ADVISORY BOARD
EDC Advisory Board is a structure and collaborative method that enables the decision makers of the NGO to engage with experts in scaling up operations. The Chair of both the General Assembly and the Managing Board of EDC are opportuned, by this elevated and distinguished structure to test their strategic thinking and to access expertise that may not be readily available through other means.
The purpose is to help EDC gain insights and advice to solve operational problems, and to explore new opportunities by stimulating robust, high-quality conversations. The role of the Advisory Board is in providing current knowledge, critical thinking and analysis to increase the confidence of the decision makers, that is the General assembly and the Managing Board.
Mary Kurek
Chair, Advisory Board
Mary Kurek, is the President/CEO of Frontrunners Development, Inc.
Mary Kurek began working life as the youngest member of the NC
Governor’s Staff at 19 and was awarded the Governor’s Long
Leaf Pine Award for her work. From there, she worked with
international dignitaries through a US government-funded program
and an international visitor’s exchange program designed to
improve multicultural relationships. She worked eight years as the
Executive Director of the Chamber of Commerce next to the
world’s largest Marine Corps Air Station, and graduated from the US Chamber of
Commerce Institute for Organization Management. She was awarded a
Commendation from the Commanding General of MCAS, Cherry Point for her impact.
In 2007, Mary wrote a networking book that was endorsed by the American Business
Women’s Association and moved her business model toward social entrepreneurship.
Today, Frontrunners Development, Inc. houses a business development agency
aimed at nurturing opportunities that expand impact by matching solution-providers with
country leaders and decision makers. The agency has facilitated impact in more than 60
countries as of 2021
The firm operates a curated community of innovators and publishes the first business
networking platform aimed at impact. The platform includes a section dedicated to
African influence. Kurek has conducted 400+ international interviews with the platform
receiving views from 160 countries annually.
Frontrunners Development enjoys partnerships with several worldwide organizations,
like the Sub Saharan Open University (Nigeria) and Living Learning & Working, Inc.
(US), and provides advisory and media support for events produced by World Youth
Summit, The Next Generation Leaders, and the Center for Peace Advocacy and
Sustainable Development-Africa.
Kurek is the co-founder of two nonprofits and sits on the boards of 3 international
organizations that work on education, youth development, entrepreneurship, and trade.
H.E AMB Ghazala Khan
Member, Advisory Board
Diplomatic Ambassador & Mission Head under the Pakistan mission of the Federation of International Gender And Human Rights (FIGHR) for Islamic Republic of Pakistan &. CEO The Next Generation Leaders.
Amb. Ghazala Khan is the first Pakistani Female who worked on the development of the 2021 Regulatory Policy for Maternal Care in Crisis, health system, education, and empowerment of women.
This policy is the first of its kind and offer assistance to the governing bodies of the African Union, ECOWAS and the United Nations in their effort of closing the gap on Gender Rights, Equity and Parity, internationally under the umbrella of Sustainable Development Goal.
Awards
Diplomatic Fellowship (Regulatory Polices)
Life Coach| SDG Advocate and Activist| Consultant| Public Speaker| Motivational Speaker (Vision, Youth and dimensions of life) Human Rights & Youth Adv/Mentorship| Training/Learning & Community Development, Public Policy, Planning, Strategy Specialist| Corporate Soft Skills Trainer|Global Goodwill Ambassador from Pakistan| Ambassador of Peace for Institute of Peace and Development| Ambassador for Common Wealth Entrepreneurs Club| Nominated for SDG-11 (Advocate of the Year 2020) by Humanitarian Award FIGHR |Humanitarian Hall of Fame Award 2021 by World Humanitarian aid Support and Development Forum|World Happiness Olympiad Bronze Medal 2021 |Special Award 2020 Books for Peace Rome.
Inspiring Leadership Award 2021 by International Human Rights Advisory Council India.
Aaron L. Smith, Ph.D
Member, Advisory Board
“Inspiring Educators Around the World”. Founder and CEO of Workplace Readiness Solutions.
