Matthew performs all investment evaluation and loan monitoring processes in Nigeria. He is the primary point of contact for all current and prospective borrowers in Nigeria and visits all projects in the country prior to loan approval.

Matthew Adetunji combines over 10 years of experience from agribusiness management and innovative finance. He recently held position as Agricultural Finance Expert for Agriculture and Finance Consultants (AFC), engaged with the capacity to work with some Nigerian banks on credit and savings product development, value chain financing, and training. Prior to that, he was the programme coordinator of the Alliance Agriculture, mobilizing private investment for a green finance facility. Matthew consulted at ICDX, on futures contracts and financial innovation for commodity exchange, and with CTA (ACP-EU), recommending value chain finance and blended finance models to SMEs/partners. As an Analyst at GIZ, he managed and supported financing and investment processes between agribusinesses and banks on contract farming, matching grant fund processes, financial structuring, monitoring and evaluation.

Matthew holds a B.S in Agricultural Extension and Rural Development from Obafemi Awolowo University, an MBA in Finance and Investment from Ahmadu Bello University, and currently enrolled as a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) candidate.

As Finance Manager, Benson manages accounting for Missio Invest. Prior to becoming the Finance Manager, Benson had served as the Country Manager for Uganda. At present, Benson continues to serve as the primary point of contact for borrowers with support from the Investment Analyst. Benson has experience in impact investment and portfolio management in the agribusiness sector within East Africa. Prior to joining Missio Invest in December 2019, he was an Investment Associate at Yunus Social Business (YSB), an emerging markets social impact fund. Prior to YSB, Benson was at KawiSafi Ventures (KSV), an off-grid energy impact fund focused on East Africa. Before joining YSB and KSV, Benson was an Associate at I-DEV International in Nairobi, where he worked on building growth strategies and raising capital for emerging businesses in the agriculture, clean energy and tech sectors. Prior to I-DEV, Benson held roles as Senior Financial Analyst and Associate auditor at KPMG East Africa. In addition, Benson has financial institutions experience having carried out financial statement audits of Habib Bank in Kenya, lender due diligence and loan structuring, on behalf of Afrexim Bank (Egypt) and CRDB (Tanzania). Benson holds a Bachelor of Commerce (Finance) degree from Strathmore University and is a registered CPA in Kenya.

Joelle Birge manages Missio Invest’s loan portfolio and directs the loan evaluation, loan issuance, and portfolio management processes. She joined Missio Invest in June 2017 following four years in the investment banking and private equity industries. Joelle began her career as an analyst in the healthcare group at Credit Suisse in New York, then spent two years as a private equity associate at Advent International, performing analysis and due diligence on investment candidates in the healthcare sector. While completing her Master’s, Joelle worked with Vulcan Impact Investing and led a pro bono consulting project for VillageReach Mozambique, an experience that inspired her to join Missio Invest’s team. She has an M.B.A. and M.A. in International Studies (focus in French) from the Wharton School and Lauder Institute at the University of Pennsylvania. She earned her Bachelor’s degree from Princeton University in English and American Literature cum laude, as well as a Certificate in Finance from the Bendheim Center for Finance.

Mulenga Bwalya is the primary point of contact for all current and prospective borrowers in Zambia and Malawi and responsible for due diligence prior to loan approval. She came to Missio Invest in June 2019 following five years as Zambia Investment Manager for AgDevCo, an impact investing organization focused on agricultural development in Africa. Previously, she worked as a Credit Officer for the Foundation for Community Assistance (FINCA) and later as a Portfolio Officer for the NORSAD Agency (now Norsad Finance) focusing on SME development finance in Southern Africa. She holds a Master in Globalization and Development from the University of Antwerp, IOB in Belgium and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from Africa Nazarene University in Kenya. She is an affiliate of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA), holds a certificate in Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and has certification as a stockbroker and investment advisor in Zambia.

