The Team
Founders
Dr. Ken Alabi, a distinguished expert in engineering and computing, serves as a director at Mastercard, where he applies his extensive background in technology development and innovation. His prolific career includes significant contributions to leading organizations such as Boeing and the US Department of Defense, where he specialized in pioneering technology solutions that have broad applications across critical sectors.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ken has been at the forefront of blockchain technology, decentralization, and the interoperability of blockchain systems. His expertise is showcased through multiple peer-reviewed publications, making substantial impacts in the academic and practical realms of blockchain technology.
Dr. Ken’s academic credentials are robust, holding a Ph.D. in Engineering and Computing, which underpins his deep understanding of technology’s role in modern infrastructures and its potential to drive transformative change. His work has not only advanced the capabilities of the organizations he has been part of but also contributed to the broader discourse on digital transformation and security.
As a thought leader in blockchain and digital technologies, Dr. Ken continues to influence the future of decentralized systems and interoperability, positioning him as a pivotal figure in shaping the next wave of technological evolution in global finance and beyond.
Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, a vanguard in sustainable development, joined the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) as a full-time member in July 2022. Her illustrious career bridges business and sustainable development across continents, fostering impactful initiatives within multinational corporations, public institutions, and civil society organizations in Africa and Europe.
From 2017 to 2020, she was the pioneering Group Chief Sustainability and Governance Officer at Dangote Industries Limited, Africa’s manufacturing giant. Here, Ndidi spearheaded the development of a comprehensive sustainability culture, strategy, and reporting mechanism that spanned 14 countries, marking a significant stride in integrating sustainability into the core of one of Africa’s largest businesses.
Beyond her executive roles, Dr. Nnoli-Edozien has significantly contributed to various boards, committees, and initiatives dedicated to cultivating corporate culture, enhancing impact investing, and advancing sustainability reporting and governance.
Her academic achievements include a Ph.D. in Social Ethics, focusing on cultural adaptation, sustainability, and governance from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Germany, and a Bachelor’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK. Ndidi’s work is a testament to her commitment to integrating sustainability into the fabric of global business practices, positioning her as a key figure in shaping the future of sustainable development and corporate governance.
Arkan Akin, an accomplished digital assets specialist, operates at the intersection of traditional finance and the burgeoning field of decentralized finance. He currently enhances his expertise with a pivotal role at Gyra SA, a FINMA-regulated asset management company based in Geneva, where he serves as a digital assets specialist and risk officer.
Arkan’s deep engagement with the world of finance extends into academia, where he is the co-director of the first university program in Switzerland designed specifically for financial professionals at the University of Applied Sciences, Management School in Geneva (HEG). This innovative program focuses on the applications of blockchain technology, setting a benchmark in educational advancements in finance.
His work at Gyra SA and his academic leadership reflect Arkan’s dedication to blending traditional financial practices with digital innovation. He is instrumental in developing frameworks that manage digital asset risks while fostering an environment where traditional and digital finance coexist and complement each other.Arkan’s profound impact on both the practical and educational facets of blockchain technology and digital assets marks him as a key influencer in the digital transformation of the financial sector. His contributions are paving the way for a new era of finance, merging established financial principles with the disruptive potential of blockchain technology.
Dr. Wenhai Li is a renowned blockchain expert, professor, and researcher, known for his extensive expertise in implementing advanced technology solutions across various sectors. His innovative work has led to the development of key technological solutions that are currently utilized by several major defense and aerospace companies in the United States.
Dr. Li’s distinguished career is marked by a strong focus on practical applications of blockchain technology. His contributions have significantly advanced the capabilities of organizations in critical industries, enhancing their operational efficiency and security protocols through cutting-edge technological adoption.As an academic, Dr. Li continues to share his knowledge and insights, molding the next generation of technology leaders. His research not only enriches his students but also contributes to the broader field of blockchain technology, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in high-stakes environments.
Dr. Li’s work exemplifies a commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of blockchain technology, making him a pivotal figure in the integration of these technologies into complex and critical systems in defense and aerospace sectors.
Bolaji Akinboro is a pioneering entrepreneur from Nigeria, celebrated for revolutionizing fintech in Africa. As the co-founder of Cellulant, he masterminded a payment solution that remarkably bridged the gap for the unbanked, steering the company to secure Series C funding of $47.5 million — a record in African fintech at that time.
