We are a fine blend of passion, dedication, and heart. We are 151 changemakers from 39 countries and we speak over 60 languages, so we are the most diverse team you could possibly imagine. We volunteer at Savvy because we believe that entrepreneurs are the catalyst for growth and the creators of wealth, so we’re building a program that will shape passionate young professionals into the finest impact-driven entrepreneurs, and equip them with all they need to be successful at what they do.
Meet the Savvy team with a combined experience of over 700 years.
Chidi
Nwaogu
Co-founder
Head of Fellowship Program
Chidi is a multi-award-winning entrepreneur and CEO at Publiseer. He is an Acumen Fellow, Alibaba eFounders Fellow, Westerwelle Fellow, African Presidential Leadership Fellow, and Yunus&Youth Fellow. Chidi won the Migration Entrepreneurship Prize, the Africa 35.35 Award for Entrepreneurship, the Young Leaders Award for Media & Entertainment, and the Bizz Business Excellence Award.
Chika
Nwaogu
Co-founder
Head of Mentorship Program
Chika became a tech entrepreneur at 16. Since then, he has co-founded, grown, and sold two successful tech startup companies to American organizations, including LAGbook, a social networking company that recorded over one million registered users within three years, and was featured on TechCrunch for garnering 30,000 registered users in less than six months.
Alan
Main
Advisor
Alan Main was until recently a member of the Sanofi Executive Committee and was appointed to his position as Executive Vice President, Consumer Healthcare in October 2016. He is a highly respected senior leader in the global consumer healthcare industry, with more than 30 years of marketing and general management experience in the consumer health and medical device fields.
Emily
Allen
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Allen is the International Programs Manager at Because International. She has worked in for-profit and non-profit sectors, and thus bringing years of business experience to Savvy, having owned multiple businesses over the past fifteen years, including a successful counseling center.
Zuby
Onwuta
Mentor
Sector: Artificial Intelligence
Zuby Onwuta is a Harvard and MIT trained innovator, and a recipient of the President Obama Service award. He is a US Army veteran, a patented inventor of the “Brain Control for Blind Assistive Tech”, and the founder & CEO of Think and Zoom. Zuby is a 4x TEDx speaker.
Paul
Boudrye
Mentor
Sector: Entertainment/Entrepreneurship
Boudrye is the Chief Innovation Officer at House Studios, an entertainment company based in New York, into audio and video production, photography, studio rental, marketing, artist development, and record label services. He is the Innovation Advisor at TEDx Pearlstreet in Washington, DC.
Fabio
Hüther
Mentor
Sector: Nanotechnology
Fabio is the Founder of Evodrop AG, a nanotechnology company that ensures clean, healthy, and pollution-free water. Since 2017, Evodrop has been producing its first water filter prototype. To date, various versions have been developed and optimized.
Isaac
Sesi
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Isaac is an entrepreneur, engineer, innovator, and Team Lead at Sesi Technologies. He is one of 50 Most Influential Young Ghanaians for 2018 and a 2019 MIT Technology Review Innovator Under 35, alongside the founders of Google and PayPal. Sesi has spoken in many top universities including MIT and Yale.
Oliyen
Chinnayen
Mentor
Sector: Tourism
Oliyen is a Foreign Exchange Manager at Thomas Cook, a leisure, travel, and tourism company in Mauritius. He is also an alumnus of the African Presidential Leadership Program. Oliyen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration and Management from Curtin University.
Aweko
Faith
Mentor
Sector: Waste Management
Aweko is a social entrepreneur with extensive experience in supporting marginalized youths and women through employment and skills development. She founded Reform Africa, a Ugandan social enterprise that transforms Africa’s waste into wealth through repurposing waste into affordable recycled products that are used by the locals in their everyday life.
