Board of Directors
Board Member: Dominic Mensah
Co-Founder, Director, and Board Member: Ryan Jordan
Co-Founder and Board Member: Madonna Okpaleke
Dominic Mensah, Harvard Business School 2025 candidate, holds a double major degree in Mathematics and Economics from Pomona College. Passionate about solving complex problems, Dominic spent 3 years at EY-Parthenon New York Office executing commercial due diligences on acquisitions for technology focused private equity firms; He was a lea
Dominic Mensah, Harvard Business School 2025 candidate, holds a double major degree in Mathematics and Economics from Pomona College. Passionate about solving complex problems, Dominic spent 3 years at EY-Parthenon New York Office executing commercial due diligences on acquisitions for technology focused private equity firms; He was a lead in the EY’s food systems reimagined and helped publish the ey-food-and-agriculture-navigator-2023.pdf. Dominic is also the founder of Dombelfams, an agritech company in Ghana providing training, operations management and financing to smallholder farmers.
Co-Founder and Board Member: Madonna Okpaleke
Co-Founder, Director, and Board Member: Ryan Jordan
Co-Founder and Board Member: Madonna Okpaleke
Madonna Okpaleke is a licensed Attorney and a change agent for social impact across Africa. Currently leading the legal department for Sub-Saharan at Reckitt Benckiser, she has worked at prominent organizations such as Coca-Cola HBC and as Federal Prosecutor for Nigeria’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency. She is currently pursuing a Masters i
Madonna Okpaleke is a licensed Attorney and a change agent for social impact across Africa. Currently leading the legal department for Sub-Saharan at Reckitt Benckiser, she has worked at prominent organizations such as Coca-Cola HBC and as Federal Prosecutor for Nigeria’s Drug Law Enforcement Agency. She is currently pursuing a Masters in Bioethics at Harvard Medical School. Her academic credentials also include an MBA from the University of Oxford, an LLM from Cornell University, and an LLB from the University of Lagos. She was named among Poets and Quants “100 Best and Brightest EMBAs” in 2022, and was recognized with the Diligent Corporation Modern Governance 100 Award, highlighting her as one of the top 100 Global World Leaders in Legal, Risk, and Governance in 2020.
Co-Founder, Director, and Board Member: Ryan Jordan
Co-Founder, Director, and Board Member: Ryan Jordan
Co-Founder, Director, and Board Member: Ryan Jordan
Ryan Jordan is a graduate of Harvard University, where he pursued History, Middle Eastern Studies, and African Studies. Ryan is an entrepreneur with a background in the private education and EdTech space, and he is particularly interested in the political, legal, and business intricacies of navigating emerging markets in Eastern Europe,
Ryan Jordan is a graduate of Harvard University, where he pursued History, Middle Eastern Studies, and African Studies. Ryan is an entrepreneur with a background in the private education and EdTech space, and he is particularly interested in the political, legal, and business intricacies of navigating emerging markets in Eastern Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. Beyond this, Ryan is a big believer in the need to increase education on the business environment in Africa and to enable all students to have the professional experiences with Africa that will prepare them to work in Africa and with Africans in the future.
IAI Ambassadors
Dartmouth College: Pacifique Mucyo
University of Pennsylvania/ Wharton: Euquil Mutayi
Columbia University: Mikka Kabugo
Born and raised in Rwanda, Pacifique is currently pursuing dual degrees in Economics and Computer Science at Dartmouth College. He is passionate about fostering a thriving business ecosystem and dedicated to the transformative power of innovation and entrepreneurship as key drivers for Africa's economic renaissance. Pacifique firmly belie
Born and raised in Rwanda, Pacifique is currently pursuing dual degrees in Economics and Computer Science at Dartmouth College. He is passionate about fostering a thriving business ecosystem and dedicated to the transformative power of innovation and entrepreneurship as key drivers for Africa's economic renaissance. Pacifique firmly believes that through pioneering solutions and entrepreneurial vigor, Africa can not only create immense value for its citizens but also carve a distinguished presence on the global market.
Columbia University: Mikka Kabugo
University of Pennsylvania/ Wharton: Euquil Mutayi
Columbia University: Mikka Kabugo
Mikka Kabugo is a Senior at Columbia School of General Studies double-majoring in Economics and Art History+Visual Arts. Mikka participates in the Justice in Education program at Rikers Island, which focuses on using visual arts as a medium for incarcerated individuals to heal and share. At the same time, he is interested in capital and
Mikka Kabugo is a Senior at Columbia School of General Studies double-majoring in Economics and Art History+Visual Arts. Mikka participates in the Justice in Education program at Rikers Island, which focuses on using visual arts as a medium for incarcerated individuals to heal and share. At the same time, he is interested in capital and emerging markets, with a focus on the benefits of foreign direct investment for social and infrastructural development.
