Bruce Wrobel is the co-founder, Chairman and Executive Director of All for Africa. Mr. Wrobel has spent the past thirty years as an entrepreneur developing energy and other infrastructure projects around the world. Having begun as a developer of small scale hydropower projects in the early 80’s, he eventually took responsibility for world-wide business development as the Executive Vice President of Sithe Energies from 1986 until 1999. By the turn of the century Mr. Wrobel had participated in the development or acquisition of more than 50 major power plants around the world. Since 2000, most of his development experience has utilized and focused on the growth of complex industrial and infrastructure projects in sub -saharan Africa.
In 2000 Mr. Wrobel co-founded Global Alumina, a Canadian Stock Exchange Company responsible for the on going development of a $5.5 billion, 3.9 million ton per annum alumina refinery in the Republic of Guinea and currently serves as its CEO and Co-Chairman. In 2004 he founded Sithe Global Power which is currently the majority partner in a company which is constructing the $900 million Bujagali Hydropower Project on the Nile River in Uganda. In 2007 he helped found SEACOM Ltd, a Mauritius based company currently building East Africa’s first intercontinental submarine fiber optic cable, a $650 million project that will increase Africa’s international fiber optic bandwidth by a factor of ten.
Mr. Wrobel created All for Africa with the idea of bringing the skills honed in the for profit sector to develop innovative solutions to sustainable social development. His educational background includes degrees in Economics and Management Science from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.
Senior Advisor to the Executive Director
Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS)
As Senior Advisor to the Executive Director of UNAIDS, Dr. Djibril Diallo is based at the New York Office and helps advance the priority of universal access to HIVA/AIDS prevention, treatment, care and support. He works to mobilize support of prominent personalities, Member States, the media and other partners on key issues and strengthen the global response to the epidemic. He also coordinates a global network of youth leaders who are committed to efforts to the fight against HIV/AIDS and the achievement of the other Millennium Development Goals (MDGs).
Dr. Diallo was the Director of the United Nations New York Office of Sport for Development and Peace from 2004 to 2008. He spearheaded numerous initiatives that demonstrated the power of sport to mobilize the United Nations, its Member States and their governments, private sector partners, civil society, and other stakeholders for peace building and the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) by 2015. Read More
Mr. Herlihy has extensive experience in mega-infrastructure projects in Africa spanning a number of disciplines including power generation, chemical processing plants, ports and telecommunications. Mr. Herlihy has worked in Africa for eleven years before founding the SEACOM project in 2006. Mr. Herlihy has experience in project development, financing and governmental liaison supported by a strong understanding of African economics.
An American citizen, his career began in the UK in 1994 in the health waste sector before joining the Bank of America as a Marketing Analyst in 1997. From 1999 to 2003, he worked on the Africa ONE project where he gained valuable African experience. In 2003 he was appointed Vice President of Development at Global Alumina, a large alumina refinery project in the Republic of Guinea before leaving to initiate SEACOM. As president, he is responsible for overseeing the full funding and implementation of the $600 million fibre optic undersea cable project.
He holds a MSc (Development Studies – African Economics) and BA (Economics and Philosophy) from the London School of Economics and Boston College respectively.
Having begun his career in theater just nine years ago, Nigerian-American actor Gbenga Akinnagbe has since carved himself a well-respected niche on stage and screen. Best known for his role as street assassin “Chris Partlow” on the critically acclaimed HBO series, The Wire, Gbenga has also proved himself to be a versatile performer with a multitude of varying roles. His recent film credits include THE TAKING OF PELHAM 123, THE EDGE OF DARKNESS, starring Mel Gibson, and THE LOTTERY TICKET, starring Bow Wow, set to be released by Warner Bros. later this year. He also starred on BARBERSHOP, THE SERIES, for Showtime. Gbenga’s has made guest appearances on Fringe, Dark Blue, Law and Order: Conviction, Cold Case and Law and Order: SVU to name a few. With upcoming independent projects like Ben Bowman’s KNUCKLEHEAD, and the one man performance of “The Thin Place” at Seattle ‘s Intiman Theater, it is evident that he enjoys the process of discovering new characters. An accomplished stage actor, Gbenga frequently works with The LAByrinth Theatre Company, founded by Philip Seymour Hoffman and John Ortiz. His performance with the group stemmed from his collaboration with Hoffman and Laura Linney in the Oscar-nominated independent feature, THE SAVAGES. Gbenga is also an avid world-traveler. In 2009, Akinnagbe became a freelance writer for the New York Times after The Times published his first article on his trip through the Himalayas. But Gbenga’s proudest accomplishments lie within his community outreach. He actively lends his energies to non-profits such as All for Africa, Let’s get Ready, Rewired for Change and Shine on Sierra Leona.
