TheCable

ONE Campaign has named Ndidi Nwuneli as its new president and chief executive officer (CEO).

ONE Campaign is an international non-profit advocacy organisation that works to end extreme poverty and preventable disease, particularly in Africa, by raising public awareness and pressuring political leaders to support policies that improve futures.

In a statement on Tuesday, the organisation’s board said Nwuneli was chosen as president after an extensive global search.

Tom Freston, ONE’s board chair, said Nwuneli has been a steadfast advocate for the world’s poor, bringing great passion and expertise to everything she’s done throughout her life and career.

“Her powerful communication skills, broad global experience and strong personal network make her a perfect leader for ONE at this pivotal moment,” Freston added.

“With Ndidi at the helm, I couldn’t be more confident that ONE will be leading the way in innovative new approaches to tackle the complex issues behind extreme poverty today.”

Bono, ONE’s co-founder, said it had always been the organisation’s dream to be led by an African, seeing that ONE focuses on the continent.

He describes Nwuneli as a present for ONE’s 20th birthday and expressed optimism that she would lead the organisation into the future.

Hinting at her plans to hit the ground running, Nwuneli said she is looking forward to leading the organisation at this critical time in Africa’s history.

“This will require that we forge new local and global partnerships, galvanize catalytical and innovative financing to ensure healthy livelihoods for the most vulnerable, drive sustainable and equitable growth in Africa, and ensure transparency and accountability in the deployment of resources at every level,” she said.

The new CEO thanked the organisation for the honour and assured that she would lead ONE to its next chapter of growth and impact.

WHO IS NWUNELI?

Nwuneli, who holds an MBA from Harvard Business School, is an expert on food ecosystems, entrepreneurship, social innovation, and philanthropy.

She has over 25 years of international development experience and is deeply involved in fostering impactful solutions in the global social innovation landscape, with a focus on Africa.

Nwuneli is also the founder of LEAP Africa, a non-profit committed to developing African leaders and African Food Changemakers, which provides support for African entrepreneurs to start and scale resilient and sustainable agribusinesses.

She is also the co-founder of Sahel Consulting Agriculture & Nutrition Ltd. and AACE Foods Processing & Distribution Ltd.

The Nigerian-American was also the pioneer executive director of the FATE Foundation and serves on the boards of the Rockefeller Foundation, AGRA, Godrej Consumer Products Ltd. India, Stanbic IBTC Group, the Young Global Leaders of the World Economic Forum, and the Bridgespan Group.

She was a senior fellow at the Mossavar-Rahmani Center for Business & Government at the Harvard Kennedy School, a visiting scholar at Max Bell School of Public Policy at McGill University, an Aspen Institute New Voices fellow, and an Eisenhower fellow.

The development expert succeeds Gayle Smith as CEO and is expected to begin her new role at ONE on April 2.