Afrishela is led by experienced professionals in impact investing, private equity, and gender finance in Africa.
Afrishela is led by experienced professionals in impact investing, private equity, and gender finance in Africa.
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Chair, Board of Trustees at Centre for Global Equality
International finance and strategic philanthropy expert with a background in global capital markets and humanitarian financing, Kimberly is the Founder and Chair of Global Women Leaders Strategic Philanthropy and former CFO at the retail, business and private banking division of Westpac Banking Corporation. She holds leadership roles with the Centre for Disaster Protection, the Centre for Global Equality at Cambridge, and the Global Schools Forum. Kimberly advises major international development and humanitarian organisations, including the World Bank, ICRC, and the EJS Presidential Centre, and has served on numerous nonprofit boards and global advisory groups focused on education, women’s leadership, and financial inclusion.
Managing Director, Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation
International investment expert with a focus on blended finance and sustainable development. Kanini is the immediate former Chair of the Global Innovation Fund and the architect of Draper Richards Kaplan’s first Africa-focused blended finance fund. With over 23 years of experience across Africa, Europe, and the US, she has led the structuring of innovative investment vehicles and mobilised significant capital for impact. She serves on multiple boards and investment committees, including FSDA, AECF, and the Mastercard Africa Growth Fund, with a strong track record in driving social and economic changes across the continent.
Partner Investment Funds for Health in Africa and Founding Chair of East Africa Venture Capital Association
Venture capital and impact investment expert with over 27 years of experience across Europe and Africa, Eline is the founding chair and current director of the East Africa Venture Capital Association. She has led the setup and management of several prominent funds, including TBL Mirror Fund, Safaricom Spark Venture Fund I and II, Africa Tech Ventures, and IFHA. Eline serves as Partner at IFHA and sits on the boards of CarePay, AAR Insurance, and Hygeia HMO. She has also advised various impact funds focused on agriculture, gender, and media, including Sahel Capital, IDH Farmfit Fund, and the Afrishela Fund by the Graça Machel Trust.
Graça Machel Trust Interim CEO & Independent Advisor and Co-chair, Canada’s Equality Fund
Theo is an international social development expert with a particular emphasis on children’s rights and protection issues. Former CEO of the African Women’s Development Fund and board member of various national and international civil society organisations and grant-making foundations.
CEO & Board of Directors of M&G Investments Southern Africa
Ann is a seasoned financial services executive with over 20 years of experience, currently serving as CEO and Board Director of M&G Investments Southern Africa, overseeing assets exceeding R330 billion. Formerly CEO of AlexForbes Investments and MD of ABSA Asset Management, she has held senior roles at leading institutions, including Rand Merchant Bank and JP Morgan Chase. A CFA Charterholder with a BComm from Wits University and executive training from Stanford, Ann is a passionate advocate for financial inclusion, literacy, and diversity in financial markets.
CEO of Raisin Capital & Investments, Founder of Capital Connect
Francis is a seasoned finance and capital raising expert with over 17 years of experience in accounting, investment, and private capital. A CFA and CPA, he is the Founder and CEO of Raisin Capital, an East Africa-based corporate finance and advisory firm. He is also the Founder of Capital Connect, a digital platform transforming SME financing across Africa. With a background in engineering and Big Four accounting, he has structured transactions across key sectors including agribusiness, healthcare, and technology. A commitment to financial inclusion and business growth on the continent drives his work.
Investment Officer
Aarthi Ramasubramanian is an early-stage VC expert with 15 years of experience in gender-lens and impact investing across India and Sub-Saharan Africa. She has facilitated over USD 30M in direct company investments and USD 80M in fund investments, with deep expertise in impact integration, innovative fund structuring, and portfolio value creation.
She has facilitated over USD 30M in direct company investments and USD 80M in fund investments. She supports scaling ventures through strategic board roles and entrepreneurial leadership.
Investment Officer
Mazvita Maradzika is a Chartered Accountant and development finance professional in Africa with 20+ years of experience, including 10+ years in Strategy & Governance, M&A, corporate finance, private equity, and impact investing across various industries in Africa. She has led major acquisitions, grown investment portfolios, and advanced inclusive investment strategies for SMEs.
Investment Officer
Jane Muia is a seasoned finance professional with over 15 years of experience, including more than 7 years in impact and gender lens investment using innovative finance. She has played key roles in early stage investing through fund design and structuring, deal structuring, and supporting women-led enterprises through capacity building, investor linkages, valuation and investments in the missing middle. Jane is also active in research and thought leadership, contributing to market-shaping initiatives in gender and climate finance.
Managing Partner
Andia Chakava is a leading impact investment professional and gender-lens investing advocate with over 20 years of experience. She has managed funds up to $1 billion, co-founded Kenya’s women in finance network, and supports diverse enterprises as an angel investor. She is a thought leader and recognized for advancing inclusive finance and has received honours from ImpactAsset50, Forbes, Kayana, and Bayes Business School.
