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Home to about 1.5 billion people.

A combined economy of about
USD 3 trillion.

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Who We Are

Busara Advisors is a strategic advisory and commercial diplomacy firm focused exclusively on Africa. We help global clients do business in Africa, and we help African clients do business in the world.

At Busara Advisors, we recognize the significant economic and demographic growth that is occurring across Africa. It will be the largest geographic free-trade area in the world under the African Continental Free Trade Area. Today the continent of Africa is home to about 1.5 billion people with a combined economy of about USD 3 trillion. Africa is also the youngest continent, with the median age of its population today at 19 years old.

By 2050, at least one quarter of the entire population of the world will be in Africa, and about a quarter of the world’s working age population will be African. This presents enormous opportunities for African countries and their global business partners to unlock commercial value that will grow their respective economies and yield substantial returns.

Busara Advisors helps commercial clients navigate Africa, which includes some of the most complex and promising emerging markets in the world.

We also help African clients access markets and resources beyond the continent in order to grow and scale their businesses.

With corporate offices in Washington and Atlanta and locations covering significant regions of the African continent, our unmatched team of experts brings decades of expertise across dozens of countries across Africa and beyond to help our clients achieve their commercial objectives. At Busara Advisors, Our business is business. Our purpose is Africa.

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Why Africa?

The World’s Next Growth Engine

Population

1 in 5 people will be African by 2030

Workforce

Nearly 25% of the global workforce will be African by 2050

Market Size

The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) will create the world’s largest single geographic market—covering 54 countries and a $3 trillion opportunity.

Potential

By 2030, Africa will be home to over 40% of the world’s youth, making it the youngest and most dynamic consumer and talent base globally.

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Africa is the future. It is the world’s next growth engine and the only global region remaining with such untapped potential.

The demographic and economic growth on the continent over the next 25 years will make the development of Africa one of the most important forces shaping the 21st century.

– Ambassador (ret.) Reuben E. Brigety, II

Today, 1.5 billion people call Africa home across 54 sovereign countries with a combined economic output of USD 3 trillion. Africa’s GDP growth continues to outpace global growth averages.  By 2050, a quarter of the world’s working age population will be African, and at least one quarter of humanity will be African.

Recognizing the significance of this growth, Busara Advisors has three simple objectives in Africa: to grow jobs, to add value, and to spread dignity. We help our clients to do business in and with Africa, enabling them to grow jobs both on the Continent and in their own countries. We help unlock commercial value for our clients and for the communities in which we operate. And we help to spread dignity, because businesses create jobs and jobs create dignity. At Busara Advisors, Our business is business. Our purpose is Africa.

Ambassador (Ret.) Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Former U.S. Permanent Representative to the UN

James Cowles

Former Citi CEO for Europe and Middle East

Honorable Brent McIntosh

Former U.S. Undersecretary of Treasury for Int’l Affairs

Kuseni Dlamini

Chairman of Aspen Pharmacare and Alexforbes Group

Marshall Parke

Chairman of Western Venture Partners

Daniel F. Runde

BGR Group Senior Advisor

Jim Hunt

Non-Executive Chairman of Hunt Companies

Enoh T. Ebong

Former Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA)

Ambassador (ret.) Reuben E. Brigety, II

President

Washington, DC

Kary Hintz-Tate

Senior Vice President, Finance and Operations

Washington, DC

Obi Onuchukwu

Vice President, Business Development

Atlanta, GA

Naomia A. Suggs-Brigety

Principal Director

Washington, DC

Sam Everette

Director

Atlanta, GA

Elena Bernardi

Director

Washington, DC

Mandla W. Maphumulo

Senior Regional Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

John Lufuluabo

Regional Director

Johannesburg, South Africa

Lawrence Ngorand

Regional Director

Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire

Roman Dessie

Regional Director

Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

John Cowan

Regional Director

Nairobi, Kenya

Honorable Don Graves

Counselor

Former U.S. Deputy Secretary of Commerce

Ambassador (Ret.) Tibor Nagy

Senior Principal

Former Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs

El-Ghassim Wane

Principal

Former UN Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Ops

Michelle Adelman

Principal

Founder of Accite Holdings

Ambassador (Ret.) Jessye Lapenn

Principal

Former U.S. Ambassador to the African Union

Ambassador (Ret.) R. Carl Paschall

Principal

Former U.S. Ambassador to the Gambia

Lisa Walker

Senior Advisor

Former Africa Managing Director for Prosper Africa

Chandra Baier

Senior Advisor

Former U.S. Department of State in South Africa

Integrity Always

An unshakeable commitment to doing what’s right, no matter what.

Excellence in Everything

Crafting excellence, every time, every way.

Live Ubuntu

Connected in humanity, united in purpose. We are, because you are.

Figure it Out

Unyielding determination and unrelenting drive to propel us forward, no matter the challenge.

Keep Winning

We unlock commercial value for our clients.

Ambassador (ret.) Linda Thomas-Greenfield

Board Chair

Ambassador Linda Thomas-Greenfield has had a distinguished career as a diplomat, serving in a wide range of assignments. From 2013 to 2017, she served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs, where she led U.S. policy development for sub-Saharan Africa. She previously served as Director General of the Foreign Service and Director of Human Resources, overseeing the State Department’s global workforce.

