Meet our team members.
Co-Covener, Ghana
Emmanuels is a multiple philanthropy and social entrepreneurship award winner and pracademic in Social Investment & Philanthropy. Currently completing a PhD in Philanthropy and Social Investment at WITS University, he holds Masters degree in Development Management with certificates in Project Management Professional (PMP), an MBA in Strategic management and Entrepreneurship, and Small Business Management. Emmanuel is the World Economic Forum (WEF) Global Shaper Founding Curator and also volunteers as NEXUS Africa Chair and Country Lead for Giving Tuesday in Ghana. A dynamic young social innovator and mentor committed to creating opportunities for young people to develop capacities and skills in design thinking, grantmaking, community-based development, and grassroots innovation for social change. Founder and Former President of GADEF International global and national award-winning African-based youth foundation focused on financing and empowering women, youth, civil society, and communities in sustainable development, social entrepreneurship, poverty eradication, natural resource governance, and sustainable development. Through GADEF International, Emmanuel has developed SDG Innovation Fund and co-founded Four (4) Strategic SDG Innovation Labs working with over 2000 grassroots social enterprises, change makers and women exceptional SDGs solution champions and 50 global community making impact and social good. |
Co-Covener, Tanzania
As Co-convenor of AYPN, Sharnel Deo coordinates key initiatives and events that connect young philanthropists and change-makers across Africa. He collaborates with the leadership team to ensure the network’s vision is translated into actionable strategies. Sharnel Deo embodies the values of focus, commitment, and leadership. Born in Tanzania and raised across several East African countries, he has a strong background in education. Sharnel holds expertise in Business Administration and Project Design, with additional skills in Social Entrepreneurship, Organizational Development, and Project Management.
Above all, he is a dedicated social entrepreneur committed to empowering underserved Tanzanian youth by providing access to quality education and information technologies. In 2009, Sharnel founded PEN Tanzania, a social enterprise organization. In 2020, he launched Safari Sports Academy, which supports youth development through sports, and in 2022, he established Equality and Development for All, a non-governmental organization.
Sharnel is a Co-convenor of AYPN (African Youth Philanthropy Network), one of Africa’s largest youth networks. He is an ASHOKA Africa Youth Champion, a Reach for Change Changemaker, and a member of CXC (ChangemakerXchange). With over 16 years of experience, he has worked on various local and international development programs across Africa.
Executive Director, Zimbabwe
As the Executive Director, Thembekile Maseko leads the organization’s strategic vision and growth. She oversees the management, program development, and partnerships, ensuring that AYPN’s initiatives align with its mission to empower African youth. Thembie, as she prefers to be called, actively engages with stakeholders across the continent, fostering collaborations and driving youth-led philanthropy.
Thembekile is a development professional with extensive experience in non-profit development, focusing on impact-centered programming in youth development, governance, and strategic community building. She currently serves as the Director of the African Youth Philanthropy Network (AYPN), working extensively across Africa with youth-led organizations and individuals committed to inclusive and transformative development. Prior to this role, Thembekile served as an Account Manager at Stractiv8 Impact, a communications agency, where she worked to give a strategic voice to the marginalized. She also served as a Project Associate at the International Alliance on Natural Resources in Africa (IANRA), a significant network of organizations advocating for natural resource inclusion in Africa. She holds a BA Hons in Development Studies from the University of Johannesburg and is currently pursuing a Master of Business Administration at Regent Business School in South Africa. Additionally, Thembekile serves as the Board Chair for Activate Action.
Programs Lead, Ghana
Vanessa brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role as our Programs Lead. Driven by a commitment to amplifying the voices of young changemakers, Vanessa oversees the planning and execution of key programs and initiatives. She designs and implements strategies to engage young philanthropists and development agents across Africa, ensuring alignment with AYPN’s mission. She is a results-driven market research professional with 3 years of experience in consumer research, project management, and client relations. Her skills in planning and executing projects are evident as she has led projects in collaboration with Yandex partners from Russia, Cameroon, Cote d’Ivoire, Morocco, Zambia, and Senegal.
