Who We Are
THE BRAVE RISE TOGETHER
African Entrepreneur Collective staff, board, and volunteers are all in. Similar to our entrepreneurs, we work hard to find data-driven solutions to our daily work, while keeping our eye on the big picture. Our team represents cultures and perspectives from across East Africa and the US, and most importantly, is connected to a shared set of values.
AEC VALUES
“All the problems on the Continent have solutions that already exist on the Continent.” A Continents people are its greatest resource. AEC’s entrepreneurs are an integral part to the phenomenon of Africa Rising.
“We reach beyond what we think is possible.” We set ambitious goals, and we push our entrepreneurs and our staff to achieve these goals. Together, we do the impossible.
“We are committed to continuous learning and growing.” We recognize our own limitations, challenge our entrepreneurs, staff, and entrepreneurs to improve, and seek out opportunities to share our learnings and commit to hearing from others.
“The brave rise together.” African Entrepreneur Collective was founded in summer 2012 by social entrepreneurs Julienne Oyler and Sara Leedom, whose experience living and working in Africa highlighted that supporting entrepreneurs is the most sustainable way to create wealth and improved livelihoods across the Continent.
“We eat goat.” We are together, we celebrate our success. We take time to appreciate one another and hold each other up in hard times.
AEC EXECUTIVE TEAM











BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Michael Payne
Board Chair
Marion Ntiru
ELMA Philanthropies
Tom Ryan
Board Treasurer
Century Equity Partners
Marieve Uaboi-Gauthier
Citibank
Lauren Rawlings
Palladium
Julienne Oyler
African Entrepreneur Collective
Julie Taft
Board Secretary
International Planned Parenthood Federation
Shipra Kayan
Miro, Amsterdam
Sara Leedom
African Entrepreneur Collective
INVESTMENT COUNCIL
Michelle Brauner Ares Management, LLC
Chris Durbin Vestar Capital Partners
Paul Kaboub Old Ironsides Energy
Osman Nur Revolution
Harrison Chilton The Carlyle Group
Tom Ryan Century Equity Partners
Alex Darden EQT Partners
Irene Wang Falcon Investments
ADVISORY BOARD MEMBERS
Grace Mugabekazi YouthConnekt
Carmen Nibigira GIZ
Florence Gatome Africa Director NIRAS
Jeff Aludo Aludo Group
Celestin Rwabukumba Rwanda Stock Exchange
Denise Umunyana Right Seat Ltd
Asha Abdi Mombasa County Chief Officer for Finance & Economic Planning
PARTNERS & DONORS












1-to-4 Foundation
Bank of Kigali
Bridgespan Group
Development Bank of Rwanda
Equity Bank
GIZ Rwanda
Global Development Initiative
Instiglio
International Trade Centre
Kate Spade, onPurpose Fund
MTN Rwanda
Missionary Sisters of the Sacred Heart
Peery Foundation
Segal Family Foundation
L & R Uechtritz Foundation
UN Capital Development Fund
University of Global Health Equity
Upwork Foundation