Her notable Foreign Service roles include serving as U.S. Ambassador to Liberia (2008–2012) and holding postings in Switzerland, Pakistan, Kenya, The Gambia, Nigeria, and Jamaica. In Washington, she served as Principal Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of African Affairs and as Deputy Assistant Secretary in the Bureau of Population, Refugees, and Migration.

After retiring in 2017, Ambassador Thomas-Greenfield led the Africa Practice at Albright Stonebridge Group and was a Distinguished Resident Fellow in African Studies at Georgetown University’s Institute for the Study of Diplomacy.

She holds a bachelor’s degree from Louisiana State University and a master’s degree from the University of Wisconsin, where she also pursued doctoral studies. Her honors include a Presidential Rank Award, a Secretary’s Distinguished Service Award, and numerous other commendations. She also holds honorary doctorates from the University of Wisconsin and the University of Liberia.

James Cowles

Board Member

James C. Cowles currently serves on the board of directors of various early-stage companies. These activities include serving as the non-Executive Chairman of ShieldPay Inc., and as a member of the Board of Directors of Dystematic, RTGS Global, and Kroptek.

Prior to assuming these current responsibilities, Jim was Chief Executive Officer for Europe, Middle East & Africa (EMEA) at Citi from 2013 until his retirement in 2019. During that time, he was responsible for all businesses in the 55 EMEA countries and was also a member of Citi’s Operating Committee.

Jim’s other previous positions at Citi included Chief Operating Officer for EMEA, Head of Western Europe, Head of Markets for EMEA, Global Head of Equities, Global Head of Equity Capital Markets, Deputy Head of Global Investment Banking, and Global Head of Debt Capital Markets.

Jim served from 2010 to 2013 on the Board of Directors, Executive Committee, and as Treasurer of AFME (Association for Financial Markets in Europe). He also served on the Board of Directors of Akbank from 2013 to 2015.

A member of Phi Beta Kappa, Jim graduated from Denison University in 1977 with a B.A. in Economics. He earned his M.B.A. from The Wharton School, University of Pennsylvania, in 1979.

Honorable Brent McIntosh

Board Member

Brent McIntosh is Citi’s Chief Legal Officer & Corporate Secretary. He leads Citi’s Global Legal Affairs & Compliance organization, which includes the Legal Department, Independent Compliance Risk Management, Citi Security and Investigative Services, and Regulatory Strategy and Policy functions. He is also a member of Citi’s Executive Management Team.

From 2019 to 2021, Brent served as Under Secretary of the Treasury for International Affairs, where he led the Treasury Department’s engagement in the G7 and G20, represented the United States on the Financial Stability Board, and managed U.S. participation at the IMF and World Bank. He oversaw Treasury’s international economic and financial policy work, including major initiatives on investment security and digital currency regulation. During 2020, he coordinated efforts to mitigate the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic.

From 2017 to 2019, Brent served as General Counsel of the U.S. Treasury Department, leading the department’s approximately 2,000 lawyers and driving its regulatory reform efforts. Prior to that, he was a partner at Sullivan & Cromwell LLP, where his practice focused on complex disputes involving financial institutions and multinational corporations.

Earlier in his career, Brent served in the White House (2006–2009), first as Associate Counsel to the President and later as Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Staff Secretary. Before that, he was a Deputy Assistant Attorney General at the U.S. Department of Justice, focusing on national security matters.

A Michigan native, Brent holds an A.B. in Economics and Political Science from the University of Michigan and a J.D. from Yale Law School. Following law school, he clerked for Judge Dennis Jacobs of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Second Circuit and Judge Laurence H. Silberman of the D.C. Circuit.

Brent serves on the Board of Directors of the Alexander Hamilton Society, the Board of Advisors for the Yale Law School Center for the Study of Corporate Law, the Board of Advisors for the National Security Institute at George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School, and the Advisory Council of the Official Monetary and Financial Institutions Forum. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations, where he previously served as an Adjunct Senior Fellow for International Economics and Finance, as well as the Trilateral Commission, the American Law Institute, the Bretton Woods Committee, and the International Institute for Strategic Studies.

Kuseni Dlamini

Board Member

Kuseni Dlamini is the Chairman of Aspen Pharmacare Holdings Ltd and Alexforbes Group Holdings Ltd, both listed on the Johannesburg Stock Exchange (JSE). Aspen is a global pharmaceutical leader with a presence in over 50 countries, while Alexforbes is a diversified financial services group. He also serves as President of the American Chamber of Commerce (AMCHAM) in South Africa, representing more than 600 U.S. multinational companies.

Formerly, Kuseni was the Chief Executive Officer of Old Mutual South Africa and Emerging Markets, where he oversaw the company’s strategy and operations across Africa, Asia, and Latin America. He has held senior positions at Anglo American South Africa and served on the Executive Committee of Anglo American plc. Kuseni has also served as Chairman of Sandvik Mining South Africa, Massmart, and Richards Bay Coal Terminal, and has held senior roles at AngloGold Ashanti and De Beers.

A graduate of the University of KwaZulu-Natal and the University of Oxford, Kuseni was named a Young Global Leader by the World Economic Forum (WEF) in 2008. He has been recognized by both the Mail & Guardian and The Economist as one of South Africa’s most influential figures.

In 2011, he was appointed Co-Chairman of the World Economic Forum Africa Summit, and he continues to serve in a range of professional and charitable capacities, including as Deputy National Chairman of the South African Institute of International Affairs and Co-Chair of the Advisory Board at the Gordon Institute of Business Science.