Thierry has been working for Commercial banks, Impact Investing Funds, and Advisory Firms for more than 15 years.  

He has a passion for Agribusiness and the impact he can create through the combination of Financing and Advisory. 

He has been advising and financing different value chains in West Africa. 

Thierry is the primary point of contact for all prospective borrowers in Cote d’Ivoire where he provides pro-bono services (Pipeline development, loan structuring, and advisory) for Missio Invest. 

At present, Thierry manages a regional project for ISF Advisors (an American Advisory firm that only works in Agribusiness Industry). 

He previously worked for Root Capital as Portfolio Manager for Francophone West Africa where he developed a pipeline of agribusiness companies and structured lines of credit for SMEs and Cooperatives in Ivory Coast, Senegal, Benin, Togo, and Mali. 

It was during this experience that his taste for impact financing was reinforced. 

Before these experiences, Thierry has worked for African regional banks like Ecobank, UBA, and NSIA BANK. 

Thierry holds a Master in Management (Finance/Audit option) from SKEMA Business School in France and a BA in Finance from the University of Abidjan. 

Albertina Muema is the primary point of contact for all current and prospective borrowers in Kenya, and visits all Kenyan projects prior to loan approval. Before she joined Missio Invest in February 2019, Albertina worked with the Netherlands Development Organization, advising the group on access and acting as Project Manager for the Livestock component of the Program for Rural Outreach of Financial Innovations and Technology (PROFIT). Previously, she was the Agribusiness Relationship Manager at Jamii Bora Bank, where she championed growth within the sector by creating partnerships and providing capital for on-lending to tea and dairy Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS). Albertina began her career in agribusiness education, as a teacher of Agriculture and Business studies at Tumaini High School in Kenya. She holds a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from Kenya’s Egerton University, Njoro, an MBA from South Eastern Kenya University, an Executive Certificate in Agricultural Finance from the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, and a Certificate in Project Management from SMC University.

Geoffrey has experience in project management, capacity development, social economic impact assessment, and investment analysis in Africa, including more than 15 years working in various sectors for the government of Rwanda. Prior to joining Missio Invest in October 2020, he was Advisory Consultant on loans and climate resilience grants at Root Capital, focusing on coffee value chain development with cooperatives in Rwanda. A lecturer for postgraduate studies in Project Management at the University of Kigali, Geoffrey has held numerous project-based roles and consultancies, including Field Coordinator, Financial and Inventory Data collection, for 15 hospitals in Rwanda, and Social Economic Impact Assessment Consultant in the development of a water supply and sanitation master plan for Rwanda. He also served as coordinator of USG-GOR partnership at medical school, and as UNDP junior consultant South Sudan on National Human Development Report.

Geoffrey holds an MBA (Project Management) from the Maastricht School of Management, Netherlands, and a BA in Social Science in Social Administration and Economics from the Makerere University, Kampala.

Patrick Mujuni performs all of Missio Invest’s evaluation and loan monitoring processes in Tanzania. He has extensive experience in the agribusiness and investing sectors in Tanzania, including five years as an investment officer for Match Maker Group’s SME Impact Fund, four years as a project officer implementing an IFAD-funded program for rural SMEs, and two years as a loan officer for National Microfinance Bank Plc. He has worked in value chain development, agribusiness training in business planning and implementation, agricultural lending, and portfolio management. Patrick holds a Bachelor of Business Administration (Entrepreneurship Development Management) from Mzumbe University.