Rebecca
Baranya
Mentor
Sector: Peacebuilding
Baranya is an economist and activist for youth, peace, and security. She promotes responsible leadership, democratic governance, youth empowerment, female empowerment, peace-building, and conflict resolution. Baranya is a Generation Change Fellow with the United States Institute of Peace, and an alumna of YouLead and African Presidential Leadership Program.
Modou
Njie
Mentor
Sector: Corporate Management
Modou is the founder of AFG Ventures, a social enterprise addressing the investment and human capital gaps in Africa. He is also the Director of Startup Grind in The Gambia. Modou has won the 2019 Africa 35.35 Award for Corporate Management, the 2020 Top 50 Career Influencers in Africa Award, and the Top 10 Platinum Career Influencers Award by Workbooth Magazine.
Thaddée
Butoyi
Mentor
Sector: Information Technology
Thaddée is a Burundian computer scientist. As part of the African Union Volunteer Corps, he is currently deployed as Information Technology Officer in Algeria within African Union‘s office in the African Centre for the Study and Research on Terrorism (ACSRT), where he works as the Assistant of the Head of Database and Documentation.
Obipiseibima
Aggokabo
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
Aggokabo is a Ph.D. student at Liverpool John Moores University. She is an experienced biomedical scientist with a demonstrated history of working in the hospital and healthcare industry. Aggokabo is skilled in medical microbiology and endometriosis. She is Founder and President of Global Impact for Rural Innovation Foundation.
Gifty
Metuge
Mentor
Sector: Cyber Security
Metuge is an expert in cybersecurity, with proficiency in cyber defense, digital forensics, penetration testing, red teaming, reverse engineering, secure software development, security tools, threat hunting, threat intelligence, UNIX internals, vulnerability research, and exploitation, and Windows internals. She currently heads two tech startups based in Nigeria.
Jabulani
Madlala
Mentor
Sector: Business Development
Jabulani has years of work experience with multinational companies like IBM and Deloitte. He has worked in several startups since 1992, cutting across several sectors. Jabu is passionate about working with entrepreneurs from disadvantaged communities and emerging markets.
Vickie
Amankwaa
Mentor
Sector: Journalism
Victoria is a Ghanaian journalist and CEO at EDB Class Waste Management. She serves as a freelance journalist for Ghana Broadcasting Corporation, Modern Ghana, and other media houses in Ghana. Victoria has a degree in Communication Studies from the Ghana Institute of Journalism.
Augustus
Kagyene
Mentor
Sector: Education
Augustus is an economist, social entrepreneur, and founder of Curtin Child Learning Center, a school providing basic education to the rural kid in Sembabule District, Uganda. He is a Tony Elumelu Fellow, and an ambassador to the World Literacy Foundation.
Guelbe
Dongar Urbain
Mentor
Sector: Project Management
Dongar has many years of experience in the telecommunications industry and five years in volunteer services. He is an accomplished operations executive, with a successful track record. Dongar has worked at Tigo for over seven years, as a roaming and international specialist, and a quality engineer.
James
Lutaaya
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
James has over ten years of experience in clinical microbiology, immunology, and genetics. He is the founder of Medicalshed, a Digital Health company that incorporates the latest technology and best human practices to improve service delivery, and accessible healthcare for all.
Sanyam
Chhoriya
Mentor
Sector: Software Development
Sanyam is an android developer, who is proficient in Kotlin and Java. He is a cybersecurity enthusiast and an IAC member at the PICT Debate Society. Sanyam holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering from the Pune Institute of Computer Technology.
Caritus
Maselesele
Mentor
Sector: Project Management
Caritus brings years of experience in establishing operational optimization across diverse industries in both national and international operations. He helps convert strategic plans into tactical realities by guiding organizations in establishing themselves as viable businesses.
Nixon
Onyango Wandera
Mentor
Sector: Finance
Nixon is the co-founder of the Fadhili Cancer Support Organization, which is focused on handling all cancer cases in Kenya, by joining hands with research institutions and like-minded organizations. Before setting up Fadhili, he was an accountant at Cancer Care Kenya.
