Meet our Team

Our board is comprised of 11 members with wide-ranging expertise, spanning hospitality, communications, circular economies, entrepreneurship, luxury goods, women’s health, design, technology, and marketing. Though we come from different backgrounds, we are united by a shared purpose: to drive lasting, community-led impact by uplifting women, youth and their communities, supporting sustainable development, and building a more equitable future.


  • Founder & Chairman

    Founder of SOLM & AURE, Jahira is a Cape Verdean tech and hospitality entrepreneur building regenerative tourism practices, rooted in community and culture. After holding critical roles at JP Morgan, MongoDB, Datadog, and New Relic, she chose to pivot from infrastructure-led work to human-centered systems & is currently leading automation and CS at African Leadership Group across three continents. A fourth-generation hospitality mind, she now brings deep local heritage and global systems thinking to the future of hospitality.


  • Board Member

    Global marketing and brand transformation leader with 20+ years of experience across CPG, beauty, and luxury. Brings deep expertise in consumer-centric strategy, category creation, DTC models, and scaling brands across global, regional, and emerging markets.


  • Board Member

    Expert in people-centered project management, logistics, and strategic storytelling across travel and cultural sectors. Focused on creating impact and giving back through purposeful collaboration.


  • Board Member

    Marketing and Communications professional with a passion for brand storytelling as a vehicle for amplifying local voices and creating opportunities that empower communities to thrive.


  • Vice President

    Communications, institutional reform and corporate leadership expert with over 30 years of experience across Africa’s public and private sectors. Emilienne was the first African woman to be CEO of telecoms organization (Celtel). She now guides SOLM’s strategic growth.


  • Board Member

    Entrepreneurship and venture-building leader with 15+ years of experience supporting founders across Africa. Former Head of ALX Ventures, where she led high-impact incubation programs, including spearheading NBA Africa’s award-winning Triple Double Accelerator for sports innovation.


  • Board Member

    Director of STUDIO SANKARA, a leading creative production house in Senegal. With over 15 years of experience as a producer known for impactful campaigns, documentaries, and films exploring migration, entrepreneurship, and social change.


  • President - Audit Council

    Expert in finance and development with cross-sector experience spanning hospitality, government reform, and multilateral institutions. Brings deep expertise in corporate finance and project consulting across public and private spheres.


  • Board Member & Project Lead

    Founder of Olio, a multidisciplinary practice known for its sustainable approach to design and renovation. Expertise in eco-conscious construction and a commitment to creating spaces that serve both people and place.


  • Board Member

    Marketing and entertainment professional known for curating powerful, culturally resonant experiences. Now bringing creative vision and strategic insight to help amplify our reach and impact.


  • Board Member

    Expert in regenerative innovation and systemic change. Specializes in fostering cross-sector collaboration to tackle complex societal challenges with resource-efficient, impact-driven solutions.