Francis is a development banking and agricultural value chain financing specialist with over thirteen (13) years of development financing and banking work experience ranging from entrepreneurship training and development, credit appraisal, financial modeling, agricultural value chain financing, farmer based organization and development, business diagnostic & advisory, credit product development and loan structuring. Francis has extensive experience in agribusiness value chain financing, facilitating training programs for SMEs as well as managing external party funds for both debt and grant extension to third parties clients in pro-poor communities and livelihood development projects for organizations such as Missio Invest, USAID, DFID, KfW, Root Capital, MasterCard Foundation, Italian Line of Credit and AfD.  At present, Francis is Root Capital’s in-country representative and point of contact for USAID’s latest Development Credit Authority (DCA) agriculture sector loan guarantee currently managed by Root Capital. Francis leads the pro-bono consulting advising team from Agribusiness Investments Consult providing investment advisory services to Missio Invest in Ghana. Francis holds an MBA from the American College in Cyprus. 

Keith Polo joined Missio Invest in February 2019. Prior to that, he led agribusiness development ventures in both the private and development sectors, including the agribusiness transaction advisory firm EnvisionAg LLC, which he started, Cultivating New Frontiers in Agriculture (CNFA) Capital, and three commercial agribusinesses in Malawi and Tanzania. As the Director of Agricultural Development for Mercy Corps for 10 years, he led operations across more than 35 countries. He has also been a U.S. Peace Corps Volunteer in Bolivia. Keith holds a Master’s degree in International Agricultural Development from the University of Illinois and completed the Executive Education in Impact Investing and Financial Analysis programs from the University of Oxford and the University of Chicago, respectively, as well as an Advanced Diploma in Sustainability and Food Policy from the Università degli Studi di Scienze Gastronomiche, Italy. He grew up on a family farm in Illinois.

Shirine joined Missio Invest in 2020 to support impact measurement reporting. She uses data and design to visualize change. She combines a career in business and international development in Indonesia, Afghanistan and Lebanon. As Country Director for Peace Dividend Trust in Afghanistan, she catalyzed the trend of local procurement in the international community, facilitating international policy changes and multi-million dollar contracts for local businesses. Shirine has an engineering degree in Computer Science and an Executive MBA from Carlson School of Management, Minneapolis.

Effie is a finance professional with experience in Small & Medium Enterprise (SME) Lending. Prior to Missio Invest, she worked as a commercial manager at Discount Capital Limited, a Kenyan private lending company. While at Discount Capital, Effie was responsible for understanding SME financial needs and structuring tailor-made working capital solutions to finance their growth ambitions.

She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Supply Chain Management from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology in Nairobi, Kenya.

Father Andrew Small is a priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He was appointed National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States by the Vatican and founded Missio Invest in 2014. Originally from Liverpool, England, he has served in parish ministry in Brazil and the United States. He was the U.S. Bishops’ policy advisor for international economic development from 2004 to 2009, after which he coordinated Church recovery efforts following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. He taught international trade law as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center from 2006-2009. He holds law degrees from Sheffield University, England (LL.B.) and Georgetown University Law Center, USA (LL.M.) and earned his doctorate in systematic theology (S.Th.D.) from the Catholic University of America. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Getahun most recently worked as a Humanitarian Specialist and Economic Analyst for the Canadian Embassy.  Previously, he was a Senior Economist for the World Bank (2013-2018). and a Senior Economist for South Sudan UNDP (2011-2012), focusing on economic analysis, socio-economic policy, and local economic development planning. With a research background, he held posts as a Senior Researcher and Head of the Poverty and Human Resource Division at the Ethiopian Economic Policy Research Institute, as well as a Monitoring and Evaluation Advisor for the Canadian International Development Agency in Ethiopia.  He has also worked in various capacities in the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance & Economic Development, including as Senior Expert and Head of the Ministry’s respective Health Unit, Education Unit and Welfare Monitoring Unit.  Getahun has published numerous research studies and articles in journals, and co-authored books on the Ethiopian economy. Getahun has an MSc degree from the London School of Economics, London University, an honor Post graduate Diploma in Economics from Essex University, a Graduate Certificate in Health Economics from IDS Sussex University, and a BA in Economics from Addis Ababa University, which he acquired with distinction.