Marshall Parke

Board Member

Marshall Parke is the Chairman of Western Venture Partners, a venture capital firm. He was previously the Vice Chairman and Managing Partner at Lexington Partners, one of the world’s largest buyers of secondary interests in private equity assets. Today, Lexington manages assets in excess of $75 billion.

Marshall joined Lexington Partners in 2000, where he was responsible for building the firm’s non-U.S. activities and later served as a member of its four-person Management Committee. Between 2000 and 2018, he led Lexington’s expansion across Europe, the Middle East, Asia, and Latin America. In 2021, Lexington was acquired by Franklin Templeton.

Prior to his tenure at Lexington, Marshall founded and built Manistee Ltd, an Asia-based merchant banking firm. Manistee advised major corporations operating in emerging markets across Asia, including Bechtel, BP, Jardine Matheson, Maruha, and Colgate. Acting as a venture capital firm, Manistee also launched and developed six companies from inception in the fields of semiconductor assembly, property development, and advertising/product promotion.

Earlier in his career, Marshall was a banker at HSBC and The Chase Manhattan Bank. He holds a B.A. in International Affairs from The George Washington University, an M.B.A. from the Thunderbird School of Global Management, and completed the Owner/President Management Program at Harvard Business School.

Marshall is the Co-Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Elliott School of International Affairs and the Founder and Chairman of the SHARE Fellowship Program at Thunderbird, which provides scholarships and mentorship to exceptional students from emerging countries around the world.

Daniel F. Runde

Board Member

Daniel F. Runde is a Senior Vice President, Director of the Project on Prosperity and Development (PPD), and holds the William A. Schreyer Chair in Global Analysis at the Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS), a leading global think tank. From 2020 to 2022, he also served as Acting Director of the CSIS Americas Program. His work focuses on advancing U.S. leadership in building a more democratic and prosperous world.

Among his many contributions, Daniel was an architect of the BUILD Act, helped secure the reauthorization of the U.S. Export-Import Bank (EXIM) in 2018, and played a key role in creating Prosper Africa, a U.S. government initiative to deepen commercial and development engagement across Africa. He has also been a prominent voice on the role and future of the World Bank Group and U.S. leadership in the multilateral system.

Prior to joining CSIS, Daniel held leadership roles at both the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) and the World Bank Group. Earlier in his career, he worked in commercial banking at Citibank in Argentina and in investment banking at Alex. Brown & Sons. He was awarded the Officer’s Cross in the Order of Isabel la Católica, one of Spain’s highest civil honors.

Daniel currently serves on the Board of Directors of the International Foundation for Electoral Systems (IFES), the Western NIS Enterprise Fund (WNISEF), Spirit of America, and the Ashesi University Foundation. He is a member of the Council on Foreign Relations and the Bretton Woods Committee.

In addition to his policy work, Daniel is a columnist for The Hill and host of the CSIS podcast series Building the Future: Freedom, Prosperity & Foreign Policy with Dan Runde. He is also the author of The American Imperative: Reclaiming Global Leadership through Soft Power (Bombardier Books, 2022).

He previously chaired two U.S. government advisory committees — the Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (USAID) and the Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee (U.S. EXIM Bank). Fluent in Spanish, Daniel graduated cum laude from Dartmouth College and holds a Master’s in Public Policy from Harvard University.

Jim Hunt

Board Member

Jim Hunt is the Non-Executive Chairman of Hunt Companies, Inc., a diversified real estate firm based in El Paso, Texas, specializing in military housing, affordable housing, and infrastructure fund management. He also chairs the investment committees for AspidaRE and Aspida Holdings, which collectively manage over $20 billion in assets, and serves on the Board of Directors of Cartiga LLC, a FinTech company. In addition, he is an elected trustee and treasurer of St. John’s Health in Jackson, Wyoming.

Previously, Jim was Managing Partner and CEO at Kayne Anderson Capital Advisors from 2015 to 2016, and served as Non-Executive Chairman of THL Credit, Inc. from 2014 to 2015. He was a founder of THL Credit and THL Credit Advisors, where he held several leadership roles. Earlier in his career, he was CEO of Bison Capital Asset Management and held senior positions at SunAmerica and Citibank. From 2013 to 2024, he served on the Board of Directors and as Lead Director of PennyMac Financial Services.

Jim has also served on the boards of multiple investment companies, including the Ares Dynamic Credit Allocation Fund, CION Ares Diversified Credit Fund, and Primus Guaranty.

He holds a B.B.A. from the University of Texas at El Paso and an M.B.A. from the Wharton School of the University of Pennsylvania.

Enoh T. Ebong

Board Member

Enoh T. Ebong is a seasoned executive and strategist recognized for her leadership in advancing international public–private partnerships and global infrastructure development. As the former Director of the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA), she was appointed by President Joseph R. Biden and confirmed by the U.S. Senate to lead USTDA’s global programs—driving economic growth through energy, transportation, digital, and healthcare initiatives.

During her tenure, Ms. Ebong spearheaded transformative efforts such as the Pacific Islands Infrastructure Initiative and the Digital Transformation with Africa Initiative, and oversaw landmark projects including the Lobito Rail Corridor, linking Congo, Zambia, and Angola to global markets. Her leadership strengthened interagency collaboration across the U.S. government and deepened partnerships with international stakeholders.

