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Who > Our Strategic Services Team
Our Strategic Services Team
Michael Wray
Founder and Group CEO
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, his last role as CFO and board member of a global hedge fund group. In 2013 he changed his focus to education and consulted to Barclays on their Education CSR strategy as well as piloting innovative models working with PestalozziWorld Foundation. Michael founded Edulution in 2015 and with a dedicated team developed and then deployed the Edulution ‘Technosapien’ learning platform model which is now reaching more than 12000 thousand children in inner city townships, remote rural areas and refugee camps in Zambia, Namibia and soon South Africa.
Richard Akwei
Fundraising & Stakeholder Engagement
Richard Akwei (B.Com, MBA) is a citizen of Ghana and the United States and was raised in numerous countries around the world. 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, fund raiser and was initially introduced to Edulution in 2017. He is principally responsible for market entry strategy and fund raising but also provides input in broader firm strategic initiatives.
Richard Akwei
Fundraising & Stakeholder Engagement
Richard Akwei (B.Com, MBA) is a citizen of Ghana and the United States and was raised in numerous countries around the world. 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, fund raiser and was initially introduced to Edulution in 2017. He is principally responsible for market entry strategy and fund raising but also provides input in broader firm strategic initiatives.
Sharon Panicco
Program 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
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
Head of Technology
Kapya is a self-taught software developer with a background in Biomedical Sciences. His considerable expertise, commitment and innovative approach to problem solving make him a valuable member of the Tribe.
Sandy Mattison
Acting CEO Namibia
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
Acting 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 is actively involved in the Group's activities in South Africa.
Jon Jaaback
PMO & Business Analyst
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 Data and Finance 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
Head of Stakeholder Engagement
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, sustainable development, and her seven dogs.