As the Founder & CEO of Align with Africa LLC, I am building a social enterprise committed to fostering sustainable development across Africa through community-led initiatives and ethical trade. My role involves:• Strategic Vision: Leading the development of a dual-model organization that integrates a for-profit e-commerce platform with a non-profit foundation to create lasting impact for rural African communities.• Partnership Building: Actively establishing partnerships with local leaders, community organizations, and global networks to support economic empowerment initiatives focused on artisans and entrepreneurs in Africa.• Program Development: Designing and preparing for the Transform Africa Fellowship, which will identify and mentor future leaders across East Africa to drive community-based development.• Fundraising & Engagement: Leading efforts to secure seed funding, working with potential investors, and building relationships with donors to support our mission of driving sustainable growth through community-driven development.• Team Leadership: Coordinating a highly skilled leadership team with expertise in both the U.S. and Africa to ensure the seamless execution of our programs, beginning with a full-scale launch in early 2025.• Brand Development & Storytelling: Overseeing the creation of a global brand that connects artisans to global markets through authentic storytelling, emphasizing the cultural heritage behind each product.Key Current Initiatives:• Preparing for a seed funding round, with meetings scheduled at UNGA/Climate Week to secure key investment for our 2025 launch.• Building our artisan network and establishing strategic partnerships with local and global organizations to ensure sustainable revenue streams through ethical trade.• Organizing a founding team workshop in Kenya to strengthen partnerships and align on long-term goals for community-driven development.