Before serving as Director, Ms. Ebong held key roles at USTDA as General Counsel and Deputy Director/Chief Operating Officer. She also contributed to the nonprofit sector as Executive Vice President at the Milken Center for Advancing the American Dream, where she advanced programs focused on global opportunity and inclusion.

Ms. Ebong currently serves on several boards, including the Woodrow Wilson International Center for Scholars, and has been recognized by Lawyers of Color for her excellence and leadership. She holds a Juris Doctor from the University of Michigan Law School, a Master’s degree in Communication from the Annenberg School at the University of Pennsylvania, and an M.A. with honors from the University of Edinburgh. She is a member of the Massachusetts Bar.

Ambassador (ret.) Reuben E. Brigety, II

President

Ambassador (ret.) Reuben E. Brigety II is one of the United States’ foremost experts on African affairs and international diplomacy. From 2022 to 2025, he served as the U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of South Africa, the continent’s largest and most industrialized economy. Previously, he served as the U.S. Representative to the African Union and Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (2013–2015), as well as Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs (2011–2013), where he oversaw U.S. policy on Southern Africa and regional security affairs.

From 2015 to 2020, Ambassador Brigety served as Dean of the Elliott School of International Affairs at The George Washington University—the largest school of international affairs in the United States. During his tenure, he founded the Institute for African Studies, expanding the university’s academic and policy engagement with the continent. He also served on the Board of Counselors at McLarty Associates (2015–2022), where he advised on African commercial and strategic issues.

A Distinguished Midshipman Graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy, Ambassador Brigety earned his B.S. in Political Science (with merit) and served as Brigade Commander, the academy’s highest student leadership position. He holds both an M.Phil. and Ph.D. in International Relations from the University of Cambridge.

Ambassador Brigety is a Life Member of the Council on Foreign Relations and a Fellow of the American Academy of Diplomacy. His career reflects a deep commitment to advancing principled U.S. engagement with Africa through diplomacy, education, and strategic cooperation.

Kary Hintz-Tate

Senior Vice President, Finance and Operations

A seasoned diplomat turned executive, Kary Hintz-Tate brings over two decades of economic and foreign policy leadership to her work at the intersection of diplomacy, business, and international development. A career U.S. Foreign Service Officer (2004–2025), she specialized in African economic affairs, mastering the balance between strategic policy impact and operational excellence in complex global environments.

Kary served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Mission to the African Union and U.S. Deputy Permanent Representative to the UN Economic Commission for Africa in Ethiopia, where she led multilateral policy engagement and managed high-stakes diplomatic operations. Over her seven years of postings in Africa—including an early career assignment in South Africa—she developed deep expertise in emerging financial markets and regional economic strategy.

In Washington, she advanced U.S. commercial and economic policy as Deputy Director of Economic Affairs for African Affairs, Director of Economic Policy for Western Hemisphere Affairs, and Deputy Director of Aviation Negotiations in the Bureau of Economic and Business Affairs. She also contributed to the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) negotiating team, reinforcing her credentials in global trade and commercial diplomacy.

Before entering government, Kary worked in the private sector as a business analyst at a litigation consulting firm, where she developed strong forensic financial and accounting skills. She holds an MBA from Thunderbird School of Global Management and a B.A. in Spanish and Foreign Affairs from the University of Virginia. She speaks Spanish fluently and has working proficiency in French.

Obi Onuchukwu

Vice President, Business Development

Obi Onuchukwu is a seasoned business development executive with over two decades of international experience spanning the power, energy, banking, insurance, and telecommunications sectors. He currently serves as Vice President of Business Development at Busara, where he leads strategic advisory and growth initiatives across global markets.

Obi brings deep expertise in commercial strategy, infrastructure development, and digital transformation. Prior to Busara, he held several senior roles at General Electric (GE), where he led commercial operations for the company’s electrification software business in North America and helped expand GE’s energy solutions across sub-Saharan Africa. His work focuses on driving sustainable growth, managing complex infrastructure projects, and guiding organizations through digital and energy transitions.

Earlier in his career, Obi held technical and sales positions at Cisco, Huawei, and Nokia, developing a strong foundation in digital infrastructure and enterprise technology—skills he now applies to help organizations modernize and scale.

Recognized for his strategic thinking, collaborative leadership, and cross-industry expertise, Obi is regarded as a trusted advisor to executives navigating complex infrastructure and investment decisions.

He holds a Global Executive MBA from IESE Business School (Barcelona, Spain), a postgraduate certification in Data Science and Business Analytics from the University of Texas at Austin, and a bachelor’s degree in Electrical and Electronic Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (Nigeria).

He lives in Atlanta, Georgia, with his wife and two children.

Naomia A. Suggs-Brigety

Principal Director

Naomia A. Suggs-Brigety is an experienced development professional with a multidisciplinary background spanning engineering, international development, and public policy. From 2021 to 2024, she served as a Research Assistant at George Washington University’s School of Engineering and Applied Sciences and the Elliott School of International Affairs, conducting research on equitable energy transitions and sustainable urbanization.

From 2020 to 2021, Ms. Suggs-Brigety served as a Professional Staff Member for the U.S. House of Representatives Subcommittee on Africa, Global Health, and Global Human Rights, where she advised committee members on Africa policy, regional infrastructure development, and global health. In this role, she also served as staff lead for Congressional Delegations, coordinating high-level engagements between U.S. lawmakers, national governments, civil society, and international organizations.

