Meet the team

Mark Linder

Partner, N2

Mark is a partner with Helsinki-based N2, a Nordic design and communications group. Until 2016 Mark was a partner in the geopolitical arm of Bell Pottinger, when he moved full time to Finland. Mark previously worked for WPP as a global client leader, one of the first to put together cross-company teams that focused on global clients across the group. He was the first ever Chief Marketing Officer for KPMG.

Mark has directly developed international branding strategies and solution implementation for corporates like AT&T, Ford Motor Company, BP, Nokia, Vodafone, Andersen, KPMG, Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Company and others. He has worked in sectors characterized by perpetual controversy like GMOs (Oxitec), unconventional natural gas (Cuadrilla), and tidal range energy (Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay). His interests include energy, the built environment and conflict transformation. In Finland he has created recognized export programmes in the areas of power technology and construction safety, and created global positioning for a number of Finnish entities. He is an investor in Finnish startups with globally relevant propositions.

Sanjeev Gupta

Executive Director for Financial Services, Africa Finance Corporation | Board Chair, Common Purpose Evolve Careers Limited

Sanjeev Gupta is Africa Finance Corporation’s ('AFC') Executive Director for Financial Services and a Member of the Board of Directors. His overall responsibility in AFC includes Treasury, Trade Finance, Debt Syndication, Country Relations and Financial Advisory.

Mr Gupta has 30 years of experience in Investment and Fund Management, Private Equity and Corporate Finance. His forte has been to blend together global and indigenous corporates, financial investors and governments to develop commercially viable business and development models that leave a sustainable impact on emerging market economies.

Prior to joining AFC, Mr Gupta was the Managing Partner of Emerging Markets Mergers and Acquisitions Center of Excellence at Ernst and Young. He has also been the Chief Executive Officer of Sanlam Investment Management Emerging Markets operations and was a Founder & Managing Partner of Emerging Opportunity Consulting, a boutique advisory firm specializing in SME financing.

Mr Gupta holds a Bachelor's degree from the University of Calcutta, India and is an Alumnus of the Said Business School, University of Oxford, England and also an alumnus of the MIT Sloan School of Management. He is a fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants, India (FCA).

Aaron Wong

Chairman of the Board, Common Purpose Asia Pacific; CEO, PayPal Singapore

As CEO of PayPal Singapore, Aaron is responsible for the governance and regulatory agenda for PayPal’s international legal entity structure. He partners with the business to drive growth initiatives and accountability for the APAC region.

Aaron has over two decades of experience in finance, business development and general management across the industrial and financial services sector. He spent 12 years with General Electric corporate and GE Capital and has lived in more than 10 cities as an international executive.

Aaron earned an MBA from IMD Switzerland, a bachelor’s degree in banking and finance from University of South Australia and a FCPA from Australia.

Adirupa Sengupta

Group Chief Executive, Common Purpose Charitable Trust

Amee Parikh

Director, Amansa Capital Pte. Ltd

Amee Parikh is a corporate law and finance consultant with over twenty years’ experience across both the commercial and not-for-profit sectors. Presently she is an executive director at Amansa Capital, Amansa Fund LP, Amansa Holdings, Amansa Investments and AAP Advisors.

She is also an independent corporate law consultant enabling start-ups with legal and finance advice.

Amee is a non-executive director of Amansa Social Foundation which engages with social entrepreneurs and undertakes philanthropic activities in India.

In addition, she serves on the board of Magic Bus.

Amee was an assistant lecturer for Economics and Public Policy at LEE KUAN YEW School of Public Policy, Singapore between 2009 and 2011.

Prior to that, she had set up a proprietary firm, Amee Parikh & Co. which provided business law consultation to corporates since 1990 to 2007.

Amee was educated at Bombay University and Lee Kuan Yew School of Public Policy.
She has also done her ICSA (Institute of Chartered Secretaries and Administrators), UK.

Eugene Ho

Global CSR Director, Future Skills, SAP

Eugene is an accomplished corporate affairs leader with close to two decades of experience in the Information Technology sector, he is also a respected speaker, having spoken at international conferences and schools about leadership, skills development, sustainability, technology, and volunteerism. He contributes to advisory and advocacy committees including Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs East and Southeast Asia and the EU-ASEAN Business Council. Eugene was involved in consultations and programmes with international development organizations including ASEAN, UNICEF, UNDP, UNV, GIZ, Commonwealth Secretariat, and the World Economic Forum on ASEAN.

As Global CSR Director at SAP, Eugene is responsible for leading and developing the company’s global CSR flagship skilling programs targeted at youths in need to reduce inequality in education and employment. He works closely with partners across the public-private-plural sectors to ensure that youths have access to the skill development and jobs opportunities needed to succeed in the Digital and Green Economy.

Prior to this, Eugene oversaw SAP’s CSR efforts across 18 markets in the East Asia & Pacific region as the Regional Head of Corporate Social Responsibility. He is responsible for grant management and employee volunteerism to support SAP CSR’s focus areas to accelerate social business, build future skills, and collaborate for sustainability. He was instrumental to SAP receiving many recognitions including the ASEAN Business Award (2021 & 2018) for socio-economic contributions to the region. The company was also recognized as a “Champion of Good” by the National Volunteer & Philanthropy Centre (2022 & 2020).

In addition, Eugene had led Corporate Affairs for more than 5 years in SAP South East Asia as a member of the Senior Executive Team, during which he had founded the ASEAN Data Science Explorers programme in 2017, impacting more than 40,000 youths over 6 years.

Eugene holds an MBA from the University of Strathclyde, a Bachelor of Psychology from James Cook University, a Graduate Diploma in Communication Management & Innovation and an Executive Certificate in Leadership from the Singapore Management University.

Pauline Sahetapy

Head-AP Government Education & Delivery Excellence

With more than 40 years in the payment business, Pauline's experience covers many areas such as Business Development, Operations, and Education. Her clients included financial institutions as well as numerous government agencies in Asia Pacific (AP), Central Europe Middle East Africa (CEMEA) and Latin-America & Caribbean (LAC) Regions.

