Founder and Managing Partner, Ignite Venture Studio; Board Chairman, African Diaspora Network
General Counsel and Chief Compliance Officer, BILL
Head of Engineering, Payments Conversion at Stripe.
Chief Science Officer, Consumer Healthcare; Sanofi
CTO, Rippleworks
BioPharma Executive
CEO and Founder of ADN
US-West EY Private Leader and Assurance Partner, Ernst & Young
Deputy Director of Global Partnerships & Grand Challenges, Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation
Founder, Winkler Group; Board Member, African Diaspora Network
Chief Financial Officer at SingleStore
CEO and Founder
Director of Programs and Operations
Finance & Operations Advisor and Founding Board Member
Associate Director of Programs and Operations
Community and Partnership Manager
Anie Akpe is a distinguished professional with over two decades of experience in the finance and technology sectors, where she has played pivotal roles from managing a $1.5 billion portfolio to spearheading community-centric tech initiatives. As the founder of African Women In Tech (AWIT), Anie has made remarkable strides in empowering women across Africa through education and mentorship in technology.
With an MBA from Dowling College, her academic and professional journey reflects a deep commitment to innovation, leadership, and advocacy for inclusivity. At the African Diaspora Network, Anie continues to leverage her expertise in fostering partnerships and community engagement, driving forward the organization’s mission to impact and advocate for the African diaspora.
YALI LL Diaspora Engagement Program Lead
Entrepreneurship Programs Manager
YALI LL Diaspora Engagement Associate
Executive-in-Residence, ADN Telehealth Pilot
Information Technology Associate
President and CEO, U.S. African Development Foundation
Director of Market Systems, DT Global, Inc.
Senior Science Leader, Health Equity & Population Science, Product Development Medical Affairs Genentech, Inc.
Ruma Bhagat has over 20 years of experience in the Pharmaceutical industry working in various roles throughout her career. Ruma completed her Bachelors in Medicine and Bachelors in Science degree from Mumbai University and Masters in Public Health in International Health Systems from Tulane University.
Ruma is currently in the role of Senior science leader in the Health Equity and Population science team leading Strategic partnership pillar. In her role, Ruma is focused on Advancing Inclusive research by scientifically Driven inclusion of diverse and underrepresented patients in clinical trials. Ruma’s diverse and extensive experience in drug development, her passion for innovation and driving for results will bring significant value to her role at ADN.
President and CEO, Global Fund for Women
Executive Director of Homelands Advisory
Founder – Periodic Element LLC
Vice President and Executive Director, Terwilliger Center for Innovation in Shelter (TCIS)
Senior Vice President at Silicon Valley Bank, Division of First Citizens Bank
ADN Founding Board & Co-Chair
Associate Professor of Int’l Business and Int’l Affairs, George Washington University
Tshwane University of Technology, Pretoria
Head of International Growth, Interswitch
PhD, Center for African Studies, Stanford University
Investor, Founder and CEO, Ujama
Musoni Kenya, Ltd