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 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 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 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 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 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 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.