Earlier in her career, she worked at the Corporate Council on Africa (2018–2019), producing analyses on international trade, agriculture, and telecommunications to support U.S.–Africa trade relations and infrastructure development. From 2014 to 2017, she served as a Bridge Designer at the Mississippi Department of Transportation, leading structural analysis and design for critical infrastructure projects.

Ms. Suggs-Brigety has completed doctoral research at George Washington University, focusing on energy equity and the implementation of global energy transitions. She holds an M.A. in International Development Studies from George Washington University and a B.S. in Civil Engineering from Jackson State University.

Sam Everette

Director

Sam Everette is an experienced consultant specializing in transportation and logistics, technology and digital infrastructure, and strategic business development. He brings a strong background in geopolitical analysis and national security strategy, advising both public and private sector clients on emerging technologies and complex global issues.

Before joining Busara Advisors, Mr. Everette served as an Associate at Beacon Global Strategies (BGS), a Washington, D.C.–based strategic advisory firm focused on U.S. national security and defense innovation. In this role, he advised clients on emerging defense technologies, digital infrastructure, and geopolitical risk. He previously worked as a Research Associate at Business Executives for National Security (BENS), conducting in-depth analysis on geopolitical developments, industrial policy, and public–private collaboration in the security sector.

Earlier in his career, Mr. Everette interned in the U.S. House of Representatives, supporting a member of the Foreign Affairs Committee and the Subcommittee on Africa.

He holds an M.A. in Security Policy Studies from The George Washington University’s Elliott School of International Affairs, with a concentration in Transnational Security, and a B.A. in International and Global Studies from Sewanee: The University of the South, where he completed a thesis on counterterrorism strategy and community development in West Africa.

Elena Bernardi

Director

Elena Bernardi is a versatile international affairs professional with experience spanning international development, security analysis, and public sector innovation. Prior to joining Busara Advisors, she held roles at FHI 360, Protection Group International, the World Bank, and the Watson Institute, where she focused on countering violent extremism, advancing development initiatives in fragile settings, and conducting political and security risk assessments. She also served as Director of Public Relations at Yimtubezina Museum and Cultural Center—Ethiopia’s first woman-owned private museum—and led healthcare education and workforce strategy initiatives across the U.S. West Coast.

Originally from Addis Ababa, Elena is fluent in Amharic, French, and English, and proficient in Spanish and Italian. She holds a Master of Public Affairs from Brown University and was a Science, Technology, and Society Fellow at the Harvard Kennedy School. She earned her B.A. in Peacebuilding and Development from Eastern Mennonite University and studied law at the Université Libre de Bruxelles.

Mandla W. Maphumulo

Senior Regional Director

Mandla W. Maphumulo is a seasoned banking and advisory professional with extensive experience in emerging financial markets and a proven track record across Africa’s diverse and complex operating environments. From 2020 to 2024, he served as a Director at Visa Sub-Saharan Africa, where he built and led the company’s Risk Advisory practice while incubating two additional critical advisory verticals. From 2019 to 2020, he served as Chief Audit Executive at the Land Bank, a state-owned development finance institution, where he contributed to the bank’s restructuring strategy in collaboration with South Africa’s National Treasury. Prior to that, from 2017 to 2019, he was a Provincial Regional Executive for Sales and Service Enablement within the retail and business banking segments of the Absa Group.

Between 2007 and 2016, Mr. Maphumulo held senior auditing positions at Barclays Africa and the FirstRand Group. During his tenure at Barclays Group in London amid the 2008–2010 global financial crisis, he played a pivotal role in reducing credit risk exposures within the retail banking portfolios of Barclays Emerging Markets. Earlier in his career, from 2002 to 2007, he served as a Credit Risk Analyst at PIC Solutions and as a Credit Portfolio Manager at Nedbank Group.

Mr. Maphumulo is also deeply committed to the growth of small and medium enterprises in South Africa. In the fintech sector, he serves as a payments advisor to the CEO of Vuleka platform and as a business development advisor to Walena Africa Capital.

He holds a Master’s degree with dean’s merit in Entrepreneurship and New Venture Creation from Wits Business School at the University of the Witwatersrand, an Executive General Management Programme certification from the Gordon Institute of Business Science at the University of Pretoria, and a Bachelor of Business Science (Honours) degree from the University of Cape Town.

John Lufuluabo

Regional Director

John Lufuluabo is a dynamic business development leader and Regional Director at Busara Advisors Inc., with over 13 years of cross-sector experience driving growth, operational excellence, and strategic client engagement across Africa’s private and public sectors. His expertise spans the energy, mining, oil and gas, financial services, and technology industries, where he has consistently delivered commercial results, led high-performing multicultural teams, and built lasting client partnerships. Known for his ability to translate strategic vision into measurable outcomes, John brings a deep understanding of African market dynamics and a passion for shaping inclusive, sustainable solutions.

Before joining Busara, John held key roles at two of South Africa’s leading banks—First National Bank and Standard Bank—before advancing to Regional Manager for Strategic Accounts at S&P Global Commodity Insights. There, he managed a multimillion-dollar portfolio spanning West, Central, and Southern Africa, consistently delivering double-digit revenue growth and forging strategic relationships with high-level stakeholders across both the public and private sectors. Fluent in English and French, he has built a reputation as a trusted advisor and cross-cultural leader, navigating some of the continent’s most complex business environments with insight and integrity.

