How do you find yourself at the center of not one, but two of the most iconic IPOs in recent history — Uber and the biggest global tech listing of 2024, Talabat? You lead with vision, build culture from the ground up, and never lose sight of the people who make it all possible. In this episode of Doers Defined, I sit down with Susanne Elias-Stulemeijer — a powerhouse in global communications, leadership, and innovation. Susanne has been at the helm of some of the world’s most influenti...

In her own words, Carol Koech is a dreamer, an executor, and an enabler—and in this deeply inspiring episode, she lives up to every one of those titles. Born in rural Kenya without access to electricity, Carol’s childhood was marked by challenges that could have easily defined her limits. Instead, they ignited a fire within her. Today, she’s dedicating her life to solving the very problem she once lived—energy access. Her rise to top executive roles at global giants like Schnei...

How often do you think about innovation in government services? In this powerful episode on Doers Defined, we sit down with Alexia Hefti — a Swiss-Canadian lawyer, digital governance pioneer, and global strategist based in the UAE — who is radically reimagining how governments serve people in the 21st century. From growing up in Hong Kong to advising heads of state across Africa, the Middle East, and the Caribbean, Alexia’s journey is anything but typical. She co-founded Deloitte Cana...

In this unmissable episode of Doers Defined, we sit down with Wanjira Mathai—a global sustainability powerhouse, TIME 100 honoree, and Managing Director for Africa and Global Partnerships at WRI. Wanjira opens up about growing up with the legend—her mother, Nobel Laureate Wangari Maathai—and whether she felt pressure to carry on the legacy or forge her own path. She shares a raw and deeply personal take on leadership, influence, and the responsibility that comes with being a voice for change....

In this episode of the Doers Defined Podcast, we sit down with Perry Boyle, an extraordinary leader whose journey spans decades of influence in finance, philanthropy, and social impact. A financial powerhouse who personally raised $3 billion to launch the U.S. hedge fund Point72, working alongside the legendary Steve Cohen, owner of the New York Mets. Perry has left a remarkable legacy in investment banking, hedge funds, and as the founder of MITS Capital, an international defense venture cap...

In this episode of Doers Defined, we’re joined by Rosanne Whalley, CEO of AHL Ventures and a trailblazer in African private equity and venture capital. With over 15 years of experience, Rosanne shares her journey leading one of Africa’s most impactful family offices, driving investments that tackle social and environmental challenges at scale. The conversation delves into the intricacies of family office management, showcasing how AHL Ventures, founded by the Adolf H. Lundin Charitable F...

In this episode, we sit with Kanini Mutooni, a powerhouse in the world of venture philanthropy and impact investing. As Regional Managing Director, Africa, at Draper Richards Kaplan Foundation, Kanini has been a driving force behind empowering early-stage entrepreneurs creating meaningful global impact.With leadership roles spanning organizations like Vodacom Tanzania, FSD Africa, Mastercard Foundation Growth Fund, Global Innovation Fund, Toniic and more, Kanini brings a wealth of experience ...

In this episode, we sit down with Romain Diaz, founder and general partner at Satgana, a venture capital firm dedicated to sustainable and climate-driven innovation. Romain discusses Satgana's mission to show that investing in the planet can deliver both financial and social gains. Building Satgana’s €8 million fund was a challenging journey that required a strong team and unwavering commitment, but Romain emphasizes the importance of trust and integrity, reflecting his philosophy: “Do what y...

Jo Opot is a visionary capital allocator and founding director of Gather Ventures, a gender and climate smart fund focused on investing in ventures that both create climate resilience and drive asset creation for women and girls in Africa. She is dedicated to reshaping the landscape of investment by empowering women and fostering gender equity in business. With a steadfast commitment to uplifting female entrepreneurs, Jo channels her expertise and resources into ventures that elevate wom...

In this episode, Ken Njoroge, the dynamic force behind Cellulant and founder of boutique investment firm PANI, unlocks the secrets of his success in the tech world. His brainchild, Cellulant, has evolved into a global payments powerhouse, reshaping digital transactions across 35 countries in Africa. In this episode of the Doers Defined Podcast, Elsie Mbugua speaks with Ken about his inspiring journey as an entrepreneur, the critical elements of success in fundraising, his style of leader...

In this episode, our guest is Nana Afoah Appiah-Korang who is one of the top female capital allocators on the African Continent. She has been a senior private equity executive in Africa for more than two decades and ran the Emerging Capital Partners (ECP) business in Nigeria for almost a decade. She has executed and exited transactions with a total value of USD ~500 million in agribusiness, financial services (insurance and banks), oil and gas primarily in West Africa. She is also the co-foun...

On this episode, @doersdefinedpodcast features Linda Mabhena-Olagunju, a pioneer in the renewable energy sector, an advocate for women, and the founder and CEO of DLO Energy Resources Group (Pty) Ltd.We explore how a black woman who grew up in apartheid South Africa becomes an energy entrepreneur and goes on to own one of Africa’s largest wind farms. We share ideas on what it takes to lead and build teams. We discuss the scarcity of early-stage capital for renewable energy. We highlight the n...