Maame Afon Yelbert-Sai

Experience

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  World Savvy

  Jun 2004 - Aug 2004

  Intern

  Integrate Global issues into Middle and High School Curriculum for a network of Bay Area Educators.

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  UNICEF Ghana

  Apr 2005 - Aug 2005

  Intern | Women and Children Program

  • Edited UNICEF-sponsored research reports.• Monitored UNICEF-sponsored NGOs (Street Girls’ Aid, Kinbu ECD Center).• Helped compile a draft strategic plan for Ghana National Commission on Children.• Created Department of Social Welfare survey to address the growing crisis of children used as street beggars.• Attended 3rd African International Conference on Early Childhood Development.

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  Global Fund for Women

  Apr 2006 - Mar 2011

  • Part of team responsible for grant-making for the Sub-Saharan Africa program.• Oversee grant-making portfolio for West Africa, as well as renewal and discretionary grants— compile grants dockets: analyze prospective groups and research specific regional topics; write summaries of grantee groups’ purposes and activities; review proposals and final reports for grants awarded.• Translate proposals and program-related materials in English, French and Spanish• Offer programmatic support to grantees, peer groups and advisory council members.• Manage and supervise program assistants, interns and volunteers.• Engage in annual planning for Program Team to identify new initiatives and areas of improvement such as cross-team collaboration and program efficiency. • Work with development team to mobilize resources for GFW as well as compile region-specific information for donors and GFW board.• Support organizational development processes via membership on Facilitation Team.• Represent GFW on panels and public speaking engagements. Show less

  • Global Fund for Women Program Officer | Sub-Saharan Africa

    Apr 2006 - Mar 2011

  • Program Officer

    Apr 2006 - Mar 2011
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  Earth Island Institute | Women's Earth Alliance

  Mar 2011 - Jun 2012

  Africa Program Director

  African Women's Leadership & Environmental Justice & SecurityDirect overall strategic direction of the Africa program, focusing on issues related to women's rights, leadership and the environment. Mobilize relevant and strategic resources to support programmatic work, including recruitment of supporting staff. Work directly with partners, advisers and grantees to implement programs and grow a vibrant and vigorous network of women environmental leaders in and for Africa. * Collaborated with different partners to facilitate and coordinate the 2010 West Africa Women, Water and Leadership Training for women representing seven (7) countries.* Collaborated with different partners to facilitate and coordinate the 2011 East Africa Women, Water and Leadership Training for women from across East Africa, namely Uganda, Kenya and Tanzania. Show less

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  Moremi Initiative for Women's Leadership in Africa

  Jul 2011 - now

  Moremi Initiative for Women’s Leadership in Africa (MILEAD)

  Founded in 2004, The Moremi Initiative for Women's Leadership in Africa strives to engage, inspire, and equip young women and girls to become the next generation of leading politicians, activists, social entrepreneurs, and change agents--leaders who can transform and change institutions that legitimize and perpetuate discrimination against women. We firmly believe that the full and active participation of women in leadership is a pre-requisite for positive change and development in Africa, and addresses the current problem of leadership imbalances. We believe that "the power to lead comes from the commitment to serve," as such since 2009 Moremi Initiative has organized the Moremi Initiative Leadership and Empowerment Development (MILEAD) Fellowship Program. The MILEAD Fellows represent some of Africa's most extra-ordinary young women leaders with the courage and commitment to lead and shape the future of their communities and Africa as a whole. Fellows represent 44 African countries and the Diaspora and constitute a truly pan-African network and diversity- with multi--disciplinary academic, professional and social backgrounds. From poverty to women’s economic empowerment, environmental justice and political participation, this new generation of African women leaders are at the frontlines of the struggle for change- providing the bold, visionary and inspirational leadership needed to lift Africa to its rightful place on the global stage. The Fellows are selected through a highly competitive selection process and criteria that includes their outstanding leadership promise, community service accomplishments, and commitment to the advancement of women in Africa. From 25 Fellows in 2009 now, the MILEAD Fellows network has grown to over 200 fellows. You can learn more at: www.moremiinitiative.org | www.facebook.com/MoremiAfrica Show less

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  Akwantu Media LLC

  May 2012 - now

  Co-Founder & Recording Artiste | @Maameafon

  Akwantu Media is committed to bringing you great music with a global feel, while paying homage to the richness and diversity of our African music heritage. The mission of Akwantu Media is to Promote excellence in African music, for a global audience.Maame Afon is a Ghana-born artiste and Bay Area resident who released her debut album, RISE, in May 2012. My music and message transcends multiple genres, ranging from gospel and inspirational to music for social justice. RISE is a fun and inspiring album, featuring a mélange of rhythmic and melodic influences from Gospel, Afrobeat, Zouk, R&B, Reggae, Highlife and Jazz. RISE is also my way of paying homage to my African roots and celebrating the diversity and richness of African music. My latest project Ekome (one), a message of collaboration and unity will be released in the summer of 2014. Show less