John has served in various governance and advisory capacities, including as Executive Treasurer on the Board of BOLD South Africa, as a Board Member of the Learning & Development Committee at Centurion Systems, and as a member of the Employee Equity Committee at S&P Global South Africa. He holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Marketing Management and is currently pursuing an MBA in Strategy from Edinburgh Business School. He has also completed executive programs in strategy, risk management, generative AI, and project leadership. With a solution-focused mindset, John combines data, insight, and innovation to unlock value and deliver meaningful impact across Africa’s most complex markets.

Lawrence Ngorand

Regional Director

Lawrence Ngorand is an accomplished commercial diplomat and international business strategist with over a decade of experience driving trade, investment, and strategic partnerships across Africa and Europe. Based in Abidjan, he leads Busara Advisors’ commercial diplomacy efforts in francophone West Africa, advising clients on market entry, stakeholder engagement, and geopolitical strategy across the region.

Before joining Busara Advisors, Mr. Ngorand served as Country Director for Côte d’Ivoire at the UK Department for Business and Trade, where he shaped and executed the UK’s commercial strategy in the country. In this role, he directed trade missions, supported UK investors in navigating complex market access dynamics, and built high-level networks with senior government officials and private sector leaders.

Mr. Ngorand’s private sector background spans commercial and business development leadership roles at leading European firms including Hypernode BV, QAD Europe, and Connect Distribution Services. His track record includes closing multi-million-pound enterprise deals, building strategic partner ecosystems, and expanding market share across industrial, technology, and consumer sectors.

Fluent in both English and French, Mr. Ngorand brings a rare combination of global perspective and local insight to his work. He holds a Master’s degree in International Business from Ulster University (UK) and a Master’s in International Public Policy from Queen Mary University of London, and has completed executive training in Multilateral Diplomacy (UNITAR) and Public Policy Economics (University of Oxford).

Roman Dessie

Regional Director

Roman Dessie is a seasoned business development and management professional with nearly two decades of leadership experience spanning business development, marketing, and strategic partnerships across the public, private, and international NGO sectors.

Most recently, she served as Head of Business Development and Global Partnerships at Plan International Ethiopia, where she led the mobilization of multi-million-dollar funding portfolios and directed high-level engagements with government officials, donors, foundations, and private sector leaders. Her portfolio covered key sectors including technology, agriculture, infrastructure, education, health and nutrition, and tourism.

Prior to joining Plan International, Ms. Dessie held senior leadership positions at the British Council, Techno Brain, and the MIDROC Group, where she led commercial strategy, international partnerships, and market positioning initiatives that enhanced organizational competitiveness and visibility on the global stage.

She also has a proven track record of launching and scaling multi-country private enterprises, as well as advancing policy dialogue and investment collaboration with governments, donors, and multilateral institutions. Her areas of expertise include market entry facilitation, investor relations, government liaison, donor coordination, and impact-driven fundraising aligned with national and continental development priorities.

Ms. Dessie holds an MBA in Marketing Management and dual Bachelor’s degrees in Public Administration & Development Management and Foreign Languages & Literature from Addis Ababa University. She is also a recipient of the “One in a Million Worldwide Best Account Management Award” from New Horizons USA in recognition of excellence in partnership management and client relations.

John Cowan

Regional Director

Captain John Cowan is a retiring U.S. Navy SEAL and combat-proven warrior-diplomat with over 30 years of global leadership in special operations, diplomacy, and security cooperation. His distinguished career spans deployments across multiple continents and strategic assignments at the Pentagon and U.S. Department of State, where he developed deep expertise in managing risk, navigating uncertainty, and building enduring partnerships across government, public, and private sectors.

Throughout his service, Captain Cowan led elite special operations teams across sea, air, and land domains, demonstrating operational excellence in high-stakes environments. As Director for Counterterrorism in the Office of the U.S. Secretary of Defense, he shaped presidential policy on global counterterrorism operations, oversaw more than $200 million in special operations programs, and regularly briefed the U.S. Senate, House Defense Oversight Committees, and the National Security Council.

He also commanded a premier international training center focused on strengthening global alliances, which has educated over 14,000 students from 129 countries.

While his global footprint is extensive, Captain Cowan brings a deep regional specialization in Africa—having directed operations and initiatives with U.S. Special Operations Command Africa, Joint Special Operations Task Force–Trans Sahara, and most recently serving as Special Operations Liaison Officer at the U.S. Embassy in Nairobi, Kenya.

Captain Cowan is a graduate of The Honor Foundation, holds a B.A. in Psychology from the University of Notre Dame, and earned a Master’s in National Security Strategy as a Distinguished Graduate of the National War College.

Don Graves

Counselor

Don Graves served as the 19th Deputy Secretary of Commerce for the United States, where he managed a workforce of nearly 50,000 employees and an annual budget exceeding $160 billion. In this role, he led policy development across national security, industrial strategy, and economic development, while overseeing major organizational reforms within the Department of Commerce—including a comprehensive modernization of its payments, grants management, and acquisition systems. He also coordinated a $100 billion federal investment initiative to accelerate Puerto Rico’s economic recovery.

