An international fellowship addressing persistent inequities across the globe through collective action and leadership to achieve systems change.

Obenewa Amponsah & Associates (OAA) is a boutique advisory firm whose aim is to support the growth and development of individuals, as well as the evolution of institutions. OAA’s offerings include:o Coaching (Individuals & Groups) o Facilitation & Moderationo Program Design & Developmento Staff Development & Trainingo Workshops (Original & Bespoke)

Led the inaugural year of the Black Leadership Institute, a Fellowship program designed to connect, inspire, and uplift Black leaders in the social sector across the US. BLI provides leaders with the resources, network, content, and community needed to build upon their social, financial, knowledge, and cultural capital as they step into positions of greater power and influence.

As the Executive Director of the Harvard University Center for African Studies’ (CAS) Africa regional office, Obenewa provided strategic and operational leadership for CAS’ work throughout Africa, developing public programming and promoting collaborative initiatives with a variety of institutions and universities.

The Steve Biko Foundation is a non-profit development organization inspired by the legacy of the late anti-apartheid leader. As CEO Ms. Amponsah focuses on:Programs, developing and implementing initiatives to:-Advance the legacy of Steve Biko-Create platforms for skills development in marginalized communities-Preserve and promote African history and heritage from the Continent as well as the DiasporaGovernance -Ensuring compliance with national and international best practices in the non-profit sector-Overseeing organizational policy formulation and compliance-Ensuring the effective utilization of resources-Providing oversight to the management teamHuman Resources-Providing coaching, mentorship and leadership to the staff of the Foundation-Recruiting new personnel in accordance with organizational growth and development needs-Facilitating the induction of new staff members in the organization and the development of organizational cultureCommunications, Marketing and PR-Representing the organization at international, national, regional and local levels-Managing the development and implementation of a communications strategy-Ensuring the development and maintenance of SBF’s brand in South Africa and abroad-Serving as media liaisonSustainability-Mobilizing financial resources for the work of the institution-Overseeing donor relations, as well as funding strategy & reporting-Maintaining exceptional donor relationships across a broad spectrum of society including corporate citizens, government departments, international foundations and individual donorsInstitutional Relationships- Identifying and develop strategic partnerships with like-minded organizations in South Africa and abroad-Providing strategic advice to a variety of institutions and projects related to social development, African affairs, heritage and history

As Director of the Steve Biko Foundation, Ms. Amponsah oversaw the daily operations of the Steve Biko Foundation, as well as the Steve Biko Centre, a national legacy project located in the Eastern Cape of South Africa. Responsibilities included:-Leading the Senior Management Team -Oversaw all operational departments including Human Resources, Finance and compliance-Promoting and protecting the legacy of Steve Biko from a legal perspective-Mobilizing financial resources for the work of the Foundation-Serving as stakeholder liaison with responsibility for global donor and government relations-Designing and facilitating grassroots, national and international programs to advance socio-economic development-Leading public dialogue programs of the Foundation in South Africa and abroad, notable speakers include Heads of State & Government; Nobel & Pulitzer Prize Winners; and Humanitarians -Overseeing reporting, monitoring & evaluation of programs-Speaking at global fora with a particular emphasis on the legacy of Steve Biko, Contemporary African Affairs, Social Development and Identity

As Director of Fundraising and International Partnerships, Ms. Amponsah was responsible for mobilizing financial resources for the work of the Foundation; developing and managing strategic partnerships in South Africa and the international community; as well as designing and facilitating grassroots, national and international programs to advance social and economic development. In this role she undertook training and capacity building; facilitated public dialogue; managed the production of various publications; and contributed to the development of capital projects-most notably a national legacy project as designated by cabinet.Specific objectives included:-Responsibility for mobilizing financial resources for the work of the Foundation; during tenure led team that raised over 16 million dollars for socio-economic development programs-Serving as stakeholder liaison with responsibility for global donor and government relations-Designing and facilitating grassroots, national and international programs to advance socio-economic development-Leading public dialogue programs of the Foundation in South Africa and abroad, notable speakers include Heads of State & Government; Nobel & Pulitzer Prize Winners; and Humanitarians -Overseeing reporting, monitoring & evaluation of programs-Serving on Senior Management Team with administrative and financial responsibility including managing staff, overseeing budgets, and ensuring legal and financial compliance with relevant regulations -Speaking at global fora with a particular emphasis on the legacy of Steve Biko, Contemporary African Affairs, Social Development and Identity-Developing capital projects as a core member of the team establishing The Steve Biko Centre, a national legacy project as designated by the Cabinet of the South African President

Ms. Amponsah served as a senior consultant at GoodWorks International, a global advisory firm specializing in business development and government relations in Africa and the Caribbean. At GWI she worked on behalf of private sector clientele seeking to expand their business in various African states; and on behalf of African governments intent on attracting foreign direct investment. In this capacity she performed market and issues related research; developed strategic relationships; and managed a variety of projects.-Identified potential clients, developing appropriate marketing strategies and cultivating relationships-Conducted government relations on behalf of private sector clientele-Performed market and issues related research in support of business development-Facilitated strategic partnerships between government and business entities-Managed key projects for various public and private sector clients, developing, monitoring and reporting on project milestones and timelines-Authored reports and presentations for internal and external stakeholders

Ms. Amponsah was a founding staff member at APARC, a Centre dedicated to documenting contemporary developments in Africa with a particular focus on democracy and leadership. She served in an administrative capacity, overseeing the operations of the Centre, with responsibility for financial and human resource management. In this role she also coordinated public programs featuring presidents, prime ministers and other high ranking diplomats; oversaw annual publications; and administered grants from corporate, philanthropic and government entities.-Oversaw daily operation of the Center, including financial management and compliance; developed and implemented all human resource functions and procedures, including staffing, training and compensation-Coordinated programming featuring former and current heads of state, including presidents, prime ministers and other high-ranking diplomats-Directed publications of the Centre-Organized and directed logistics of international conferences, including the African Presidential Roundtable, a conference featuring former African heads of state as well as alongside public and private sector leaders-Developed proposals for both private and government grants-Ensured Center’s compliance with government and private funding guidelines