Michael Wray
Founder
Michael Wray (CA, MBA) was born and raised in Zimbabwe and received his tertiary education in South Africa. He worked in London and then Switzerland for 15 years in the finance industry, 10 years in software development and 5 years as a CFO and board member of a global hedge fund group. Michael founded Edulution in 2015 and with a dedicated team developed and then deployed the Edulution ‘Technosapien’ learning platform model which has impacted on over 50'000 children in inner city townships, remote rural areas and refugee camps in the Southern African region. He believes transforming how the developing world learns is key to global security and the well being of our planet
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Richard Akwei
Group CEO
Richard Akwei (B.Com, MBA) is a citizen of Ghana and the United States and was raised in numerous countries worldwide. He has over 32 years of experience in developed and emerging markets across investment banking and asset management with Makeda Partners, Musa Group, the Rohatyn Group and J. P. Morgan. Richard has been a passionate advocate of improving educational outcomes throughout his career as a tutor, strategist and fundraiser and has been part of Edulution' Strategic Services Team since 2019. Effective July 1st 2023, Richard has taken on the leadership position as Group CEO
Sharon Panicco
Regional Programme Manager
Sharon has dedicated her career to education and has a wealth of experience. She is respected for her dedication and ability to bring new concepts to reality by using innovative approaches and inspiring others to take action. Joining Edulution at the very beginning she has played a key role in opening all the Edulution centres in Zambia, Namibia and soon in South Africa
David Fair
Training Design & Delivery Advisor
David Fair (MA Counselling Psychology) is a human capital development specialist with over 20 years’ experience in employee engagement, youth development and coaching. With a background in psychology, David is the mastermind behind the design and delivery of our bespoke innovative training content and coach recruitment processes. David has a lifelong passion for developing human potential through learning experiences and effective mentorship. He firmly believes that professional and personal growth are inextricably linked, a philosophy exemplified by the rapid development of leadership and personal maturity in Edulution's coaches
Kapya Sakala
Technology
Kapya is a self-taught software developer with a background in Biomedical Sciences from the University of Zambia. He has been with Edulution since the very beginning and has played a pivotal role in the development and support of the Edulution platform on both the software and hardware side. His wide ranging expertise, commitment and innovative approach to problem-solving make him a valuable and integral part of the Tribe and an inspiration to many coaches who are following in his footsteps
Sandy Mattison
Strategic Projects
Sandy (BSc, MBA) spent 25 years working for large, blue chip companies. Sandy’s practical training as a chemical engineer and operational experience across a variety of industries combined with her ability ‘see the bigger picture’ are valuable skills when designing effective business strategies. Sandy’s school-going children have given her the opportunity to observe the positive impact of a learning environment that is tailored to each child’s intellectual abilities and emotional needs. The Edulution model creates such an environment, for some of Africa’s most vulnerable children, under some of the harshest conditions. Sandy is excited about growing Edulution’s reach and impact in Africa. Sandy leads Special Projects across the Edulution Group
Mike Clarke
CEO South Africa
Mike (Msc, Dip. Clin Eng.) is a Biomedical engineer and outdoor adventurer with 21 years of experience in operations, technology management & deployment, management consulting and sales & marketing, brings a valuable mix of skills to the Edulution team. Mike spent 10 years driving business development and sales for a Fortune 500 consumer technology brand in 25 Sub-Saharan Africa countries and has deep knowledge of the African socioeconomic ecosystem. Born and raised in Africa, Mike is passionate about the continent and driven to improve the education outcomes of its people. Mike has been the CEO of South Africa since it began there in 2021
Jon Jaaback
Strategic Programme Management
Jon (BSc Eng, MBA) has a diverse background and 30+ year history as a professional civil engineer, management consultant, and founder of several small businesses. A firm believer that the best possible return on investment for Africa’s future lies in educating its youth, Jon joined the Edulution Tribe to assist in growing and scaling the business so that its impact might be felt right across the sub-continent
Murray Barnett
Group Finance & Data Analytics
Murray (BCom, CA) was born in Zimbabwe and is proudly African, latterly living in South Africa. Since qualifying as a Chartered Accountant he has amassed over twenty years of experience working predominantly in listed companies in the UK, Zimbabwe and South Africa. His roles have typically involved analysis and management in the implementation of financially oriented operational and reporting systems. Murray is a logical and strategic professional, passionate about building and restoring both people and processes, with various involvement volunteering for social benefit. Two years fully dedicated to successfully growing an accountable food rescue and distribution NPO was a personal highlight of his career. Building on this experience, Murray is highly motivated by the foundational impact that the Edulution model can bring to the long term socio-economic potential of Africa’s vibrant youth
Kim Nielsen
Stakeholder Engagement & Communications
Kim (BA, MA) has worked for a decade in international development for UN entities, including UNHCR and UNOCHA, and local NGOs based in the US, Rwanda, Switzerland, India, and Hong Kong. She is an experienced storyteller, passionate about equal access to education, innovations in technology and sustainable development