Meet the Panelists
Tunde Onakoya
Tunde Onakoya is a dreamer, social reformer, and Nigerian National Chess master. In 2018, he founded Chess in Slums Africa, a non-profit organization that uses the game of chess as a framework to give children in impoverished communities access to education, technology, and mentorship. The impact of this initiative has reached far beyond the borders of Nigeria, with stories of transformation featured on global media platforms like BBC, Al-Jazeera, and Deutsche Welle.
Over 10,000 children's lives have been touched, with 500 receiving fully funded scholarships to local and international institutions. But Tunde's work doesn't stop there. He's a symbol of hope and possibilities, reminding us all that greatness knows no bounds. His mantra, "it is possible to do great things from a small place," echoes in the hearts of those he inspires. Born and raised in the slums of Ikorodu, Lagos. Tunde knows firsthand the struggles these children face. He draws from his own life experiences to spark kindness and inspiration in young people around the globe. Tunde Onakoya, known for his passion for storytelling, public speaking, and advocating for untapped potential, has shared his ideas on various stages, including multiple TEDx talks, the Oxford Africa Conference in England, and more recently, the prestigious DLD Conference held in Germany. In 2023, he was listed as one of 100 Most Impactful Africans by Ranks Africa.
Oluwatosin Akingbulu
Oluwatosin Akingbulu is a seasoned advocacy professional with extensive experience working with the United Nations. Currently serving as an Advocacy Specialist at the UNICEF Headquarters in New York, Oluwatosin leads initiatives that promote universal access to parenting support across various regions.
With a strong background in strategic communication and advocacy, Oluwatosin has successfully led the development and implementation of strategies that have influenced global and local policies and played a key role in mobilization of resources for advocacy programs.
On the African continent, Oluwatosin coordinates teams in multiple countries, helping them actualize effective advocacy strategies for parenting support programs. Her work has been instrumental in developing assets that have significantly raised awareness among key stakeholders about the critical importance of parental attachment in childhood, playful parenting, and nurturing care for children. This heightened awareness has led to substantial commitments from various stakeholders, including policymakers and private sector organizations, to actively support and invest in these vital programs. Through these efforts, she has contributed to creating a more supportive environment for families, ultimately fostering healthier and more resilient communities.
Oluwatosin holds a master’s degree in media and communication and has a proven track record in managing multinational projects, building partnerships, and engaging diverse stakeholders to achieve common goals.
Alexander Smalls
"Alexander Smalls, legendary James Beard Award winning chef, author, and raconteur was the visionary co-owner of renowned restaurants, The Cecil and Minton’s. His award-winning restaurant, The Cecil, NYC’s first Afro-Asian-American restaurant, was named “Best New Restaurant in America” by Esquire in 2014. A 2019 recipient of a James Beard Award for his cookbook, Between Harlem and Heaven, Alexander was recently bestowed the Creative Spirit Award from the Black Alumni of Pratt by the inimitable Ms. Cicely Tyson.
Over the past three decades, the chef and restaurateur has traveled the world studying the cooking techniques and foodways of the African diaspora. As the former chef-owner of renowned restaurants including Café Beulah, Sweet Ophelia’s, and Shoebox Café, Smalls has received great acclaim in the restaurant scene, including cooking at the James Beard House, being named one of Zagat’s “NYC Restaurant Power Players You Need to Know” and being honored with the Legacy Award in 2014 by The Amsterdam News, one of the oldest African American newspapers in the country. Smalls has appeared on a wide range of food and culinary platforms, with guest appearances on national TV, magazine and news programs. He has served as a celebrity chef judge on “Top Chef,” appeared on “The Chew” with Carla Hall and “Extra Virgin” with Debi Mazar and Gabriele Corcos, and was recently featured in the Hallmark series “The Peete’s.” He has also appeared on The Food Network on such shows as “Recipe for Success” and “Throwdown!” with Bobby Flay, and NBC’s “The Today Show.” In addition to his success in the culinary world, Smalls’ memoir and cookbook Grace the Table features recipes from his upbringing of Southern Revival cuisine.
