About Us

Dr David Attipoe

Dr David Attipoe, a Ghanaian, is a PhD graduate (Applied Mathematics) from the University of Cape Town. He is an AIMS Alumnus and he graduated from Senegal with an MSc in Mathematics (Cum Laude) with a focus on finance. Before his Masters, he studied bio-mathematics (Botany, Zoology and Mathematics) at the University of Ghana. He was the Program Lead of the AIMS ESMT Industry Immersion Program from 2019 to 2021. Under his leadership, the program scaled to 3 African Countries from South Africa. In 2021, in partnership with Academics Without Borders (AWB Canada) and Strathmore University, he successfully launched the IIP Program in Kenya. David was recently selected as one of the 40 African German young business leaders (AGYLE). The Programme brings together “40 under 40” young leaders from Germany and Africa in a long-term business network for the development and promotion of innovative ideas and business models between Africa and Europe. He is passionate about STEM education in Africa. His particular interest in experiential learning leans toward how STEM education enhances entrepreneurial efforts for the economic transformation of the African continent.

Prof Wulff Plinke

Wulff Plinke is the founding dean of European School of Management and Technology ESMT Berlin in Germany. From the outset of the school in 2002 he served as dean and managing director, building the school from scratch to one of the respected European business schools. Today, ESMT is “triple crown” accredited from AMBA, AACSB, and EQUIS. In 2011, Wulff retired from his office as a dean of ESMT Berlin and assumed responsibility as the chairman of the board of the Association of Friends of ESMT Berlin. In this task, Wulff devoted himself in particular to the social responsibility of emerging managers. In close cooperation with ESMT Berlin, two educational programmes for young managers were established: The Responsible Leadership Fellows Programme and the Industry Immersion Programme. Since 2016, Wulff has developed the Industry Immersion Programme together with Nick Barniville and David Attipoe. It consists of a challenging course in management knowledge (in cooperation with ESMT Berlin and AIMS African Institute for Mathematical Sciences) and a six-month internship programme in cooperation with companies in Africa. In December 2021, the Industry Immersion Africa NPC was founded in South Africa, which Wulff leads together with David Attipoe (MD) and Nick Barniville as directors.

Nick Barniville

Nick Barniville Director, EdTech Lab ESMT Berlin nick.barniville.e@esmt.org Nick was Associate Dean for Degree Programs at ESMT, the European School of Management and Technology in Berlin, from 2010-2020. In this role, he was responsible for the management and development of the school’s on-campus degree programs, internationalization and partnership activities. He founded the school’s EdTech Lab in 2018 and, in recognition of the growing importance of online and blended education, moved full-time into his EdTech role in 2021. In addition to his pro-bono commitment to Industry Immersion Africa, which he co-founded, Nick was the 2022 Chair of FOME, the Future of Management Education alliance, a group of 12 universities committed to excellence and collaboration in online and blended learning. Before moving to ESMT Berlin, Nick spent five years at INSEAD in France and Singapore, lastly as Director of Communications, and four years at the UCD Smurfit School in Dublin, his home town. Previously, he worked in various commercial roles in the construction and travel industries in Germany, in infrastructure finance in Sydney, in governmental trade promotion in New York, and in payments software in London. Nick holds an MSc in Development Economics from SOAS, the School of Oriental and African Studies at the University of London and a BA from Dublin City University. He is also a qualified executive coach. In 2022, Nick set up an EdTech consulting company, Gomera Tech, to help universities to digitalize their program portfolio through a combination of strategy and instructional design consulting.

Deborah Wilsnagh

Deborah Wilsnagh, overseas operations, as well as the financial aspects of operations for iiAfrica. With twenty plus years of cumulative work experience, Deborah has extensive and varied experience in the areas of finance, human resources and administrative management. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce Degree in Accounting from the University of the Western Cape. Most recently, Deborah was employed as the Chief Operating Officer at AIMS South Africa.