Nitesh
Bhardwaj
Mentor
Sector: Public Policy
Nitesh is an experienced associate with a demonstrated history of working in the public policy industry. He is skilled in nonprofit organizations, creativity skills, journalism, proposal writing, and fundraising. Nitesh is a strong healthcare professional with a Master’s degree.
Mohammed
Faruk Suleiman
Mentor
Sector: Agriculture
Mohammed is the co-founder and CEO at Halfash Integrated Farms, an agricultural company using modern farming techniques and equipment to produce enough quality food for consumption. He is also a Ph.D. student at Teesside University, doing research in Anomaly Detection in Wireless Sensors Networks.
Maroua
Ameziane
Mentor
Sector: Sustainable Development
Maroua is an SDGs advocate, youth empowerer, and philanthropist. She is the Projects Coordinator and Youth Mobilizer at Youth SDG Action Campaign in Morocco, with the Sustainable Development Youth’s Organisation. Maroua is the President of the World Merit Rabat and Lions Club. She speaks five languages.
Karina
Bhasin
Mentor
Sector: Social Inclusion
Karina leads training and development at Even Cargo, India’s first women-only last-mile E-Commerce Logistics company. Before joining Even Cargo, she led social inclusion at Delhi OYE, an organization that is working towards creating safe public spaces for all, including women. Karina seeks to establish an equal and harmonious ecosystem.
Abdallah
Harunah
Mentor
Sector: Transportation
Abdallah is the Director and Senior Transport Researcher at the Transport, Travel & Logistics Research and Innovation (TTLRi) Ltd. He is also an administrative assistant at the Ministry of Health in Uganda. Abdallah holds a degree in Transportation and Mobility Management from Makerere University.
Henry
Kiragga
Mentor
Sector: Data Analysis
Henry is a co-founder and Director at Evidence and Methods Lab, a data visualization civic tech initiative in Uganda. He is a data analytics specialist with over 7 years of professional work experience, with a special skill set in social research, policy analysis, statistical data production, monitoring, and evaluation, etc.
Francis
Fon Teboh
Mentor
Sector: Project Management
Francis is the Managing Director at Visionary Technologies, a technology-centered company that designs, develops, and coordinates digital technology solutions that solve real societal, industrial, and business challenges. He is skilled in Digital Strategy, Project Management, and Social Media Marketing.
Mary
Orach
Mentor
Sector: Data Analysis
Mary is an experienced Data Analyst with a demonstrated history of working in the computer software industry. She is skilled in Entrepreneurship, Data Science, Data Analysis, Tableau, and Teaching. Mary is a strong and proficient information technology professional. She is a Data Analyst at Tech Uganda.
Lamin
Jawara
Mentor
Sector: Financial Analysis
Through education, Lamin has gained excellent insights into the world of finance and strengthened his analytical and quantitative skills. He is someone who is unusually dedicated, self-motivated, and who possesses the detail-orientation and technical skills to excel in a fast-paced environment.
Richard
Tomhorbe
Mentor
Sector: Accounting and Finance
Richard. is the Treasure Inspector of the Ministry of Finance and Budget in Chad. He holds a degree in the English Language from the University of Ndjamena, and a graduate diploma in Accounting and Finance from the National School of Administration of Chad. Richard also serves as the Communications Director at AfriYan Tchad.
Laen Sugi Rante
Tandung
Mentor
Sector: Business Analysis
Sugi is a Business Analyst and Entrepreneur. She holds a Master’s degree in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from Adelaide University, and a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Hasanuddin University, graduating cum laude. She is a Student Counselor at IDP Education Ltd, a global leader in international education services.
Kyomuhendo
Sylivia
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
Sylivia is the Founder and Director of Infants’ Health Foundation, a grassroots level organization that breaks down the barriers to accessing and utilizing maternal-child healthcare services in Uganda. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Community Based Rehabilitation, Birth Defects, and Disabilities from Kyambogo University.