Gbenga Akinnagbe currently resides in New York.
Jeff Johnson is a Washington, D.C. based award-winning journalist, social activist and political commentator. From his celebrated conversations with marquee world figures in the political, business and entertainment arenas to his grass-roots trench work to inspire the next generation of leaders; investigative journalist, political correspondent, and activist, Jeff Johnson continues to be a trailblazing social entrepreneur and authentic voice for change.
Currently, Jeff is the new commentator on the nationally syndicated Tom Joyner Morning Show. He tackles issues on politics, entertainment and social policy issues, sharing the microphone with Harvard Law lecturer, Stephanie Robinson. Since August 2008, Johnson has served as managing editor and chief correspondent for The Truth with Jeff Johnson, a hard-hitting, talk show that delivers a varied and vibrant view of the news, while examining issues to engage BET viewers in front of a live studio audience. Read More
Haskell Ward has more than 40 years of experience in public and international affairs. Ward began his career as a volunteer in Kenya with Operation Crossroads Africa. He has worked for the Ford Foundation in New York City and Nigeria. Mr. Ward was the first African American on the policy planning staff of the State Department during the Carter Administration and served as deputy mayor for human services of New York City. He is the author of “African Development Reconsidered: New Perspectives from the Continent” and was a member of the Trilateral Commission.
Ward earned a BA degree in psychology from Clark College (now Clark Atlanta University) and an MA degree from the African Studies Center at the University of California, Los Angeles.
Jeffrey Wright is co-founder and Chairman of Taia, LLC and Taia Peace Foundation which undertake progressive economic development initiatives with a focus on West Africa. He is a Tony, AFI, Emmy, and Golden Globe Award-winning actor. His stage work on and off-Broadway and abroad includes performances in Angels in America; King Lear; Bring in ‘Da Noise, Bring in‘Da Funk; Julius Ceasar; and Topdog/Underdog. His notable film work includes roles in W, Casino Royale, Quantum of Solace, Basquiat, Ride with the Devil, Boycott, Lackawanna Blues, Manchurian Candidate, Angels in America, Broken Flowers, Syriana, and, most recently, Cadillac Records.
Mr. Wright earned a B.A. in political science from Amherst College in 1987 and was awarded an honorary doctorate of humane letters by his alma mater in 2004. He also currently serves on the board of directors of the Tribeca Film Institute and on the Governing Board of St. Albans School for Boys.
Andrew Goldman is an entrepreneur and expert in political campaign finance. Andrew is the co-founder and Managing Director of De Cordova Goldman Capital Management, a privately held, U.S. based company. De Cordova Goldman is a diversified enterprise with long-term holdings in Natural Resources and Energy, Media, Real Estate and Financial Services. De Cordova Goldman also advises companies on strategic development and project finance.
Prior to founding De Cordova Goldman, Andrew has served as the Northeast Director of Finance for Senator Joseph Biden’s Presidential Campaign, was the National Finance Director for Congressman Tom Allen’s bid for the U.S. Senate and returned as a member of Vice-President Biden’s staff as the Vice President’s Director of Friends and Family for his Inauguration. Recently, Andrew has been advising numerous Senators and Congressmen on campaign fundraising strategies.
Andrew holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Economics from the University of Delaware. Andrew is a member of the Summit Series as well as an advisor to the National Epilepsy Foundation based in Washington DC.
Started in 2003, Fuel Outdoor has grown into a Multi-Million Dollar company with six offices in nine cities nationwide, and is now a portfolio company of Och-Ziff, a global institutional asset management firm with over $21 billion in capital. With more than 4,000 outdoor advertising locations, a growing portfolio of clients, and a very active philanthropic program. Sergio is more than just a sharp businessman; he’s a young entrepreneur with an incredible ability to turn opportunity to success seemingly overnight.
Today, as a shareholder and founder of Fuel, Sergio heads the Real Estate, Government Affairs, and Legal Divisions at the 3rd largest privately owned outdoor advertising company in the country that Fuel Outdoor has become. He manages all of Fuel’s real estate operations, as well as managing all legislative affairs and legal initiatives for Fuel. Sergio continues to change the landscape he plays in by bringing innovation and private public partnerships to new levels as he has been working with cities like Miami, New York and Dallas helping them rewrite their sign ordinance in order to create new income streams to municipalities otherwise not being utilized. Sergio co-founded de Cordova Goldman Capital Management a holding company with long-term investments worldwide. Sergio is also an active investor or advisor in such companies as Rhino Mobile, The Bergen Newspaper Group, Cross Commerce Media & DCCI.