Harvard Law School: Segun Omole
University of Pennsylvania/ Wharton: Euquil Mutayi
University of Pennsylvania/ Wharton: Euquil Mutayi
Segun Omole is a 2L at the Harvard Law School. Raised between Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, he is curious and eaTsinghuat Africa and Africa’s development. He co-chairs the Harvard Africa Law Association’s Africa Development Conference and the Harvard Black Law Students Association’s Africa Summit. Before law school, Segun was a consultant at
Segun Omole is a 2L at the Harvard Law School. Raised between Lagos and Abuja, Nigeria, he is curious and eaTsinghuat Africa and Africa’s development. He co-chairs the Harvard Africa Law Association’s Africa Development Conference and the Harvard Black Law Students Association’s Africa Summit. Before law school, Segun was a consultant at McKinsey & Company, focusing on labor force economics, strategy, and corporate finance. He obtained his Masters in Management of Global Affairs from Tsinghua University, Beijing, as a Schwarzman Scholar and his Bachelor of Arts in Legal Studies and Political Science from New York University Abu Dhabi.
University of Pennsylvania/ Wharton: Euquil Mutayi
University of Pennsylvania/ Wharton: Euquil Mutayi
University of Pennsylvania/ Wharton: Euquil Mutayi
Euquil Mutayi is a Kenyan international student and sophomore at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is pursuing a dual concentration in Finance and Business Analytics, and he is driven by his deep passion for capital markets. Euquil's interest lies in understanding the diversification of markets and their intersection with
Euquil Mutayi is a Kenyan international student and sophomore at the Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania. He is pursuing a dual concentration in Finance and Business Analytics, and he is driven by his deep passion for capital markets. Euquil's interest lies in understanding the diversification of markets and their intersection with growing economies and he has always been intrigued by the forces shaping markets and currencies. Additionally, Euquil is an educational enthusiast who firmly believes everyone deserves access to the transformative power of education.
Harvard University: Jean Yves Gatwaza
Harvard University: Jean Yves Gatwaza
Harvard University: Jean Yves Gatwaza
Jean Yves is a rising Junior in Lowell House at Harvard, concentrating in Computer Science with a secondary in Economics. He is originally from Kigali, Rwanda. He is a Baritone in the Harvard Glee Club and a DJ. He is also a board member of the Harvard African Students Association (HASA). He enjoys music and spending time with friends and family.
Cornell University: Benjamin Karanja
Harvard University: Jean Yves Gatwaza
Harvard University: Jean Yves Gatwaza
Born and raised in Kenya, Benjamin Karanja is currently a junior at the Bowers College of Computing and Information Science at Cornell University, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Economics. His passion for Artificial Intelligence drives him to explore the transformative potential of technology in solving real-world problems.
Born and raised in Kenya, Benjamin Karanja is currently a junior at the Bowers College of Computing and Information Science at Cornell University, majoring in Computer Science with a minor in Economics. His passion for Artificial Intelligence drives him to explore the transformative potential of technology in solving real-world problems. Through his work with the SCOA Foundation, Benjamin aims to create impactful change across the African continent, focusing on empowering youth and fostering innovation.
Benjamin's vision is to spearhead initiatives that address pressing societal challenges, fuel economic growth, and expand access to education and opportunities for all African communities. He is deeply committed to promoting self-reliance among African youth, both economically and politically, believing that with the right tools and opportunities, they can lead the continent to a prosperous future.
In addition to his academic pursuits, Benjamin has a keen interest in geopolitics, which allows him to understand the broader context of global issues and their impact on Africa. Music, chess, and football are his passions, and he finds joy in the strategy and creativity they involve. Hiking and spending time with friends provide a balance to his busy schedule, allowing him to recharge and stay connected with nature and his community.
As an educational enthusiast, Benjamin firmly believes everyone deserves access to the transformative power of education. This belief fuels his dedication to initiatives that aim to provide unparalleled educational experiences to talented students, both locally and globally. By nurturing the next generation of leaders, he hopes to contribute to the development of a vibrant and innovative African society.