David is a Global Relationship Manager at BNP Paribas in Madrid since 2014. Previously, he worked for Banco Santander, Schneider Electric, and was the Business Development Manager in @Ilab, Startup Incubator of Strathmore University in Nairobi, Kenya where he raised over 1M€ capital for 20 startups.
David is bringing to Jenga Ventures more than 10 years of strong relationship experience with active institutional investors (insurance companies, pension funds, asset managers). David raised last year 40M€ Capital for Socimis.
David is passionate about Startups and has been the project manager for a Financial Hub in 2017 in Madrid. He will be helping our startups with his experience in structuring, execution, and documentation of transactions as well as the analysis of financial models.
David holds an MSc in Telecommunication Engineering from the Universidad de Navarra in Spain, a Master in Electronics from Grenoble INP, and an Executive MBA from IESE Business School in Madrid. He lives in Madrid and speaks Spanish, French, and English.
Joe A. Bufill, M.D., F.A.C.P., a native of Havana, Cuba, earned his medical degree from the University of Navarre in Pamplona, Spain, a leading European academic medical center. He then completed an internal medicine residency and a fellowship in medical oncology-hematology at the Medical College of Wisconsin Affiliated Hospitals in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. After clinical training, he was a visiting research fellow in the Department of Medical Genetics at the University of Helsinki in Finland where he participated in the study of hereditary non-polyposis colorectal cancer. In the 1990s, he published articles on inherited colon cancers which were recognized as helpful contributions to the field of colon cancer genetics. Dr. Bufill is a fellow of the American College of Physicians, a member of the American Society of Human Genetics, and is board certified in internal medicine and medical oncology.
From 2002 to 2011 he served as Director of Medical Education at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center. He currently serves as the Director of the Cancer Genetics Program at Saint Joseph Regional Medical Center in Mishawaka. He is an author of numerous original papers, oral presentations and articles primarily in the field of cancer genetics.
Dr. Bufill practices in Mishawaka, Indiana.
Shiru is the Acumen East Africa Regional Director. She has the experience and a deep understanding of markets, transactions, investing, agriculture, and managing large teams. She also owns her own farm she’s a grower and exporter, one that cares for the people that work with her.
Shiru worked her way up through the ranks in banking (investment banking, corporate banking, and treasury) until she became the Regional Head of Global Markets in East Africa for CfC Stanbic Bank in Kenya. There she managed a budget of $82M and a team of 85 people across five countries until she woke up one day and realized that her heart was no longer in it. She wanted to give back. She bought a mango farm in 2011—which she still owns today—found export markets and cared for the people she employed.
Prior to Acumen Shiru was the Head of Agriculture and Debt Financing at responsibility, where she managed debt financing and investment in agribusiness in Africa, handling a total of $70M spread over commodity trading and process companies in Cote d’Ivoire, Ghana, Burkina Faso, Togo, Rwanda, Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, Egypt, and Tunisia. Shiru has a B.A. in Biology and Spanish from Amherst College (she spent a year abroad in Bogota) and an MBA from the Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.
Amantia Muhedini is a Sustainable Investing Strategist at UBS Global Wealth Management Chief Investment Officer. Her past roles include Investments Associate at Humanity United, a private foundation focused on addressing forced labor in global supply chains. She also has spent time as a consultant for Working Capital, an impact investing fund focused on supply chain solutions, and as a Sustainable Investing Fellow at Morgan Stanley Wealth Management Investing with Impact. Amantia is a founding board member of the National Committee of United World Colleges (UWC) of Albania. She is currently part of the governing Council of UWC International.
Amantia holds a BA from Princeton University and an MPA from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. She holds the Series 7 and 66 securities licenses.
AgrBros Market is a digital marketplace connecting Congolese farmers and producers to buyers and markets, with the goal of increasing efficiency in the sector and income for farmers.
ITOT Africa; a Democratic Republic of Congo based organization that identified a stretch in the current health system as far as responding to COVID-19 is concerned and came up with a fast digital action to reduce its spread.
250Startups is an incubation and acceleration program in Rwanda that empowers technology startups to grow through bridging the gap between their incubation and expansion.
