The Leadership
Meet the Wonderful People of ADRF NPC Foundation
Dr Willard Bepete
Founder & Executive Director
With over 24 years of experience, practising in South Africa and Australia, Dr. Willard Bepete is a distinguished orthopedic surgeon whose career blends medical excellence with a deep commitment to Africa’s socio-economic advancement.
As an entrepreneur and visionary leader, he is dedicated to empowering African communities. In his capacity as Founder, Director, and Executive Chairman of ADRF (Africa Diaspora Revival Fund), Holding Company, Founder and s Director of ADRF NPC (Foundation), Dr. Bepete is spearheading initiatives driving economic self-sufficiency.
ADRF NPC (Foundation) develops and finances sustainable strategies that Africans can use to invest in transformative sectors like agriculture, healthcare, education, and infrastructure, creating employment, revenue, and transformation that has a positive impact on Africa and the World at large.
Dr. Bepete’s upbringing on his grandparents’ farm instilled in him the resilience and discipline that fuel his success. Through ADRF, he is committed to collective progress, ensuring Africans and their allies fund initiatives that drive lasting impact. His leadership is anchored in wisdom, faith, discipline, and the belief that “Yes, Africa Can.”
Dr. Koffi-Becanty Kouadio
Advisory
Dr. Koffi is a healthcare expert and dentist with over 20 years of experience, a committed Pan-African, and a staunch advocate of economic empowerment.
His extensive knowledge and experience working on political, social, and economic initiatives across West and Central Africa combined with his experience living and working as a healthcare professional in Côte d’Ivoire, France and the United States, has given him a keen understanding of the critical need for adequate funding in achieving sustainable development in Africa.
As a part of the advisory to ADRF NPC (Foundation), he supports the mobilisation of Africans and the diaspora to finance, he is keen on mobilizing Africans and the diaspora to finance solutions that drive sustainable development and long-term impact in Africa. His leadership ensures that ADRF NPC is more than just another funding platform; it is a movement for self-reliance, economic independence, and Africa’s prosperity.
Dr. Julia Ugorji, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN.
Head of Advisory
Dr. Julia Ugorji, DNP, MSN-Ed, RN, is an accomplished nurse leader with extensive experience in healthcare management and academic administration. She has held key leadership roles, including Associate Dean and Chief Nurse Administrator at Metropolitan State University and Dean of Nursing at North Hennepin Community College.
Her leadership in the Nigerian nursing community and dedication to healthcare equity have earned her prestigious awards, including the U.S. President’s Lifetime Achievement Award, and uses her influence to drive excellence in nursing, leadership and global healthcare advancement.
Currently, she is an Assistant Professor at Southwest Minnesota State University, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping the future of healthcare professionals, and an external advisor to the Minnesota Governor’s Office. As a Fellow of the Carnegie African Diaspora Fellowship Program, she is a vocal advocate for addressing racism in nursing, contributing similarly to the American Nurses Association’s efforts in this regard.
At ADRC NPC, Dr. Ugorji serves as Head of Advisory, helping to ensure that projects financed by ADRF NPC are progressive and inclusive, particularly in the fields of management, education, and healthcare.
Daniel Mapenda
Advisory
A renowned and passionate risk practitioner with extensive knowledge amassed through working for the Africa subsidiaries of Standard Chartered Bank Plc (a reputable International Financial Institution) for over 30 years. The areas of focus were wholesale, corporate and consumer banking businesses in West and Southern Africa.
After leaving the employ of Standard Chartered Bank has been providing advisory services, as a consultant, to Banks and Asset Management Companies in Central, West and Southern Africa, on risk management and good governance principles. Have also become an expert in training on Credit Risk Management for Banks.
For the past one and half years have been providing advisory services to ADRF NPC on the documentation of a number risk management policies including that on the principles of good governance.
Dr. Christian Ayiku
Director
Dr. Ayiku is a Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA, UK) and holds an MBA from the University of Warwick (UK), a Bachelor's degree from the University of Ghana, and an Honorary Doctorate in Business Administration (Banking & Finance) from Commonwealth University Business School (UK).
Throughout his career, he has held senior executive roles including Chief Executive Officer, Chief Financial Officer, Finance Director, and Vice President. As CFO of the Consumer Banking Group at Ecobank Transnational Incorporated, he provided financial leadership across 40 African markets, driving strategic growth, governance, risk management, and operational transformation.