Beyond Cellulant, Bolaji co-founded Voriancorelli, a B2B marketplace that has transformed agricultural trade by facilitating seamless connections between grain suppliers and buyers, showcasing the transformative power of mobile technology in commerce.
Separately, his instrumental role in the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES) project enabled the Nigerian government to distribute over 1 billion in agricultural inputs to rural farmers via an e-wallet platform, with the project’s success expanding to Liberia, Togo, and Afghanistan.
Bolaji’s extensive background also includes impactful tenures at Procter & Gamble, the World Bank, and as a Country Director of the global charity -Plan International, underscoring his vast contributions to digital finance and agriculture in Africa.
Dr. Ken Alabi, a distinguished expert in engineering and computing, serves as a director at Mastercard, where he applies his extensive background in technology development and innovation. His prolific career includes significant contributions to leading organizations such as Boeing and the US Department of Defense, where he specialized in pioneering technology solutions that have broad applications across critical sectors.
Throughout his career, Dr. Ken has been at the forefront of blockchain technology, decentralization, and the interoperability of blockchain systems. His expertise is showcased through multiple peer-reviewed publications, making substantial impacts in the academic and practical realms of blockchain technology.
Dr. Ken’s academic credentials are robust, holding a Ph.D. in Engineering and Computing, which underpins his deep understanding of technology’s role in modern infrastructures and its potential to drive transformative change. His work has not only advanced the capabilities of the organizations he has been part of but also contributed to the broader discourse on digital transformation and security.
As a thought leader in blockchain and digital technologies, Dr. Ken continues to influence the future of decentralized systems and interoperability, positioning him as a pivotal figure in shaping the next wave of technological evolution in global finance and beyond.
Ndidi Nnoli-Edozien, a vanguard in sustainable development, joined the International Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) as a full-time member in July 2022. Her illustrious career bridges business and sustainable development across continents, fostering impactful initiatives within multinational corporations, public institutions, and civil society organizations in Africa and Europe.
From 2017 to 2020, she was the pioneering Group Chief Sustainability and Governance Officer at Dangote Industries Limited, Africa’s manufacturing giant. Here, Ndidi spearheaded the development of a comprehensive sustainability culture, strategy, and reporting mechanism that spanned 14 countries, marking a significant stride in integrating sustainability into the core of one of Africa’s largest businesses.
Beyond her executive roles, Dr. Nnoli-Edozien has significantly contributed to various boards, committees, and initiatives dedicated to cultivating corporate culture, enhancing impact investing, and advancing sustainability reporting and governance.
Her academic achievements include a Ph.D. in Social Ethics, focusing on cultural adaptation, sustainability, and governance from the Johann Wolfgang Goethe University, Germany, and a Bachelor’s degree from the London School of Economics and Political Science, UK. Ndidi’s work is a testament to her commitment to integrating sustainability into the fabric of global business practices, positioning her as a key figure in shaping the future of sustainable development and corporate governance.
Arkan Akin, an accomplished digital assets specialist, operates at the intersection of traditional finance and the burgeoning field of decentralized finance. He currently enhances his expertise with a pivotal role at Gyra SA, a FINMA-regulated asset management company based in Geneva, where he serves as a digital assets specialist and risk officer.
Arkan’s deep engagement with the world of finance extends into academia, where he is the co-director of the first university program in Switzerland designed specifically for financial professionals at the University of Applied Sciences, Management School in Geneva (HEG). This innovative program focuses on the applications of blockchain technology, setting a benchmark in educational advancements in finance.
His work at Gyra SA and his academic leadership reflect Arkan’s dedication to blending traditional financial practices with digital innovation. He is instrumental in developing frameworks that manage digital asset risks while fostering an environment where traditional and digital finance coexist and complement each other.Arkan’s profound impact on both the practical and educational facets of blockchain technology and digital assets marks him as a key influencer in the digital transformation of the financial sector. His contributions are paving the way for a new era of finance, merging established financial principles with the disruptive potential of blockchain technology.
Dr. Wenhai Li is a renowned blockchain expert, professor, and researcher, known for his extensive expertise in implementing advanced technology solutions across various sectors. His innovative work has led to the development of key technological solutions that are currently utilized by several major defense and aerospace companies in the United States.
Dr. Li’s distinguished career is marked by a strong focus on practical applications of blockchain technology. His contributions have significantly advanced the capabilities of organizations in critical industries, enhancing their operational efficiency and security protocols through cutting-edge technological adoption.As an academic, Dr. Li continues to share his knowledge and insights, molding the next generation of technology leaders. His research not only enriches his students but also contributes to the broader field of blockchain technology, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in high-stakes environments.
