Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network
North America
The Alumni Network is the culmination of our vision to mobilize the alumni from our programs — which include the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Ashoka, the Youth Think Tank (YTT), the Scholars Program, the Anzisha Prize, and Youth Forward — to be a force for change.
To learn more about the Alumni Network, click here to complete the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Interest form.
To learn more about the North America Alumni Network email: mcfnorthamericaalumninetwork@gmail.com.
Meet the Leadership Committee
Sandra Ohemeng Sandra Ohemeng
Sandra Ohemeng is a dedicated member of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network Committee. She holds a degree in Econometrics and Quantitative Economics from Wellesley College. She currently works as a Developer Experience Product Manager at Avalara where she combines her technical expertise with her passion for fostering community connections.
With a deep commitment to community building, Sandra is thrilled to contribute to the Alumni Network’s mission of bringing Alums together. She understands the importance of nurturing relationships and creating a strong sense of belonging among fellow Alumni. Through her enthusiastic engagement, Sandra aims to foster an inclusive and supportive environment within the Alumni Network, where Mastercard Foundation Alums can connect, collaborate, and thrive tog
Maxwin Ojwang Maxwin Ojwang
Maxwin Ojwang is a Mastercard Foundation alum with a Bachelor’s Degree in Applied Sciences, Civil Engineering from the University of Toronto. He is a Project Engineer at the Ontario Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks. Maxwin has extensive professional engineering and project management experience focused on the municipal, private, and industrial infrastructure. He is passionate about the design and implementation of engineering solutions to safeguard public health and the environment.
As a member of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network committee, he hopes to enhance alumni relationships by advocating for programs that boost engagement among fellow Alumni. With a passion for strengthening connections, he actively seeks opportunities to foster meaningful interactions within the Alumni community
Nkiru Ani Nkiru Ani
Nkiru Ani is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar Alum, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Commerce from the University of British Columbia (UBC), as well as a Master of Science degree in International Development from the University of Edinburgh. Originally from Nigeria, Nkiru proudly considers herself a global citizen. Throughout her undergraduate years and beyond, she was highly involved in student leadership, utilizing her voice and skills to advocate for Africa’s increased inclusion inUBC and the wider community. Nkiru enjoys engaging in collaborative opportunities that foster dialogueand inclusivity, often contributing to Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion boards and other community-building initiatives.
Nkiru’s passions lie in communication, design, and planning. She is driven by curiosity, authenticity, and bravery, which fuel both her personal and professional endeavors. Recognizing the transformative power of storytelling, Nkiru firmly believes in its ability to forge connections between people and their diverse experience.
Bior Leek Ajak Bior Leek Ajak
Bior Leek Ajak is a Mastercard Foundation Alumnus with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Development Studies, with a Minor concentration in Arabic Language, from McGill University in Montreal, Canada.
Bior currently works as a Commercial Banker in Montreal. During his free time, he is involved with local community organizations in Canada, supporting new immigrants, students, and refugees. He is also actively involved with refugee supporting organizations based in East Africa that aim to create educational and economic pathways for refugees to attain self-reliance and financial freedom.
Bior strongly believes in the power of community and co-creation and believes that the Mastercard Foundation North America Alumni can find ways to co-create solutions that can directly impact lives on the African continent. This is what he hopes to inspire during his time on the committee.
Neema Rimber Neema Rimber
Neema Rimber is a Mastercard Foundation Alum with a Bachelor’s degree in Economics, and a minor in International Relations from the University of British Columbia. At UBC, she was recognized with the International Community Achievement Award for demonstrating leadership in community service, international engagement, intercultural understanding and promotion of diversity.
Today, she likes to think of herself as an amalgam! Her academic background and values for support and engagement feed a keen interest in social impact and financial inclusion ventures, especially with underserved and equity-seeking communities. Her experiences in the past include roles in operations and logistics, impact measurement and competition policy. She currently utilizes these intersectional experiences as a Program Manager at Spring Activator, a global advisory firm that runs entrepreneur, incubator, accelerator and funding programs for aspiring and early-stage impact entrepreneurs and impact investors. In her free time, you may find Neema spotting continuity errors and other “cinema sins” on your everyday tv shows and films.
Rufaro Nyoni Rufaro Nyoni
Rufaro Nyoni is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alum with a Bachelor of Science in Finance from the United States International University-Africa. Currently pursuing an MBA at Arizona State University, Rufaro is also a Baobab Digital Innovation Scholar. With a strong business background, she has actively contributed to the development of nonprofit organizations. Rufaro has worked for Education Matters, founded Parantaa Africa Foundation, and served as a trustee for Amaani Foundation.
Passionate about community service and problem-solving, Rufaro focuses on areas such as Education, Technology, Finance, and Sustainability. Beyond her professional and academic pursuits, she finds joy in singing, meditating, and exploring different parts of the world.
Micheal Omeka Micheal Omeka
Micheal Omeka is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alum with a degree in International Studies from the University of California, Berkeley. He actively campaigned for access to opportunities for marginalized students as a member of the Black Students Union. At Berkeley’s International House, he focused on fostering thriving communities and recognizing the importance of social capital.
