Leadership under unprecedented challenges: Profile of the 2020 Think Africa Board

The world is experiencing tough times and so good leadership is necessary more than ever in helping businesses and organisations navigate through the storm. We have had to adapt to new ways of working by transitioning to online interactions. We have had to also put more focus on being remotely present and engaged with our members and partners. Most of our efforts are driven by our members and the current Board. Each Board member has an assigned responsibility of specific focus and role. All of these interwoven roles and responsibilities are aligned in fulfillment of the mission of Think Africa.

This blog post sheds a bit of light on the members of our current Board (2020-2021). 

Akin Akinsola (2018 – present) 

Role: Communications and strategic partnerships coordinator.

Akin emphasizes, “my mission is to redirect the focus and place emphasis on the community. One way to achieve this is to focus on improving intra-community engagement and inter-organisational collaboration so as to build a stronger base of support – psychologically and economically – for the advancement of the community, both internally and externally. This would include a meaningful exploration of the fundamental identity of the African individual under the prevailing challenges and circumstances; in terms of what it ought to be”. Akin believes that the youth and younger generation including Children should be included in this mission as well. 

Akin’s interests include software development, basketball, music, community outreach, strategy, business development, photography, and creative writing.

Contact: akin(at)thinkafrica.fi

Dora Puhakka (2019 – present)

Role: Vice-chair, well-being and strategic partnerships coordinator, and Think Africa’s envoy to Moniheli ry.

Dora elaborates, “my mission is to enhance productive interactions and encounters between people, identify and build networks between organisations and enable the representation that reflects society’s diverse spectrum. Outside Think Africa, I work as a peer support program officer, with a special focus on diversity and inclusion using service design tools. My interests include facilitating discussions on intercultural matters and early childhood development; I enjoy board games, writing poetry and swimming”. 

Dora is also the treasurer of Moniheli’s board (2019-2020), member of the Ministry of Justice Advisory Board on Civil Society Policy (KANE) (2019-2020), member of the Advisory Board of City of Helsinki on issues of “Participation and Interaction” (2020).

Contact: dora.puhakka(at)thinkafrica.fi

Elisabet Miheludaki (2018 – present)

Role: Treasurer & Startup relations. 

Elisabet’s interests and hobbies include lifelong learning, self-leadership, tennis, music, and pole-dancing.

“My mission is to contribute towards a borderless, mobile world, where anyone, anywhere has the same opportunities to equip themselves with mindset and skills to realize their full potential”. At Think Africa Elisabet has been working towards this mission by contributing to the creation of a mentorship program for unemployed foreigners in Helsinki, as well as leading our efforts of internationalization and member engagement in entrepreneurial ventures as a way towards empowering themselves, as well as young people in African countries. Elisabet has also been responsible for the overview of financial planning of the organization as treasurer.

Contact: elisabet(at)thinkafrica.fi

Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/elisabetmiheludaki/

Mahlet Zewde (2018; 2020)

Role: Outreach lead. 

“My main passion as a Think Africa board member is building spaces and platforms to make everyone feel a sense of belonging and at home. Mahlet believes in the notion of creating a home far from countries of origin within the Think Africa community through organizing engaging activities and providing platforms for assimilating. In 2020 I am working towards making Think Africa a more diverse organization in which the African diaspora from all corners of the continent can find a safe space, engage and be an active part of our organization and the Finnish society. Mahlet’s interests include harnessing technology for development, culture, movies, theatre, reading books from all corners of the world, poetry, and music. 

Contact: mahi(at)thinkafrica.fi

Myriam Munezero (2018 – present) 

Role: Chairperson.

“I believe my purpose is helping people realize and achieve their potential and it’s a mission that makes me fit in well at Think Africa. For 2020, I am focusing on strategy, strategy and strategy, from coordinating our overall organisational strategy for partnership, communications, outreach, operations, IT infrastructure, to quality assurance. This strategy also involves removing hierarchies and decentralizing decision making so as to enable our members to take full advantage of the Think Africa platform in fulfilling their potential. I believe a strong and transparent process will result in a strong, inclusive, and trustworthy organisation”.

Outside of Think Africa, Myriam is a data and technological enthusiast; currently working as a data analyst. She enjoys reading books, writing blogs, the creative process of content creation, baking, dancing and listening to music, watching a good movie or television show and playing with my daughter.

Contact: myriam(at)thinkafrica.fi

Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/dr-myriam-munezero-7a352014/

Sofia Achame (2020)

Role: Secretary and Outreach lead. 

“My mission is to create a free space for the African diaspora to explore their identity, provide guidance for them to flourish and gain visibility within the Finnish society. This can be done through providing essential and relevant information that is often inaccessible due to language barriers and prevalent lack of opportunity for immigrants. I would like to work towards building a real sense of togetherness regardless of age, gender and socio-economic status. 

Through my outreach activities, I aspire to help build a Think Africa that enables authentic representation of African diversity. I am involved with running the Think Africa book club and also assisting our mentorship program for foreigners. 

Sofia’s interests include human rights, peace-building and youth advocacy. She says “I love reading books, cooking, doing yoga, meditation and ice swimming along with sauna” . 

Contact: sofia(at)thinkafrica.fi

Wende Luvinga (2018 – present)

Role: Corporate relations

According to Wende, “the African diaspora has the potential to serve as stepping-stones for Finnish companies to enter specific African markets”. Wende believes that this potential remains largely untapped. She insists “therefore, my mission in Think Africa has been to identify channels to link African diaspora knowledge and networks to Finnish companies”. Wende’s tasks also include development of a strategy and practical guidelines aimed at facilitating smooth collaboration. In 2019, Think Africa launched a Diaspora database, which includes skills, experiences, and competences of interested members. “I would like to encourage all our members to join the database as a business network that will benefit individuals, Finnish companies and Think Africa”. Apart from the database initiative, Wende is responsible for identifying corporate partners for specific events. 

Outside of Think Africa, Wende works full time as a Business development and Project Manager, with keen interest in Sustainable Business and Compliance. Her hobbies include jogging, music, reading books, in particular from African writers, as well as, writing and narrating children stories. 

Contact: wende.luvinga(at)thinkafrica.fi

Connect: https://www.linkedin.com/in/wende-luvinga-2bbb95179/

Welcome to the Think Africa Board 2020-2021 and please feel free to engage and get in touch with anyone above. 

All of our members have a chance to run for elected positions on the board and are eligible to be nominated to the Board at the every Annual General Meeting.  Learn more about Think Africa here.