Prof Theresa Gebert

Based in NewYork, Theresa is the director of data strategy & AI ethics at Afiniti. She has served as a professor at Minerva University. Theresa has successfully led multiple projects and initiatives aimed at leveraging AI to improve business operations while also ensuring that ethical guidelines are followed. She leads iiAfrica’s curated outcomes with industry partners in Africa. As a full-stack data scientist, manager, consultant, and educator with a mission to make data, ML, and AI useful and accessible to all, she has over 10 years of both academic and industry experience. She has served in financial services, telecommunications, and healthcare (e.g., computational drug discovery, image-based cancer detection, health insurance data). She is skilled in managing people-first, GSD-minded, diverse, international teams across research, engineering, and deployment. Highly outcomes-driven, determined, collaborative, and excited by ambiguity, she has personally trained over 2000 students (professional, graduate, college, high school, and middle school) in algorithm development, statistics, machine learning, and AI.

Mercy Sarkodie Amponsah

Mercy Sarkodie Amponsah, a Ghanaian, holds an ESMT Berlin Certificate of Fellowship in Business Administration and Management as well as an MSc in Applied Mathematics from the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences-Ghana. Before her Masters, she studied Mathematics and Economics at the University of Ghana, Legon. Dedicated and results-oriented, Mercy Sarkodie Amponsah, is an individual propelled by an impassioned commitment to fostering cross-cultural exchanges and empowering aspiring professionals within Africa's dynamic business landscape. Her journey has been shaped by a profound understanding of the transformative impact that cultural diversity and professional mentorship can wield, both on personal growth and the advancement of organisations. In her role as Programs Lead at Industry Immersion Africa (iiAfrica), she has had the privilege of actively contributing to the development and success of individuals striving to leave their mark in Africa's ever-evolving business environment by training more than 1000 students in two of our programs (Ghana1000 program and the Industry Immersion Program) spanning 16 African countries. Her multifaceted background, coupled with a relentless commitment to excellence, positions her as a catalyst for positive change and innovation within Africa's dynamic business landscape. She is driven by the belief that through mentorship, cross-cultural understanding, and innovative programs, we can shape a thriving future for aspiring professionals across the continent.

Emmanuel Nutsugah

Emmanuel, originally from Ghana, currently holds the esteemed position of Interim Deputy Country Manager and EdTech Lead at iiAfrica. His journey with iiAfrica began as an intern, where he showcased his dedication and passion for educational technology. Building on this experience, Emmanuel transitioned into the role of a tutor for the Industry Immersion Program 2023 cohort, guiding and mentoring aspiring professionals. Emmanuel's academic journey is equally impressive. He pursued his Master's degree in Mathematical Sciences at the renowned African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS), enriching his knowledge and expertise in quantitative analysis and problem-solving. Emmanuel's commitment to excellence was recognized when he was selected as a fellow of the IIP Program in 2022, further enhancing his practical skills and industry insights. Before embarking on his Master's journey, Emmanuel earned a bachelor's degree in Economics and Mathematics from the esteemed University of Ghana, Legon. During his undergraduate years, he not only excelled academically but also contributed actively to the academic community as a teaching assistant in the Department of Mathematics. In this role, Emmanuel not only assisted students but also imparted valuable knowledge and inspired budding mathematicians. Emmanuel's diverse experiences, coupled with his strong educational background, make him a valuable asset to iiAfrica's mission of revolutionizing education through technology. His dedication to continuous learning and his commitment to making a positive impact in the field of education truly set him apart.

John Fynn Addison

John secured a significant internship at Industry Immersion Africa (iiAfrica) as part of the Admissions Team. A notable aspect of his time at iiAfrica includes his active involvement in the Industry Immersion Program (IIP), a prestigious initiative by the company. In 2023, he assumed the pivotal role of a tutor on this program, showcasing his commitment to mentorship and knowledge sharing in the education sphere. Currently excelling as the Admissions Lead at iiAfrica, John remains actively engaged in the academic community. His commitment is evident through his contribution to the admission of over 1,000 students into the Ghana1000 Program, a groundbreaking initiative which focuses on enhancing the skills of Ghanaian STEM graduates and supporting their career aspirations. John's dedication to empowering and guiding ambitious students underscores his commitment to fostering growth and development within the educational and industrial spheres in Ghana and beyond..

