ESG Awards Judges

Background

Dr. Blessing Ayemhere brings over 20 years of experience in the oil and gas sector, with a combined corporate experience exceeding 25 years. He has expertly managed and still manages crude oil evacuation operations.

A seasoned business strategist, financier, and sustainability leader, Dr. Ayemhere has a proven track record of delivering high-quality, efficient solutions for complex business challenges. He is a respected commentator on global business issues and challenges, leveraging his extensive market knowledge and experience in Nigeria and other countries.

Education

• Doctorate in Business Administration (DBA) - Swiss Business School, Zurich Switzerland
• Master of Science (M.Sc.) in Strategic Planning - Edinburgh Business School, Scotland, UK
• Harvard Business School Alumnus, Boston, USA (AMP – 195)
• Chief Executive Programme (CEP 23) - Lagos Business School, Lagos, Nigeria
• Bachelor of Science in Banking and Finance - University Of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria

Professional Qualifications

• Fellow (FCA) - Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN)
• Fellow (FCTI) - Chartered Institute of Taxation, Nigeria (CITN)

Key Board Positions

• Managing Director – Umugini Pipeline Infrastructure Limited (2018 – 2024)
• Chairman, Nigeria Ratings for Risk Insights ESG GPS (2021 - 2024)
• INED – Saro Oil Palm Limited – Chairman, Board Finance, Audit and Governance Committee
• Board Member - Harvard Business School Association of Nigeria (Current)
• President: InspireXtra Empowerment Initiative - training & equipping youth for leadership and entrepreneurial success

Current Positions

• President of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA)
• Chairman of the East African Securities Exchanges Association (EASEA)
• Chief Executive Officer of the Rwanda Stock Exchange Ltd.
• President of the World Veterans Club Championship (VCWV) Business Club
• Co-founder and Chairman of Kigali Cement Company

Professional Background

Mr. Pierre Celestin RWABUKUMBA is a Rwandan national with over two decades of experience in financial services. He started his career in financial services in New York City after graduating from the University of Buffalo (UB), New York with a bachelor's degree in economics.

He worked in different professional positions as a stockbroker, in Compliance and Operations, Institutional Investors' Sales and Advisory before joining the Central Bank of Rwanda in 2004 to help start the Capital Market Development Project in Rwanda.

Key Achievements & Roles

Mr. Rwabukumba is a seasoned negotiator who has been instrumental in different negotiations on regional integration of the East African Community and the Economic Community of Central African States (ECAS). He has served on different Capital Market Committees both at the national and regional level, including the High-Level Task Force negotiating the EAC Monetary Union and the EAC Regional Capital Markets Infrastructure (CMI) Steering Committee where he serves as Chair.

Business Interests

Beyond his roles in capital markets, he serves on several boards and advisory boards within the financial sector in Rwanda, hospitality, education, and manufacturing industries as a non-Executive Director. He is involved in different investment projects ranging from Real Estate, Poultry, Agro-processing, and manufacturing to Energy production.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Economics - University of Buffalo (UB), New York, United States
• Alumni of Advanced Management Program (AMP) for Executives - joint program by Strathmore Business School (Nairobi), Lagos Business School (Pan-Atlantic University), and IESE Business School (University of Navara, Barcelona, Spain)

Professional Background

Justin is a Chartered Accountant with over 24 years of international experience in the financial and public sector. He brings extensive expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and capital markets operations.

Education & Qualifications

• Chartered Accountant
• Bachelor of Accounting Science - University of South Africa
• Master in Applied Finance - Victoria University of Wellington, New Zealand

Notable Career Positions

• Management Consultant at McKinsey Incorporated
• Chief Financial Officer at New Zealand Stock Exchange

Expertise Areas

With his extensive background in both consulting and capital markets, Justin brings deep expertise in:

• Financial management and strategic planning
• Capital markets operations and regulation
• International financial standards and practices
• Public sector financial management
• Management consulting and business transformation

International Experience

Justin's 24 years of international experience spans multiple continents and diverse financial environments, providing him with a unique perspective on global financial markets and regulatory frameworks. His role as CFO at the New Zealand Stock Exchange demonstrates his deep understanding of capital markets infrastructure and operations.

Current Position

Dr. Priya Iyer currently serves as Director & Pro Vice Chancellor – People & Impact at Botho University, where she oversees partnerships, sustainability initiatives, and human resources.

Professional Background

Dr. Priya Iyer is an accomplished leader with over 30 years of expertise spanning education, finance, and human resources. Her strategic leadership has driven key achievements, including increased graduate employability, improved employee satisfaction, and the development of the university's first Sustainability and Impact Report.

Education & Qualifications

• Chartered Accountant from India
• Doctor of Education - University of Liverpool

Key Achievements & Leadership Roles

• First woman President of the Botswana Institute of Accountants
• Non-Executive Director at ABSA Bank Botswana
• Committee member for various international accounting organizations
• Former leadership positions at PricewaterhouseCoopers
• Former leadership role at the Botswana Institute of Accountants

Expertise Areas

Dr. Iyer has a proven track record in operational excellence, corporate governance, and fostering partnerships. Her expertise includes:

• Financial management and project execution
• Organizational development and human resources
• Sustainability and impact assessment
• Corporate governance and compliance
• Education sector leadership and partnerships

Commitment to Impact

With a strong commitment to education, sustainability, and governance, Dr. Iyer continues to drive impactful initiatives in her field. Her contributions extend beyond her professional roles through her active involvement in various boards and international organizations.