She joined Visa International in 1982 and has held several positions throughout her career starting as a Member Services Manager responsible for implementation and operations of clients' issuing and acquiring programs. Subsequently, she was promoted to Country Manager for Malaysia, Indonesia, Philippines and Guam in 1995 where she managed the business development and key strategies for those countries.

She then joined the Member Education Department, where she was instrumental in raising the profile of the department through the creation of what is now, the Visa Business School. As Director of the School she expanded the curriculum by introducing new and enhanced training initiatives aimed at increasing our clients' profitability. 

In 2010, she started to focus on government education programs and to date, she has personally trained closed to 5,000 delegates representing various government organizations in AP, CEMEA and LAC regions. This eventually evolved into the Visa School of Public Policy (VSPP) in March 2015 to provide the required focus to facilitate engagement opportunities for government education and regulatory dialogue. This department was then merged into the Visa University organization in March 2019.

In 2020, Pauline has been tasked with driving Delivery Excellence initiatives which includes the Visa University Faculty Program, one of the key pillars in driving a learning culture within Visa by leveraging our very own "Leaders as Teachers". This has created a pool of 100 faculty members located across the five Visa regions.

Pauline is based in Singapore and is happily married with two daughters.

Andy Coxall

Managing Director, EvolveCareers Limited

Cedric Crocker

Partner, Sage Partners LLC and Managing Partner at Clarity + Focus Consulting

Cedric Crocker is a partner with Sage Partners LLC. Sage is a venture acceleration and strategy & governance advisory firm working with early-stage to established companies globally. He is also managing partner at Clarity + Focus Consulting, providing strategy advisory and business coaching to executives, a senior advisor to the European Learning Industry Group (ELIG), and the EMEA Chair / Alumni Leadership Award for the University of California. He has held senior positions with Wiley, CBS, The Compage Company, and Cengage. He works with partners and clients in Europe, SE Asia, and the United States.

Prior to founding C+F, Cedric served in senior positions at Wiley, a global professional learning and education company. As Vice President for Strategic Business Development in Europe/Middle East/Africa, he helped reposition Wiley from publishing to professional development solutions by creating new, digitally-based business with regional clients and partners. Prior to that he headed Wiley’s leadership & training products group, where he guided the migration to digital products, the acquisition of e-learning and assessment companies, and the launch of the Talent Solutions group, Wiley’s fastest growing business. He worked with a wide range of learning and professional development enterprises on intellectual property strategy, product creation, and go-to-market strategies, and collaborated with many of the most prominent thought leaders in business.

Prior to joining Wiley, Cedric held positions at Viacom, as director of the technology practice at The Compage Company, and founded and ran his own communications consulting business.

Cedric is a graduate of the University of California, Berkeley and serves as District Chair, Europe/Middle East/Africa for the University’s Alumni Association Leadership Award. He also serves as Senior Advisor to the European Learning Industry Group (ELIG), a European Commission-sponsored of companies and universities committed to changing the way Europe learns.

Cedric divides his time between the San Francisco area and London.

Vandana Saxena Poria OBE

The Chief Alarmist, The Human Alarm Clock & Co, Author and Thinker

Lena Meyer

Managing Director, Common Purpose Germany

Lena Meyer has worked as a special education teacher in Hamburg for the past 14 years. She took her first state exam in 2006 at the University of Hanover and completed her legal clerkship in 2008 at the Hamburg State Institute with the second state exam in the teaching profession special education.

In 2008, in addition to her work in the pilot project Integrative Support Centres of the City of Hamburg, she started at the non-profit Teach First Deutschland GmbH as a manager for the primary school curriculum. Three years later, in 2011, she took over full-time management of the regional office in Hamburg until her parental leave in 2013. After maternity leave, she started working as a special education teacher for the city of Hamburg in 2014, where she completed her training as an inclusive school development consultant, among other things. Lena Meyer took part in the Common Purpose Navigator program in Hamburg in 2010. She lives in Hamburg.

Bettina Jorzik

Programmleitung Lehre, Akademischer Nachwuchs, Stifterverband

Bettina Jorzik ist seit 2003 beim Stifterverband und verantwortet dort als Programmleiterin Lehre, Akademischer Nachwuchs alle Aktivitäten und Förderprogramme, die der Verbesserung und Weiterentwicklung der Qualität von Studium und Lehre dienen. Zuvor war sie zwölf Jahre im Wissenschaftsministerium des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen beschäftigt.

Common Purpose hat sie als Teilnehmerin des Ruhr Meridians 2009/10 kennengelernt. Für sie bedeutet Common Purpose, gemeinsame Sache zu machen und Verantwortung zu übernehmen für die Gestaltung des Gemeinwesens. Denn die Zivilgesellschaft sind nicht die anderen, sondern wir alle. Deshalb engagiert sie sich seit Juni 2018 im Vorstand von Common Purpose sowie im Kuratorium für den Standort Ruhr.

Fotorechte: David Außerhofer/Stifterverband

Elfriede Eckl

Wirtschaftsprüferin / Steuerberaterin

Elfriede Eckl ist seit Juni 2018 Mitglied des Vorstands des Common Purpose Deutschland e.V. 

Sie war über 35 Jahre bei EY Deutschland in verschiedenen Funktionen tätig, zuletzt als Partner und Leiterin der Niederlassung Frankfurt von EY, der Central Region, mit ca. 2.600 Mitarbeiter*innen. Seit ihrem Ausscheiden in 2024 ist sie als Wirtschaftsprüferin/Steuerberaterin selbständig. Weiterhin ist sie als Aufsichts- und Beirätin und Hochschulrätin aktiv.

Sie ist ein Genussmensch, der nicht nur gutes Essen liebt, sondern auch gerne und regelmäßig für Familie und Freunde kocht.

Common Purpose hat sie als Teilnehmerin des Matrix Programms kennengelernt. Sie unterstützt das Kuratorium in Frankfurt und seit 2018 ist sie auch im Vorstand von Common Purpose aktiv.

