AABS 2025 African Deans and Directors Forum

Alistair Mokoena is an internationally acclaimed speaker and a seasoned leader with 29 years of experience in both the corporate world and business education. He is the current Dean of the Johannesburg Business School, and was previously Google’s Country Director in Southern Africa.

He’s the author of the popular personal effectiveness book “Servings of self-mastery” which was launched in October 2023, and “Servings of self-mastery Journal” which launched in May 2025. He co-authored two other books, namely “The book that every leader needs to read” and “The book that every marketer should definitely read.” Mokoena’s academic qualifications include Bcom, LLB, MDP (Management Development Programme), EDP (Executive Development Programme), MBA, PhD, and a DBA (Doctor of Business Administration). He has received many industry awards over the years including the Global Brands Magazine’s Best Advertising and Marketing Leader Award in South Africa (2019), North- West University’s Alumni Excellence Award for Business Leadership (2023), a Finalist in the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM) Marketing Excellence Awards (2023) and Rhodes University Distinguished Alumni Award (2024).

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Angela Ndunge currently serves as an AABS Board Member, and Deputy Executive Dean at Strathmore Business School (SBS), where she also holds the position of a full-time Lecturer in Organisational Behaviour and Leadership. She has earned an MSc in Work and Organisational Psychology and a Doctor of Philosophy in Applied Psychology from the University of Nottingham (UK). Additionally, Dr. Ndunge is recognized as a chartered member of The British Psychological Society, highlighting her expertise in the field.

PhD in Management Studies from a premier business school in India with more than 16 years of academic and industry experience with research published in leading outlets such as Journal of Organizational Behavior (ABDC A*, ABS 4, IF 10.079, top-5 in Applied Psychology) and Healthcare Management Review (ABDC A, ABS 2, IF 3.328, top 20 in Healthcare Management), Personnel Review (ABDC A). He has also published cases in Ivey publising. His work has been featured on National TV channels. He has received Research Grants of more than half a million US dollars so far. In 2022, he received the Best Faculty Award from his University for the academic year 2021-2022. He conducts Corporate Training programs in the Area of Leadership, Emerging Markets, Communication and Negotiation Strategies.

Bernard Acquah Obeng is an Associate Professor of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management and Dean of GIMPA Business School, Head of GIMPA Hub for Teaching and Learning, former Head of Business Management Department at the GIMPA Business School. Obeng was an International Faculty, Mona School of Business and Management Studies, University of the West Indies, Jamaica, an International Research Fellow at the Open University Business School, UK and Bournemouth University Business School, Bournemouth, UK. His research interests are in the fields of Entrepreneurship and Small Business Management. Obeng has published papers in international journals such as Small Business Economics, International Small Business Journal, Journal of Rural Studies, Journal of Small Business Management. He has also presented papers at reputable international conferences such as International Council for Small Business, British Academy of Management, Babson College Entrepreneurship Research Conference, USASBE Conference, International Academy of African Business and Development (IAABD) and Research in Entrepreneurship (RENT) Conference. Obeng Co-Chaired 14th IAABD Conference and won Best Conference Chair Award and was also the recipient of SMEGA 2014 Best SME Researcher Award. Obeng has been previously involved in PhD Supervision at University of the West Indies, Mona School of Business and Management, Mona, Jamaica, and he is currently supervising three doctoral students at the GIMPA Business School.

At Novartis, I work in the Commercial domain of international business. My projects include both traditional AI and generative AI.At Salesforce, my expertise in machine learning and natural language processing (NLP) has played a pivotal role in enhancing our product offerings. Through advanced analytics, I've developed an enterprise recommendation system that not only improved customer engagement, with a noticeable 5-10% increase in click-through and conversion rates, but also contributed substantially to our revenue growth.My work involves extracting and analyzing customer feedback using Large Language Models (LLMs) to inform and drive strategic decisions on the product roadmap. This has enabled our team to deliver high-impact sentiment and Net Promoter Score (NPS) insights, ensuring that business leaders and product managers are equipped with actionable data for informed decision-making.