Sister Catherine Adelegan is the Farm Manager and Head of ​ Fishery Operations at Louis Bautain Farm in Isse Uku, Nigeria. The Louis Bautain Farm has been operated by the Sisters of St. Louis Nigeria Province for 24 years. The Sisters of St. Louis are an international congregation of pontifical right founded in France in 1842. Nigeria became a Province in 1995.​

​Sister Catherine is also a registered nurse and community health officer. Missio Invest issued a $70,000 loan to the Sisters of St. Louis in November 2019.

Sister Mary Chilengwe is the Project Leader for Sisters of Child Jesus ​Farms in Kasama, Zambia. The farm is owned by the Sisters of Child ​Jesus, an indigenous order of Zambian Sisters founded in 1926. ​

Sister Mary is an accountant and agriculturist with 20 years’ experience working in the farming industry. She holds an Advanced Diploma in Accounts, a Certificate in General Agriculture, and an Advanced Diploma in Materials Management. Missio Invest issued a $102,565 loan to the Sisters of the Child Jesus in December 2018.

Albertina Muema is the primary point of contact for all current and prospective borrowers in Kenya, and visits all Kenyan projects prior to loan approval. Before she joined Missio Invest in February 2019, Albertina worked with the Netherlands Development Organization, advising the group on access and acting as Project Manager for the Livestock component of the Program for Rural Outreach of Financial Innovations and Technology (PROFIT). Previously, she was the Agribusiness Relationship Manager at Jamii Bora Bank, where she championed growth within the sector by creating partnerships and providing capital for on-lending to tea and dairy Savings and Credit Co-operative Societies (SACCOS). Albertina began her career in agribusiness education, as a teacher of Agriculture and Business studies at Tumaini High School in Kenya. She holds a B.S. in Agricultural Economics from Kenya’s Egerton University, Njoro, an MBA from South Eastern Kenya University, an Executive Certificate in Agricultural Finance from the Kenya School of Monetary Studies, and a Certificate in Project Management from SMC University.

Virginia Wanjiku Nyamu was born and raised in Kenya and has worked in the country for the last 27 years. She specializes in Education and Agricultural Institutions, which offer practical skills to farmers with an aim to bring rural community transformation. For the last five years, she has served as Manager and Principal of Baraka Agricultural College in Molo, Kenya. At Baraka, Virginia offers strategic thinking, as well as performance–based management for the transformation of communities. 

Virginia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from Egerton University, and a Master’s degree in Educational, Planning, Management and Administration from Mount Kenya University. She is trained in Competence Based Education and Training by the Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC), which enables her to provide competence–based training to communities who lack formal education. Her expertise in the field has resulted in the successful development of a Competence–Based Training curriculum and materials for Horticulture, Piggery, Dairy, Poultry, Agriculture and other value chains across Kenya. 

Sister Lucy Wanza is the Regional ​Superior for the Little Sisters of ​ St. Francis, East of the Rift Valley Region in Kenya. She is also the congregation’s Councillor in Charge of Finance/Development. ​

Sister Lucy holds a Diploma in Accounting, Bachelor of Commerce (Finance), Master of Business Administration, and Doctor of Business Administration in Strategic Management. She has worked as an accountant, finance secretary, and administrator for seven years and as a university lecturer for ten years.​ Missio Invest issued the Little Sisters of  St. Francis, East of the Rift Valley Region a $100,000 loan for Divine Mercy Green Farm in December 2018.

Mulenga Bwalya is the primary point of contact for all current and prospective borrowers in Zambia and Malawi and responsible for due diligence prior to loan approval. She came to Missio Invest in June 2019 following five years as Zambia Investment Manager for AgDevCo, an impact investing organization focused on agricultural development in Africa. Previously, she worked as a Credit Officer for the Foundation for Community Assistance (FINCA) and later as a Portfolio Officer for the NORSAD Agency (now Norsad Finance) focusing on SME development finance in Southern Africa. She holds a Master in Globalization and Development from the University of Antwerp, IOB in Belgium and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Finance from Africa Nazarene University in Kenya. She is an affiliate of the Association of Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA), holds a certificate in Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation, and has certification as a stockbroker and investment advisor in Zambia.

