBS, MPH, MBA

Obichi is the founder of the Young Innovation Leaders Fellowship and founding partner of the Hutzpa Group – a platform designed to  promote innovation in Africa. He is an innovation expert, a global health strategist and a life coach. Obichi is a guest mentor at the NIH Commercialization Accelerator Program (for biotech startups); and a co-mentor at the  Swedish Network for International Health Mentorship Programme. He has mentored medical device startups in Nigeria and East Africa on commercialization strategy.

His background includes work as a resident pediatrician /public health physician as well as advocacy, and community development with an array of Nigerian organizations. Working and studying in Israel, Obichi was involved with the Pears Program for Global Innovation, providing assistance and insights to forward-looking startups interested in emerging markets. He has also founded a platform that promotes innovative healthcare solutions in Africa.