Aaron L. Smith, Ph.D is also the author of Awakening Your STEM School and just released Blank Check: What if you were asked to reinvent public education. This Young Adult novel inspires a new generation to fix the public school system in America.
Aaron has over two decades of experience in the classroom as a mathematics teacher and administrator where some of his highlights include the Crystal Star Award from the National Dropout Prevention Center to earning the State Partnership Award from the Virginia Department of Education.
His work not only bridges academia to business but also ensures a better quality of life and maximizes the clients he serves.
Aaron believes in creating a customized approach to modern-day talent optimization dilemmas.
Blanca Kobayashi
A stellar and astute problem solver, she studied Finance, Marketing, and Management in the Czech Republic, and shortly thereafter, she delved into International Relations.
Blanka wholeheartedly believes in the merit and virtue of humanity and does her part in making the world a better place.
Blanka Kobayashi is a multi-talented entrepreneur who understands the value of hard work and ambition. She has successfully been working as Marketing Director of Kobayashi Group and its companies for over 15 years. Kobayashi believes in having a varied and vigorous quality of life in her professional pursuits. She serves as a cultural ambassador, helping foreigners to integrate into Japan, as well as assisting Japanese citizens with learning more about the Czech Republic and also helping Japanese children and young adults to practice English. She emphasizes the importance of cultural awareness to the Japanese citizens so that they understand the power of embracing the foreigners who come to live in the prefecture or those who have already been there for many years.
EDC Enthusiastic Board Members
These individuals are the face of the cause, proactively investing their efforts and abilities to promote the organization’s core mission in an ethical manner. They are sound professionals and are being committed to following through on promises and assisting the organization to the best of their abilities such as following through assignments and supporting program initiatives. These are loyal ambassadors for the cause of EDC. They fully support and embody the organization’s mission while ethically respecting the duty of care, duty of loyalty and the duty obedience.
Prince Olugbenga Adeyinka Adewoyin
Board Chairman
H.E Olugbenga Adeyinka Adewoyin, is a Prince of the royal family of Oba Oladigbolu, the Alaafin of Oyo. He is the President of International Human Rights Movement with headquarters in Cape Verde, the CEO of Viva Verde Empreendedorismo e Desenvolvimento de Projectos, Lda as well as the President, Diplomatic Relations Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club.
Email: chairman@edccv.org
Dr. Olawunmi Princess Adewoyin
Chief Executive Officer
Dr. Olawunmi Princess Adewoyin is the Consul General of the Federation of International Gender and Human Rights, USA, effective at translating the English Language to bridge Business, Contracts and Enterprise. She is the founder of the initiative “Soaring High”. She is the Secretary General of International Human Rights Movement, President of Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Cape Verde and few other international humanitarian organisations. She obtained her first degree in Computer Science from Olabisi Onabanjo University in year 2000, and several post graduates certificates in Education, Teaching, Health Care, and Humanitarianism. She is a professor of English and a teacher trainer.
Email: sdirector@edccv.org
Engr. Osvaldino Domingo Afonso
Vice Chairman of The Board
Engr. Osvaldino Afonso is the Managing Partner of GINS (Gestao Investimento E Servicos) Lda, Civil Construction Company. He is an Executive member of Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club.
Email: odgafonso@gmail.com
Ms Ana Bernardeth Tavares
Secretary of The Board
Ms Ana Bernardeth Tavares is an experienced teacher, school and pedagogical adminstrator . You can count on Dr Ana’s 21 years experience on vari0us dynamic functions with the Ministry of Education in the last 21 years. Her first degree is in Educational Science and she holds several post graduate qualifiications in Education Statistics, Pole Management, Pedagogy and linguistics.
Email: admin@edccv.org
Scientist Auwal Garba Hussain
Non Executive Director
Scientist Auwal Garba Hussain is the director Prime Pathology Center, Buchanan, Liberia. A lecturer in Public Health with Natural Science department, Chemical Pathology/Medical Virology/Microbiology with the department of Health Sciences, Grand Bassa University College (GBCC), Buchanan, Liberia.