Archbishop Ignatius Ayau Kaigama has been Archbishop of Abuja (Nigeria) since November 2019. Previously, he was Coajutor Archbishop of Abuja from March to November 2019 and before that was Archbishop of Jos from 2000 to 2019 and Bishop of Jalingo from 1995 to 2000. He also served as Apostolic Administrator of Jos from March 2019 to March 2020.

Archbishop Kaigama studied for the priesthood at St. Augustine’s Seminary in Jos. He was ordained a priest on June 6, 1981. At the Pontifical Gregorian University, he earned a doctorate in theology in 1991.

Pope John Paul II appointed him bishop of the newly established Roman Catholic Diocese of Jalingo on 3 February 1994. He was consecrated as bishop on 23 April 1995.  On 18 May 2000, Pope John Paul II named Kaigama to succeed Gabriel Gonsum Ganaka as Archbishop of Jos.

Kaigama was President of the Nigerian Bishops Conference from 2012 to 2018 and President of the Episcopal Conference of West African Catholic Bishops. He is also chairman of the Plateau State-convened “Interreligious Committee for Peace”. Together with the late Emir of Wase, Alhaji Haruna Abdullahi, he has been involved in promoting mutual understanding between Christians and Muslims

Photo credit: https://www.vaticannews.va/en/church/news/2021-01/nigeria-kidnapping-insecurity-kaigama-abuja-orphanage.html

Bio Credit: https://catholicarchdioceseofabuja.org/team-member/his-grace-most-rev-dr-ignatius-ayau-kaigama

Cardinal Peter Kodwo Appiah Turkson is President of the Pontifical Council for Justice and Peace and Archbishop emeritus of Cape Coast (Ghana).

He attended St. Teresa’s Seminary from 1962-1969 in Amisano and St. Peter’s Regional Seminary in Pedu from 1969-1971. He then continued his studies in Rome at the Pontifical Biblical Institute, earning a license in Sacred Scripture (1976-1980), and then began work on his doctoral thesis (1987-1992). He also holds master’s degrees in Theology and Divinity from St. Anthony-on-Hudson, Conv. Franciscan Seminary, New York.

He served as president of the Ghana Catholic Bishops’ Conference (1997-2004). He was a member of Governing Council of the University of Ghana, Legon (2001-2006) and of the Board of Directors of Central Region Development Commission (CEDECOM) (2002-2006). He served as treasurer of the Symposium of Episcopal Conferences of Africa and Madagascar (SECAM) (2007-2009) and as Vice President of the Association of Episcopal Conferences of Anglophone West Africa (AECAWA). He served as President of the Regional Episcopal Conference of West Africa (RECOWA) (2007-2009).
Photo credit: https://www.camilliani.org/en/message-from-card-turkson-for-world-health-day-2021/

Bio Credit: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_turkson_pka.html

Cardinal Silvano M. Tomasi, C.S., titular Archbishop of Asolo, Apostolic Nuncio, Special Delegate to the Sovereign Military Hospitaller Order of Saint John of Jerusalem, of Rhodes and of Malta (S.M.O.M.). He was educated in Italy and the United States, where he studied theology and was ordained a priest of the religious Congregation of the Missionaries of Saint Charles – Scalabrinians on 31 May 1965.  He received a degree in social science and a doctorate in sociology from Fordham University in New York.  He was an assistant professor of sociology at New York City University and at the New School of Social Research (1970-1974).  As founding director of the Center for Migration Studies, he established and edited the quarterly International Migration Review.  He served as provincial superior of his religious congregation.