Alexandria Hayes

Alexandra is a passionate individual driven by curiosity, creativity, and a relentless pursuit of knowledge. With a background in various fields and industries as an operations manager and leader, she thrives on exploring new ideas, connecting with diverse perspectives, and embarking on adventures that challenge and inspire her. Alexandra is always eager to learn and discover new things, whether it's diving into the latest tech trends, exploring different cultures, or unraveling the mysteries of the universe. She believes in the power of empathy to foster meaningful connections and drive positive change in the world. Understanding and compassion are at the core of everything she does. Alexandra thrives in collaborative environments where ideas flow freely, and diverse perspectives are celebrated. Whether it's through her work, her interactions, or her contributions to the community, she strives to make a meaningful and lasting impact wherever she goes.

Joshua Baiden

Meet Joshua Baiden, a dynamic digital marketer with over 3 years of experience shaping online narratives. From humble beginnings as a copywriting intern, Joshua swiftly ascended the ranks to become a creative content manager, mastering the art of engaging storytelling. Now, as a vital member of iiAfrica's communications team, Joshua spearheads the creation and management of captivating digital content. Passionate about amplifying iiAfrica's vision, Joshua is thrilled to contribute his expertise towards propelling the company's mission forward.

Akosua Opoku

Akosua Ofewaa Opoku is a young, passionate and enthusiastic communicator, with a great knack for writing. Armed with a Bachelor’s Degree in Communication Studies (specialising in Public Relations) and a recently awarded Executive Master of Business Administration (EMBA) in Human Resource Management, her expertise is guided by intellect and a thirst for knowledge. Before joining iiAfrica as Communications Officer, Akosua worked as a Broadcast Journalist with Citi FM/TV in Accra, Ghana for 5 and a half years, where she honed her skills in communications, particularly in writing and public speaking. In her free time, she loves to bake, read and watch movies.

Dorothy Kwarteng

Mrs. Dorothy Kwarteng-Adjei holds a research background in epidemiological diseases utilizing Mathematical Modeling, which she pursued at the University of Ghana. She earned her first degree in Applied Mathematics from the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi. With a rich professional background in education, Mrs. Kwarteng-Adjei is a seasoned teacher with over seventeen (17) years of teaching experience, having received professional training at the Akrokerri College of Education. Her teaching expertise extends across both public and private sectors. In 2023, she actively participated in the Industry Immersion Program (IIP) and completed an internship with Industry Immersion Africa (iiAfrica). As the head tutor for iiAfrica's inaugural Ghana1000 Program, she played a pivotal role in its success. Presently, Mrs. Kwarteng-Adjei serves iiAfrica as an Admission and Tutor Management Officer, contributing her skills and knowledge to the organisation's growth and impact. Proudly Ghanaian, she remains committed to advancing education and making meaningful contributions to her community

Prince Anani

Prince Anani is currently the Programs Officer at iiAfrica. He has an industry versatile personality, with a 10 years experience in leadership and organisational structure. Prince currently holds an Mphil in Mathematics (Pure Mathematics) from the University of Ghana, previously graduating with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics and Mathematics (combined major) also from University of Ghana. He is very fluent with the Ghanaian Languages Ewe, and Twi can also speak and write English fluently. He is a sports enthusiast and a big fan of Asante Kotoko.

Juliet Bremang

A Ghanaian at heart, soul, and mind, I am deeply passionate about art and music, believing them to be among life's greatest gifts to humanity. This appreciation for creativity and expression drives my approach to both work and life. As a result-driven professional with over 2 years of experience in Data Science, Online Teaching, and Team Management, I bring a unique blend of technical expertise and interpersonal skills to the table. I excel in developing and executing effective methodologies, fostering strong client relationships, collaborating across functions, and contributing to revenue growth. My goal is to leverage my skills and knowledge to make meaningful contributions to the success of a dynamic organisation. In my role as an Edtech Learning Officer, I possess a natural aptitude for building and delivering course content, demonstrating resourcefulness and adaptability across a diverse range of programs. My journey thus far has been marked by notable achievements, including leading a team of predominantly mathematicians to train over 1000 students in the intricacies of Data Analysis.

Mawuli Tengey

Mawuli Tengey is currently an Education Technology (EdTech) and IT officer at iiAfrica. He has an industry versatile personality, with a half a decade experience in Finance and Performance Auditing, particulary in evaluating records and processes for compliance with institution and legal requirements under AFRO-SAI and ISSAI guidelines.

