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Background

Thelma is currently completing a Doctorate in Entrepreneurship at the Bettany Centre, focussed on women’s entrepreneurship.

Thelma is an internationally recognised Gender Lens Impact Investor, Philanthropy Advisor and Social Entrepreneur with over 25 years’ experience.

She has pioneered, founded, and led several organisations and initiatives focused on women’s entrepreneurship philanthropy, impact investing and, and has received global recognition for her work:

- In 2020, Thelma was listed as one of the 50 most influential women in the development sector in Africa.

- In August 2021, the Women’s Philanthropy Institute, USA named Thelm as one of the top 10 Black Women in Philanthropy & Impact Investing.

- In 2023, she received the Peak Performer – Super Achiever Award in Nigeria

- In 2024, she was nominated as pioneer Chairperson of the first-ever Nigeria Office for Philanthropy & Impact Investing, domiciled in the Office of the Vice President

She currently serves as Chairperson of Boards in Africa, United Kingdom and globally, which include:

- Chairperson/co-Founder of Proof Accelerator UK, that focusses on supporting and investing in African immigrant entrepreneurs.

- Co-Chair/co-Founder of Women in Philanthropy & Impact (WIPIA), a newly formed global diaspora platform of African women leaders working in philanthropy and impact.

- Co-Founder/Chairperson of SME.NG. She also served as its Managing Partner.

- Co- Founder/Chairperson of Afrigrants, a social enterprise, and served as its pioneering CEO.

Additionally, Thelma currently serves and previously served on the following Boards and Investment Committees:

- Former Chair, Centre for Analytics and Behavioural Change (CABC), University of Cape Town South Africa

- Member, Gender Advisory Board – African Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA)

- Former Co-Chair of Black Philanthropy Africa – A global community for philanthropists of colour

- Former Board Member, National Advisory Board on Impact Investing in Nigeria (NABII)

- Former Investment Committee Member, Investment Committee of the SDG Impact Finance Initiative (Switzerland)

She holds an MBA (Entrepreneurship & Innovation) from Imperial College London, UK.

She has a Law Degree (LLB Honours) from University of Buckingham UK.

She is a Stanford University (USA), Fellow.