She has excellent interpersonal skills fostering collaboration with cross-functional multicultural teams and stakeholders. In the span of her career, she has conducted several virtual and face-to-face focus group discussions and in-depth interviews with experts from finance, health, technology, real estate, FMCG, mining, and agricultural industries, providing valuable insights for actionable strategies.
Partnerships & Membership Engagement Lead, Ghana
Jemima, as the Partnerships and Member Engagement Lead, is instrumental in cultivating and maintaining the meaningful relationships that strengthen our network.
Communications Lead, Nigeria
Ruth, as the Communications Lead, plays a pivotal role in shaping our public image and voice. Her efforts help build awareness and engagement around youth-led philanthropy and development across the continent.
In the field of digital marketing, she excels at guiding businesses toward success by optimizing their digital channels within the ever-evolving landscape. A certified project manager from the Metropolitan School of Business and Management UK, Ruth possesses the expertise to transform conceptual ideas into highly successful campaigns.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Ruth’s commitment to empowering individuals to reach their full potential is evident in her role as the founder of a thriving book club, which has positively impacted hundreds over its four-year existence.
East Africa Coordinator, Kenya
As the East Africa Coordinator, Rogers plays a crucial role in strengthening the network’s presence and impact across the region. He works closely with youth leaders, philanthropists, and partners to foster collaboration and support youth-led initiatives.
Rogers is a committed community leader and visionary. His unwavering dedication to sustainable progress propelled him to achieve the esteemed designation of a Mandela Washington Fellow in 2023. Rogers is also the founder of Activate Action, a non-profit that empowers young individuals confronting HIV and disabilities, creating a supportive environment for their development. By founding two youth-centric centres, he has not only addressed their health-related needs but has also tackled the significant obstacles of social stigma and discrimination that impede their access to education, healthcare, and employment opportunities. At the heart of his vision lies the aspiration to cultivate an inclusive society, where stigma is eradicated, and essential services are proactively advocated, especially on behalf of the young population living with HIV and disabilities.
West Africa Coordinator, Senegal
Rama, as the West Africa Coordinator, plays a key role in strengthening the network’s presence and impact across the region. She works closely with youth leaders, philanthropists, and partners to foster collaboration and support youth-led initiatives.
She also serves as the Special Assistant to the CEO of EPIC-Africa. In this role, she supports the organization’s operations and works to advance its mission of empowering African civil society organizations.
Rama is a proud alumna of the prestigious Mariama Ba Boarding School in Goree, where she honed her leadership skills and academic abilities. She went on to graduate from BEM Dakar with a KEDGE Bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a pre-specialization in Banking and Finance, while concurrently completing a Bachelor’s degree in the English Department at UCAD.
Rama is passionate about promoting African women’s rights and has created an association that advocates for gender equality through online channels, named Whistle Blowers Senegal. She also serves as the President of the Toastmasters Club Dakar Talent Academy, where she helps members improve their public speaking and leadership skills. Prior to her role at EPIC-Africa, Rama worked as a Program Officer at the Women’s Investment Club (WIC) Senegal, where she gained valuable experience in program management and empowering women in business.
Southern Africa Coordinator, South Africa
Paris, as the Southern Africa Coordinator oversees the network’s operations and engagements within the Southern African region. He works to build and strengthen relationships with youth-led organizations, philanthropic partners, and local communities.
He is a dedicated and results-driven professional with a wealth of experience in training, program coordination, and community development. As the founder of Lonwabo Lwesizwe NPO, Paris is passionate about creating skills development platforms that empower youth and foster productive development.
His leadership roles at Scouts South Africa, Afrika Tukun Services, and Kumaka Early Development Index have honed his expertise in managing large teams, overseeing impactful community programs, and building strategic partnerships. Paris’s contributions have been widely recognized, including being named one of the Top 200 Young South Africans by Mail & Guardian and a finalist for the SA Men of the Year awards. He remains committed to driving initiatives that create lasting social impact while pursuing further qualifications in project management.
© 2024 African Youth Philanthropy Network, AYPN
