Elevate Africa Global Ambassadors

Walton Ekundayo Gilpin is a visionary leader and CEO of Rokel Commercial Bank in Sierra Leone, renowned for his work in driving financial inclusion and innovation in the banking sector. With a wealth of experience in banking, he has been instrumental in transforming Rokel into a model of excellence and digital advancement.

Elsie Appau, Esq., is an accomplished legal professional known for her expertise in corporate law and governance. With a strong background in advising clients on compliance and regulatory matters, she has built a reputation for delivering strategic legal insights that empower businesses to navigate complex legal landscapes effectively.

Selorm is an international business strategist and trade expert with extensive experience in infrastructure, construction, and investment facilitation across Africa. From 2017 to 2020, he served as a Trade Adviser on Infrastructure at the Department for International Trade (DIT) at the British High Commission in Ghana, where he played a pivotal role in securing over $600 million in UK-funded construction contracts for the Government of Ghana through UK Export Finance (UKEF).

Earlier in his career, Selorm was part of the consultancy team that developed the ECOWAS Vision 2020 blueprint for the ECOWAS Commission in Abuja in 2009, under the distinguished leadership of Dr. Ken Kwaku, former World Bank Managing Director for Africa.

In the international business space, Selorm has represented major multinational firms in Ghana. He was the exclusive Ghana Representative for Yuksel Insaat, a top 10 construction company in Turkey, and facilitated the entry of Bilal Transport of Dubai into Ghana through the establishment of Afro Bilal Ghana Limited for investment in construction and mining (2012–2015). Additionally, he provided strategic support to CNEEC of China in its bid for the Tema Port expansion project in Ghana.

Selorm is a founding member of ADYNE Europe and Global Generation Africa, as well as the co-founder of the Association of Young Entrepreneurs (AYE) Ghana. He was previously a member of the CDC Africa List and currently serves as the Director for Africa at the China Arab Africa Business Union (CAABU) in Guangzhou, China.

He holds a Master’s degree in International Business and Entrepreneurship from the University of Essex, UK, where he was a British Government Chevening Scholar, and a BSc in Chemical Engineering from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science & Technology (KNUST), Ghana. A passionate Pan-Africanist, Selorm is committed to fostering economic growth and investment across the continent.

Juanita Sheppard is Vice President of Foundation and Government Partnerships at United Way of Greater Atlanta, where she builds strategic relationships to drive community impact. Rooted in the philosophy of Ubuntu—“I am because you are”—her work emphasizes collaboration. She is President-Elect of Midtown Atlanta Rotary Club, an Advisory Board member for Neighborhood Nexus, and a board member at Shepherd’s Care Community Outreach. She holds a B.A. from Beulah Heights University, an M.Div. from Morehouse School of Religion, and a CFRE certification. Juanita is pursuing a Doctor of Ministry and enjoys travel, photography, and cultural exploration through food and music.

Dr. Jane Muchiku Kimemia is a transformational leader and visionary in global citizenship and wealth retention, with over 27 years of experience in financial services. Born in Nairobi, Kenya, she cultivated resilience and leadership values that have defined her career. She holds a degree from Jomo Kenyatta University and has pursued executive education at INSEAD Singapore.

Dr. Kimemia has held senior roles across East, Southern, and Western Africa, excelling in wealth management, consumer banking, and commercial banking. She previously served as Managing Director at Standard Chartered Investment Services Limited and played a key role in wealth management at Standard Chartered Bank. As CEO of Optiva Capital Partners, she has led the company to become a trusted name in global citizenship and wealth retention, offering tailored investment solutions to high-net-worth clients.

Beyond her corporate achievements, Dr. Kimemia is passionate about philanthropy, leading Optiva’s CSR initiatives, including maternal healthcare projects with the Lagos State government. Her impact has earned her multiple awards, including the Pan-African Entrepreneur of the Year from the House of Lords United Kingdom and the prestigious U.S. Presidential Lifetime Achievement Award from the U.S. Presidency. A sought-after speaker, she continues to inspire through leadership, innovation, and social impact.

Professor Paul Morrison is a globally recognised leader in education technology and a passionate advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI). As the UK&I Education Lead for Zoom, Professor Paul supports educational institutions in leveraging technology to drive innovation and transformation in blended, hybrid, and digital learning environments.

He is the founder of Idare2inspire, a program that has elevated the aspirations of thousands of young people, earning him global recognition for his impactful work. Additionally, Professor Paul serves as an ambassador for The Open University, Chair of the Professional Advisory Board, and a professor at the University of the West of Scotland.

Professor Paul’s engagements extend across various platforms, from mentoring the Special Advisor to the former Prime Minister to attending exclusive closed events with Barack Obama. He also serves as a judge for the National Diversity Awards and the Lloyds Banking Group Business Awards, reflecting his dedication to championing excellence and diversity.

As an angel investor in start-ups, he demonstrates his commitment to fostering innovation and supporting emerging entrepreneurs.

His leadership continues to inspire meaningful change across the education sector. He is honoured to serve as a Global Ambassador for Elevate Africa, furthering his dedication to education, community, and Africa at large.

Cordelia Osewa-Ediae is a Strategic Adviser, Leadership Development Consultant, Executive Coach, and Keynote Speaker.

Cordelia has led culture change initiatives in global and UK organisations including BT Group, Tesco, NSPCC and the UK Ministry of Justice for over fifteen years. She has also designed and delivered impactful leadership development programmes in organisations including the London Metropolitan Police Service and National Grid. In the past, the mentoring programmes she led across two universities successfully supported over 200 local and international students by enhancing their career prospects.

Committed to social justice and equity, Cordelia is a Board member, Clore Social Fellow, and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts (RSA). She has been recognised for her contributions to progressing positive change across organisations and communities. Her awards include the Baton ‘Thought Leader of the Year' Award, the Novi ‘Inspiring Mentor Award’ and the BT Group ‘Race Equity’ award. She has also been recognised by Commonwealth Business Women Africa (CBW-Africa) as a ‘Community Champion’, and selected as a UN Women UK participant in the 68th Commission on the Status of Women (CSW68).

Her broad education and qualifications include completing the Harvard Kennedy Executive Education (Leadership for the 21st Century) programme, ILM Certification in Action Learning Facilitation, ICF Accredited Certification in Business and Personal Coaching, ILM Award in Social Return on Investment (SROI), and securing Business and Politics degrees.

Cordelia regularly writes and speaks about pertinent social issues relating to leadership, social equity, education, and culture change.