Meet our board members.
Rouguietou Khady Sow (Rougui) is a dedicated Program Officer at TrustAfrica, where she has been instrumental in advancing philanthropic efforts across Africa. With a Master’s degree in International Relations from Cheikh Anta Diop University and ongoing studies towards a Master’s in Project Management from the Ecole Superieure d’Economie Appliquée (ESEA), Rouguietou brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise to her role. Also recognized for her dedication and expertise, Rougui was awarded the City University of New York Senior International Fellowship in Philanthropy and Civil Society in 2023, where she led research on Senegalese Philanthropy, focusing on Religious Givings such as Hadya donations. Rouguietou serves as a board member for African Youth Philanthropy (AYPN), where she plays a pivotal role in strategic planning, governance, and policy advocacy.
Tendai Murisa is a development practitioner and researcher in the areas of public policy, agency, social movements, philanthropy, NGOs, and pro-poor development across Africa. Murisa has more than 15 years of experience working across Africa, initially as a research fellow at the African Institute for Agrarian Studies (now rebranded as the Sam Moyo Africa Institute for Agrarian Studies-SMAIAS). In 2009, Murisa joined the Dakar-based TrustAfrica (a pan-African foundation) as a program officer responsible for the agriculture advocacy project and also took on more portfolios over time, including the work against illicit financial flows out of the continent. He rose through the ranks to become program director and eventually executive Director of TrustAfrica. Murisa has published extensively on agency, agrarian reforms (especially in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa), citizens and civil society, financial inclusion, social entrepreneurship, and social policy in peer-reviewed journals and book chapters.
Evans Okinyi is the CEO of the East Africa Philanthropy Network with expertise in Network Management, Policy Formulation and Implementation, and Stakeholder and Partnership Management. He leads a regional network of over 100 organizations developing and nurturing philanthropy in East Africa. He is a seasoned executive with over 12 years of progressive experience in network management, policy formulation and implementation, and stakeholder & partnership management. Evans has in his illustrious career, worked to advance progressive growth in the philanthropy sector specifically the capacity, credibility, and practices of various development actors towards supporting local giving and effective grantmaking in advancing systems change and transformation.
Mercy Murigi is passionate about social inclusion and promoting dignity and in this season of her life, she is
making her contribution in a variety of space including in nonprofit and philanthropy spaces with a specific
interest in organizational strengthening for indigenous local community development organizations including
foundations and, in the design, and implementation of livelihoods – entrepreneurship related programs.
She has experience in roles in consulting, portfolio management, programs and capacity strengthening
among other roles in both the private sector, not-for-profit international development space having worked
within Pan-African programs.
She is currently a consultant with the Portfolio Program Management – International Development Unit at
PwC, serving the East Africa Market. Prior to this, she worked with Children’s Mission, Africa Regional Office,
as a individual consultants in multiple projects and also in the tech space in operations, project management
and as a software consultant.
Her academic background is a unique combination of tech and development having an undergraduate
degree in Business Information Technology, an MA in Foreign Policy and Development and
professional training in project management and M&E. She is a PhD candidate, carrying our research within
the development studies sphere.
Wes Wright is a seasoned professional with over 12 years of leadership experience in logistics and supply chain management, formerly serving as Vice President at IMC Companies, the largest marine drayage provider in the US. In November 2023, Wes transitioned to entrepreneurship, founding White Belt Media. This innovative agency specializes in dynamic marketing strategies tailored to elevate the reach and impact of BJJ and martial arts gyms nationwide. Wes is dedicated to fostering growth and community impact through strategic initiatives and serves as a Board Member at the African Youth Philanthropy Network (AYPN), Platipus, and previously at the Memphis World Trade Club.
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