Meet Our Team

The Sankofa Initiative is powered by a diverse and multidisciplinary team from across the globe, bringing together educators, engineers, health professionals, and community leaders. United by a shared mission, our members contribute local insight and global expertise to drive meaningful, inclusive education in underserved communities.

Amira Ouerfelli

Amira is an electrical engineer and current master’s student specializing in artificial intelligence, embedded systems, and systems-on-chip. She is the CEO and co-founder of ProFreego, a startup creating mobile, solar-powered refrigerators for off-grid communities. A committed IEEE member and active humanitarian, Amira has led and contributed to impactful tech projects in Tunisia, Tanzania, and Cameroon. Through her leadership in the ENIT Robotics Club and volunteer work with the Tunisian Red Crescent, she champions the use of robotics and AI to drive sustainable development and mentor future innovators.

Barbara Sabiiti Waako

Barbara is a dedicated social worker with expertise in mental health, drug misuse prevention, and community empowerment. She holds degrees in Social Work and Social Sector Planning from Makerere University and is a trained counselor skilled in therapies such as Cognitive Behavior Therapy (CBT) and Solution-Focused Therapy. Barbara is the Director of Bandam Supply and Logistics and co-founder of the perfume brand Nicollection. She is also a passionate advocate for sustainable agriculture. An active IEEE member, Barbara brings strong leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills to both professional and community settings.

Bruce Mafuta Shola

Bruce is the Founder and Executive Director of Build With Mathematics (BWM), an initiative dedicated to spreading a love for mathematics through creative exhibitions and interactive learning. With a Bachelor’s degree in Applied Mathematics from the University of Kinshasa (DR Congo), Bruce brings academic rigor and passion to every aspect of his work. He currently teaches mathematics at IB School Le Cartésien and is a member of IEEE. Driven by the belief that math should be lived, not feared, he organizes public math exhibitions to make STEM accessible and exciting—especially for young minds in Kinshasa. His vision is to inspire a strong, joyful math culture in Congolese schools and beyond.

Eng. Dr. Chilala Kakoma-Bowa

Dr. Chilala Kakoma-Bowa is an electrical engineer and energy economist committed to advancing sustainable energy in Zambia. With academic credentials from the University of Zambia, Kathmandu University, and the University of Johannesburg, her research focuses on renewable energy policy, sustainability frameworks, and feed-in tariffs. She currently serves as Acting Director of Strategy and Planning at Zambia’s Rural Electrification Authority and represents the Engineering Unit on the Engineering Council of Zambia. A seasoned leader and advocate for inclusive energy access, she co-founded Lichi’s Community Solution and the Zambia Chapter of OWSD, driving solar energy innovations in rural communities.

Desire C. Mussa

Desire is a sustainable energy engineering professional from Malawi with a BSc in Renewable Energy Technologies and an expected MSc in Sustainable Energy by 2025. He is a certified sustainable energy professional and an active member of multiple professional organizations including IEEE, ISV, PES, IAS, REIAMA, and MEI. Passionate about education, research, writing, and entrepreneurship in energy, Desire also contributes to various national and international conferences focused on clean energy and innovation.

Furaha Benedict

Furaha is a research engineer at CMU-Africa and CTO of InversePay Africa, where she combines AI research with fintech innovation to drive financial inclusion across Africa. She holds degrees in Information Technology (MSc, Carnegie Mellon University) and Computer Science (Bsc, University of Dar es Salaam), and actively contributes to the IEEE community. Passionate about youth education and empowerment, her work bridges technology, entrepreneurship, and social impact.

Lane Ndovi Maema

Lane holds a Diploma in Electrical and Electronics from the University of Malawi and brings over 21 years of experience in the telecommunications and information technology sectors. He currently runs a business specializing in electrical and electronics supplies, serving major energy organizations. Lane is deeply passionate about empowering youth and women in underserved communities through skills development and access to opportunities. He is also an active member of Sankofa, contributing to initiatives that drive inclusive growth and community transformation.

Lawrence Ekeng

Lawrence is a PhD researcher in power systems and Lead Engineer at SPIE Global Services Energy. He holds Master's degrees in Electrical & Electronic Engineering and Business Administration. As founder of SMART Solutions Engineering Limited, he is advancing renewable energy innovation and providing engineering training for students and young professionals across Africa. He is passionate about education, youth development, and driving technology-led impact.

Nicole Kawaako Juliana

Nicole is an electrical engineering graduate from Makerere University with a strong focus on sustainable energy systems. Her final year project on enhancing solar mini-grid resilience in off-grid areas led her to present a research paper at the IEEE PowerAfrica Conference, now published on IEEE Xplore. She holds a certification in solar systems design and installation and currently serves as a junior software project manager at The Dojo Hub, working on AgriEnergy, a platform connecting farmers and energy companies. Nicole is also the founder of Nicollection, a growing perfume brand, and an active member of IEEE, PES, IAS, and Smart Village.