He has another forthcoming book from Flatiron Books Alexander Smalls’ African American Cooking due out in early 2020. Smalls is also a world-renowned opera singer and the winner of both a Grammy Award and a Tony Award for the cast recording of Porgy and Bess, by George Gershwin, with the Houston Grand Opera".
Nikolai Albert T. M. Wolfe is an accomplished attorney and cross-industry executive with over a decade of proven experience developing sustainable solutions to complex operational challenges. Renowned for his calibrated insights on leadership, innovation, stakeholder engagement, regulatory compliance, and policy implementation, Nikolai thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution. A persuasive advocate and trusted advisor, Nikolai’s expertise in building and leading high-performing teams accelerates business development, boosts change readiness, promotes continuous improvement, and ensures that the systems he designs are agile, scalable, and responsive to evolving market demands. His determination and reality-based optimism inspire action.
Nikolai holds both a Bacher of Science and Master of Science in Civil Engineering from New York University, as well a Juris Doctor from Brooklyn Law School. Nikolai is also a licensed Real Estate Broker. He is the immediate past President of the NYU Alumni Association - where he successfully led a constituency of over 700,000 people across the world.
In addition to his pro bono legal work, Nikolai’s passion for mentorship, community building and volunteerism reflect his faith in God and underscore his belief that true success begins with empowering others. Nikolai lives in New Jersey with his beautiful wife and growing family.
James Mogale
James Mogale, CA(SA) and MBA, is a passionate advocate for the African continent. James brings extensive experience in audit, finance, data and analytics, as well as mergers and acquisitions, having held management roles at KPMG, the Matrix Group, and Resultant Capital. Furthermore, he serves as a consultant for the Stanford Graduate School of Business Seed Transformation Program, supporting CEOs and founders of established African companies with annual revenue of up to US$15 million. His leadership extends to mentoring young professionals, believing that early career guidance is crucial. As the former president of the IE Africa Club, he spearheaded initiatives promoting African business, arts, and culture, leading the club to its first "Best Geographic Club" award in 2020.
Chizi Duru
Nikolai Albert Esq.
Tafadzwa Katiyo
Tafadzwa (Taf) Katiyo is an entrepreneur, financial industry professional, and advocate for Africa’s economic transformation. As CEO of Hungwe Travel, a boutique global travel agency with a 30-year family legacy, she is committed to leveraging tourism as a driver of sustainable development and cross-border collaboration.
Beyond leading Hungwe Travel, Tafadzwa is the founder of ToseSonke (“Together, Together”), an initiative dedicated to fostering collaboration, economic inclusion, and community empowerment across Africa and the diaspora. With over two decades of experience in alternative investments, she has played a strategic role in managing trade operations for hedge funds and asset management firms in New York, bridging global finance with emerging market opportunities.
A recognized thought leader in the travel and business sectors, Tafadzwa has shared her expertise on CNBC Africa, offering insights on enhancing tourism-driven economic growth in Rwanda and Zimbabwe. As an active member of Africa’s business and leadership community, she works alongside policymakers, entrepreneurs, and investors to drive innovation, economic resilience, and inclusive prosperity.
She is passionate about problem-solving, lifelong learning, and the transformative power of entrepreneurship. In her free time, she enjoys playing chess, traveling, and exploring diverse cultural perspectives.
Chizi Duru, a dynamic force in the realm of content creation, on-air hosting, print modeling, and entrepreneurship, effortlessly weaves together her New York upbringing and rich Nigerian roots. Passionate about beauty, self-care, wellness, and faith, Chizi extends her journey beyond personal realms to inspire and uplift others. With an engaging mix of humor and relatability, Chizi crafts an inviting space for women to confidently step into their own power, fostering a community where authenticity and self-discovery flourish. Beyond her individual endeavors, Chizi has carved a unique niche by launching @thedurufamily, a captivating, heartwarming family channel that radiates her deep love for familial bonds. Chizi Duru is not just a creator; she's a catalyst for positive change and empowerment in the lives of those who follow her journey.
Join Chizi as she navigates the intersection of beauty, self-care, wellness, faith, and family.