Dr. Fatima Damaguda Ibellogo Tor
Non Executive Director
Special Adviser to the Hon Minister, Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs, Federal Republic of Nigeria. She is the formal Chairperson, Nigerian Labor Congress FCT Abuja. Dr. Fatima Damaguda Ibellogo Tor is the Chief Executive Officer of Tima International Peace Organization and Tim’Shima Global Ltd. She is an Ambassador of Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club.
Dr. Expedito Garcia Bezerra
Non Executive Director
Co founder and director, Praia Business School Cabo Verde.
Website: https://www.pbscv.com
Mr. Admar Silva Spencer Brito
Non Executive Director
Mr. Admar Silva Spencer Brito is a Finance expert, a Senior Partner at Formação Futeball (Football Academy).
Email: admarsb@gmail.com
Barrister Ojuolape Kanyinsola Situ
Non Executive Director
An illustrious Solicitor and Barrister driven by the passion for the Right Education and True information. Barrister Ojuolape Kanyinsola Situ is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, endowed with natural love for Education and creative couture
Email: eniara2000@yahoo.co.uk
Mr. Daniel Cardoso Borges
Non Executive Director
Mr. Daniel Cardoso Borges is an Ambassador of the AIUDA Contenadores de Espanha. He is a philanthropist and an expert in humanitarian service.
Email; txaklee@hotmail.com
Dr. Oluwafemi Omosuyi
Non Executive Director
Amb. Oluwafemi Omosuyi holds his Doctorate degree (Hons.) in International Law. He is an outstanding Business Professional with years of experience executing key initiatives and digital solutions which includes leveraging technology to achieve sustainable development goals. He was recognized by United Nations Economic Commission for Africa UN-ECA for his contributions to the SDG’s and at the 7th Humanitarian Symposium held at Nairobi, Kenya, on durable solutions for Displacement and Refugees in Africa. He was invited by the African Union {AU} and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees {UNHCR} to proffer solutions to the Internally Displaced Persons and Refugees in Africa.
The Management
Dr. Olawunmi Princess Adewoyin
Managing Director
Dr. Olawunmi Princess Adewoyin is the Consul General of the Federation of International Gender and Human Rights, effective at translating the English Language to bridge Business, Contracts and Enterprise. She is the founder of the initiative “Soaring High”, National Coordinator of International Human Rights Commission and the President of Commonwealth Entrepreneurs Club – Cape Verde. HE Dr Olawunmi Adewoyin is also an official delegate to Nigeria for Women Entrepreneurs in Europe and Africa. She is the President of Successworld1 in Cape Verde, and few other international humanitarian organisations. She obtained her first degree in Computer Science from Olabisi Onabanjo University in year 2000, and several post graduates certificates in Education, Teaching, Health Care, and Humanitarianism. She is a professor of English and a teacher trainer.
Email: sdirector@edccv.org
Ms Ana Bernardeth Tavares
Administrator
Ms Ana Bernardeth Tavares is an experienced teacher, school and pedagogical adminstrator . You can count on Dr Ana’s 21 years experience on vari0us dynamic functions with the Ministry of Education in the last 21 years. Her first degree is in Educational Science and she holds several post graduate qualifiications in Education Statistics, Pole Management, Pedagogy and linguistics.
Email: admin@edccv.org
The Auditor
R & Partners Consultoria, Contabilidade E Formacao, Lda
Cidade da Praia, Cabo Verde.
E-mail: rpartners2000@gmail.com
Ambassadors
Her interests revolve around the concept of advocacy,inspiration and empowerment and she is mostly interested in the concept of empowerment because she believes empowerment is the key to the growth of the youths as it is a broad topic that can spread throughout different fields. She has a Blog on the frontrunners innovate magazine and she is a youth development leader in frontrunners development Inc.
English Development Centre - EDC 