Mamadou Samba is the Founder and CEO of the Pan-African Institute for Municipal Development (PIMD). As a senior executive, he has over 15 years of experience with the City of Atlanta, District of Columbia Government. Between 2015 and 2019, Mamadou served as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, where he led significant achievements that directly impacted the African community and linked to the Mayor’s key policy priorities. In 2016, Mamadou was named one of 20 Young African Influencers in the Diaspora by Shoppe Black Magazine and was the recipient of a Congressional Recognition from Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia. Mamadou received the 2017 Nelson Mandela Award for Social Justice from the UNESCO Center for Peace and the Visionary Leadership Award from the African Studies Association.
With almost 30 years of legal experience, Elisabeth has served as a strategic advisor and general counsel for non-profit organizations on issues relating to Morocco and U.S.-Morocco business. Previously a partner in large US law firms, she has served as a mentor and coach for Growth Train Africa, an international advisor for CodeHER’s international initiative, and as Chair of the Women’s Entrepreneurship Initiative of the Middle East and North Africa Consultants Association. A frequent speaker and lecturer around the world, Elisabeth has presented seminars, webinars, on-line courses, as well as internal training sessions for US and foreign regulatory agencies and universities. As an educator, Elisabeth has been an Adjunct Associate Professor of Law at the American University’s Washington College of Law. She was previously a member of the faculty for Lawline.com and an on-call subject matter expert for the Gerson Lehman Group and Expert Connect. Elisabeth also served as an International Observer in a highly controversial case in the Court of Appeal in Rabat-Sale, Morocco.
As a seasoned executive with the federal government, Dr. Pape Cisse’ leads the formulation and administration of policy and operational activities that promote the effective and efficient utilization of computer technology systems, networks, and equipment. Dr. Cisse’ serves an integral role in agency-wide strategic management activities, including the development, implementation, and maintenance of strategic and operational plans to include business transformation efforts. As a former Obama appointee, Dr. Cisse’ served as Strategic Advisor to the Associate Administrator for Administration and Chief Information Officer at the US Department of Transportation Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research (OST-R). He is a recipient of a post-Doctoral degree from Harvard University.
Kelfala Lebbie is an international development practitioner with over a decade of experience in project design and implementation. Passionate about good governance and economic development, Kelfala has a strong background in project management and business development. Kelfala has supported and managed projects in various countries, including Ethiopia, Vietnam, Djibouti, Niger, and Tunisia. His extensive experience includes roles with various U.S. State Department and USAID implementing partners, such as Creative Associates International, FHI 360, IREX, and the Kaizen Company (Tetra Tech).
Kelfala holds a master’s degree in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University.
Mamadou Samba is the Founder and CEO of the Pan-African Institute for Municipal Development (PIMD). As a senior executive, he has over 15 years of experience with the City of Atlanta, District of Columbia Government. Between 2015 and 2019, Mamadou served as the Executive Director of the Mayor’s Office of African Affairs, where he led significant achievements that directly impacted the African community and linked to the Mayor’s key policy priorities. In 2016, Mamadou was named one of 20 Young African Influencers in the Diaspora by Shoppe Black Magazine and was the recipient of a Congressional Recognition from Rep. Eleanor Holmes Norton of the District of Columbia. Mamadou received the 2017 Nelson Mandela Award for Social Justice from the UNESCO Center for Peace and the Visionary Leadership Award from the African Studies Association.