Jonathan Hammond

Non Executive Director

Jonathan is a non-executive director at Common Purpose, where he leverages his extensive expertise in financial markets to support the charity's mission. Based out of Hong Kong, Jon is the Asia Regional Head at international law firm Simmons & Simmon.

Jonathan has a wealth of experience in structured products and derivatives, advising both sell and buy side clients on complex asset-backed structures and synthetic transactions. His international experience, includes a secondments into a major financial institutions working with senior leaders. He has spent time working from Frankfurt, London and Hong Kong which enriches his strategic contributions to Common Purpose. His legal acumen as a qualified solicitor in England, Wales, and Hong Kong further strengthens his ability to navigate the intricate corporate landscape, providing invaluable insights to the organization.

Outside of his professional commitments, Jonathan enjoys participating in community events and mentoring the next generation of talent. His passion for fostering connections and driving positive change aligns seamlessly with the values of Common Purpose, making him an asset to the charity's leadership team.

Michael Chan

Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Johnson Stokes & Master

Michael is currently a board member at Common Purpose Hong Kong, as well as the Head of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion (DE&I) at a law firm headquartered in Hong Kong. With cross-disciplinary knowledge in psychology and public health as well as multi-sector experience in academia, non-profit, and corporate, Michael supports organizations through consulting, research, events, and programmes to facilitate discussions and develop action plans on approaching DE&I and employee well-being as a social and business issue.

Paul Li

Partner, Head of Asia, Simmons And Simmons

Paul is a specialist in the field of financial markets regulation. He advises clients on both contentious and non-contentious aspects of their financial services businesses and specializes in related claims and regulatory and criminal investigations.

Recent work includes:

• Advising various asset managers in connection with insider dealing investigations, including acting for the former Head of Asian Equities of the asset management division of a major European banking group, defending insider dealing proceedings before the Market Misconduct Tribunal
• Acting for a private bank defending claims by various investors alleging mis-selling of leveraged products advising various financial institutions, listed companies and individuals in relation to investigations conducted by the Securities and Futures Commission, including the publicly announced investigation in relation to Citic Pacific
• Advising a hedge fund investor in connection with a US$180m+ claim against professional advisers.

Vivica Xiong

CEO, Asian Charity Services (ACS)

Dara Connolly

Chief Executive, Common Purpose Ireland

Dara has held senior roles in a number of organizations, recently as Head of Business Development in Young Social Innovators (YSI) and now the Chief Executive of Common Purpose Ireland. He also enjoyed four successful years taking Recreate, a Creative Reuse social enterprise working with children and individuals with disabilities, from start up to a sustainable business model, winning a number of awards along the way including Social Entrepreneurs Ireland’s Impact Award.

Before ReCreate, he was Head of Business Development and Property of Temple Bar Cultural Trust Ltd, managing a cultural and commercial property portfolio of €100M. Here he project managed a number of landmark capital infrastructure projects such as the construction of Ireland’s first outdoor retractable roof on Meeting House Square in Temple Bar.

His experience includes working for Microsoft as Financial Services Manager and travelling extensively in search of adventure! Dara has a passion for the arts and environment, resulting from his work in Temple Bar and Cultivate (a sustainability NGO), and his very rewarding time as director and chair of Saplings Schools for Children with Autism has given him a real interest in children’s development. He is a qualified Management Accountant and holds diplomas in Business Studies, Project Management and Post Graduate Diploma in Innovation.

When not working he is chasing around his 4 kids and trying to get some time to play football, take in some music and follow his beloved Munster.

Carol Conway

Owner, Freelance Catalyst

A graduate of both Psychology and Economics, Carol is a lifelong Behavioural Scientist with a passionate interest in human dynamics and a fundamental belief in people. Her work revolves around assisting individuals and organizations to achieve more of their potential. On any given day that can include training, facilitation, leadership development or coaching.

Carol’s mission in life is to share information so that those she works with can achieve more; personally, professionally and organizationally. She has worked with CEOs, management teams and Boards of numerous organizations.

Carol also designed and co-ordinated the Young Community Leaders project for the Northside Partnership (2011–2015), producing 125 young leaders in five years who are all working to make their community a better place. Since she works predominantly within the Voluntary and Community sector, Carol sees the value of her work as being better outcomes for Irish society.

In addition to her Freelance work, Carol is currently a Board member of Common Purpose Ireland and sits on the Governance Sub Group of The Wheel.

Dr Toluwani Akaehomen

Director of Programmes and Leadership, People Development Consultant at Vantage Dymensions Consulting

Toluwani Akaehomen is the Director of Programmes and Leadership and People Development Consultant at Vantage Dymensions Consulting, a leadership and people development consultancy, with expertise in developing professional and personal development toolkits, and in delivering training, coaching and facilitation services to support leadership and organizational development, and to build competencies for enhanced performance within organizations.

Toluwani has a keen interest in working with organizations to build a dynamic and growth-oriented culture, where the unlimited potentials of their people can be recognized, cultivated, and harnessed. She has worked extensively with individuals, teams, community groups and organizations in Europe and Africa to deliver solutions centred on transformational leadership, effective communication, professional excellence, and developing transversal skills and competencies.

Toluwani is also the founder of HergenuityAfrika (HGA), a social enterprise that promotes and encourages entrepreneurship and enterprise development among females of Black and Ethnic Minority backgrounds.

She completed a PhD at Coventry University in the UK, with research interests in Transformational Entrepreneurship, Strategy, and Entrepreneurship Education and Training and is the author of three academic publications on female immigrant entrepreneurship.

A certified coach, speaker, author, and a community builder, she currently serves as Chair of Proudly Made In Africa, Dublin. She is married with three adult children and a soon-to be teenager.

Fiona Keane

Head of Human Resources Europe, Standard Life International

I have 25+ years in Business Management and Human Resources. In my career to date I have held a number of senior leadership roles in the manufacturing, technology and financial services sectors in the UK and Ireland.