Photo and Bio Credit: https://press.vatican.va/content/salastampa/en/documentation/cardinali_biografie/cardinali_bio_tomasi_sm.html

Archbishop Thomas G. Wenski, Archbishop of Miami, was born in West Palm Beach on October 18, 1950, grew up in Lake Worth, Florida where he attended Catholic school at his home parish, Sacred Heart. He has a Bachelor of Arts degree in Philosophy (1972) and a Master of Divinity (1975) from the Boynton Beach Seminary and a Master of Arts in Sociology from Fordham University in New York.

He was the associate director and then director of the Pierre Toussaint Haitian Catholic Center in Miami’s Little Haiti section while serving concurrently as pastor of three Haitian mission parishes in the archdiocese: Notre-Dame d’Haiti in Miami, Divine Mercy in Fort Lauderdale, and St. Joseph in Pompano Beach.

Archbishop Wenski was appointed Auxiliary Bishop of Miami on June 24, 1997 and was ordained to the episcopacy on September 3, 1997. Pope John Paul II appointed Bishop Wenski as Coadjutor Bishop of the Diocese of Orlando on July 1, 2003, and he assumed the role of the fourth Bishop of Orlando on November 13, 2004. On April 20, 2010, Pope Benedict XVI appointed him the fourth Archbishop of Miami and Metropolitan of the Province of Miami (which includes the seven dioceses of the State of Florida).

Additionally, Archbishop Wenski served as a Board member of Catholic Legal Immigration Network, Inc. (CLINIC) from 1998 to 2001. He is also a member of the U.S. Bishops’ Committee on Migration and served as the Chair of this committee from 2002 to 2004. He is currently a Board member of the following organizations: Catholic Relief Services, Catholic Leadership Institute (“Good Leaders, Good Shepherd”), St. John Vianney Seminary (Miami), and Sts. Cyril and Methodius Seminary (Orchard Lake, Michigan). He is also a member of the Board of Trustees for St. Vincent de Paul Seminary in Boynton Beach and a member of the Scalabrini International Migration Network Advisory Committee.

Photo Credit: https://www.catholichealthservices.org/about/message-from-the-archbishop/

Bio Credit: https://www.catholichealthservices.org/about/message-from-the-archbishop/

Virginia Wanjiku Nyamu was born and raised in Kenya and has worked in the country for the last 27 years. She specializes in Education and Agricultural Institutions, which offer practical skills to farmers with an aim to bring rural community transformation. She recently served as Manager and Principal of Baraka Agricultural College in Molo, Kenya. During her five years at Baraka, Virginia offered strategic thinking, as well as performance–based management for the transformation of communities. 

Virginia holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Agriculture from the University of Nairobi, a Post Graduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) from Egerton University, and a Master’s degree in Educational, Planning, Management and Administration from Mount Kenya University. She is trained in Competence Based Education and Training by the Curriculum Development Assessment and Certification Council (CDACC), which enables her to provide competence–based training to communities who lack formal education. Her expertise in the field has resulted in the successful development of a Competence–Based Training curriculum and materials for Horticulture, Piggery, Dairy, Poultry, Agriculture and other value chains across Kenya. 

A Virginia native, Father Patrick Posey attended St. Charles Borromeo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, completing his seminary studies at Mt. Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  Ordained in 1991, he was a parochial vicar within the Diocese of Arlington until his 1995 assignment to the diocesan mission in Banica, Dominican Republic. During his eight years there, he was instrumental in constructing roads, a church and a school.  He also began the Diocesan Scholarship Fund bringing students to America to study.   

Upon his return to the United States, Father Posey became Pastor at St. Francis DeSales and Saint James, the latter for thirteen years.  While at Saint James, he grew financial support and parish involvement and oversaw a five-year strategic plan for the school resulting in their second Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award. In 2019, Father Posey became Rector for the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More. Father Posey is also Director of The Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Arlington. 