Having proficiency in skills such as Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, Power Point), Power BI, SPSS, Progamming (C++, C#, Python, R software, HTML5), has facilitated the application of his versatile nature in fields such as Data Science, Finance, Economics and Business Analytics - analysing datasets, implementing predictive models, developing algorithms and insights for developing efficient means of improving the economic and general performance structure of cooperations and systems.

Possessing an Mphil in Mathematics (Financial Mathematics) from the University of Ghana, he also graduated from the University of Mines and Technology (UMaT), in Tarkwa, Ghana with a BSc in Mathematics with minors in Engineering, Economics and Computer Programs. During his time at UMaT, he intensively built a solid foundation of experience in politics, confilict resolution, leadership and faith. He speaks the Ghanaian Languages Ewe, Ga, Twi and Fante fluently and can also speak and write English fluently. He also has experience communicating in French, Chinese and American Sign-Language.

Isaac Boateng

Isaac Boateng, a seasoned office assistant with extensive experience in the oil and gas industry, brings a wealth of knowledge from esteemed organisations like Tema Oil Refinery and Oando to his current role at iiAfrica. Responsible for overseeing logistics and ensuring seamless office operations, Isaac excels in practical problem-solving, particularly in equipment maintenance and repair. His commitment to excellence extends beyond the workplace, reflecting his unwavering dedication to his family and values of reliability and integrity. Fluent in Twi, Ga, and Hausa, Isaac facilitates effective communication and collaboration among diverse teams, significantly enhancing productivity. With his diverse skill set, strong work ethic, and genuine desire to support others, Isaac plays a pivotal role in driving success at iiAfrica while fostering a cohesive and productive work environment.

Helen Batigna

Helen Batigna holds a degree in Computer Science from the University of Ghana. With four years of dedicated teaching experience, she excels as an Elective ICT teacher, shaping young minds and preparing them for academic success in exams such as WASSCE. Currently, as an Edtech Intern at iiAfrica, she spearheads website development and management for her company. Through her work, she aims to bridge the gap between traditional teaching methods and innovative technological solutions, ultimately enhancing the learning experience for students worldwide. Her passion for both technology and teaching is evident in her commitment to innovation and education. She is a Ghanaian from the Northern Region, and speaks Twi, English and Gonja fluently. Beyond her professional endeavors, Helen finds joy in socializing with friends, indulging in browsing, and immersing herself in the captivating world of cinema and fashion. A determined and hardworking individual, Helen Batigna is poised to leave an indelible mark in the realm of tech and education.

Naomi Fakema

Nomakhaya “Naomi” Fekema is a Senior Academic programme officer at African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) South Africa and Administrative Officer at Industry Immersion Africa (IIA). As Admin Officer at IIA she is responsible for the administrative activities for the team and Industry Immersion program. In her previous position as a Program and Logistics officer at AIMS NEI (2014 – 2017) she was able to work in South Africa and other African countries such as Cameroon, Senegal and Rwanda. Assisting with logistics such travel and events planning and then dealing with preparing financial support documents. Naomi believes in the development of the youth through education and skill training. STEM education is the future of Africa and being part of organisation that provides such opportunities is what she loves most of her job. In addition to her current roles, she volunteers as a Admin assistant at Zusakhe Educare, a NPO based in Dunoon, Cape Town. Naomi has also completed a Program management course at Stellenbosch University Business School. She holds a Bachelor of Public Administration in Political Science and Local Governance from University of the Western Cape. She is hard-working, energetic and passionate and enjoys spending time with family and friends.

Pius Illah

Pius Illah is a passionate, multi-skilled and talented professional with several years of experience in the University based startup entrepreneurship industry and Industry engagements. In the last 8 years, he worked with early stage entrepreneurs at LaunchLab, a University incubator based in Stellenbosch South Africa. He currently leads Industry Engagement for Industry Immersion Africa and Coordinates innovation and partnership at The Machine Intelligence Institute of Africa. In his private consulting capacity, Pius leads a team focused on Data science training research, innovation, software development and design. Pius is also experienced in coordinating with stakeholders engagement

Eshan Vosough

My name is VOSOUGH, EHSANI am one of the program managers for the 2022 Industry Immersion Program, also an M.Sc. in management student at ESMT Berlin. I am very passionate about advancing graduate education and looking forward to the experience in 2022.