I have been with Standard Life International, an investments and long term savings company providing solutions to financial advisers in the Irish, German and Austrian and UK Offshore channels, since 2010 and currently hold the position of Head of Human Resources Europe. I have successfully led strategic organisational change projects, including most recently as European HR Lead for the Brexit Programme and the acquisition of Standard Life International by the Phoenix Group.

I am energised and driven by improving business outcomes and individual performance through connecting people to new thinking, ideas and practice, and I coach and mentor leaders and high potential talent inside and outside my organisation. I hold a Business degree and an MSc in Organisational Behaviour from Trinity College.

Jack Kavanagh

Pharmacist, Speaker & Non Exec Director

I am a performance and resilience coach, speaker and a qualified healthcare professional.

In 2012 I suffered a life changing spinal cord injury leaving me with 15% muscle function.

This ignited a passion for life and motivated me to help others live more aligned, courageous, fulfilling lives, fuelled by purpose and centred in their values. In 2019 I was awarded as one of "Ten Outstanding Young People of the Year" as a dynamic individual who is doing inspirational work. I am passionate about creating environments where everyone can explore their potential and so am excited to join the board of directors of Common Purpose Ireland along with the National Disability Authority and Center for Excellence in Universal Design.

In my work as a coach and speaker I am passionate about accompanying people on their journey of wellbeing, mental fitness, personal development and leadership. I work with individuals and groups as they transform towards the person or team they want to and can be. I strive to facilitate and empower people and teams that are engaged, resilient, willing to create space for curiosity, vulnerability and insight, to build awareness and perspective, to understand and appreciate their potential then to grow into it, helping to reframe adversities for possibilities. I help people and groups to live and lead more intentionally, to move with purpose, clarity and deliberate action towards goals with an understanding of their why. I ultimately intend to assist people lead open, courageous, authentic, inspired, impactful, adventurous and compassionate teams, organisations and lives. How? Through 1:1 coaching, workshops and keynote speeches. I strive to create environments where people feel more connected, less disillusioned and have permission to lower their masks so the world gets to see more of their magic.

As a Pharmacist and Health Professional I strive to understand health in all its guises, what makes and keeps us well. I was inspired by The World Health Organization (WHO) who in 1948 defined human health as "a state of complete physical, mental, and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity". Thus far, my experience has shown me that western medicine, including pharma and interventional medicine, has an important place allowing many a quality of life they may otherwise not have available. However it has also highlighted for me the absolute necessity for a holistic approach to health and wellbeing, something I am very passionate about in my private life and in the environments I work in.

Jane Trenaman

Founder, The HX Consultancy

Jane passionately believes in driving social impact, the power we have to shape the human experience - and the need to get out of our tribes to do so.  With over two decades of experience in the commercial and non-profit sectors, she has held various public engagement and fundraising leadership roles over the past 13 years.   She currently chairs Fundraising Director Networks in the UK and Ireland and has served on boards and advisory committees for Christian Aid Ireland, Samaritans Ireland, and the National Opera House.  As a Non-Executive Director with Common Purpose Ireland, she continues to be a strong advocate for the empowerment of income generation to drive social impact. 

She holds a degree in Business & Economics from TCD, a Masters in International Marketing from UCD Smurfit Graduate Business School and Professional Diplomas in Digital Marketing and Customer Experience.  She is the Founder of The HX Consultancy where she wholeheartedly applies these skills across a range of organizational types and sectors. She is also an alumnus of the Common Purpose Senior Leadership programme which above all solidified her belief in the power of cross-sectoral collaboration for social impact.

Joseph Ruane

Health Manager, Health Service Executive

Joseph is originally from Galway but now lives in Dublin.

For over 20 years, he has worked in the Health Services in Northern Ireland, England and Ireland holding a number of senior positions and his current role is Head of Primary Care for the Midlands, Louth and Meath.

His studies include B Sc. (Hons) Human Nutrition from the University of Ulster, Diploma in Professional Development (Community Organisations) and M.Sc. in Health Service Management from the University of Wales College of Medicine, Barrister-at-Law Degree from the Honourable Society of the Kings Inns and a Diploma in Leadership & Quality from the Royal College of Physicians.

His interests include sports, politics, podcasts and attending as many sporting and cultural events as possible.

Orla Cunningham

Chief Operating Officer (COO), Trinity College Dublin

Sarah Bean

Management Consultant, Sarah Bean Consulting

Sarah has a B.Sc. Mgmt (Marketing) from DIT College of Marketing & Design. From 1988-1996, she joined Johnson Brothers, an Irish distributor to the grocery trade, where she worked in various roles involving both marketing activities and customer management.

In 1996, Sarah set up the Ireland subsidiary for Coty Inc, at the time a private beauty company based in Paris, now publicly quoted on NYSE. There, Sarah's remit as General Manager was to deliver the sales & P&L target for Ireland, liaising with logistics and media partners locally. Sarah completed the Institute of Directors modules on Governance, Finance, Strategy and HR, in 2016, sitting the certificate exam and achieving a distinction in the Diploma in June 2017.

Having completed secondary school education in Newtown, Sarah was appointed to the School Committee which preceded the 'Patron Body' structure. During that time, Sarah convened the marketing sub-committee and was the first female appointed to the finance committee. Sarah has also sat on a School Review Panel for DIT, alongside 5 academics. Sarah currently sits on a media advisory group for Cosc, the National Office for the Prevention of Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (Dept of Justice). Beginning 2017, Cosc have been promised €1m annually to change the culture in Ireland around domestic violence. Sarah's role is to assess the media plans and ensure Cosc are getting value for money.

Tavengwa Tavengwa

Associate Partner, EY

Tavengwa Tavengwa is an Associate Partner at EY Ireland. He has advised several corporations in understanding, evaluating and managing technology risks for the last 19 years, whilst working with KPMG, PWC and now EY. In his various roles he has experienced the power of coaching, diversity and purpose. He has and continues to hold people leadership roles in EY. He is also a member of the EY Diversity & Inclusion Steering Committee and is an ambassador on the power of diversity.