Mr. Graves brings extensive experience from both the public and private sectors. Prior to his appointment as Deputy Secretary, he served as Executive Vice President at KeyBank, where he managed the bank’s $16.5 billion Community Benefits Plan and corporate responsibility portfolio. During the Obama-Biden Administration, he served as Domestic and Economic Policy Director for then–Vice President Joe Biden, leading the Detroit economic recovery initiative that mobilized more than $300 million in public and private investments. He also held senior roles at the U.S. Department of the Treasury and represented the United States as Federal Representative to the G7 Task Force on Social Impact Investment.

Mr. Graves has served on several boards, including the MetroHealth Foundation, the FDIC Advisory Committee on Economic Inclusion, and the Policy Advisory Board of the Biden Institute. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and History from Williams College and a J.D. from Georgetown University Law Center. A dedicated family man and outdoor enthusiast, he enjoys hiking and backpacking with his two children.

Ambassador (ret.) Tibor Nagy

Advisor

Tibor Nagy performed the duties of the Undersecretary of State for Management from January to April 2025, after having served as Assistant Secretary of State for African Affairs from 2018-2021. As Assistant Secretary, in addition to leading the U.S. government’s efforts to deal with Africa’s myriad systemic challenges, Ambassador Nagy prioritized dramatically increasing trade and investment between the United States and Africa and implementing “deal teams” in every US Embassy to support this effort. He also focused on persuading African governments to create the types of business and governance environments which would attract outside investment to create jobs for Africa’s emerging Youth Tsunami. 

From 2003 to 2018 Ambassador Nagy was Vice Provost for International Affairs at Texas Tech University where his efforts resulted in large increases in international students, study abroad programs, and international partnerships. He also lectured nationally on Africa, foreign policy, international development, and US diplomacy – and advised two Presidential campaigns, serving as Gov. Romney’s Africa policy group co-chair in 2012 and on Presidential candidate Obama’s Africa group in 2008. 

He was the US Ambassador to Ethiopia from 1999-2002, a period which included the Ethio-Eritrean War and a robust anti-terrorism campaign. Previously he was Ambassador to Guinea after serving as Deputy Ambassador in Nigeria, Cameroon, and Togo. He also had assignments in Zambia, the Seychelles, Washington DC, and an earlier tour in Ethiopia. Ambassador Nagy arrived in the US as a political refugee from Hungary and received his B.A. from Texas Tech University and M.S.A. from George Washington University. His U.S. State Department awards include commendations for helping prevent famine in Ethiopia; supporting the evacuation of Americans from Sierra Leone during combat; supporting efforts to end the Ethio-Eritrean War, and managing the US Embassy in Lagos, Nigeria during political and economic crises. He was selected as runner-up for “Deputy Chief of Mission of the Year” in 1995 and knighted by the President of Guinea in 1999. Ambassador Nagy contributes periodic op-ed pieces and co-authored the nonfiction winner of the 2014 Paris Book Festival on managing in difficult international environments, “Kiss Your Latte Goodbye.”

El-Ghassim Wane

Principal

El-Ghassim Wane is a Principal at Busara Advisors, bringing over 30 years of diplomatic, strategic advisory, and conflict management experience. With deep expertise in peace and security, international governance, and diplomacy, he advises global clients on navigating Africa’s complex business and geopolitical landscape. His distinguished career includes senior roles at both the United Nations and the African Union, where he led initiatives in geopolitical risk analysis, stakeholder engagement, and cross-border partnership development.

From May 2021 to December 2023, Mr. Wane served as Special Representative of the Secretary-General in Mali and Head of the United Nations Multidimensional Integrated Stabilization Mission in Mali (MINUSMA), directing one of the UN’s most challenging peace operations in a volatile political and security environment. Previously, he served as Assistant Secretary-General for Peacekeeping Operations at the UN Secretariat, where he provided strategic guidance to peace missions across multiple continents. His earlier roles at the Organization of African Unity and the African Union further strengthened his deep understanding of Africa’s political, economic, and institutional dynamics.

In addition to his diplomatic work, Mr. Wane has taught at George Washington University and Sciences Po Paris, and serves as a Senior Research Fellow at the African Leadership Centre, King’s College London. He holds a Master’s degree in International Public Law and International Relations, and a Postgraduate degree in International and European Studies from the Universities of Dakar and Lille II. Fluent in English, French, Wolof, and Fulani, Mr. Wane leverages his cultural fluency, global network, and strategic insight to strengthen Busara’s capabilities in deal sourcing, market entry, and cross-border advisory across Africa.

Michelle Adelman

Principal

Michelle Adelman is an accomplished business leader and entrepreneur with more than 35 years of cross-industry experience and a decade dedicated to driving economic development and job creation for youth and women across emerging markets. As the Founder and Managing Director of Accite Holdings, a boutique investment and advisory firm focused on sustainable food systems, Michelle has been at the forefront of building innovative businesses that promote health, sustainability, and economic inclusion in Africa and beyond.

Her industry expertise spans agriculture, consumer packaged goods, healthcare, travel and tourism, media, and telecommunications. Before founding Accite, Michelle held several senior leadership roles, including Global Managing Director at Accenture, CEO of a U.S.-based home health services company, and Group Strategy Executive at Econet Group, a pan-African telecommunications conglomerate.

Michelle’s entrepreneurial ventures—including Go Fresh!, Infinite Foods (Africa), and Crossover Meat (U.S.)—have positioned her as a pioneer in advancing plant-based food innovation and food security solutions across continents.