Yijun Sheng

My name is Yijun. I am from China. I am one of the program managers for the 2022 Industry Immersion Program, also a Masters in Management student at ESMT Berlin. Prior to my current studies, I obtained my Bachelor’s degree in Finance and Accounting at the University of Nottingham. Education-related topics have always been an interest of mine. This year, I feel very honored to help the African Institute of Mathematical Science to run the program. I believe our joint effort will contribute to more sustainable industrial development and new job opportunities in Africa.

Daniel Burns

Dan Burns has more than 25 years of experience in developing and teaching interdisciplinary post-secondary educational programs. With a master’s in environmental science and a bachelor’s in psychology and biology, Dan’s education prepared him well for addressing complexity within management and education systems. He started his career as operations manager with B.C. Packers where he utilized environmental and production modelling to drive decisions and innovation. Following this experience, he served for 18 years within First Nations post-secondary education. During this time, Dan helped prepare the next generation of Aboriginal environmental leaders by initiating the development of the first U.S. degree program that deeply integrated social and natural sciences with Indigenous worldviews. As science director for the U.S. consortium of 37 tribal colleges, he worked closely with tribal leaders, faculty and administrators on design and implementation of educational programs that supported economic and cultural revitalization. Returning to Canada, he joined SFU’s Faculty of Environment where he led the development of the Bachelor of Environment credential and its three interdisciplinary majors, including a joint major in sustainable business. Recently, Dan has focused on developing post-secondary program/course development in the fields of business and sustainability. He serves Academics without Borders projects in Africa and was one of the UN Environment Programme’s North American regional facilitators. Dan has taught in SFU’s Executive Leadership program each year since 2017.

Kristin Brandi

Kristin Brandl is an associate professor in international business at the Peter B. Gustavson School of Business, University of Victoria, Canada. She has held visiting research positions at the Fox School of Business, Temple University, Philadelphia, USA and Saïd Business School, University of Oxford, UK. Prior to joining UVic, she worked as lecturer/assistant professor at Henley Business School, University of Reading, UK. She is a 2021/2022 fellow at the Centre for Global Studies, University of Victoria. Dr. Brandl’s research studies the impact of (national and supranational) policy and institutions on global business environments and firm strategy. She is particularly interested in developing countries and how these internal and external factors impact their development processes. She also examines global knowledge sourcing, especially related to service and innovation activities, i.e., she examines international services management and innovation with a focus on production processes, characteristics, structures and value propositions (global value chains). Kristin is on the editorial review board of the Journal of International Business Studies and the Global Strategy Journal and edited a special issue at the Journal of World Business. She is a board member at the European International Business Academy and the Academy of International Business-Canada Chapter and is part of the iBEGIN research group. She has won several awards for her research, for example, the EliteForsk Stipend by the Danish Ministry of Research, Innovation and Higher Education.

Zoltan Antal-Mokos

Zoltán Antal-Mokos joined ESMT Berlin in 2005. He has been professor of strategy since 2011 and served as dean of degree programs from the same year until 2020, following his previous roles as associate dean since 2009 and director of the Executive MBA Program since 2007.

Matthew Bothner

Matt Bothner joined ESMT European School of Management and Technology in 2011 as a professor and the first holder of the Deutsche Telekom Chair in Leadership and HR Development. His current research addresses the measurement and consequences of social status in several empirical settings, including venture capital, professional sports, and higher education.

Konstantin Korotov

Prof. Konstantin Korotov joined ESMT European School of Management and Technology in August 2005. He received his tenure in 2011. He is currently a professor of organisational behaviour and Faculty Lead in the Executive MBA program.

Catalina Stefanescu-Cuntze

Catalina is a professor of Management Science and was the first holder of the Deutsche Post DHL Chair. She joined ESMT Berlin in November 2009 as associate professor, served as director of research between 2010 and 2012, and as dean of faculty between 2012-2019.