He is originally from Zimbabwe, living in Ireland for more than 14 years and is married to Rumbie with three kids. He grew up in a poor neighbourhood in Zimbabwe and he observed first-hand how families with purpose changed the course of their lives. He is passionate about enabling and stimulating individuals to awaken to the possibility that they can become more. 

Tavengwa is a qualified Business and Life Coach and an alumnus of the Common Purpose Meridian leadership programme. He is also a Certified Information Security Auditor and holds a Bachelor of Commerce with the University of South Africa.

Jan Sanders

Senior Consultant, Ashurst

Jan Sanders is a senior consultant at law firm Ashurst LLP, having previously been a partner for 24 years in their projects team working on greenfield infrastructure projects and infrastructure mergers and acquisitions. During her time there she led numerous exciting transactions including The Barts and the Royal London Hospital Project involving new cancer care and heart specialist units for the capital. She also had a role in the successful bid to bring the Olympic Games to London in 2012.

Although based in London, throughout her career Jan has travelled and worked in various locations in Europe, Asia and the USA. She was also responsible for human resources matters in her department involving recruitment and promotions, appraisals and the promotion of equality and diversity. Jan has a reputation for her collaborative and inclusive style of operating, determination to see things through in a commercial and pragmatic way as well as a tremendous capacity for hard work. These attributes have enabled her to apply for and be accepted as a Magistrate sitting in her local area.

Mark Linder

Partner, N2

Mark is a partner with Helsinki-based N2, a Nordic design and communications group. Until 2016 Mark was a partner in the geopolitical arm of Bell Pottinger, when he moved full time to Finland. Mark previously worked for WPP as a global client leader, one of the first to put together cross-company teams that focused on global clients across the group. He was the first ever Chief Marketing Officer for KPMG.

Mark has directly developed international branding strategies and solution implementation for corporates like AT&T, Ford Motor Company, BP, Nokia, Vodafone, Andersen, KPMG, Ernst & Young, McKinsey & Company and others. He has worked in sectors characterized by perpetual controversy like GMOs (Oxitec), unconventional natural gas (Cuadrilla), and tidal range energy (Tidal Lagoon Swansea Bay). His interests include energy, the built environment and conflict transformation. In Finland he has created recognized export programmes in the areas of power technology and construction safety, and created global positioning for a number of Finnish entities. He is an investor in Finnish startups with globally relevant propositions.

Elsbeth Dixon

Chief Executive of Common Purpose South Africa

Elsbeth is the Chief Executive Officer, Common Purpose South Africa and heads the operations of Common Purpose in Africa. With the local team, she has grown the African footprint of Common Purpose by diversifying the programmes offered to include public and bespoke leadership programmes, as well as programmes focusing on youth, student and women’s leadership, spreading the footprint of Common Purpose into 21 countries. Elsbeth believes that good leadership is the most powerful way to transform the future of the African continent.

Elsbeth has designed and facilitated leadership and diversity programmes for a wide range of clients, from rural communities to blue chip corporates, from global foundations to government departments, and has delivered programmes in the USA, Europe, Asia and Africa. Elsbeth started her career as a scientist at the Council for Scientific and Industrial Research in South Africa, before moving to Adcorp, in the private sector, to run the Technology Top 100 Awards Programme. She then co-founded the Da Vinci Institute, a private university specialising in management and leadership education, before joining Common Purpose in 2006.

Currently she is working to grow the African team of Common Purpose into a diverse group, representing the different regions of the continent, and bringing together multiple cultural perspectives to deliver powerful pan-African leadership programmes.

Born in a rural South African family, Elsbeth trained in applied mathematics and psychology, as well as counselling, coaching and group process facilitation. She holds a PhD in Applied Mathematics from Cambridge University, UK and is an alumnus of Harvard Business School’s Executive Development Programme.

When she is not exercising her passion for facilitating the growth journeys of her clients, Elsbeth is a dedicated road-runner, an avid sports fan across many disciplines, and finding her way thoughtfully into the role of mother of adult children.

Dr Atiya Mosam

Public Health Medicine Specialist and Senior Researcher: PRICELESS SA - Samrc/Centre For Health Economics And Decision Science

Dr Atiya Mosam is a proudly South African Public Health Medicine Specialist who also holds a Masters of Public Health (Policy and Management) and a Masters of Medicine (Community Health). Atiya holds an interest in healthcare financing and economics as well as health promotion and prevention for non-communicable disease and is currently working at PRICELESS SA as a senior researcher.

Atiya’s passion for social upliftment extends beyond her career. She has been involved in numerous projects to increase awareness of and funding to various causes such a homelessness and HIV affected youth. She served on the Board of the Public Health Association of South Africa and is a current director of Common Purpose SA. Atiya has recently been chosen as a one of 20 Young Physician Leaders to participate at the 2019 World Health Summit.

Carol Abade

Group CEO of Exp. A Pan African Experiential Marketing and Sponsorship Agency

Kenyan-born Carol Abade is the Group CEO of EXP. A Pan African Experiential marketing and sponsorship agency. After co-founding a company called Direct Marketing Communications, Abade joined forces with Group Africa Marketing to form EXP, which now has operations in more than 19 African countries.

Since first becoming interested in experiential marketing, Abade has been actively involved in the launch of Exp in 15 countries over the last 20 years, and considers this one of her greatest personal achievements to date. Her focus is on driving the multidimensional aspects of experiential marketing and effectively applying these techniques both from a commercial and social perspective in order to improve the living conditions of the poor in Africa, through Behaviour Change Communication modeling.

Her current passion is in developing Social and Cause Marketing techniques to drive measurable change in behavior for the greater good of the communities in which we work. She believes that communication is key to delivering real change and improving living conditions by empowering communities.

Jo Maharaj

Head of Loan Capital Market Solutions, Rand Merchant Bank

Jo has 13 years’ experience in investment banking spanning derivative structuring, institutional sales, loan syndications. She joined RMB in 2011 and was appointed to lead the Syndications and Distribution team for South Africa and African Regions 2017. In 2021 she was appointed as the Head of the Loan Capital Market Solutions (“LCMS”) team, which consists of the Loan Syndication, Insurance, Export Credit Agency Finance and Offshore Structured Sales business. She is a member of the RMB Investment Banking Executive Committee.