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  The AfriWomen Network

  Dec 2012 - now

  Visionary & Team Lead - The AfriWomen Network

  African women and girls are leading a new era in development. Despite being disproportionately impacted by a range of challenges, their creative initiatives are emerging as the most effective and sustainable solutions. Through our work, we support women’s unique ability to overcome obstacles and develop their own communities, regions, and countries. The AfriWomen Network is an intentional and inclusive space where African women and girls gather in community to leverage their collective wisdom, resources, networks, and access to meaningfully support each other to thrive and flourish. We believe that what we do is just as important as who we are being- as such our work is rooted in the core values of abundance, self-care, authenticity, creativity and innovation, and amplifying voices. We leverage gatherings, storytelling and entrepreneurship to accomplish our mission. Our work is anchored in 5 pillars, namely Community, Connection, Wellness, Socio-economic impact, and Sisterhood & Solidarity. We engage others and each other through the gaze of belonging and boundless love! We invite African women from all walks of life, especially those based in the diaspora to join us. We are keen on providing for each other timely, tangible, and practical support. Welcome Home! Check us out and learn more about our efforts and contributions, and learn more about our PINE framework and matrix. Show less

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  Strategic Communications Africa Ltd.

  Nov 2013 - May 2014

  Business and Communications Manager

  Stratcomm Africa is a total communications and reputation management agency dedicated to using communication strategies as a means of enhancing performance. In doing this, Stratcomm Africa blends the Science and art of communication. • Supervise and coordinate all Business and Communications related activities, including Documentation Management, Business Development, CEO Secretariat, Corporate Services and Marketing. Documentation Management• Coach Documentation Management Officer to coordinate all Social Media related activities for Stratcomm Africa (SA), and to document and appropriately archive SA materials per organizational documentation policy and requirementsBusiness Development (BD) & Marketing• Support the BD team to develop strategic proposals for business growth and enhanced value• Work with the marketing team to solicit ideas from Stratcomm Africa staff• Support BD and Marketing teams to develop and oversee implementation of new strategies• Coordinate Stratcomm Africa business Expansion in Africa including Ghana• Facilitate the research and evaluation of international alliance opportunities for SA• Provide input to marketing and research department to undertake competitor analyses• Identify new opportunities by analyzing business needs• Ensure business development plans are aligned with Stratcomm Africa’s strategies• Support efforts with Stratcomm Africa subsidiary companies and branches• Provide translation support servicesCorporate Services• Supervise preparation and implementation of corporate services strategies with the approval of the Chief Executive Officer, including for Internal and External Relations• Coordinate Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) programs• Supervise corporate publications development efforts• Coordinate corporate documentation and showcasing activities• Support and coordinate Stratcomm Africa Brand reputation management Show less

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  We Care Solar

  Oct 2014 - now

  Board Chair

  Support the mission and vision of We Care Solar to provide safe childbirth through our signature program (Light Every Birth), and to improve maternal health outcomes in regions without reliable electricity. Our work also cover We Share Solar where our efforts supports and provides reliable electricity for education. Check out website--http://wecaresolar.org/Check out this TEDxBayArea video--http://youtu.be/eqsLZ374-DI2013 Top 10 CNN Hero--http://youtu.be/vVBjc4rUOtI

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  New Black Diversity Health Initiative (NEBEDI)

  Feb 2015 - Feb 2016

  Program Manager

  Founded in 2011 by Pan-African Women’s Philanthropy Network (PAWPNet), NEBEDI was created to unite diverse African Americans, including immigrants, for health justice and equity. NEBEDI, CA 2015 is a community health awareness convening called New Black Voices (NBV) and a partnership with Soul Stroll®, an award-winning 14-year community health walk and information festival. The goal is to raise community, funder and policymaker awareness of the health challenges facing black immigrants and promote inclusive, collaborative social action to address them with African American and other allied communities. NEBEDI, CA 2015 is being convened by African American Community Health Advisory Committee (AACHAC) in partnership with Priority African Network (PAN) and Black Alliance for Just Immigration (BAJI) and sponsored by The California Endowment. Show less

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  MILT-Mindsets for Impactful Leadership & Transformation

  Apr 2017 - now

  Visionary/Chief Steward (Coach, Hold Space, Speak, Train)

