Canada Africa Network Team
CAN Executive Management Team
Anthony Chijioke Ezeaputa
Founder & CEO
Anthony is the Founder/CEO of Cornerstone and Pinnacle International Consulting Inc. and the Canada Africa Network (CAN). The two companies are specialists in creating constructive public/private partnerships between trusted Canadian, Global partners, and African countries in the Energy, High-Level Security, Oil and Gas, Mining, Food, Security, and Health Care industries. (LinkedIn)
Carole Tankeu
Vice President, Africa Region
Carole is the Vice-President (Africa) of CAN-ATAG, with specialisation in energy. She is a Nairobi-based senior urban environmentalist and is a gender and energy specialist with over 20 years of experience in the public and private sectors. She has accumulated experience in urban management, sustainable development, environmental impact assessment, and gender mainstreaming in renewable energy. Carole has experience in several African countries and is the Associate & Managing Director of S2. (LinkedIn)
CAN Board of Directors
Dr. Nelson Obinna Omenugha
Director, Communications & Governmental Engagement
Dr. Omenugha is CAN-ATAG’s Director of Communication and an expert in Governmental Engagement. He is a passionate expert change agent in research & development, project management, and stakeholder engagement. Nelson holds a Bachelor’s degree in Mass Communication, and at the young age of 19 years old, second-year two of undergraduate study, he was elected President of the Students’ Union Government, where he led and served the interests of over 33,000 students. Nelson equally holds a Master of Arts in Strategic Marketing Communications and a Master’s of Science in International Marketing Communication Strategy and successfully earned his doctorate degree from the media and communications program of Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University, China.
Nelson was appointed Personal Assistant to the Hon Commissioner for Education, Anambra State.
His research interests span the scope of media management, disruptive technology, leadership, business development, and entrepreneurship. Currently, Nelson convenes the foremost Youth advocacy movement, Youths Earnestly Seek Soludo (YESS). He is a focused and charismatic leader appointed by Anambra State Government & is serving in Anambra State’s 50-year development plan committee chaired by the renowned Economist & Ex-CBN boss, Prof. Charles Chukwuma Soludo CFR. Nelson also serves as a lecturer at the department of mass communication, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Awka. (LinkedIn)
Col. (Res’) Nir Ben-David
Director, Engineering & Construction
David is CAN-ATAG’s Expert in Engineering and Construction. After more than 28 years of Military service and a long and impressive senior officer career in the Israeli Defense Forces (IDF), Nir pivoted his executive experiences of leadership, commanding, and management to the front end of the business and innovation sector. With a vision to empower the Israel-Canada relationship and create a bilateral economic corridor between the countries, Nir has Founded IcaN (A Strategic Bilateral Business Development Company) and is acting as the Vice President & Executive Director at the Israel-Canada Chamber of Commerce (ICCC).
He is also the Business Strategy Director at Patternox, Business Advisor at Routier, and MassChallenge Israel judge & mentor.
Nir has successfully created a strong business network, both in the sub-diplomatic and the private sectors. Nir holds a BA in Philosophy studies from Haifa University, a Graduation diploma from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) National Security Program (NSP), an additional ‘Magna Cum Laude’ MA in National Security Studies from Haifa University, and a Business Management Diploma from ‘Tafnit’ program at the Business School (The Open University). Nir was a Golan Heights Division Deputy Commander, 188th Armored Brigade Commander, J3 of the Northern Corp, and more from his security and defense background. (LinkedIn)
Claudia Nanabea Addo-Twum
Director
Claudia is CAN-ATAG’s Senior Representative of the West African Region. She is a Women and Youth Inclusion Impact Strategist, author, and host of Claudia’s Favorite Love Quotes. She owns and operates Springfield Events International and is also the Founder of The Ghana Studentpreneur Forum, which supports training initiatives for young enterprising women. Claudia brings over a decade of experience in youth mentoring and facilitation, Human Resource Management, with a background in Project Management and Purchasing and Supply. She is a Board Member in charge of Africa at The World Youth Leadership Centre; she is also a Member of the Advisory Board for the African Summit on Entrepreneurship and Innovation (ASENTI) and an organizing team member of the Africa Entrepreneur Conference and the Woman Rising Network. Claudia is the Chief Impact Officer at the Pan African Chamber of Commerce.
Claudia is a member of the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI) Network, a youth Facilitator and Coordinator of ICGC, and an Administrator of the Margan Clinical Research Organisation. She is passionate about developing talent, building impactful programs, and fostering inclusive cultures where women and youth can thrive to gain recognition and courage to stand and own their lives to make a greater impact in their communities and beyond.
