Our Mentors for the
Start-Right Mentorship Fellowship
Nana Esi Idun - Arkhurst
Divisional Director, Retail & Business Banking, Fidelity Bank
Board Chair, Sanlam Life Insurance Ghana Ltd. Founder, Ripples Leadership Hub
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Nana Esi Idun-Arkhurst is the Divisional Director of Retail Banking at Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited. She handles strategy and leads the team to address the financial needs of diverse customer segments within Retail and Business Banking. She has led the transformation of the business into a dominant one, meeting the needs of customers through strong value propositions, innovative products,effective operating models and strategic partnerships. With 20 years of experience in Banking, Nana Esi has expertise in SME Financing, Financial Inclusion, Wealth Management, Bancassurance and Digital Transformation. She is an Independent Non-Executive Director and Board Chair of Sanlam Life Insurance Ghana Limited. Prior to joining Fidelity Bank in 2016, Nana Esi worked with Standard Chartered Bank for 13 years where she worked in different roles across markets and headed various units. She holds a BSc. in Chemical Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology and an MBA from The University of Edinburgh Business School in Scotland, where she was a Chevening Scholar as well as the school’s 25th Anniversary Scholar. She has certificates in Tech contracts and Global Banking Program in Fintech/ Digital/ Analytics from the Columbia Business School.
Pearl Nkrumah
Executive Director, Retail and Digital Banking, Access Bank
Board Member, Ghana Stock Exchange (GSE)
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I'm Pearl Nkrumah, and I'm truly passionate about gender equity and visionary leadership. With a career spanning over two decades, I've established a reputation for client-focused innovation and strategic thinking within the financial sector. I bring to the boardroom a wealth of experience as a progressive banker, coupled with expertise in digital transformation, technology advocacy, and finance. However, my journey goes beyond banking. I am a fervent advocate for empowerment, education, and inclusion. I believe in making a meaningful impact on society beyond the confines of the corporate world. On a personal note, I've conquered Mount Kilimanjaro, a journey that symbolizes resilience and unwavering commitment to making a difference in people's lives. Academically, I hold diverse qualifications and am a firm believer in lifelong learning. My story is a testament to the incredible power of purpose, determination, and courage. I am dedicated to shaping the future of banking while leaving behind a legacy, and I look forward to connecting with like-minded professionals on this exciting journey. #Banking #Leadership #Inclusion #Empowerment #VisionaryLeadership
Dr. Ruby Appiah - Campbell
Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Marketing, Loughborough University, UK
Chairperson, Life Beacon International
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Dr Ruby Appiah-Campbell is currently an Assistant Professor in Marketing at Loughborough University, UK. Ruby is an academic with a strong industrial background in the marketing and banking sector for over a decade. Ruby holds a PhD in Marketing from Loughborough University, an MRES from Sheffield Hallam University, an Executive MBA, and a BA from the University of Ghana. Her diverse academic and practical expertise enables her to provide a unique perspective to research and teaching. Her research interests span consumer behaviour, consumer psychology, and international marketing. Passionate about education, Ruby is dedicated to mentoring the next generation of marketing professionals and researchers.
Dr. Nana Esi Gaisie - Tetteh
Medical Doctor / Child Development Expert
Head of Institutional Public Health Unit, Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital
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Dr. Nana Esi Gaisie-Tetteh is a highly accomplished Medical Doctor and Child Development expert based at the Paediatric Department of the Effia Nkwanta Regional Hospital in the Western Region. In addition to her role as the Head of the Institutional Public Health Unit, she is recognized as a Fellow of the Zero To Three Academy in the USA, showcasing her dedication to advancing child development practices. Married with two children, Dr. Gaisie-Tetteh is not only a Pastor's wife but also actively contributes to the community as a Sunday school teacher and a fervent advocate for children's rights. Her weekly column in the Daily Graphic and her book, "Heart-wrenching Marriages: From Surviving to Thriving," further highlight her commitment to promoting child well-being and addressing crucial issues within relationships. Dr. Gaisie-Tetteh's multifaceted approach reflects her significant contributions to both the medical and social aspects of her community. In summary, Dr. Nana Esi Gaisie-Tetteh is a dedicated professional, community leader, and advocate, leveraging her medical expertise to make a positive impact on child development and family well-being. Her holistic approach, encompassing medical practice, community engagement, and insightful writings, underscores her commitment to fostering a healthier and more informed society.