Joaquin is the CEO of i4SD, a social impact start-up that develops innovative projects for sustainable development in frontier markets.
With over 20 years of experience in infrastructure planning, project management, and international development, Joaquin served as Director of Operations of the Millennium Villages Project (MVP), a global partnership between Millennium Promise, The Earth Institute at Columbia University and the United Nations. Joaquin managed an annual $50+M budget multi-sector project across 10 countries in sub-Saharan Africa, including the implementation of a portfolio of 100+ Infrastructure Projects in the areas of Transportation, Water, Energy, and ICT.
Previously Mr. Aviles Lopez has worked in the Public Sector at the Department of Planning and Transport with the Government of Granada, Spain. He has also experience in the Private Sector where he worked as Project Manager in the execution of several infrastructure projects. Before founding i4SD, Joaquin led the planning and operations at P3 Global Management, a global smart city infrastructure company, delivering innovative solutions to help cities become more sustainable and resilient.
Joaquin holds a Master’s Degree in Civil Engineering from the University of Granada in Spain, and an MSc in International and Public Affairs with focus on International Development at the New School in New York.
Kobo Hub is a community of Congolese entrepreneurs committed to accelerating the emergence and success of local entrepreneurs with projects that value local talent.
Muungano Hub is based in Lubumbashi DRC and is ready to move entrepreneurship in Africa by sharing experiences and knowledge that structures African start-up projects for success.
Center for Development and Enterprises Burundi is dedicated to reducing the obstacles of prosperity and opportunity following the principle of a free society and a free market.
Kevin Grangier is a strategist in public relations and communications. His experiences span a wide range of industries and sectors, including conducting public campaigns for companies, state institutions, political parties and individuals. Kevin serves in the Swiss Army where he trains and coaches aspiring Swiss Army Officers as well as senior federal officials in the areas of communication, rhetoric and crisis management.
Prior to that, Kevin became the deputy spokesman of the Swiss People Party (SPP), Switzerland’s largest political party and then Secretary-General of the SPP for the Vaud region, where he led numerous campaigns for over ten years at federal and cantonal level. In particular, he was the leader of Guy Parmelin’s successful campaign in the Federal Council. In November 2019, Kevin became the youngest President in the history of the SPP Vaud and sit on the board of the SPP Switzerland.
Kevin has three children, including twins.
Gilbert Sibomana is a Tech Fellow at Jenga Ventures. Gilbert is a technology enthusiast and a purpose-driven leader with growing expertise in software development, web development and product management. He has amassed a wide range of experiences in different organisations such as the African Leadership University (ALU) and Rwanda Media High Council. Gilbert is majoring in Computer Science at the African Leadership University (ALU) and is always in search of growth opportunities as well as opportunities to help others grow.
Aloysious Tumusiime is a Research Fellow at Jenga Ventures where he supports the management team with various research projects and analysis. He studies International Business and Trade at the African Leadership University and plans to become a business strategist. Aloysious thrives in challenging, problem-solving environments. He is passionate about entrepreneurship as a solution to social challenges and is working to grow his network and get exposed to creative pragmatic approaches in the space of impact-driven entrepreneurship.
Pierre is a serial entrepreneur who dedicates himself to making an impact through meaningful ventures that include social innovation and sustainability. Purpose-driven Entrepreneur for 10+ years, he started his career as a strategic consultant with Ernst & Young, prior to becoming Executive Director at Greenflex, a fast growing greentech startups in Europe.
Pierre combines an extensive background in Business and Operations with passion for positive change. He is currently the founder and CEO at Indigo: a global network for Mindful Doers, and advises multiple startups solving massive social and environmental problems.
He holds a Master Degree in Civil Engineering from École Spéciale des Travaux Publics (Paris) and a MBA from IAE-La Sorbonne (Paris). Pierre has also been practising Capoeira for the last ten years ranking as Graduado.
Luca is a Senior Advisor for Start-ups, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and Accelerators in Europe with extensive international experience. A graduate of the prestigious European Institute of Design, a top-reference for visual creations, Luca has gained sound experience in strategic communication, branding and the advertising industries. Luca served as CEO of Publiglobe Srl – a worldwide company specialized in marketing and promotion headquartered in Italy with a network of offices around Europe and Australia. In the field of strategic communications applied to start-ups and SMEs, he has become a key consultant and representative for private businesses, public institutions and universities.
