Africa Unbound

Board of Directors

Frannie Leautiers

Senior Partner and CEO, SouthBridge Investments

Dr. Frannie Leautier is an experienced executive at CEO and Board of Directors levels with a demonstrated history of working in the finance, engineering and non-profit organization management industries. Among the positions she’s held are Vice President at the World Bank Group, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation, and Senior Vice President at the African Development Bank. She is skilled in Development Finance, Sustainable Development and Climate, Strategic and Analytical Skills, Investing in Emerging Markets, International Business, International Relations, and Management. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University Executive Education, Honorary Degree in Humane Letters from North Central College and Doctor of Law from Lancaster University honoris causa.

Muftah Benomran

Partner at Rural Concepts Group and CEO at Gaia Invest LTD

Mr. Benomran has over 30 years of experience in project development management, particularly in the real estate sector.  He has a track record of leading teams of professionals and developing concepts, and setting up large scale, visionary projects.  An example is the African Economic City project, Muftah’s concept for an integrated business, free zone, African cultural heritage and educational offering on the seafront in Libya – $35 billion project.  Previously, he lead a team that developed a cultural, heritage and educational project offering on the seafront in Oman which lead to the formation of a $5 Billion theme park and real estate project, known as the “Omagine Project.”  .

Molefi Kete Asante

Professor, Temple University

Dr. Asante is Professor at the Department of Africology, Temple University in Philadelphia.  He is the President of the Molefi Kete Asante Institute for Afrocentric Studies and Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa.  Often called the most prolific African American scholar, he has published over 100 books and over 600 articles, and has been recognized as one of the most influential leaders in education.  Prof Asante received his Ph.D. from University of California, Los Angeles, at the age of 26, and was appointed full professor at the age of 30 at the State University of New York at Buffalo. At Temple University he created the first Ph.D. Program in African American Studies in 1988 and has directed more than 140 Ph.D. dissertations.

Andrea Grisdale

Andrea Grisdale is a trailblazer in destination management and a respected thought leader in the travel industry. For over two decades, she and her team at IC Bellagio have crafted authentic, bespoke Italian experiences for discerning travelers, earning numerous awards from prestigious organizations. Andrea is also deeply committed to advocacy, dedicating herself to mentoring the next generation of travel professionals and collaborating with universities to inspire future leaders. As a regional member of the World Travel & Tourism Council, she actively contributes to global discussions on regenerative travel and the sustainable, inclusive growth of the industry.

Rahel Kassahun

Founder, The Africa Unbound Center

Dr. Rahel is an Economist and Human Development Specialist with over 25 years of professional experience.  She started her professional life teaching at the University of California, Riverside.  Between 2002 and 2016, she worked in global institutions (World Bank, UN, UNDP); and led a regional organization (Coalition for Dialogue on Africa established by the African Union, African Development Bank, and UN ECA).   Currently, she is serving as founding member of Ethiopia’s Independent Council of Economic Advisors, and Board of Trustee of Aegis Trust (UK based non-profit working to promote peace education globally).  Formerly, she was member of Board of Directors at Addis Ababa University.

Board of Directors

Frannie Leautier

Senior Partner and CEO, SouthBridge Investments

Dr. Frannie Leautier is an experienced executive at CEO and Board of Directors levels with a demonstrated history of working in the finance, engineering and non-profit organization management industries. Among the positions she’s held are Vice President at the World Bank Group, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation, and Senior Vice President at the African Development Bank. She is skilled in Development Finance, Sustainable Development and Climate, Strategic and Analytical Skills, Investing in Emerging Markets, International Business, International Relations, and Management. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University Executive Education, Honorary Degree in Humane Letters from North Central College and Doctor of Law from Lancaster University honoris causa.

Frannie Leautier

Senior Partner and CEO, SouthBridge Investments

Dr. Frannie Leautier is an experienced executive at CEO and Board of Directors levels with a demonstrated history of working in the finance, engineering and non-profit organization management industries. Among the positions she’s held are Vice President at the World Bank Group, Executive Secretary of the African Capacity Building Foundation, and Senior Vice President at the African Development Bank. She is skilled in Development Finance, Sustainable Development and Climate, Strategic and Analytical Skills, Investing in Emerging Markets, International Business, International Relations, and Management. She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Engineering from Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Harvard University Executive Education, Honorary Degree in Humane Letters from North Central College and Doctor of Law from Lancaster University honoris causa.

Muftah Benomran

Partner at Rural Concepts Group and CEO at Gaia Invest LTD

Mr. Benomran has over 30 years of experience in project development management, particularly in the real estate sector.  He has a track record of leading teams of professionals and developing concepts, and setting up large scale, visionary projects.  An example is the African Economic City project, Muftah’s concept for an integrated business, free zone, African cultural heritage and educational offering on the seafront in Libya – $35 billion project.  Previously, he lead a team that developed a cultural, heritage and educational project offering on the seafront in Oman which lead to the formation of a $5 Billion theme park and real estate project, known as the “Omagine Project.”  Mr. Benomran has demonstrated capacity of translating big ideas to reality.

Molefi Kete Asante

Professor, Temple University

Dr. Asante is Professor at the Department of Africology, Temple University in Philadelphia.  He is the President of the Molefi Kete Asante Institute for Afrocentric Studies and Professor Extraordinarius at the University of South Africa.  Often called the most prolific African American scholar, he has published over 100 books and over 600 articles, and has been recognized as one of the most influential leaders in education.  Prof Asante received his Ph.D. from University of California, Los Angeles, at the age of 26, and was appointed full professor at the age of 30 at the State University of New York at Buffalo. At Temple University he created the first Ph.D. Program in African American Studies in 1988 and has directed more than 140 Ph.D. dissertations.

Rahel Kassahun

Founder, The Africa Unbound Center

Dr. Rahel is an Economist and Human Development Specialist with over 25 years of professional experience.  She started her professional life teaching at the University of California, Riverside.  Between 2002 and 2016, she worked in global institutions (World Bank, UN, UNDP); and led a regional organization (Coalition for Dialogue on Africa established by the African Union, African Development Bank, and UN ECA).   Currently, she is serving as founding member of Ethiopia’s Independent Council of Economic Advisors, and Board of Trustee of Aegis Trust (UK based non-profit working to promote peace education globally).  Formerly, she was member of Board of Directors at Addis Ababa University.