Nikole Read
Director
Nikole Read began her professional career in the Police force in England, where she spent over 4 years in an enforcement position. She dedicated her time to her community whilst maintaining a full-time career and raising a young family. Because of her experiences on the force, Ms. Read decided to pursue a career in law. She graduated with honours and completed her LL.B at Staffordshire Law School in 2009, and studied International Labour Migration, Politics, and Ethics at the University of Oxford. From there, she practiced her legal knowledge by leading an international legal firm.
Due to Ms. Read’s strong values, leading her company with high ethical principles and integrity, the company under her leadership has been nominated multiple times for the Diversity Awards. In 2016, she was appointed the first Canadian Chairperson of the International Trade Council (ITC) representing Canadian and US members in a global not-for-profit association that embodies in excess of 29,100 companies, chambers of commerce, business associations, standards agencies, and government trade agencies worldwide. Within her role, she led various successful missions and conducted many summits on global trade. She was involved in two World Trade Board action groups; the Sustainable Trade Action Group (STAG), and the SME Trade Financing Group focusing on Africa. She also actively participates in politics and creates strategies for various international organizations.
On a local level, Ms. Read has participated invariably in the Citizens Advice Bureau, Community Services, and the Disability Network. Throughout the years she sat on various local boards in the capacity of Board Director, Vice-Chair, and a Chair. Within her community, Ms. Read has dedicated a large portion of her time to volunteering by teaching ESL & Citizenship classes, immigration clinics, and organizing and facilitating her community’s first two Multicultural Days.
Chaimae Chelkha
Director, Youth Leadership, Project Development
Chaimae is the Youth Leader of CAN-ATAG, and an Engineering team member. She is a professional engineer, consultant, pianist, and African growth activist from Morocco. With outstanding academic achievements in mathematics and physics, she was ranked top student for 5 consecutive years; she joined the most prestigious university in civil engineering in Morocco to receive, after three years, a state engineer diploma. Chainsaw is a passionate professional who is particularly enthusiastic in the fields of entrepreneurship and leadership.
Chaimae joined several successful national and international start-ups, succeeded in launching entrepreneurial initiatives in Morocco, and promoted the movement of Junior-Enterprises in Africa while building a strong global network and a profound reputation in the ranks of senior executives and young entrepreneurs. As an African woman, Chaimae empowers the use of innovation and digital transformation to advance the growth of businesses and communities. Her ambitions have no limits; qualified by her motivational abilities, critical thinking, and project management skills, Chaimae is passionate about making a positive impact and helping to create a greater “force for good”! (LinkedIn)
Winnie Nakiyingi
Director, Coordinator
Winnie is CAN-ATAG’s Chief Coordinator. She is a statistician by profession, with over 5 years of research experience both at the individual and co-supervisor levels. She has worked with numerous master’s students to conduct research related to Statistics, Economics, and Operations Research. Winnie holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics and Statistics from Makerere University in Uganda, a masters in Mathematical Sciences from the University of Cape Coast in Ghana, and a research masters in Statistics from the University of KwaZulu Natal in South Africa. As part of her transition into business development, Winnie has completed the African Leadership Program (ALP) with ShAre, and has recently joined Project GirlsforGirls (G4G) for mentorship into leadership.
Winnie has a passion for mentoring young girls in STEM and coordinating events. She is a Professional Speaker at events organised by the African Institute for Mathematical Sciences (AIMS) and a renowned rapporteur for the global Gender Summit (GS). Winnie’s current interest is in helping African countries achieve development through modern technology as adopted by developed countries worldwide. (LinkedIn)
Obasi D. Nwabueze, LLB; BL
Director
Before returning to his original calling in 2020 as Principal Partner, PRIMUS
(BARRISTERS & SOLICITORS), a specialist law firm with its head office
in Lagos, Nigeria, Obasi had a 16-year stint in banking, holding last, the
position of Country Head Business Support & Resolution (BS&R),
StanbicIBTC Bank, Nigeria. He was the Leader and strategist-in-chief of the Recoveries Nigeria Team that revolutionized the debt collection and recovery function at StanbicIBTC Bank, successfully adapting and ‘Nigerianising’ the Standard Bank Group policies and procedures on collections and recoveries.
Obasi is a member of the Nigerian Bar Association, the Africa Bar
Association, the National Association of Catholic Lawyers, Nigeria, and is a former Honorary Secretary of the Lagos Lawn Tennis Club (LLTC 1895).
