Managing Director, pfc

Two decades of experience in building businesses within some of the world's largest companies attest to his expertise. He established wealth management and financial advisory services at American Express Financial Advisors (and IDS) and RSM McGladrey. He also knows the value of local banks and businesses, having established a network of 120 community banks and credit unions to facilitate innovative financial services addressing both rural and urban needs. He is a genius at organizational management and has supported nonprofits looking to scale.

Holding an MBA in Finance and an MA in Urban Policy from the University of Chicago, Jim has held various titles, such as Vice President, Senior Vice President, and Managing Director. He effortlessly navigates both Wall Street and Main Street, excelling in urban and rural communities.

He is happiest in his fishing kayak, searching for the "big one that got away," or experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen for his family.

Senior Fellow

K. Sujata has been a tireless advocate for women and girls since her schoolgirl days in Solapur, a small town in India, where she provided tutoring for young girls. Trained as an engineer, she spent over eight years leading the Chicago Foundation for Women, focusing on issues related to poverty, trafficking, and gender-based violence in underserved communities.

Currently, Sujata leverages her engineering background to explore how social finance can bolster ESG initiatives in emerging countries. Her particular area of expertise lies in evaluating systems change.

Sujata holds a Ph.D. in Materials Science from Northwestern University and an MBA from the Stuart School at the Illinois Institute of Technology. With over 15 years of experience in philanthropy, program development, and organizational management, she continues to make a significant impact in her field.

Senior Fellow

Robert M. Yawson, Ph.D., is an Associate Professor of Management and Chair of the Entrepreneurship, International Business & Strategy (EIBS) Department at Quinnipiac University's School of Business in CT. He also serves as the Faculty Coordinator for the Master of Science in Organizational Leadership Program. From 2014 to 2020, he held the role of Graduate Programs Assessment Coordinator and received the Center for Excellence in Teaching Award in 2018, Faculty Scholar of the Year in 2018, and the James Marshall Award for Service in 2020. Additionally, Robert is an adjunct Professor of Leadership and Organizational Studies at the University of Southern Maine and part-time faculty at Providence College, RI.

He holds editorial positions, including Editor-in-Chief of the Organization Management Journal, Editor of the Business and Management Section in SAGE Open, and Associate Editor of the International Journal of Business and Systems Research. He served as an Associate Editor of the Human Resource Development Quarterly from January 2019 to December 2021 and is a member of the Editorial Boards of journals like Human Resource Development Review, Advances in Developing Human Resources, and Industrial and Commercial Training. Robert has over 100 publications, including peer-review papers in leading academic journals.

Senior Fellow

Sombo has more than 15 years of experience as development practitioner and was country director in Zambia of Diakonia, a Sweden headquartered nonprofit organization where she raised more than $2.5 million to support operations. Sombo’s core belief: “how we can make people and places better than we found them. Sometimes it is easy and often it is not; that is why we need persistence if we are to make that change happen. Collaborations between different stakeholders are important and provide a well-rounded approach to resolving the many wicked problems needing actions for change.” Sombo is currently leading research to update Afram Plains case study which examines how investors handle interlocking issues of environmental challenges associated with pesticide use and sustainable agriculture, land grabs, and mining. Sombo holds a Ph.D. in Public Policy and Administration from Virginia Commonwealth University and an MBA from Edinburgh Business School, Heriot Watt University. She is a trained accountant and fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA) and an alumnae of the Oxford Impact Investing Programme, Said Business School, University of Oxford.

Senior Fellow

Adema M. Sangale is a seasoned executive leader with 25 years of private sector experience. She started her career at Procter & Gamble East Africa and quickly rose to senior leadership positions across Africa, Europe, and North America. Adema also served as Chief of Brand at UNEP, held the position of Senior Vice President Africa for a social impact organization, and worked as a consultant with UN Women in New York. Currently, Adema is the Managing Partner at C.Suite Africa, a prominent management consultancy serving multi-sectoral clients, including those backed by private equity funds.

She graduated at the top of her class at USIU-Africa and then went on to pursue post-graduate degrees. As a Chevening Scholar, she obtained a Master of Business Administration from Oxford University, UK, and thereafter, a Master’s in Public Administration & Public Policy from Harvard Kennedy School of Government, US, as an Edward S. Mason Fellow.