In addition to his executive career, Dr. Ayiku has extensive board leadership experience as a Board Chair, Trustee, and Non-Executive Director. At ADRF NPC he is passionate about strengthening governance, transparency, accountability, and sustainable institutional development across Africa.
Shean Mukocheya
Director
Shean Mukocheya is an award-winning agroecology leader and practitioner. With Bsc honors in counselling, an executive certificate in permaculture design course, African women in Agroecology leadership community engagement and seed production whose journey began in rural Mutare South, raised by her grandmother, where she witnessed firsthand the power of traditional regenerative farming. Building on this foundational wisdom, she has spearheaded key leadership initiatives in Community Trauma Therapy, the healing of the land, and youth mentorship, earning the Community Agroecology, Mentorship and Leadership Award.
As an award-winning member of African Women Leaders in Agroecology, PELUM Zimbabwe, and the Zimbabwe Seed Sovereignty Program, Shean works tirelessly to safeguard indigenous crops, facilitate sustainable land management, and foster community resilience. She plays a pivotal role in empowering smallholder farmers and mentoring the next generation of ecological stewards.
At ADRF NPC , Shean serves as an Advisor on Agroecology and Holistic Management, ensuring initiatives backed and established by ADRF NPC are progressive, ecologically sustainable, and deeply inclusive, particularly across land stewardship, education, and rural agricultural transformation.
Catherine Nyaga-Mbithi
Chair
Catherine Nyaga-Mbithi is a seasoned governance, risk, audit, and finance leader with over 20 years of experience across Financial Services, Manufacturing, Investments, and Humanitarian sectors in Africa and Europe. She serves as Board Director and Chair of Audit and Risk Committees in several Boards in Africa and United Kingdom.
An MBA graduate, CPA-K, GradIRM, Cybersecurity Certificate holder, and GRI Certified Sustainability Professional, Catherine is passionate about strengthening governance, developing future leaders, and driving sustainable impact. She is also an ICF Certified Coach, mentor, and co-author of The Way She Leads.
As a member of ADRF NPC, Catherine believes deeply in Africa’s potential to improve the livelihoods of its people. She is inspired by ADRF’s vision and three strategic pillars, which she sees as a powerful platform for creating self-reliance, economic empowerment, and sustainable transformation across the continent. Driven by a strong belief in the African dream, she is committed to supporting initiatives that deliver lasting impact for future generations.
Khumoetsile ("Khumo") Sekucha
Director
Nonhlanhla Mavuso
Director
With over six years of experience in the healthcare sector as an administrator ,combined with my on going LLB studies .I have developed a strong understanding of the social legal and economic challenges that shape the live of Africans. This unique combination of practical experience and legal education has strengthened my commitment to advocating for equitable access to healthcare ,Justice and sustainable community development
As a young African woman who has experienced the challenges of growing up with limited opportunities I have gained deep understanding of what it takes to overcome adversity. My past and upbringing do not define the person I am becoming instead they have shaped my resilience determination and passion for creating positive change
I am committed to empowering African communities. Especially young people to become best version of themselves by transforming their mindset and helping them recognize their potential. I believe no matter where you come from success is possible, I am living proof that circumstances do not have to determine your future
Having walked this journey myself I understand the obstacles many young Africans face Through ADRF NPC we are to walking alongside them every step of the way providing guidance, support, opportunities and encouragement to make their dreams achievable .Our mission is to inspire hope unlock potential and create a future where every African has the opportunity to thrive and succeed
Being part of the ADRF NPC means being committed to the positive change it is bringing to Africa I believe in serving with transparency integrity and hardwork to ensure that this initiative achieves it mission and creates lasting impact
Together we can restore the spirit of Ubuntu by supporting one another uplifting both the fortunate and the less fortunate and building stronger and more united communities let us work hand in hand to create a better , more peaceful and more prosperous Africa where every person has hope and the opportunity to Thrive
TOGETHER, WE CAN BUILD THE AFRICA WE ALL BELIEVE IN
Elizabeth Kamau
Certified Project Management Practitioner and ITIL (Information Technology Infrastructure Library), reflecting her commitment to excellence in strategic leadership, project delivery, and organizational performance.