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Who we are

Ambition Africa

Ambition Africa

We believe everyone has potential to succeed, whatever their starting point in life and working alongside BecomingX, our shared goal is to help people across the globe to better realise their own potential, with the Foundation focusing on supporting education in developing countries.

Our aim initially is to use our unique resources and relationships to inspire, equip and enable millions of young people and educators across Africa, helping the next generation to be more confident, capable and ambitious.

 

Our Strategy

Importantly, behind our targets of reaching many millions, we are focused on making sure our work is making a real difference to young people’s futures. Our approach is through three main areas of support:

Education

We work with local partners in lower-income countries to provide educational resources empowering both teachers and students with knowledge, personal skills and confidence that will better prepare them for success in today’s world.

Grassroots

We aim to work with and help build the capabilities, capacity and resources of like-minded organisations supporting underserved communities.

Awards

We want to provide inspiration and opportunities for individuals in underserved communities to help them to realise their potential.

BecomingX

BecomingX, a global education company and certified B-corporation, provide us with significant support including use of their digital platform and educational content as well as their time and expertise.  They also commit a minimum of 10% of their educational revenue to our work, ensuring more of your donations and support can directly reach and benefit young people.

BecomingX
BecomingX

Our Team

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Rohitesh Dhawan

Chairperson

Rohitesh Dhawan is the CEO of the International Council on Mining & Metals. He leads the industry's efforts to create a safe, fair and sustainable mining industry.

His prior roles have included Managing Director for Energy, Climate & Resources at Eurasia Group, and Global Head of Sustainability for the Mining Sector at KPMG. 

He is a fellow and a member of the teaching faculty at the Africa Leadership Initiative, a Raisina Fellow at the Asian Forum on Global Governance, and a mentor at the Global Policy, Diplomacy and Sustainability Institute. He also serves on the Advisory Board of Concordia. 

In his spare time, Rohitesh enjoys exercise induced suffering, particularly through long distance running 

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Erin Eriksson

US Trustee

Erin Eriksson is the co-founder of a start-up, Hedgehog AS, developing next-generation shoe and glove dryers for outdoor enthusiasts and families. She has also recently worked as a global health consultant enhancing the impact of social impact programs. 

Erin is an experienced CSR professional working with private sector, government, non-profits, and foundations to improve global health outcomes. She has spent time in Africa working on numerous projects, including enhancing a management program for HIV service providers, writing case studies, and managing a pilot project in conjunction with the World Bank in Kenya and Ethiopia. 

Erin holds degrees and honours in Political Science and Geography/Environmental Studies from UCLA and received her MBA/MPP from UCLA’s Anderson School of Management and Luskin School of Public Affairs. In her spare time, she loves swimming, running, traveling, and spending time with her husband and 4 energetic kids.

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Jenna Mosimann

Executive Director for the BecomingX Foundation

Jenna joined BecomingX Foundation as its Executive Director in November 2020 and she has a wealth of experience in both charity management and corporate sustainability, having held executive and senior management roles previously in UK charities, international NGOs, and corporates.

Alongside these roles, she is a proud mother of two and has continued her passions for learning, well-being, travel and running; achieving diplomas in neuro-linguistic coaching, personal training and a first-class degree in nutrition science, as well as having run numerous marathons and ultramarathons around world, including 250km multi-day races in Vietnam, Namibia, and Nepal.

She also regularly volunteers in her local community including at her local foodbank.

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Anthony Cowell

UK Trustee

Anthony is a Global Lead Engagement Partner and Regional Head of Asset Management and Impact at KPMG.

Anthony has developed in-depth experience in guiding clients through the process of innovative financing solutions to access funding for UN SDG related projects, and is currently working with some of the world’s largest NGO’s and government organisations.

A regular speaker at industry conferences and a thought leader across asset management, Anthony’s roles include Editorial Chair of the Cayman Alternative Investment Summit, member of the Cayman Finance International Relations Working Group, a founding member of KPMG’s Global Impact Investing Steering Group and a Director of the CAIA Association.

An active member of his community, Anthony is Regional Head of Citizenship for KPMG, and a founding board member of  the charity, Literacy Is for Everyone, created to improve literacy in the Cayman Islands.

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Nimisha Brahmbhatt

UK Trustee

Nimisha is an award-winning management consultant, investor and entrepreneur. Over the last decade she has developed a proven track record of implementing large scale business transformation in FTSE 100 and Fortune 500 companies within the Energy, Utilities and Financial Services sectors across Europe and Africa.

Nimisha has also spent the last eight years working with over 100 start-ups, SMEs, charities and impact focused organisations developing strategies for growth and scale supporting in alongside accelerating growth in a number of start-ups.  

Through her work, she has developed a deeper understanding of how organisations can work together to create meaningful impact within societies across the globe and speaks regularly on topics of venture development, impact creation and sustainability.

Passionate about youth and education, Nimisha also sits on the RISE Board of the Prince’s Trust and, together with her partner, has co-founded the "Leaving a Legacy" - a social enterprise that is helping citizens and organisations alike to engage in Climate Action.

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Meredith Ann Simmons

US Trustee

Meredith is an experienced general counsel and operations professional based in New York City. 

She has extensive experience working in technology transactions and hedge fund regulatory strategies and operations, most recently serving as the General Counsel of a major Irvine, CA patent enforcement firm.  

Alongside her US Trustee role with us, Meredith serves as a Board Member of Crossroads Community Services, Inc. and the International Institute in Spain, an educational institution connecting Spanish and American culture.  

Meredith speaks frequently on the impact of financial regulation on businesses and writes about regulatory issues, technology transformations, and the nexus of sport and leadership. She is a dedicated amateur equestrian, as well as a 15x marathoner who has run races for charity all over the world.

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Luke Mann

UK & US Trustee

Luke is sustainability strategy professional and has spent his career helping organizations tackle the most pressing global challenges whilst achieving triple bottom line impacts. 

He is currently focused on helping the world's utilities decarbonize through behavioural science-based customer engagement.

Luke has degrees in Economics and a MSc. in Development from the LSE as a Chevening Scholar. 

He is an avid long-distance runner and enjoys exploring the local trails around his newly adopted hometown of Washington D.C.

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Paul Gurney

UK Trustee

Paul is the CEO and co-founder of BecomingX.

He is a former senior Director at Accenture Strategy where he spent 15 years focused on helping some of the largest companies in the world with sustainability and social impact.

He is a passionate adventurer and has completed two of the toughest races in the world, racing 600km to the Magnetic North Pole and the infamous 270km Marathon des Sables through the Sahara. He has helped raise over $3m for charities focused on building skills and capacity.  

How can you help?

Our educational programmes can help inspire, motivate and give young people hope. We need your support as a donor, fundraiser or volunteer to give more young people across Africa the opportunity to build and achieve their dreams. 

Donate

Giving a regular or one-off donation can directly help us to expand our reach to further inspire and educate.

Fundraising & Challenges

Taking on an ambitious fundraising event or challenge can help support others in achieving their dreams

Volunteering

Your time and skills can help to further our impact, helping many more young people be ambitious and courageous in life.