Current Position

Mr. Tsheole is the Chief Executive Officer of the Capital Market Authority (CMA) Rwanda, responsible for providing strategic visionary leadership in the development, regulation and supervision of capital markets, collective investment schemes, commodity exchange and related contracts, warehouse receipts system, and other market segments.

Professional Background

He is a seasoned Financial Markets expert with over 24 years of cumulative experience, having worked for the Central Bank of Botswana and Botswana Stock Exchange (BSE). He was appointed CEO of CMA Rwanda in May 2024, having previously served as CEO of BSE from January 2016 to May 2024 and Deputy CEO since February 2014.

Education & Qualifications

• Bachelor of Social Sciences (Single Major Economics) - University of Botswana
• Master of Commerce (MComm) in Financial Markets - Rhodes University (RSA)
• Master of Business Administration (MBA) - Graduate School of Business, University of Cape Town (RSA)
• Leadership Development Programme - University of Stellenbosch Business School (RSA)

Professional Memberships

• Member of the South African Institute of Financial Markets (SAIFM & SAFEX)
• Member of the Institute of Directors in South Africa

Leadership Positions & Recognition

• Former President of the African Securities Exchanges Association (ASEA) 2022-2024
• Former Chairman of the Committee of SADC Stock Exchanges (CoSSE) 2018-2024
• Awarded Presidential Order of Meritorious Service by the President of Botswana (September 2018)

Board Experience

Mr. Tsheole's extensive board experience includes:

• Board Chairman of Special Economic Zone Authority (SEZA)
• Vice Chairman of Botswana Accountancy Oversight Authority (BAOA)
• Board member of Botswana Medicines Regulatory Authority (BOMRA)
• Member of African Integrated Reporting Committee (AIRC) - Pan African Federation of Accountants (PAFA) and World Bank initiative
• Current Board Member (Strategic Advisor) in The Global Principles for Sustainable Securities Lending (England & Wales)

Vision & Impact

Mr. Tsheole is a firm believer in the development of financial markets in Botswana and Africa, recognizing their importance to economic growth and stability. He has led initiatives to increase activity in financial markets and continues to drive sustainable capital market development across the continent.

Current Positions

• Director, INSEAD Africa Initiative & Hoffmann Institute
• Founding Executive Director, INSEAD Emerging Markets Institute & Gender Initiative
• Visiting Fellow, Judge Business School, Cambridge University

Areas of Expertise

Dr. Rao's teaching and research focuses on diversity & inclusion, allyship, inter-generational influences on the future of work, and sustainability. She is frequently invited to speak on related topics and is regularly quoted and published in leading business publications.

Professional Background

She started her career with Citibank and went on to become Managing Director of an Asian conglomerate before making a serendipitous transition to education. Prior to joining INSEAD, she was Associate Professor at S.P. Jain School of Global Management across Singapore, Dubai, and Australia campuses.

Academic Experience

Dr. Rao has taught MBA, EMBA and undergraduate students and conducted specialized programmes for senior corporate executives. She manages the operations of two research centers, striving to create an active community for interaction between academia and practice.

Education & Qualifications

• INSEAD (International Directors Programme)
• Singapore Management University (DBA - award-winning doctorate in leadership diversity)
• IIM Bangalore (MBA)
• Various management programs at INSEAD and CEIBS

Board & Advisory Positions

Vinika sits on several Boards and Advisory Boards, including:

• TiE Singapore
• European Women on Boards
• LiveWithAI
• Nine by 9, Singapore
• Kali Theatre, UK
• Hearth Ventures, India

Global Ambassadorships & Memberships

• Ambassador, Power Women of India
• Ambassador, She2030 (Europe)
• Representative, United Nations HeForShe Alliance
• Member, Global EDI Forum, Cambridge University
• Advisory Council, Board MatchUp (Asia)
• International Advisory Committee, Mody University for Women

Vision & Impact

Dr. Rao believes that business has the potential to be a force for good, led by responsible managers. She is passionate about supporting under-represented group managers to make fulfilling work-life decisions, aiming to do this through active sponsorship rather than mentorship alone. She strives to engage all genders in the effort to foster DEI & ESG in their organizations and communities.

Current Role

Managing Partner & ESG Lead, Protos Capital LLP – a leading sustainability integration, impact modelling, and sustainability reporting consultancy in Africa.

Professional Background

Certified sustainability professional with a legal and finance background and 17 years of experience. Expert in capital markets, climate adaptation finance, ESG integration and reporting, and value chain GHG emissions assessment.

Key Achievements

• Developed ESG Disclosure Guidelines for listed companies in Kenya
• Developed Listing Rules for Green Bonds
• Developed ESG Reporting Guidelines for Rwanda Stock Exchange
• Developed Eco-Labelling Guidelines for Kenyan Manufacturers
• Currently developing a unified sustainability framework for 14 SADC region capital markets

Education

• Master of Laws (LL.M) in Public Finance and Financial Services Law – University of Nairobi
• Bachelor of Laws Degree (LL.B) – University of Nairobi

Impact & Thought Leadership

Passionate about building sustainable businesses that maximize returns and positive impact. Works with businesses, policy makers, and investors to integrate ESG into investment decision making, strategy, risk management, and communication. Active contributor to the sustainable growth agenda through think tanks, training, publications, and thought leadership. Technical expert with the ESG Exchange in South Africa.