During her tenure at RMB, she has acted as Chair to RMB Aperture - RMB’s Diversity, Inclusion and Equity workplace forum; is a member of RMB Athena Exco – RMB’s Gender Equality initiative; and a founding member of RMB Origin Lamba – RMB’s LGBTQIA+ affiliation group.

Prior to joining RMB, she worked at Absa Capital in Infrastructure & Public Sector coverage. She holds a Master’s degree in International Finance and Development Economics from the Fletcher School, Tufts University, Boston and a BA in Law and Economics from the University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg.

Dr Kenneth Ashigbey

Chief Executive Officer, Chamber of Telecommunications, Ghana

Dr Ing. Kenneth Ashigbey is the CEO of the Ghana Telecommunications Chamber. He has been a member of Common Purpose South Africa’s Africa Venture Selection Panel since 2019 till the 2022, when the role was changed to Africa Advisory Panel. He is the Board Chairman of Lumen Christi Catholic Media Ltd and is a non-executive board member of the Old Mutual Pensions Trust Ghana.

Prior to his appointment at the Chamber, he was Managing Director of Graphic Communications Group Ltd. Before then, Ken was the Chief Operating Officer for Multi TV, General Manager of JoyFm as well as the Chief Technology Officer of the Multimedia Communication Group at different times. In between his time at Multimedia, he was also Managing Director of Optimum Media Prime, a media independent and marketing company. He left Fanel Ltd, a building services engineering company as a Senior Projects Engineer.

He holds a Doctorate degree in Business Administration from SMC University. He also has an MBA in Finance from Leicester University (UK) and a BSc in Electrical/Electronic Engineering from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology. He is a 2018 CSC Leadership alumnus and a fellow of the Ghana Institution of Engineering, Institute of Directors Ghana, Institute of Certified Economist. He is also an Accredited Member Institute of Public Relations and is a Project Management Professional.

Apart from the LCCML, Kenneth also serves on other boards, councils and committees. He is the Chairman of the National Engineering Coordinating Committee and was recently appointed to the National Employment Coordinating Committee. For his alma maters he is the convener of his year group, APSU88 (St. Augustine’s College) and for his university, he is the chairman of the KNUST Media Management Board. Ken is an avid media rights advocate and a firm believer in the potential of the African, especially the youth.

Linda Yanta

Auditor and Independent Consultant in Corporate Governance

Linda is currently an independent consultant providing services mainly in the area of Corporate Governance. He is also a Board member of Prudential Investment Managers and also chairs the organization’s Audit, Risk and Compliance Committee. Up to December 2014 Linda was part of SizweNtsalubaGobodo. He had joined the firm in May 2012 as a Director in Corporate Governance Services. He was responsible for the provision of governance, risk management and internal audit services to his clients. In addition, he was the lead partner for the provision of sustainability assurance services to key clients of the firm.

Linda’s experience is varied and includes 12 years of financial management and 11 years of heading a significant internal audit function. He served his articles with Deloitte. Linda’s financial management experience spans organizations such as Unilever, National Sorghum Breweries, Transnet and Eskom. During these 12 years he was involved in project accounting, factory management accounting, financial analysis, general financial management, commercial and procurement management and leadership of a finance function.

Linda is also a past President of the Institute of Internal Auditors (“IIA”) in South Africa and has served as a director on the Global Institute’s Board. He has just concluded his term as a director on the SA Board of the IIA and as Chairman of the Human Resources Committee. He has also served as a member of the Global Institute’s Committee for Research and Education. Linda was also a member of the internal audit subcommittee in King III. He is also the past Chairman of the Audit Committee at the Department of Trade and Industry. He has also been a member and in the last year Chairman of the Advisory Board of the Internal Audit Programme at the University of Pretoria. 

Over the years Linda has been regularly invited to present on various internal auditing, risk management and governance related topics at key conferences.Linda who is married and has two children has a keen interest in travelling, reading and youth development.

Naina Desai

Head, Revenue Growth & Advanced Analytics, Arca Continental Coca-Cola Southwest Beverages

Naina Desai is an internationally experienced executive, with broad commercial and financial experience, and a deep understanding and passion for Africa. Born and raised in Kenya, Naina’s professional journey with leading multinational enterprises including Procter & Gamble, GlaxoSmithKline and Coca-Cola, has taken her to over 70 countries globally, and she has lived in various countries on three continents, notably Africa, North America and Asia. Currently based in Atlanta, USA, she leads Revenue Growth Management & Advanced Analytics for the US Operations of Arca Continental, one of the largest Coca-Cola bottlers in the world.

Naina is a passionate advocate for Africa and a believer in paying forward the invaluable support and mentorship she has received throughout her career from various people. She serves as an active mentor to many and has previously served The Coca-Cola Africa Foundation as Marketing Director on a pro-bono basis. Naina serves as an Advisory Board Member for Mbora, a social impact enterprise in Malawi, which aims to empower rural communities through digital, financial and health inclusion, enabled by technology and driven by sustainable agricultural practices. 

Her leadership perspective framed by her global, multicultural outlook, is anchored in a strong belief that organizational and societal engagement are direct functions of culturally astute leaders who can cross boundaries to create exceptional experiences and opportunities for their teams and their communities. 

Ayşegül Gurerk

Director, Common Purpose Turkey

Ayşegül is the Founding Director of Common Purpose Turkey.

Ayşegül attended the Middle East Technical University (METU) in Ankara. In 1998, she completed her Master's degree in Educational Supervision at Pace University, New York and lectured on Communication Skills at Bilgi University from 1998 to 2000.

Between 2000 and 2007 she worked at the British Council, first as Istanbul Education Services Manager and then Turkey Exams Services Manager. She has presented her works on English education and cultural studies at international conferences. She is also a certified Cambridge University IELTS examiner.

