AVFund Welcomes Two New Board Members

New board members Dr. Suzy Puplampu and Milton Speid have deep experiences in connecting capital to an overarching vision, particularly for African-led organizations and enterprises.

In their new roles as board members, Dr. Puplampu and Speid will leverage their unique expertise to help guide the Fund’s grantmaking decisions, fundraising strategies, budgets and more—all while serving as advocates and ambassadors of the Fund’s mission to empower and fund African changemakers on the continent.

Currently, Puplampu is the founder and CEO of Ghana-based firm OctaneDC Limited, a venture she built after rising through the ranks — from Investment Analyst to Partner, Wealth Management at OAK Partners — of the banking industry. Recruited with the support of TheBoardroom Africa (TBR Africa), the largest network of board-ready female executives in Africa, Dr. Puplampu will serve as a board apprentice through the platform’s innovative Board Apprentice Program. Through the TBR Africa Board Apprentice program, female executives can gain first-hand experience or transition to new industries by enhancing their understanding of the workings of boardrooms of leading global companies and organizations. She holds an MBA in Finance from the University of Ghana and a BA in Economics and Sociology from the University of Cape Coast.

“Having been a start-up entrepreneur myself, it is exciting to see how I can bring my experience to bear on the work of AVFund to assist start-up entrepreneurs and SMEs in matching placement of funds to meet specific needs,” says Puplampu.

Speid, an expert social impact advisor and keynote speaker, currently consults members at The ImPact, global group of visionary families committed to linking their assets with their values. Prior, Speid was responsible for executing the “Beyond the Bay” and Eastern Regional strategies that sought to reinforce Silicon Valley Community Foundation’s role as a global social enterprise and the premier philanthropic partner for charitably-minded individuals and corporations.

"What excites me the most about joining the African Visionary Fund board is first its mission to provide funding to African visionaries to accelerate their impact. Closely behind, it's the leadership of the organization and my fellow board members. They are all smart, thoughtful, and inspiring," Speid says

He has held senior roles at TED Talks, Epic Foundation, and the Bank of America Charitable Foundation. Speid earned a degree in Psychology from the University of Hartford and was selected as his university’s Alumni of the Year in 2018.

“We’re simply thrilled to welcome Dr. Suzy and Milton at this exciting time at the African Visionary Fund. The Fund is growing, and we know that their passion for African-led social innovation, expertise in philanthropy and wealth management, and deep networks across the continent will help support and boost our work and vision for years to come,” say co-CEOs Atti Worku and Katie Bunten-Wamaru.

Please join us in welcoming them to the African Visionary Fund!

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