Luca has also developed a deep knowledge in Customer Relationship within a series of sectors, from the film-making industry to fashion, from food to humanitarian aid. Within those areas, he is an expert in crowfunding campaigns and transfer of the innovations to markets. Currently, he is Founder of Artshares, an innovative start-up in the field of digital markets for Art pieces, a project financed with European and national funds.
Andile is an Integrative Nutrition Health Specialist and runs her own health coaching practise in Nairobi, Kenya. Prior to this, she served as the Communications Advisor for the Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa (SDGC/A) in Kigali, Rwanda. With a passion for communications and public health, Andile has worked for UNICEF and World Vision in Lusaka, Zambia on various gender, advocacy and communications programs. One of her main achievements was spearheading the UNICEF Zambia #IMAGINE campaign; a unique musical and tech initiative helping to highlight the tremendous challenges children face around the world. In 2016 she had the distinct honour of supporting the Office of the Vice President of the Republic of Zambia as a Gender and Youth Consultant.
Andile holds a Bachelor of Arts in Media Communications and Psychology from Bath Spa University (UK) and a Post-Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing from the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign (USA. She is fluent in English and Ndebele.
Alessandro Cianfrone is Co-Founder at Fem Capital, a multi-sector investment company involved in various businesses, with a main geographic focus on emerging markets. Fem plays a relevant role in accelerating the growth of several industrial initiatives by investing in them both directly and via funds.
Alessandro is chartered accountant. Over the years he has specialised in business strategy and management. In 2010 he held the position of Advisor at Arthur D. Little, where he strengthened his skills in the management of local and international clients, both in the private and public sector. He supervised the development and implementation of many projects, involving investors and identifying potential partnerships. He works alongside investors and entrepreneurs interested in developing their business in the markets of the MENA region, as well as international players inclined to invest in the European markets. Alessandro coordinates DubaItaly2020 and oversees its activities.
Didier is Founder and CEO of TechnologiesX, a New York City based company established to assist enhance the inclusion of cyber-security into the growing information technology sector in Rwanda and across Africa.
Didier is world class cyber-security leader, specializing in Cyber Security Strategy and Risk, Architecture, Identity Access Management, Cloud Security, and Information Security Audit. He has more than 10 years of experience in the cyber-security field.
Didier currently serves New York City Government where he evaluates and enhances cyber security capabilities for a network infrastructure and hosted services to over 65 NYC Agencies. He is developing a framework and plan for refreshing critical infrastructure components. Directing cross-agency teams plan, design, build and deliver security transformational initiatives.
Dr. Macrae is a highly experienced diplomat who has spent most of his time in the field of diplomacy with the European Union in Africa, Asia, the pacific and Europe.
His last appointment was Head of Delegation/Ambassador of the European Union to Nigeria and also accredited as European Union Ambassador to the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Dr. Macrae was head of the European Union Commission delegation in various countries, including Rwanda, Fiji, Vanuatu, Tonga, Samoa, Tuvalu, Kiribati and Marshall Islands. He was also covering the French territories of Polynesia, Wallis and Futuna and New Caledonia, the British territory of Pitcaim and relations with the South Pacific Forum Secretariat and the secretariat of the pacific community.
His European Union diplomatic career also covered Chad, Gambia, Senegal and Zambia. He also worked for the European Commission Directorate General for Development as a Project Officer with responsibility for Agricultural programs in Sudan, Ethiopia, South Asia and the Caribbean.
The career diplomat also served in the British Public Service as Economic adviser in the Department of Energy, Health and Overseas Development on secondment to the European Commission. He also lectured international and development economics at the University of Leeds in UK.
A senior professional, Dr. Macrae was educated at Bolton School and University of Leeds in England and at the University of Nairobi, Kenya. He completed both his Bachelor of Arts Degree in Agricultural economics and PhD in Economics at the University of Leeds.
Lastly he was awarded a PhD Honorary in Humanities, by the American University of Nigeria in 2011. Most recently, he has been the Executive Vice-President, American University of Nigeria and Chancellor of the University of Kigali until 2019.