Dr. Li’s work exemplifies a commitment to innovation and excellence in the field of blockchain technology, making him a pivotal figure in the integration of these technologies into complex and critical systems in defense and aerospace sectors.
Bolaji Akinboro is a pioneering entrepreneur from Nigeria, celebrated for revolutionizing fintech in Africa. As the co-founder of Cellulant, he masterminded a payment solution that remarkably bridged the gap for the unbanked, steering the company to secure Series C funding of $47.5 million — a record in African fintech at that time.
Beyond Cellulant, Bolaji co-founded Voriancorelli, a B2B marketplace that has transformed agricultural trade by facilitating seamless connections between grain suppliers and buyers, showcasing the transformative power of mobile technology in commerce.
Separately, his instrumental role in the Growth Enhancement Support Scheme (GES) project enabled the Nigerian government to distribute over 1 billion in agricultural inputs to rural farmers via an e-wallet platform, with the project’s success expanding to Liberia, Togo, and Afghanistan.
Bolaji’s extensive background also includes impactful tenures at Procter & Gamble, the World Bank, and as a Country Director of the global charity -Plan International, underscoring his vast contributions to digital finance and agriculture in Africa.
Association Leadership
Dr Mamphela Ramphele is co-founder of ReimagineSA and the Chair of the Tutu IP Trust. A global public servant sitting on numerous advisory boards, panels and commissions, Dr Ramphele is a sought-after speaker. She is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, former Managing Director at the World Bank and non-Executive Director of numerous large corporate and civil society organisations. Dr Ramphele is an author and recipient of many awards including 23 honorary degrees. She was co-president of the Club of Rome between 2018 and 2023.
She is a medical doctor (MBChB), a social anthropologist (PhD), an accomplished researcher and a co-author with Francis Wilson, of Uprooting Poverty: The SA Challenge.
Carlos Álvarez Pereira is a senior professional combining more than 30 years of experience in research and innovation, entrepreneurship and business management, with a passion for complexity thinking and transdisciplinarity. He is keen on exploring the cultural transformation required to cross the threshold towards equitable human wellbeing within a healthy biosphere.
He is member of the Advisory Board of the International Bateson Institute (IBI), fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), and member of the Spanish Fulbright Alumni Association, of which he has been Vice-President during 8 years. With an MSc in Aerospace Engineering, he has been a lecturer and researcher in Applied Mathematics at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM). He founded and chaired for 14 years the Innaxis Foundation & Research Institute, specialized in the modelling of complex systems and big data applications. He has been the founder and top-level executive during more than 25 years of several consulting companies in Spain, Switzerland, France and Germany in the domains of digital technologies, systems integration and strategic advice.
Carlos Álvarez Pereira is a senior professional combining more than 30 years of experience in research and innovation, entrepreneurship and business management, with a passion for complexity thinking and transdisciplinarity. He is keen on exploring the cultural transformation required to cross the threshold towards equitable human wellbeing within a healthy biosphere.
He is member of the Advisory Board of the International Bateson Institute (IBI), fellow of the World Academy of Art and Science (WAAS), and member of the Spanish Fulbright Alumni Association, of which he has been Vice-President during 8 years. With an MSc in Aerospace Engineering, he has been a lecturer and researcher in Applied Mathematics at the Polytechnic University of Madrid (UPM). He founded and chaired for 14 years the Innaxis Foundation & Research Institute, specialized in the modelling of complex systems and big data applications. He has been the founder and top-level executive during more than 25 years of several consulting companies in Spain, Switzerland, France and Germany in the domains of digital technologies, systems integration and strategic advice.
Dr Mamphela Ramphele is co-founder of ReimagineSA and the Chair of the Tutu IP Trust. A global public servant sitting on numerous advisory boards, panels and commissions, Dr Ramphele is a sought-after speaker. She is a former Vice Chancellor of the University of Cape Town, former Managing Director at the World Bank and non-Executive Director of numerous large corporate and civil society organisations. Dr Ramphele is an author and recipient of many awards including 23 honorary degrees. She was co-president of the Club of Rome between 2018 and 2023.
She is a medical doctor (MBChB), a social anthropologist (PhD), an accomplished researcher and a co-author with Francis Wilson, of Uprooting Poverty: The SA Challenge.