Ing. Sophia Abena Tijani
Manager, Learning, Development & Talent Management, Volta River Authority
Vice President, Ghana Institution of Engineering
Board Member, Ghana Railway Development Authority
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Ing. (Mrs.) Sophia Abena Tijani is a licensed Professional Electrical Engineer with over two decades of experience in the energy sector, spanning two continents – Africa and North America. Sophia is passionate about PEOPLE DEVELOPMENT, ETHICS, EXECUTION and PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE. Currently, Ing. Sophia works with Volta River Authority (VRA) and is the Manager responsible for Learning, Development and Talent Management. She also serves as the Vice President of the Ghana Institution of Engineering and is a member of the governing board of Ghana Railway Development Authority, and the Publicity and International Affairs Committee of Engineering Council of Ghana. She directly influences policies and actions aimed at developing, promoting, and sustaining a sound and competent engineering in Ghana. Sophia is a proud HOPSAN, an alumni of KNUST, Texas A&M University and Paris Graduate School of Management. Sophia loves God and believes that Engineers have a divine calling to use STEM to improve lives. She has mentored many and continues to turn on the light in young women and influence them to be bold and impact their world.
Doreen Nyiramugisha
Head Marketing and Communications, Housing Finance Bank, Uganda Ltd.
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Doreen Nyiramugisha (ACIM) is the General Secretary of the Uganda Marketers Society. She has worked with both Ugandan and global brands in her 13 years’ experience in Marketing Communications. She works as the Head Marketing and Communications at Housing Finance Bank Uganda, the leading Mortgage bank in the country. She also served at PostBank (another 100% government owned bank) where she has been pivotal in the institution’s transition to a tier one commercial bank from a brand management perspective. Her work experience started at Marketing Communications / advertising agencies like fireworks Advertising, SCANAD Uganda, Moringa Ogilvy (now TBWA – Uganda), Fideli Uganda where she managed local brands in the financial sector, insurance, telecoms, social security, aviation, beauty products among others. Off the clock, she is an entrepreneur, and consulting director with Strategy and Ops an Australian transdisciplinary consultancy that covers corporate strategy, environmental science, data science and analytics, AI, energy technologies, management and leadership, policy and regulation, EDI, finance and investment, risk management, etc. Doreen holds a Bachelor of International Business degree from Makerere University Business School (MUBS) and Professional Diploma in Marketing from Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM UK). She is also currently pursuing an MBA from the University of South Wales.
Selasie Adzo
Akyianu
Director, Multinational Corporates, Fidelity Bank
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Selasie Akyianu is currently a Director, Multinational Corporates with Fidelity Bank Ghana Limited. Prior to this, she worked with Standard Chartered Bank Group for almost 22 years in West Africa as well as East Africa. With expertise in specialised and sustainable finance, Selasie has built up core competencies in deal origination, deal structuring and negotiation, deal clearance, deal execution and closure, deal monitoring. She is proficient in the areas of Credit assessment and analysis, operational risk assessment and analysis, enterprise risk framework and corporate governance among others. She has over 10 years’ experience providing structured solutions in the Oil & Gas sectors in Africa having being instrumental in structuring and providing working capital and other support in the downstream sector in Kenya. She also has expertise in providing support to Agri-businesses. As a seasoned corporate banker, she is passionate about providing financing solutions to support local business growth - a firm believer in home grown solutions. For Ghana to leapfrog into the next phase of economic growth, we need to equip local businesses to tap into the opportunities generated within the eco-system of our extractive industries. This will help us build skills, create jobs and also retain foreign currency locally. As a change agent, Selasie is passionate about what she does, is a Strong Influencer, Communicator and Negotiator, a Gender, Diversity, Equity, Inclusion and Mental Wellness advocate. She is also keen on mentoring the youth to navigate their career and life in a fulfilling and balanced manner. She holds a first degree in Political Science with a Masters in International Relations with various Sales, Credit, Risk and Leadership skills certifications. She is a graduate of the Female Future Leader’s program in Kenya and a Member of the Institute of Directors (IOD) Ghana.