He is also on the Executive Committee of the Information Security Society of Africa, Nigeria (ISSAN). Obasi sits on the Advisory Boards Symplifix, Africa’s pioneer storage space aggregation service provider. He is also a co-founder and Board member of MCI Resources (West Africa) Limited, franchisee and sole importers of ECOROAD (Tecofix) Soil Stabilisation Solution for the East, West & Central Africa Region. (LinkedIn)
CAN Advisory Board
Allie Blades
Women, Youth & Community Engagement
Allie Blades is an outstanding Community Builder, an advocate for women in politics, and an Advisor for Citizen Engagement and Outreach in BC with the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers (CAPP). Allie also has extensive experience as Senior Manager of Community Engagement with the Opposition Leaders office within The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia. She actively demonstrates sound past and present leadership within her community and beyond as she is actively involved as Chair for Equal Voice, a Rotary International Vancouver-Fraserview Member, Greater Vancouver Board of Trade – Company of Young Professionals, and is a Swim Coach with Special Olympics British Columbia. Allie has a passion for helping others, including youth, and she was the past Vice President of The Canadian Mental Health Association, BC Division. (LinkedIn)
Arwa Salih
Senior Consultant on Diplomatic Relations, Trade & Political Affairs
Arwa is CAN-ATAG’s Trade Representative in the East African Region and Human Resource Director for Women and Youth, with expertise in Public Policy. She is a Diplomat and Political Advisor with a strong background in international policy and affairs. She also has over ten years of experience in Foreign Service, representing and advancing the developmental and economic interests of the national governmental and non-governmental institutions. This comes with four years of expertise in United Nations multilateral diplomacy, negotiations, and conferences related to sustainable development. Arwa has worked with officials of governments, industry, businesses, stakeholders, and communities to support development initiatives, peacekeeping missions’ administration, and budget negotiations. She has in-depth knowledge and expertise in Middle Eastern and Sudanese political affairs. She is also acknowledged for implementing consular, notary, and administration programs and providing analysis and advice to senior managers and government organizations.
Arwa has worked and lived in the U.S.A and Canada for more than a decade while attending diplomatic conferences, official missions, and international training in the Netherlands, Belgium, Brazil, Cuba, Egypt, and Sudan. Ms. Salih has experience in strategic planning, consultancy, and leadership in social development initiatives and small voluntary youth organizations. This is backed up by her strategic and analytical thinking, communication and cross-cultural teamwork and leadership, public speaking, presentation, negotiation, and bilingual skills in English and Arabic.
Mayor Brad West
Transparency & Government Relations
A life-long resident of Port Coquitlam, Brad West was first elected to Council in 2008. He was re-elected in 2011 and 2014, receiving the most votes of all candidates. In 2018, Brad was elected as the 16th mayor of Port Coquitlam City. Trailblazer Mayor West is a champion of democracy, transparency, and government engagement. Young Mayor Brad West is 32, has long been interested in politics, is a very good counsel to Caucus House Leader, Public Safety and Solicitor-General of British Columbia, and has worked with MLA Senior Minister Mike Farnworth before joining the city council.
Brad lives in PoCo with his wife and is a proud father of a young family. Brad understands firsthand the challenges facing many people in the community. He is in touch with the lives of regular people because he is one.
He is a successful graduate of the University of Victoria, St. Francis Xavier University, and most recently completed a program in Leadership at Harvard University. Mayor West is a prominent leader and role model for his community and beyond for many who are change-makers who bring about transformation and hope within the community where needed most.
Mireille Toulekima
Gender Equality & Energy
Mireille is an award-winning global entrepreneur, Global Energy Consultant, Global Influencer, Women empowerment advocate and champion, speaker, published author, and online talk show host. Mireille is also an expert on gender equality with specialisation in energy as she is an internationally renowned oil and gas professional and is the Founder and Managing Director of the Perth Australia-based energy company MT Energy Resources Ltd. She is a petroleum Engineer who gained her experience working for more than 25 years in Africa, Europe, Asia, and Australia in a range of technical and leadership roles for major oil, gas, and energy companies.
Throughout her career, Mireille has been awarded many distinguished achievements, including The Australian eYs Magazine 2020 Top 50 Global Key Influencers. In 2019, she was awarded the Exceptional Woman of Excellence Award by WEF (Women Economic Forum).
Mireille has been featured on TV, Radio, Podcasts, and Talk shows around the world and she has been identified and recognized as one of the women of influence in the energy sector, STEM industries, leadership, and entrepreneurship globally. She serves as a board member, Ambassador, global executive, and partner to several global ventures and organizations and is a Council Member at The Western Australia-India Business Council at The Women’s Indian Chamber of Commerce and Industry (WICCI). (LinkedIn)
Achamelysh Asrat Demissie
Humanitarian & Youth
Achamelysh is CAN-ATAG’s humanitarian and holds a MA in Christian Counseling from Gelila International Seminary, BSC in nursing from Haramay University, and is a licensed Nurse in Ethiopia. Having certification for high expert training, including leadership and management. Besides, she has many more awards and recognition for passionate and diligent service from different institutions. She is CEO and Founder of Saved To Save Organization in Ethiopia.