Her leadership and impact have earned international recognition, including being named Africa’s Most Influential Woman in Business & Professional Services by CEO Global (2017), one of Forbes Africa’s “20 New Wealth Creators” (2019), and a member of the Meaningful Business 100 (2021) honoring leaders advancing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. In 2022, she received the Distinguished Alumni Award from Cornell University.

Michelle’s board service includes roles as Trustee of the Chautauqua Institution and Advisory Board Member for the Plant-Based World Expo. She has also served on advisory boards for Cornell University’s College of Agriculture and Life Sciences, FoodNext Africa, and Farming Future Bangladesh, and as a Trustee of the Sir Ketumile Masire Foundation, Director of Turnstar Holdings, and Director of the Botswana Human Resources Development Council.

Michelle holds a Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from Cornell University.

Ambassador (ret.) Jessica Lapenn

Principal

Jessica (Jessye) Lapenn recently retired from the U.S. Department of State after a distinguished 30-year global diplomatic career advancing U.S. foreign policy and multilateral cooperation. Most recently, she served as the U.S. Ambassador to the African Union and U.S. Permanent Representative to the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa from 2019 to 2024, where she played a pivotal role in strengthening partnerships across the African continent and deepening collaboration between U.S. and African institutions.

From 2016 to 2019, Ambassador Lapenn served as Chargé d’Affaires (Acting Ambassador) in South Africa, leading one of the largest U.S. missions on the continent and overseeing extensive bilateral programs in health, trade, and governance. Earlier, she served as Deputy Chief of Mission in Rwanda from 2012 to 2014, where she advanced U.S. engagement on regional stability and post-conflict development.

In her final diplomatic assignment, Ambassador Lapenn was appointed as the inaugural Senior Coordinator for Atlantic Cooperation, where she led implementation of the newly established Atlantic Cooperation Initiative—a strategic effort to enhance collaboration among Atlantic coastal nations on issues including energy, climate resilience, and maritime security.

Born and raised in New York City, Ambassador Lapenn earned a B.A. with Honors in Women’s Studies from Harvard College and an M.Phil. in International Development from the University of Cambridge.

Ambassador (ret.) R. Carl Paschall

Principal

Richard “Carl” Paschall is a seasoned senior executive and diplomat with a distinguished career leading globally diverse, multidisciplinary teams to solve complex organizational challenges.

A former U.S. Ambassador to The Gambia, Ambassador Paschall most recently served as the Acting Deputy Representative of the United States to the United Nations, holding ambassadorial rank. His career spans leadership roles across Africa, the Middle East, South Asia, and Washington, D.C., where he directed high-impact initiatives in counterterrorism (CBRN), U.S.-Africa strategy and resourcing, defense and interagency coordination, and Congressional national security engagement.

Beyond his diplomatic service, Ambassador Paschall continues to advance global governance and security collaboration. He is an inaugural member of the Global Career Council at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, his alma mater, and provides subject matter expertise to U.S. Department of Defense contractors. He is also the founder of Syntagma Development Group, a U.S.-based non-profit organization dedicated to strengthening good governance and citizen participation in government.

Lisa Walker

Senior Advisor

Lisa M. Walker brings over three decades of experience advancing strategic partnerships between the United States and Africa, with a career defined by innovation, inclusion, and impact. As Managing Director of Africa Operations for Prosper Africa, a U.S. Presidential initiative, Lisa led transformative trade and investment efforts across key sectors including energy, mining, digital technology, agriculture, healthcare, infrastructure, and the creative industries.

A principal architect of Prosper Africa’s strategy to catalyze inclusive economic growth, Lisa championed the alignment of private capital with opportunity. During her tenure, the initiative facilitated more than $120 billion in new investments, driving innovation and deepening U.S.-Africa commercial ties. She also spearheaded Prosper’s engagement with Africa’s creative economy, bridging financing gaps and fostering job creation across music, film, animation, and fashion.

Previously, Lisa served as Director for Energy at Power Africa, where she oversaw a $400 million foreign assistance portfolio that expanded electricity access to over 159 million people in 40 African countries. Earlier in her career, she held roles with USAID in Kenya, Haiti, and Vietnam, leading trade and investment portfolios that advanced supply chain security, financial inclusion, food systems, and social enterprise development.

Lisa’s public service also includes senior leadership positions at the U.S. Department of Commerce, where she served as Director of the Ronald H. Brown Commercial Center in Johannesburg. She has advised senior stakeholders including the U.S. National Security Council, Members of Congress, and regional institutions such as the African Export-Import Bank and the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat.

Lisa holds a Master’s degree in Public Policy from The George Washington University and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from the University of Massachusetts Amherst. A passionate advocate for the intersection of culture, commerce, and creativity, she continues to champion initiatives that position the United States as a vital partner in shaping Africa’s next generation of storytellers and innovators.

Chandra Baier

Senior Advisor

Chandra Baier is a strategic advisor with 20+ years of experience connecting public and private sectors across Africa and globally. With deep expertise in South Africa, Morocco, Zimbabwe, and the Horn of Africa, she excels at facilitating cross-border partnerships and identifying investment opportunities throughout the continent.

Her background includes key roles with the U.S. Department of State in South Africa, Morocco, and Zimbabwe, healthcare leadership in Ethiopia, and international development work spanning three continents. Chandra leverages her extensive networks, cross-cultural expertise, and market intelligence to help colleagues and partners navigate complex African business environments and seize emerging opportunities.