Klorkor
Okai - Mills
Circuit Court Judge, Judicial Service, Ghana
Board Member, SOS Hermann Gmeiner International School
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Klorkor Okai-Mills received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and History, graduating with distinction in both majors and Magna Cum Laude from Temple University, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA in May 2003. She was elected into Phi Beta Kappa, the US National Honor Society for Liberal Arts, Pi Sigma Alpha, the US National Political Science Honor Society and Phi Alpha Theta, the US National History Honor Society. She graduated from the Villanova University School of law with a Juris Doctorate (JD) in May 2008. She was called to the New Jersey Bar (USA) in December 2008. In October 2010, after successfully completing the Post Call Course at the Ghana School of Law, she was called to the Ghana Bar with her Qualifying Certificate of Law (QCL). Klorkor Okai-Mills worked as a Military Lawyer with the Ministry of Defence, Accra Ghana from March 2012 until May 23rd 2023, when she was called to the Bench as a Circuit Court Judge.
Hannah Asamoah Affum (PHD)
Industrial Technologist, International Atomic Energy Agency, Austria
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Ms. Hannah A. Affum joined the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Vienna, Austria as an industrial technologist in 2022. She provides technical expertise for the smooth implementation of the Agency’s programmes on radioactive tracer applications in industry and environment and Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) as applied to industry and civil structures assessment. With a team of international experts, she is championing the Agency’s flagship agenda of standardizing NDT techniques in civil engineering and pushing for its adoption as part of routine maintenance protocols. Ms. Affum also provides coordination and technical backstopping support for member states in these fields of application through technical cooperation regional and national projects for which she provides. She also leads a number of the IAEA coordinated research projects in industrial applications of radiotracer technology. Prior to joining the IAEA, Dr. Hannah Asamoah Affum was a principal research scientist and manager of the Nuclear Applications (NAC) Centre of the National Nuclear Research Institute (NNRI) of the Ghana Atomic Energy Commission (GAEC) where she worked for 16 years. The NAC specialises in the deployment of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT) techniques in the extractive, manufacturing and process industries in Ghana and the West African sub-region for plant and component integrity assessment and process efficiency and optimisation. The Centre is also involved in monitoring ambient air quality and noise, stack emissions and radon (indoor and outdoor) and elemental composition determination using X-ray fluorescence (XRF) analysis. Dr. Affum was also a part-time lecturer at the department of Nuclear Science and Applications of the Graduate school of Nuclear and Allied Sciences of the University of Ghana. Dr. Affum obtained her PhD in applied nuclear physics through a sandwich programme between the University of Ghana and the International Centre for Theoretical Physics (ICTP), Trieste, Italy. She pursued a master’s degree in environmental science from the university of Ghana immediately after her bachelor’s degree in chemical engineering at the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Ghana. Investigations of fluid flow systems using radioisotopes, and atmospheric pollution dispersion modelling are her research fields of interest. She is married with three children. Being alone and listening to selected gospel music are her hobbies!
Eva
Antwi
Global Principal Supply Chain Manager, IT Transformation, Vodafone Procurement Company, Luxembourg
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Eva Antwi is a seasoned Quantity Surveyor and Procurement leader with extensive experience in global technology projects. Based in Luxembourg, she currently serves as the procurement lead for Vodafone Group, driving efficiency and effectiveness across diverse initiatives. With a track record of success in high-impact roles, Eva has contributed to landmark projects such as the Crossrail (Elizabeth Line) and the development of Heathrow Terminal 5. Her expertise spans commercial strategy development, financial modeling, and vendor relationship management, enabling organizations to achieve bottom-line targets while maintaining quality standards. Eva is a Chartered Quantity Surveyor accredited by RICS, UK, and holds an LLM in Law and Arbitration from the Robert Gordon University. She is also a member of CIPS, demonstrating her commitment to excellence in procurement and business operations.