Greg most recently served as the Director of Partnerships and External Relations at the University of Kigali. Prior to that, he was the Head of Development and Partnerships at the Sustainable Development Goals Center for Africa (SDGC/A) in Kigali. From 2013 to 2016, Grégoire worked at Strathmore University in Kenya in different capacities managing partnerships and fundraising activities at the Business School.
Greg serves in several advisory boards, including Ongoza Foundation, Nyatha Fund, Lorcan Investments and Bushra Energy. He is a member of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Project Management Institute (PMI). He speaks French, Italian and English.
Jon is a private investor focused on early-stage energy and healthcare companies. He has served on a number of for- and non-profit boards. Jon’s past positions include co-founder of the Solar Fuels Institute where he was a visiting scholar at Northwestern University; vice president, Energy Risk Management of Goldman Sachs, Asia; and managing director of the Astra Oil Group in Singapore and Switzerland. Jon received a BA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and an MA from the Johns Hopkins University School of Advanced International Studies. He is currently vice-chair of the board of United World College USA and represents the school on all UWC International-related matters.
Will Hogan, Principal of Bequia Securities, LLC, is a builder of community and collaboration in Impact, focused on capital formation for Impact businesses, projects and funds. Over his career, Will has often led cross-functional project teams to originate commercial and project financings and build investment products. Recent focus Impact themes include renewable energy generation and storage, health and wellness, inequality, diversity and inclusion, sustainable agriculture + food, and real estate. Will is also focused on ways Opportunity Zone incentives may be utilized to generate positive Impact.
Will has driven new business initiatives within and across organizations at firms such as Amalgamated Bank, Aetos Capital, Morgan Stanley, and Ernst & Young. Will serves on the board of directors of Jacob Riis Neighborhood Settlement in Queens, New York. He also serves as a guide for The Resolution Project, which fosters social entrepreneurship on college campuses globally. Will has served on the CAIA Association’s New York Chapter Committee, and as a judge and mentor in social venture business plan competitions at NYU Stern and the
Mentor Capital Network.
Will holds an MBA from NYU Stern, an AB from The University of Chicago, the Chartered Alternative Investment Analyst designation, and the Sustainable Investment Professional Certificate from Concordia University (Montreal). Will holds Series 7, 63 & 24 securities licenses.
Jochen has more than 20 years of experience in international development management in Africa, Asia and Europe. During his career he has worked for businesses, governments and International NGO’s. He is a livelihoods & resilience expert with particular experience on Small & Medium Enterprises, Crowd Funding, Innovation Incubators and consulting Start-Ups on impact. Jochen has started 4 businesses himself. He’s the founder of PAMOVIDE, a company that provides strategy advisory & business management services for impact-driven organizations and people.
His academic background includes Business Administration at PFH Goettingen, Development Management at The Open University and Health Sciences at New Charter University. He lives with his family Nairobi, East Africa.
Obadias founded Jenga Ventures in 2019. He has over 10 years of leadership experience in commercial banking, international and economic development, and think tanks. He has worked in micro-finance and commercial banking in Rwanda, and in nonprofit management and think tanks in Kenya and the United States. Obadias regularly writes on development issues, African affairs and economic trends. His articles and views have appeared in The Huffington Post, The Voice of America, Libre Afrique and The Africa Review, among other publications. Obadias holds an Executive Master’s in Development Studies from The Graduate Institute Geneva, a certificate in Nonprofit Financial Management from Harvard Kennedy School of Government and an Economics degree from Kigali Independent University. Obadias has extensively travelled and lectured on global issues in over 25 countries in five continents.
Paul brings to Jenga Ventures over two decades of experience in helping organisations and individuals design and implement growth strategies. Paul has worked with and consulted to global investment banks, the United Nations, a wide range non-profit organisations and several start-up fintech businesses. Paul has degrees in Economics, International Politics and a Masters of International Security.
Paul regularly presents to companies and organisations, sharing his insights on engagement, governance principles and strategic decision making. Paul also regularly writes for commercial and NGO publications, including the United Nation’s sponsored Social Protection program