She's received various accolades, including being named a New Generation Leader by the African Leadership Network and a three-time recipient of the "Top 40 Under 40" award from Business Daily. Adema's commitment to Africa is demonstrated through her board positions in both private and public sector organizations across the continent.

Anne Makena is a translation scientist, organisation builder, and systems leader who believes in the power of sustainable and impactful research and innovation ecosystems for building equitable and prosperous societies. Anne co-founded and presently serves as the Co-Director of the Africa Oxford Initiative (AfOx), a vibrant platform for ‘all things Africa’ at the University of Oxford. AfOx facilitates academic and research partnerships by supporting a wide range of activities including catalyst grants and fellowships for African researchers, financial, academic, and mentorship support to African students at Oxford, and a bespoke innovation training platform for Africa-based entrepreneurs.

An implementation scientist at heart, Anne did her DPhil in Chemical Biology at the University of Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar. She has recently completed an Executive MBA at the Saïd Business School, with a focus on Strategy and Innovation, Corporate Resilience, and Impact Investing.

Anne has received international recognition for both her scientific and social impact work including acknowledgments by the British Federation for Women Graduates, International Society of Antimicrobial Chemotherapy, and Forté Foundation Fellowship for Women, among others. She also serves on various corporate and non-profit boards including Book Aid International, Africa Vaccine Workforce Initiative, and Koya Capital.

Program Manager

Michaela Capps is a versatile professional with extensive experience in international development, driven by a passion for human rights and intersectionality. Most recently, Michaela was an intern at the OHCHR, where she analyzed their pandemic response with a focus on risk reduction strategies to prepare for future crises. She also has a research background in sustainable commercialization for global health initiatives, including work within the nonprofit sector. Holding a MSc in Innovation, Human Development, and Sustainability from the University of Geneva, her multidisciplinary knowledge enables her to tackle complex challenges.

Research Fellow, University of Oxford

Jiayi Sun has passionately worked to address social inequalities throughout her pre-MBA journey. Her journey began as a journalist where she reported extensively on global human rights issues, providing a voice for those often marginalized. Beyond reporting, she co-founded a school in under-served Houston neighborhoods and fervently volunteered with girls' empowerment efforts and the UNDP Movers Programme championing the SDG goals. Beyond professional work, she enjoys watching movies, talking with people, and exploring great restaurants in the city.

Research Fellow, University of Oxford

Aditi has over nine years of experience in brand strategy, marketing, and social impact. Prior to this, she was the founder of a business consulting service for artists and micro-entrepreneurs from marginalized communities. As a poet, artist and activist, she is interested in spaces between the lines. Her creative work deals with intersections of writing, technology and body politics. She is also the co-editor of The World That Belongs To Us (HarperCollins 2020). Currently, she is doing her MBA at Oxford, and has set a deep intention towards systems change and climate action.

Research Fellow, University of Oxford

Jasmine Dhingra is a professional with 5+ years of experience across for-profit and non-profit sectors, with a passion for social impact and a working knowledge of sectors such as real estate, education, and climate. She has successfully managed and delivered projects across organizations like CBRE India (Commercial Real Estate Advisory) and Central Square Foundation (Government Advisory). She believes that business can be a force for good, and she intends to augment her learning in building sustainable and socially responsible businesses while harnessing her core skills in research, systems thinking, client advisory and project management.

Kanika Kochhar is a social impact professional from Delhi, India who has diverse experiences in public policy research, project implementation with state governments, and program management for non-profit organisations. She started off her career working with a Member of Parliament in India and went on to work with a state government in India during the COVID pandemic to deliver essential care to ~25 million citizens. In her most recent role, Kanika was the founding member of a philanthropy advisory start-up where she worked with UHNIs to build a movement to accelerate strategic giving in India. She is currently an MBA candidate at the Saïd Business School of Oxford University. Through her MBA, Kanika hopes to be able to connect the dots between sectors and stakeholders to lead complex, sustainable outcomes in sustainability. When not working, Kanika can be found hiking or lounging outdoors with dogs.

President and CEO, Calvert Impact Capital

Director of Business Development & Philanthropic Advisor, Minneapolis Foundation

CEO, African Venture Philanthropy Alliance

President and Co-Founder, OutcomesX