He continues to be lauded for his nonstop entrepreneurial work. The New York Enterprise Report nominated Sergio for several awards: Sales and Marketing in 2006, Leadership in 2007, Mergers and acquisitions in 2008 and Green Business in 2009. In 2007 Sergio was nominated as New York’s Best Up and Coming CEO by the NYC Executive Council and in 2008 as New York’s Best Up and Coming Executive. Finally Sergio was Member of the Year 2009 – Entrepreneurs Organization – NY. In his Non-Profit endeavors Sergio is the Chairman of Political Affairs for ‘Entrepreneurs Organization’ “EO” and is also Chairman of ‘New York Entrepreneur Week’.
Sergio was selected as one of thirty five of America’s top entrepreneurs and innovators under the age of 40, brought together by an organization called The Summit Series, at the White House to discuss the economy with Obama senior administration officials. In addition, he was also invited to attend the G8 Young Business Summit with four other Entrepreneurs from EO; Entrepreneurs Organization, Italy in July. In November 2009 Sergio represented EO Global at the YES – European Confederation of Young Entrepreneurs Annual Summit about Innovation and Creativity; a way out of the current economic situation, in Brussels, Belgium at the European Parliament.
Lesley Goldwasser is a partner at Irving Place Capital a leading institutional private equity firm focused on equity in middle market companies. She joined Irving Place Capital in 2008 and focuses on new business development.
From 1996 to 2008, Lesley was a senior managing director at Bear Stearns & Co. Inc. During her tenure at Bear Lesley ran Global CDO’s and was co-head of Equity Capital Markets, Debt Capital Markets, Hybrids, and Structured Solutions. Lesley established the CDO business at Bear Stearns and was also co-head of the Asset-Backed Securities group.
Prior to joining Bear Stearns, Lesley was a managing Director at Credit Suisse First Boston. In 1986, she became the first trader of asset-backed securities on Wall Street, and ultimately she co-headed the Global Asset-Backed Securities Group and the trading desk for all non-agency mortgages and ABS.
Lesley was born and raised in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and is a graduate of the University of Cape Town, South Africa. Lesley is a board member of Flagstar Bank, the largest publicly held savings bank headquartered in the Midwest. She is currently active in the UJA-Federation of New York and served as a Chair of the Wall Street Division. She is founding co-chair of Zara’s Center, an after school safe haven and enrichment program for children impacted by AIDS in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe and was Executive Producer of the Liyana USA Tour, featuring performances by disabled Zimbabwean musicians. She resides in New York City with her husband and two children.
Larry Seruma is the Managing Principal of Nile Capital Management LLC, the Advisor of the Nile Africa Funds. Mr. Seruma has over 19 years of experience in portfolio management, equity and derivatives trading, investment research and quantitative investment strategies. In 2005 he became a Managing Director at Proxima Alfa Investments (USA) LLC (formerly VegaPlus Capital Partners), a joint venture between Banco Bilbao Vizcaya Argentaria (BBVA) and Vega Asset Management. Prior to joining Proxima Alfa, Mr. Seruma founded his firm Nile Capital Management LLC, which managed funds with similar investment strategy to the funds he managed at Proxima Alfa Investments. Prior to founding his firm in 2004, Mr. Seruma was a Principal at Barclays Global Investors (BGI), a division of Barclays Capital. He was a member of the Active Strategies Group there and also a member of BGI’s Investment Process Committee. Before joining BGI in 1999, Mr. Seruma was an Options Market Maker in the Exchange pits at the Chicago Board of Options Exchange.
Mr. Seruma has authored articles on a range of financial topics including transaction costs, the economy and market microstructure. He obtained an MBA in Analytic Finance and Statistics from the Booth School of Business, The University of Chicago, in 1996.
#FF Shout outs @GbengaAkinnagbe @julesstrachman @dialloshabazz @BassiouniGroup @PEOPLESPRIDE @kabissa @ledna @Indego_Africa
@charitybuzz: We 'promise' that you'll have an amazing time meeting @KChenoweth at her hit Broadway show http://bit.ly/aXbZNm
Help our NYC marathon runners meet their fundraising goals. Each is running to raise 5K in #sustainable funding. http://bit.ly/bS5l6b