During her time at Common Purpose Turkey, Ayşegül has delivered Meridian for senior leaders and Frontrunner for the new recruits of a leading telecommunications company based in Turkey. She has also delivered bespoke programmes, including those covering Diversity and Inclusion. A one-day customised leadership programme; "Add Value to Their Lives and Your Life" - focusing on "Leading Beyond Authority" and "Social Responsibility" was delivered for the senior leaders of one of the biggest holdings in Turkey.

Ayşegül spends her leisure time with people she has met through Common Purpose, having become good friends with many of the graduates. She also enjoys travelling to different countries with her family.

Ali Söğüt

Sahibi & Avukat, Adar Akaryakit

Ali Söğüt 1978 yılında Konya ‘da doğdu. İlk ve orta öğrenimini Konya‘da; lise eğitimini ise İzmir’ de tamamladı. Daha sonra İstanbul Üniversitesi Hukuk Fakültesi’nden mezun oldu. İş hayatına ortaokul ve lise yıllarının yaz tatillerinde garsonluk, tezgahtarlık, çaycılık, şehirler arası otobüs firmasında muavinlik ve taksi şoförlüğü yaparak başladı.

Üniversite yıllarında bayi sorumlusu (Kompen A.Ş.), Tıbbi Satış Mümessili (Sina Sağlık A.Ş.) Satış sorumlusu (NTS Elektronik Ltd. Şti.) olarak çalıştı. Kendi işine üniversite son sınıfta Bilgisayar ve Teknoloji Ürünleri satışı firmasını kurarak başladı. 2000’li yıllarda bilgisayar ve teknoloji ürünleri satışı amacıyla web sitesi kurarak, yaklaşık 3600 adetlik ürün portföyü ile ilk elektronik ticaret yapanlar arasında yer aldı. ERP (Kurumsal Kaynak Planlama) konusunda danışmanlık yaptı. Ardından İnşaat ve Kuyumculuk sektörlerinde faaliyet gösteren şirketlerde ortak yönetici olarak görev yaptı.

Ülkemizde yaşanan 2008 krizinin ardından, fiili olarak Serbest Avukatlık yapmaya başladı. Tekstil sektöründe faaliyet gösteren bir firmada İcra Kurulu üyeliği yaptı.

Ticaret yapma arzusunun ağır basmasına istinaden, 2015 yılında Ali Babanın Çiftliği A.Ş. firmasını memleketi Konya’da kurarak, %100 yerli sermayeli Opet markası altında Akaryakıt sektöründe faaliyet göstermeye başladı. Sektördeki başarısının ardından 2017 yılında İstanbul merkezli olan ve yine Opet markası altında faaliyet gösteren Adar Akaryakıt firmasının tüm hisselerini satın alarak sektördeki büyümesine devam etti. Üçüncü istasyonunu, yine %100 yerli sermayeli Aytemiz markası altında açmak üzere yatırım çalışmalarına devam etmektedir.

Üç kız çocuğu olan Ali Söğüt yaklaşık 1 yıl Amerika’da yaşamış ve İngilizce eğitimini Intrax USA’da almıştır. Seyahat etmeyi seven Ali Söğüt, Türkiye ‘de 72 il ‘e ve Dünya ‘da 52 Ülkeye ve 85 Şehir ‘e gitmiştir. Yurtdışı gezilerinin bir kısmını motorsiklet ile gerçekleştirmiştir. 50 yaşına kadar 100 ülkeyi görmeyi istemektedir. Kitap okumanın yanında, Sky Diving, Scuba Diving, Kayak, Rafting ve Motocross sporları ile ilgilenmektedir.

H. Işık Deniş

Ortak İdealler Derneği, Yönetim Kurulu Genel Sekreteri, Genel Müdür Yardımcısı, Başkent Doğalgaz Dağıtım GYO A.Ş.

Leyla Alaton

Yönetim Kurulu Üyesi, Alarko Holding & Yönetim Kurulu Başkani, Alvimedica

Leyla Alaton İstanbul'da doğdu, Şişli Terakki, Lycée Sainte-Pulcherie ve Notre Dame de Sion okullarına devam etti. ABD'deki Fairleigh Dickinson Üniversitesi'nden İşletme Yönetimi, ayrıca New York Üniversitesi'nde Sosyal Bilimler alanında yüksek lisans mezunudur. Alaton, Alvimedica Yönetim Kurulu Başkanı ve Alarko Holding Yönetim Kurulu Üyesidir.

Kariyerine 1986 yılında babası İshak Alaton ve ortağı Dr. Üzeyir Garih tarafından kurulan Alarko Holding'de başlayan Alkent - Etiler Uyduşehir ve Alsit Villakent projelerinin tanıtım ve pazarlamasını yönetti. 1992 yılında Milli Prodüktivite Merkezi tarafından “Yılın İş Kadını” seçildi. 1993 Davos Dünya Ekonomik Forumu'nda “Geleceğin Liderleri” arasına girdi. Aynı yıl Megatrend Halkla İlişkiler danışmanlık şirketini  kurdu ve Aérospatiale ve Alcatel gibi dünya devlerine danışmanlık hizmeti verdi. 2014 yılında Türkiye-Fransa ilişkilerine olumlu katkılarından dolayı Fransa'nın en yüksek nişanı olan Légion d'Honneur ödülüne layık görüldü.

Sivil Toplum Kuruluşlari

• TÜSİAD (Türk Sanayici ve İş İnsanları Derneği)
• GYİAD (Genç Yönetici ve İş Adamları Derneği)
• KAGİDER (Türkiye Kadın Girişimciler Derneği)
• Darüşşafaka Cemiyeti
• Contemporary Art İstanbul
• Cartier / Women’s Forum
• New Museum, NY
• Make A Wish (Bir Dilek Tut)
• YPO (Young Presidents' Organization)
• Ortak İdealler Derneği (Common Purpose)

Amy Stillman

Senior Director of Strategic Communications, Grads of Life

Amy Stillman is the Senior Director of Strategic Communications at Grads of Life, a non-profit organization working with  U.S. employers to implement skills-based talent practices that drive diversity and equity outcomes. She was the Chief Communications Officer of the Global Impact Investing Network, an international non-profit working with financial institutions to increase the amount of investment capital going to social and environmental businesses around the world. Prior to that, she was Director of Communications and Policy at the UK's leading venture philanthropy organization, the Impetus Trust.