Dr. Nicolò Stevanato

Assistant Professor, Department of Energy, Politecnico di Milano

Dr. Stevanato specializes in energy system modeling for policy support and long-term planning, with a focus on energy access in rural and underserved communities. His work supports the global energy transition through the development of off-grid energy solutions and national electrification strategies in emerging economies. As a member of IEEE Smart Village’s Africa Working Group and Education Committee, he is dedicated to advancing education and energy access across Sub-Saharan Africa.

Noma Duruwe Makwela

Noma is a seasoned consultant and life coach based in Johannesburg, South Africa. She holds a Master’s in Business Leadership and an MDP in Logistics and Project Management from the University of South Africa, along with training in Strategy and Change Leadership from INSEAD and Innovations in Public Employment Programmes from the ILO. As the founder of Abundant Resources International, she brings extensive experience in public-private partnerships, youth and economic development, strategy, and scenario planning. A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment, education, literacy, and entrepreneurship, Noma also serves on the IEEE Smart Village Education Committee.

Patience Kpeda

An experienced Chief Technical Officer with over 10 years of
expertise in agricultural development, project coordination, and farmer engagement. Holds a Diploma in General Agriculture and
practical certifications in farming, complemented by ongoing
professional growth. Proficient in implementing modern farming
practices, coordinating stakeholder networks, and solving agro-
related challenges. Demonstrated ability to boost agricultural
productivity, optimize resources, and lead impactful farming
initiatives. Adept at leveraging data-driven insights and strategic
planning to drive sustainable agricultural development and enhance market access for farmers.

Santosh Kumar Patnaik

Santosh Kumar Patnaik is a dedicated and visionary professional committed to community development and social empowerment. As the Founder and Managing Trustee of the Aashraa Foundation Odisha, he has led numerous impactful initiatives focused on uplifting underserved communities and promoting sustainable educational growth for which he has received many awards including the prestigious We4U Social Impact Award in 2024.

Beyond his professional work, Santosh actively volunteers as a Program Coordinator and Resource Specialist. Known for his strong communication skills and genuine passion for service, he strives to inspire lasting transformation and build a brighter future for the communities he serves.

Sreelakshmi G.

Computer Science and Engineering Student, College of Engineering and Management, Punnapra

A passionate advocate for technology, education, and sustainability, Sreelakshmi is a Vidyadhan Scholar and an Aspire Leadership Program graduate (Cohort 1, 2024). She serves as a Discord Server Moderator and Domain Leader for Aspire India, and are active in grassroots tech education as a Little KITEs Expert, teaching Scratch programming to middle school students. She also leads as Campus Lead of TinkerHub and Chief Innovation Officer of the college IEDC Cell. A well-rounded individual, they are a national-level long jump athlete and a state-level arts competitor.

Stephen Mureithi Kivuti

Stephen is a Civil and Structural Engineer specializing in water and structural engineering consultancy, with a strong focus on research addressing climate challenges in underserved communities. He has published scientific papers and authored a book on using satellite data for runoff estimation. Passionate about education access, Stephen combines his engineering expertise and athletic background—especially in soccer—to promote learning among disadvantaged youth. Raised in rural Kenya, his personal journey fuels his commitment to breaking down educational barriers. Through Sankofa, he aims to scale his initiatives and help make education more accessible and impactful.

Dr. Sudha Balagopalan

Dr. Sudha is the Director of Outreach & Professional Development and Professor of Electrical and Electronics Engineering at Christ College of Engineering, Thrissur. With extensive experience in academia, industry, and research, she has served in leadership roles including Principal and Dean at Vidya Academy of Science & Technology. Her diverse career includes work with the Kerala State Electricity Board, Bhabha Atomic Research Centre, and international consulting roles. She actively engages in GATE coaching, academic writing, and vocational training initiatives. Currently, she chairs the IEEE Smart Village Vocational Awareness Initiative (South Asia) and leads projects that empower youth, tribal communities, and children with mental challenges through technology and skill development. She is a strong supporter of the Sankofa initiative.

Dr. Toby Cumberbatch

Toby Cumberbatch is Professor Emeritus of Electrical Engineering at the Cooper Union in New York City, where he taught from 1994 to 2018. His primary research focuses on developing engineering practices that meet the needs of forgotten, marginalized, impoverished communities. Through regular classes and taking students to West Africa to study energy, water, and shelter in extreme, resource-constrained environments, he helped create a robust and economical design methodology called Engineering for the Middle of Nowhere.

Dr. Cumberbatch, now retired, continues to work with and advocate for light and education for the extreme poor and frequently lectures on these topics. He is President of SociaLite Lighting Systems and chairs several IEEE committees and initiatives.