Kathleen
Mureithi
Mentor
Sector: Renewable Energy
Kathleen is the Executive Director at Africa For Renewables in Climate Action, an organization advocating for the use of renewable energy in all areas of production. She is a Business Mentor at the Jijali Program by Yusudi in Kenya. Katheleen holds a Bachelor’s degree in Disaster Mitigation and Sustainable Development.
Gitika
Bhatia
Mentor
Sector: Marketing
Gitika is the Chief Marketing Officer at Beatest, which identifies a pool of candidates, using Machine Learning, across domains, on their definite and abstract skills, and then provides their growth potential to segregate high-performing candidates for their clients. She is a tenacious and creative strategy executive.
Adina
Deacu
Mentor
Sector: Education
Adina is an Environmental Psychology Researcher studying different learning, working, and living environments as a context of behavior, as well as the influence that human behavior has in return on the environment as a whole. She is an Educator with 10+ years of experience in influencing and managing multiple stakeholders.
Lesly Patricia
Linares
Mentor
Sector: Sustainable Development
Lesly is a Professional mentor, who accompanies and guides people, families, companies, and communities, in the development of their Sustainable Development and Management Models. She is a Chemical Engineer, Marketing Specialist, and holds a Master’s degree in Business Creation and Development.
Tafsir
Ony
Mentor
Sector: Healthcare
Tafsir is a Co-founder at Sustho, a social enterprise with the aim to modernize the rural healthcare system in Bangladesh. He joined Sustho as a co-founder to handle its business and product development. Tafsir is a highly motivated individual with expertise in Team Management, Project Management, and Operations.
Abenet
Ajeme
Mentor
Sector: Management Consulting
Abenet is an experienced Managing Director with a demonstrated history of working in Management Consulting. He is skilled in Business Planning, Analytical Skills, Management, and Leadership. Abenet is a strong professional with a Master’s degree in Agricultural Economics & Rural Development from Alemaya University.
Harshit
Gupta
Mentor
Sector: Social Entrepreneurship
Harshit is the founder of a non-profit organization, Womenite, working to create an equal society through education, love, and empowerment. He has worked on the issues of gender, child sexual abuse, and menstrual hygiene. Harshit is a Queen’s Young Leader, National Youth Award Winner, TEDx speaker, and Fellow at Royal Commonwealth Society.
Franc
Kamugyisha
Mentor
Sector: Waste Management
Franc is an award-winning social entrepreneur. He is the Founder and CEO at Ecoplastile. Franc is a winner of the King Hamad Awards, NINJA Awards, Earth Tech Challenge Award, and SEED Awards. Franc is a Halcyon Incubator Fellow, Westerwelle Fellow, One Young World Ambassador, and YALI East Africa Fellow.
Gail
Maluga
Mentor
Sector: Non-profit
Gail Maluga is a South-African inspirational speaker, author, publisher, and entrepreneur. She is the Founder of Girl With A Purpose Foundation, a registered non-profit organization aiming to empower, equip, and impact young women. The main goal is to support young women by providing skills, training, and mentorship.
Idrees
Qureshi
Mentor
Sector: Youth Empowerment
Idrees is the Founder of Opportunities Circle, a leading opportunity discovering platform for youth to get scholarships, fellowships, internships, jobs, and more. He is also one of the founders of Youth Care, a platform to empower youths. Idrees holds a Master’s degree in Project Management from Bahria University.
Meet The Entire Mentors
Want to join the ‘Savvy’ team?
Every day, we are looking for experienced entrepreneurs with post-revenue businesses to join the ‘Savvy’ team that is building the new generation of impact entrepreneurs through mentorship. We are a diverse team, so we welcome people from different backgrounds.
We are looking for experienced entrepreneurs with a heart for helping others, and dedication to leaving the world better than they found it. So, if you think that describes you, then you might be whom we are looking for.