Father Andrew Small is a priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He was appointed National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States by the Vatican and founded Missio Invest in 2014. Originally from Liverpool, England, he has served in parish ministry in Brazil and the United States. He was the U.S. Bishops’ policy advisor for international economic development from 2004 to 2009, after which he coordinated Church recovery efforts following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. He taught international trade law as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center from 2006-2009. He holds law degrees from Sheffield University, England (LL.B.) and Georgetown University Law Center, USA (LL.M.) and earned his doctorate in systematic theology (S.Th.D.) from the Catholic University of America. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Ify Umunna is the Co-CEO of Nourishing Africa where she oversees the programmatic, ICT, governance and communications of the organization. The mission of Nourishing Africa is “to drive the profitable and sustainable growth of the African agriculture and food landscapes by attracting, empowering, equipping, connecting and celebrating over 1 Million dynamic and innovative young African agri-food entrepreneurs”. As such, this hub serves as a platform for these stakeholders to accelerate their work, connect with each other, and celebrate their successes on the continent.

Ify has international experience in gender, maternal and adolescent health and nutrition at The Partnership for Maternal, Newborn & Adolescent Health (WHO), Geneva; Global Alliance for Improved Nutrition, London; and Girl Effect, Abuja. She previously served as the Research Officer at African Philanthropy Forum and the Gender Analyst for the Nigerian Dairy Development Project (NDDP) at Sahel Consulting.

Ify has conducted field research and in-depth report analysis and writing; with a range of published and internal reports including PMNCH Partners’ Forum Report, NDDP Baseline Study, Toolkit for African Philanthropists Vol. 2, and co-authored “The Influence of Religion on the Empowerment and Economic Mobility of Smallholder Women Dairy Farmers in Nigeria” chapter in Muslim Women in the Economy: Development: Faith & Globalization, published by Routledge. She also served as the lead researcher for the newly released “Food Entrepreneurs in Africa: Scaling Resilient Agriculture Businesses” by Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli.

Ify holds a Bachelor in Social Science in International Relations, Sociology and Gender and Transformation (first class) from the University of Cape Town, South Africa, a Masters in International Development with honours from the University of Warwick, United Kingdom, and is a 2022 Obama Foundation Leader (Africa).

Recently retired from a 37-year career as a senior leader in Catholic healthcare, Stephen’s most recent role with CHRISTUS Health was serving as Senior Vice President of Group Operations and as CEO for CHRISTUS Health Louisiana and Southeast Texas. In this leadership role, he had over 6500 associates, 2000 medical staff members, over 10 hospitals, 2 nursing homes, assisted living facilities, multiple surgery centers, and imaging centers, with about 40 corporate entities in all throughout Louisiana and Southeast Texas. Stephen has served as the chair of the Louisiana Hospital Association and served as vice chair of the Louisiana Quality Forum on Health which acts as the state of Louisiana’s HIN. Stephen received the 2010 “Champion of Diversity” award and the “National AHA Grass Roots Champion Award” in 2007.

Currently, he is serving as President/Board Chair and Co-Founder of a non-profit called Coastal Connection of Louisiana. Coastal Connection provides services both domestically and internationally. Coastal Connection and its partners have provided services in Haiti, Puerto Rico, Nigeria, Uganda, and beyond. In addition, Stephen is an adjunct faculty member for LSU medical school and the LSU Public Health program in Shreveport, Louisiana, where he teaches courses and lectures on the “business of medicine” given his expertise as a former healthcare executive and a certified CPA. With 40 plus years of marriage, he and his wife Mona have two daughters, one son, 3 grandchildren, and 4 grand-dogs.

Monsignor Robert J. Fuhrman is a priest of the Archdiocese of Newark and Pastor of Saint Philomena Parish in Livingston, New Jersey. Ordained in 1981, his assignments have been a variety of pastoral, academic and administrative positions including secretary to the Archbishop, Seminary Vice-Rector and Pastor. He was appointed Archdiocesan Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies for the Archdiocese of Newark in 1993 and served as Assistant National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States from 2010 to 2014.  