She was previously the Head of Communications and Public Engagement at Voluntary Service Overseas (VSO). From 1999 - 2007, she was Marketing Director at global leadership development organization Common Purpose. Her background also includes senior marketing and communications roles at commercial organizations, including Merrill Lynch and WATG, as well as marketing consulting firm The Commonwealth Group.

Amy spent 26 years in London before returning to the United States in 2014, and currently lives in Boston.

Ebony D. Thomas

Managing Partner, Strategic Growth and Operations, Grads of Life

Ebony is a seasoned executive and organizational transformation SME. She serves as the Managing Partner of Strategic Growth and Operations at Grads of Life (GOL), a national initiative that advises leading employers on talent acquisition, workforce equity, and skills-first employment practices. Specifically, Ebony focuses on building processes and infrastructures that will anchor and enhance Grads of Life’s operational excellence and advisory practice. She leverages her finance and management consulting background to help GOL think strategically about its next phase of growth, ways in which to optimize its business processes, and how to ultimately close the Opportunity Divide across our nation.

Ebony began her career on Wall Street at Goldman Sachs and went on to work for Fannie Mae. Prior to joining GOL, Ebony spent over 13 years as a leader at Booz Allen Hamilton specializing in strategic organizational transformation, change management, and business development. There, she served as a thought leader in the development of actionable solutions for an array of clients including the Department of Defense (DoD), the National Institutes of Health (NIH), and the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA).

Beyond delivering high-quality client service, Ebony has long been committed to leading successful firm-wide diversity efforts and has been instrumental in shaping programming for Business Resource Groups (BRGs) and ensuring that diverse corporate populations have the advocacy, access, and sponsorship to succeed. Ebony has an extensive history of providing pro-bono support to enhance operations and further the mission of several non-profits including Collegiate Directions Inc., the Democratic National Committee (DNC) Women’s Leadership Forum (WLF), Thrive DC, Salute Military Golf Association (SMGA), the Thurgood Marshall College Fund (TMCF), the Hidden Heroes Campaign with Senator Elizabeth Dole, and the Association of Defense Communities (ADC). She proudly sits on the Boards of Per Scholas, The Washington Performing Arts Society (WPA), The Campaign School at Yale (TCSY), and Seneca Village Capital.

Ebony holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics from Spelman College where she was a Bonner Scholar and an MBA from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill where she was both a Dean’s Fellow and a Bank of America Fellow. She is certified as a Project Management Professional (PMP) through the Project Management Institute (PMI), a Change Management Advanced Practitioner (CMAP) through Georgetown University, and a certified Lean Six Sigma Black Belt through Dartmouth College. Ebony has received numerous awards including her most recent recognition as the winner of Consulting Magazine’s 2023 Global Leader Award for Excellence in DEI Programming and previous recognition such as the Black Engineer of the Year (BEYA) Science Spectrum Trailblazer Award, the Women of Color in STEM Rising Star Award, and The Network Journal’s 40 Under 40 Award. Ebony enjoys cooking, golfing, art collection, and interior design.

Matt Epstein

Director, Goulston & Storrs PC

Mr. Epstein practices commercial real estate law at Goulston & Storrs where he serves as co-chair of the firm’s retail, restaurant and consumer group. He is a Trustee of Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center and chaired its Community Benefits Committee, and serves on the President's Council of Berklee College of Music.

Mr. Epstein is a graduate of Harvard College and holds a law degree from Harvard Law School as well as a master's degree in social and political science from Emmanuel College, Cambridge, England, where he served as the Harvard Scholar.

He lives in Newton with his wife, Deborah Hiatt.

Steve Edwards

Executive Vice President, External Affairs and Civic Engagement, Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago

Steve Edwards is Executive Vice President for External Affairs and Civic Engagement at the Federal Reserve Bank of Chicago. In this capacity, he serves as a member of the Bank's Executive Committee and leads its efforts to engage the public across a range of contexts from media and corporate relations to community development.

Prior to joining the Chicago Fed, Edwards most recently served as Managing Director at Koya Partners/DSG Global, an executive search and leadership advisory firm focused on mission driven organizations. As Managing Director, Edwards served as lead consultant and senior advisor to advised c-suite leaders and boards of directors, identifying, recruiting and advising outstanding purpose driven leaders across a range of senior executive roles.

Previously, he was Chief Content Officer and interim CEO of WBEZ Chicago Public Media, Chicago’s NPR News station and the birthplace of such celebrated programs as This American Life, Serial and Wait Wait…Don’t Tell Me. Under his leadership, WBEZ x achieved record audience ratings across platforms, increased its journalistic impact, and launched an array of award-winning programs, podcasts and digital products.

From 2012 to 2017, Edwards helped launch and lead the University of Chicago’s Institute of Politics, a non-partisan program devoted to cultivating the next generation of public service leaders. As Executive Director, Edwards oversaw all programming and operational duties, including public events, professional fellowships, and career and civic engagement programs. In addition, he co-designed and led the Sargent Shriver Program for Leadership in Public Service and launched the The Axe Files podcast in partnership with former presidential advisor David Axelrod and CNN.

Previously, Edwards spent nearly 20 years as an award-winning journalist, producer and program host. As a journalist, his work has appeared on the BBC, Bloomberg News, PBS and numerous public radio stations around the United States. He also the recipient of numerous journalism honors, including the Grand Award in Radio from the National Headliner Club, the RTNDA’s Edward R. Murrow Award, as well as awards from The Associated Press, the National Association of Black Journalists, the Society of Professional Journalists, and UPI, among others.

He is a member of the Economic Club of Chicago, the Chicago Council on Global Affairs, and serves on the teaching faculty of the University of Chicago’s Civic Leadership Academy and the Executive Club of Chicago's LEAD program.

Edwards is a graduate of Amherst College and was a Knight-Wallace Fellow at the University of Michigan.