  At MILT our vision is to facilitate joyful connections. We do so by linking talent to resources and opportunities to maximize impact and unleash potential. I bring over 20 years of combined experience in grantmaking, philanthropy, women’s rights, leadership and international development focused on Sub-Saharan Africa and the Diaspora. I am a public and inspirational speaker, an activist and philanthropist who uses music to promote social justice. I have spoken and led music sessions at the African Feminist Forum, the Bioneers conference, the Caribbean Heritage Organization’s Salute to Hollywood, the African American Community Health Advisory Committee, Opportunity Collaboration, MasterCard Foundation Baobab Summit; African Women Entrepreneurship Cooperative, and the UN Commission on the Status of Women amongst others. My vision is: “to support, inspire and transform leaders for a whole world. I live by the conviction that “As Whole Leaders, we are free to bring all of who we are to everything we do and are, recognizing that in so doing we thrive and facilitate access and opportunities for others to also flourish.” Show less

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  Bright Generation Community Foundation | Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative

  Jun 2017 - now

  Board Member, Vice Chair
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  Cocoa360

  Jun 2017 - Jun 2021

  Executive Board Member
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  Women Thrive Alliance

  Nov 2017 - Nov 2018

  Board Member

  Women Thrive Alliance-- 20 Years Thriving

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  AWEC- African Women's Entrepreneurship Cooperative

  Jan 2018 - Apr 2020

  Mentor-Advisor | Facilitator

  Program OverviewThe AWEC program is a 12-month curriculum focused on business management, strategy and leadership. The core program consists of:Live instructional sessions led by world-class business and academic experts, delivered via Internet-enabled video conferencePeer-led sessions focused on applying new learnings, developing soft skills, learning from outside experts and other participants, and building a pan-African peer networkCourse activities – delivered through a highly-interactive online learning platform – that encourage individuals to immediately apply new knowledge and skills, and to collaborative with diverse teamsMentoring and coaching from mid-career and senior business professionals throughout the duration of the programConstructive feedback on assignments from instructors, teaching assistants, and peersOne-day leadership summits that provide in-person training and networking opportunities, taking place twice during the program, in locations throughout Africa CurriculumThe AWEC curriculum is designed to teach leadership, strategy, and business management skills in a logical and progressive manner, and is grouped thematically by quarter (3-month period). Each live session is led by a world-class business or academic expert and supported by a team of teaching assistants.The four quarters will focus on:Growing Your BusinessOptimizing Your BusinessBranding, Marketing and SalesLeadership and Future GrowthSample session topics include: developing business plans, understanding financial management tools, creating digital strategies, leveraging platform business models, optimizing products and services, accessing capital, and the future of innovation in Africa. Show less

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  Nurturing Minds in Africa

  Oct 2018 - now

  Advisor

  Transforming lives and communities by educating Tanzanian girls!

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  The Blue Lake Project (The Blue Lake Experience)

  Sept 2020 - Jan 2024

  Chief of Strategy & Relationship

  Our goal at The Blue Lake Project (TBLP) is to produce Black women and girls as global leaders. The Blue Lake Project is a three-tiered leadership success platform that engages three levels of Black women and girl participants with both the platform and one another. Additionally, the Blue Lake Project invites both aspiring and established women executives to come together to discover, inspire, share and learn how to leverage the current educational and career environment to become more effective leaders. We envision this will become a flagship leadership acceleration platform where Black women and girls can convene in a brave and nurturing environment solely devoted to their personal and professional success. Show less

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  ISAW international SMART ADVANCING WOMEN

  Oct 2020 - now

  ISAW Thought Leader (Navigating Difficult Conversations)

  Difficult Conversations surround us everywhere. They show up in different facets of our everyday life, and yet it continues to be challenging to have them. All over the world people approach professionals to seek their support to address difficult conversations. From priests and professional negotiators to therapists, counselors, coaches and mentors, people are in dire need of the tools these professionals offer. Simply, people want to be equipped to navigate seasons when they are faced with tough choices and decisions. So, how do we create a conducive environment where having difficult conversations can become a less fearful, toxic, dysfunctional and/or disempowering process? Show less

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  Chief

  May 2021 - now

  Chief Guide (Facilitator & Impact Coach)

  In my role:• I serve as a facilitator and executive coach for Chief's Core Groups•Help foster the group’s sense of connection and self-discovery, while supporting each woman's leadership path. Chief’s work is grounded in the mission of “driving more women into positions of leadership and keeping them there." Chief is specifically designed for senior women leaders to strengthen their leadership journey, cross-pollinate ideas across industries, and effect change from the top-down. Core Groups' objectives: •To drive powerful personal transformation through a group-based experience to unpack challenges, foster deep connections, and accelerate leadership capacity•To help unravel leadership challenges in order to consistently be a better leader•To provide a confidential and supportive space to constructively brainstorm, problem-solve, strategize, and recharge in the company of trusted equals Show less