Ulf Schaefer

Ulf joined SDA Bocconi in April 2019 as an Associate Professor of Practice in the knowledge group "Leadership, organisation & Human Resources". His teaching portfolio spans and connects themes of leadership, change/transformation, group dynamics, decision-making, and organisational ethics. Ulf is the program director of the Emerging Leaders Program that SDA Bocconi offers in collaboration with ESMT Berlin. Ulf’s research interest focuses on understanding (un)ethical behavior in organisations via the lens offered by moral psychology. Specifically, he studies how people and groups normalize unethical behavior via moral disengagement, that is, via a cognitive reconstrual of morality and agency. Ulf authored “Moral Disengagement as a social process” and “The seven styles of influencing”, published articles in academic and managerial journals, and wrote numerous (some best-selling and award winning) case studies. Before joining SDA Bocconi, Ulf was a strategy consultant at A.T. Kearney, a co-founder and consultant of The Launch Group, a manager at DaimlerChrysler, and director and head of strategy consulting Germany for Sapient Corp. Between 2005 and 2019, Ulf was a program director at ESMT where he designed and implemented more than 100 executive education leadership development interventions, working across Europe, and in Turkey, Russia, Nigeria, Argentina, Brazil, UAE, Qatar, Israel, Lebanon, Singapore, and China. Ulf remains co-affiliated with ESMT as visiting lecturer and is the program director of its Leading Change Initiative program. Additionally, Ulf regularly teaches for HEC Paris, IAE Buenos Aires, HPI Potsdam, and serves as a tutor for case writing and case teaching with The Case Centre. Ulf earned an M.A. in Philosophy, Mathematics, Logic and Theory of Science from the University of Bonn (Germany) after studying in Bonn and at UC Berkeley and UT Knoxville (USA). He earned an MBA from Rotterdam School of Management, Erasmus Universiteit (The Netherlands) after studying in Rotterdam and at Richard Ivey School of Business, Western University (Canada). Ulf completed his PhD at Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (The Netherlands) investigating moral thought and behavior in social contexts.

Johannes Habel

Johannes Habel is a visiting lecturer at ESMT Berlin and an Associate Professor of Marketing at the University of Houston (USA). Johannes previously worked as a Professor of Marketing at the University of Warwick (UK), as a strategy consultant for Booz & Company (today Strategy&), and as a radio journalist for several years. Johannes studied business administration at Mannheim University and completed his doctorate at Bochum University. He also graduated from Harvard Business School’s Global Colloquium on Participant-Centered Learning.

Henry Sauerman

Henry holds a PhD in Strategy from Duke University, USA. His research and teaching focus on technology entrepreneurship, human capital, and the economics of science and innovation. Henry is holder of the POK Pühringer PS Chair in Entrepreneurship and Director of the ESMT Institute for Endowment Management and Entrepreneurial Finance.

Rajshri Jayaraman

Rajshri Jayaraman an Associate Professor of Economics. She received her PhD in Economics from Cornell University and worked at Center for Economic Studies (CES) in Munich before joining the European School of Management and Technology in 2007.

David Dunne

Customer understanding, creative thinking and strategy are the foundation of David’s managerial and academic expertise. From his early years in product innovation and marketing with Unilever, London, he learned to question assumptions and deeply analyze customer needs to develop winning brand strategies. In advertising, he worked on global brands with Young & Rubicam, and later Unilever in Toronto, where he managed brands such as Cup-a-Soup, Sunlight and Dove. He has won many teaching awards, including Canada’s most prestigious teaching award, the 3M National Teaching Fellowship and the President’s Teaching Award, the highest award at the University of Toronto. He was co-founder and Director of the Rotman Teaching Effectiveness Centre. He is an accomplished educator, teaching strategy, innovation and marketing worldwide. He teaches Innovation, International Marketing and Qualitative Research. He has recently been appointed Director of the MBA Program at UVic's Gustavson School of Business. His executive teaching clients include AstraZeneca, Bank of Montreal, Corus Entertainment, GlaxoSmithKline, Mt Sinai Hospital, Rogers Cable, and Telus. His consulting practice focuses on customer insight, innovation and customer experience. He is currently writing a book about how in-depth user research and creative thinking methods can unlock “wicked” problems in business and society. His research can be read in business and design journals, including Harvard Business Review and Academy of Management Learning & Education. He has held appointments at design schools in the Netherlands, the US and Mexico. He co-founded Radius, a social innovation lab at Simon Fraser University; he is Board Chair of Academics Without Borders and travels frequently to Nepal, where he is a volunteer professor with a medical school in Kathmandu.