With professional experience in marketing, sales, and freelance photojournalism, Micheal brings a diverse skill set to his career. Currently, he works as a fitness trainer in the luxury fitness space and serves as an inspirational speaker and fitness specialist. As a mentor in Berkeley’s alumni mentorship program, he supports first-generation students in navigating college and planning for success.
Outside of his professional pursuits, Micheal enjoys football, biking, ping pong, meeting new people, and exploring the outdoors. He is dedicated to helping individuals optimize their mental and physical health for increased happiness and overall well-being.
North America - Past Alumni
Mastercard Foundation Alumni Network
The Alumni Network is the culmination of our vision to mobilize the alumni from our programs — which include the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), Ashoka, the Youth Think Tank (YTT), the Scholars Program, the Anzisha Prize, and Youth Forward — to be a force for change.
Meet the Leadership Committee
Daniel Damilare Adeleke Daniel Damilare Adeleke
Daniel Damilare Adeleke is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alum with a Masters Degree (Distinction) in Geotechnical Engineering from the University of Cape Town. He is a researcher with four publications to his name and is currently a doctoral researcher at the Villanova University, USA.
Besides his academic adventures and experience in engineering consulting, Daniel has been actively involved with various youth-oriented programs such as Lagos Business School Young Talent Program (YTP), Africa Careers Network (ACN), and Hasso Plattner School of Design Thinking aimed at his general professional development and networking.
Daniel is impacted driven and is passionate about infrastructural development, education and seeks for platforms to grow, learn, share as well as contribute to local and global sustainable developments.
Yassmin Lawzi Yassmin Lawzi
Yassmin Lawzi is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alum with a Bachelor of Science degree in Environmental Health from the American University of Beirut. During her time at the American University of Beirut, she was an active member of the Lebanese Red Cross and launched the Trip2poli initiative where she hosted 500 tourists and promoted tourism in her home city of Tripoli.
After graduation, Yassmin joined the Center for Public Health Practice, at the Faculty of Health Sciences – American University of Beirut as a Project Coordinator where she worked on the “Sin el Fil: a safer city, a healthier population” project that utilized comprehensive environmental and physical assessment in 10 schools of a total of over 2600 pupils in Lebanon.
Currently Yassmin is pursing graduate studies in the area of environmental science in USA and serves as an environmental consultant focusing on environmental site assessments for various types of facilities
Mercy Wanalo Mercy Wanalo
Mercy Wanalo is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alum with a Bachelor’s Degree in Food Nutrition and Health from the University of British Columbia. She is currently enrolled in a Masters program in Global Food Security and Nutrition at the University of Edinburgh through their Online Distance Learning Program.
Mercy is passionate about Global Health and Nutrition and hopes to use her knowledge and experiences to improve health outcomes by informing effective evidence-based policy, particularly in the developing world. Her interest in health policy was sparked through an internship with PATH (an international health organization) where she co-authored the very first Human Milk Banking guidelines for Kenya.
Mercy also has vast experience in program coordination and project management that will benefit the alumni network greatly.
Alton Mpungu Alton Mpungu
Alton Mpungu is a Mastercard Foundation Scholar alum with a Master of Development Practice Degree from the University of California, Berkeley. Alton is a changemaker and development professional who works to inspire impact driven local African organizations and institutions to build on their strengths, design new innovative strategies and implement transformative programs that widens their reach and extends their impact.
Currently, Alton serves as a Technical Advisor and Deputy Director of the World Education Inc/John Snow Inc – Center for Capacity Development, where he leads the implementation of organizational capacity building activities in World Education’s HIV/AIDS work.
He is an active volunteer and mentor to younger peers, supporting them with career advice and venture implementation advice. Alton enjoys the outdoors and playing tennis.
Peter Kironji Peter Kironji
Peter Kironji is a Mastercard Foundation alum with a Bachelors Degree in Electrical and Computer Engineering from the University of Toronto.
He has extensive experience as a Cybersecurity engineer having worked at organizations such as Bank of Montreal (BMO), TC Energy, SickKids Hospital, Stantec, Air Canada, and Industrial Alliance.
Peter is the co-founder and Chief Executive Officer of Twiva; an influencer marketing startup that gives Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) in Africa; affordable, efficient, and digital access to market by pushing their brands, products and services through social media influencers and digital content.
Christopher Chinaza Oleh Christopher Chinaza Oleh
Christopher Chinaza Oleh is a Mastercard Foundation alum with a Bachelor’s degree in Industrial/Labour Relations and Economics from McGill University. Currently, his research interest lies in analyzing the impact of Artificial Intelligence and job hopping on employment discrimination.
Chris’s goal is to help organizations design policies that will create a more inclusive workplace for ethnic minorities.
Agnes Ouko Agnes Ouko
Agnes Ouko is a Mastercard Foundation alum with a degree in Computer Science from the University of British Columbia.
Agnes is also a Junior Technical Project Manager whose interest lies in product design and management, data analysis and interpretation, and the development and implementation of user experience research tools.
She is a driven, conscientious, diligent individual who maintains a positive, proactive attitude when faced with adversity.
As part of the Mastercard Foundation Alumni Committee – North America Chapter, she hopes to take a stab at coming up with solutions to better help African students transitioning from university to settle, thrive and find their place in the North American society.