Monsignor Fuhrman was elected to the Board of Trustees of Catholic Charities of the Archdiocese of Newark in July 2015. A year later, he was elected Chairman of the Board of Trustees of that Agency, a position he still holds. He was made a monsignor by Saint John Paul II in 1995 and in 2013 was named a Prelate of Honor by Pope Benedict XVI. He holds degrees in philosophy, pastoral ministry and Biblical theology. 

Antoinette Mensah, Ph.D. has over 30 years of leadership experience in the development and growth of successful non-profit, religious and educational institutions. As the Director for the Milwaukee Archdiocesan Office for World Mission and for The Society for the Propagation of the Faith, Archdiocese of Milwaukee, she raises awareness and promotes engagement in the global Catholic Church, both locally and internationally. Her previous employers have included the YMCA of Metropolitan Milwaukee, INROADS , Inc. and the Youth Leadership Academy.  She has also served as a consultant directing start-up programming on youth leadership development, career and personal development, diversity and inclusion.  

A native of Ghana and the proud mother of her son Anthony, Dr. Mensah is committed to helping others appreciate their respective cultures. Dr. Mensah holds a B.S. in Human Resource Management from De Paul University, as well as an M.S. in Management and a Ph.D. in Leadership for the Advancement of Learning and Service from Cardinal Stritch University. She also completed the Massachusetts Institute for Technology’s Community Fellows Program.

A Virginia native, Father Patrick Posey attended St. Charles Borromeo in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, completing his seminary studies at Mt. Saint Mary’s in Emmitsburg, Maryland.  Ordained in 1991, he was a parochial vicar within the Diocese of Arlington until his 1995 assignment to the diocesan mission in Banica, Dominican Republic. During his eight years there, he was instrumental in constructing roads, a church and a school.  He also began the Diocesan Scholarship Fund bringing students to America to study.   

Upon his return to the United States, Father Posey became Pastor at St. Francis DeSales and Saint James, the latter for thirteen years.  While at Saint James, he grew financial support and parish involvement and oversaw a five-year strategic plan for the school resulting in their second Department of Education Blue Ribbon Award. In 2019, Father Posey became Rector for the Cathedral of Saint Thomas More. Father Posey is also Director of The Society for the Propagation of the Faith for the Diocese of Arlington. 

Father Andrew Small is a priest and member of the Missionary Oblates of Mary Immaculate. He was appointed National Director of The Pontifical Mission Societies in the United States by the Vatican and founded Missio Invest in 2014. Originally from Liverpool, England, he has served in parish ministry in Brazil and the United States. He was the U.S. Bishops’ policy advisor for international economic development from 2004 to 2009, after which he coordinated Church recovery efforts following the earthquake in Haiti in 2010. He taught international trade law as an adjunct professor at Georgetown University Law Center from 2006-2009. He holds law degrees from Sheffield University, England (LL.B.) and Georgetown University Law Center, USA (LL.M.) and earned his doctorate in systematic theology (S.Th.D.) from the Catholic University of America. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations.

Sister Theresa Sandok, OSM, is president of the Servants of Mary (Servite Sisters) of Ladysmith, Wisconsin, and professor emerita of philosophy at Bellarmine University, Louisville, Kentucky, where she also served as dean of the College of Arts & Sciences and director of the Thomas Merton Center. She holds a BA in philosophy from the University of St. Thomas, Saint Paul, Minnesota, and a PhD in philosophy from the University of Notre Dame. Her academic work focuses on translating works of Polish philosophers into English, including “Person and Community” by Pope John Paul II. She has served on many boards and committees, including the USCCB National Advisory Council, Leadership Conference of Women Religious Board of Directors, International Thomas Merton Society Board of Directors, American Catholic Philosophical Association Executive Council, and International Union of the Servite Family Executive Council.