Charles K. D. Adjasi is a Professor of Development Finance and Economics, at Stellenbosch Business School, Stellenbosch University, where he was previously Acting Director (Nov 2023 to December 2024), Head of Research (2022 to October 2023) and Head of Development Finance Programmes (2013-2017). He is an Adjunct Professor at the Department of Economics, Econometrics and Finance at University of Groningen. Before joining Stellenbosch University in 2011, he was a Senior Lecturer and one time Head of Department of Finance at the University of Ghana Business School. He has been an Afreximbank Senior Research Fellow and a Visiting Scholar at the IMF. He has also consulted for several organizations including African Development Bank, Afreximbank, World Bank, Special Commodities Unit of the UN Commission on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) and Trade Negotiations and Commercial Diplomacy Branch of Division on International Trade in Goods and Services and Commodities of UNCTAD, AU, Copenhagen Consensus, and a host of government agencies in Africa. He is a network member of the African Economic Research Consortium (AERC) Nairobi, Kenya, where he has served as a Resource Person on the Collaborative Project on Financial Sector Development and Financial Inclusion in Africa 2017-2019, and a member of the Project Steering Committee of the International Development Research Centre (IDRC)-AERC Collaborative Research Project on Inclusive Finance for Fragile and Post-Conflict Contexts/States in Africa (2021-2022). His research focus is in the areas of capital flow, financial inclusion and financial market development, household welfare, firm productivity, and international trade. He also works on issues around the development impact of macroeconomic and trade policy interventions. He has published widely in journals of international repute including World Development, Journal of International Financial Markets, Institutions & Money, and Oxford Development Studies. He has also coedited 3 books, authored 4 monographs and 10 book chapters. Charles holds a PhD from Stellenbosch University, an MPhil in Economics, and a BA (Hons) in Economics and Political Science both from the University of Ghana.

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Cosme Almeida is the Abroad Programs Director at Católica Porto Business School and an Association of African Business Schools valued accreditation review team member. He holds an MSc in Marketing with a thesis titled “Financial Brand Valuation: A Method Based on Stakeholders' Response.” He has postgraduate qualifications in Auditing and Management Control, along with “Finance for Non-Financial Managers” from IESE Business School. As the Executive Director of Programa Atlântico, a partnership among business schools in Africa, Europe, and South America, Cosme also consults on brand valuation. He is a father of twins and a basketball coach.

Dammu Ravi served as Secretary of Economic Relations at the Ministry of External Affairs, Government of India. With decades of experience in diplomacy, economic affairs, and multilateral engagement, he has played a pivotal role in shaping India’s international economic partnerships and strategic collaborations across the Global South. His work spans trade negotiations, development cooperation, and institutional strengthening, reinforcing India’s leadership in fostering inclusive global growth.

Darija Miletic is a systems steward and connector working across education, leadership, and civil society to nurture how we live, learn, and lead for purpose. As Associate Director for Ecosystem Stewardship at the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative (GRLI), she helps weave connections across a global community pioneering the concept of “I, We, and All of Us.” In this role, she stewards the wider ecosystem, while collaborating with senior leadership in business and management education. She frequently facilitates and hosts collective learning spaces, workshops and keynotes at international conferences and gatherings. Darija also serves on the Advisory Council of oikos International, continuing to amplify student voices and strengthen their transformative impact within academia and beyond.

Previously, she served as Co-President of oikos International and as a Board Member of GRLI. She has acted as a judge for the Financial Times Responsible Business Education Awards and facilitated numerous workshops and dialogues as a practitioner, mentor, and coach in leadership landscape.

Guided by a belief in systemic change, humility, and the wisdom that “the future must enter into you long before it happens,” she is a citizen of the world with a deep appreciation for creativity, culture, and connection. Her passions span opera and jazz singing, yoga and meditation, and curiously exploring the diversity of culture, religion and life across more than thirty-five countries.

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Gabriel Kabanda stands as a preeminent scholar and a transformative leader who epitomizes academic excellence and innovative research. Currently serving as the Head of Doctoral Programmes at the Graduate School of Business & Leadership, College of Law and Management Studies at the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN), South Africa, Professor Kabanda is the Most Notable and Top Distinguished Full Professor of Computer Science, Information Systems, Cybersecurity, AI/Machine Learning and Big Data Science [UNESCO/International Chartered World Learned Society] with more than 150 research publications in internationally refereed journals/books. He possesses an unparalleled ability to navigate complex technological and leadership landscapes while fostering scientific and industrial advancements.

As Vice President of the Zimbabwe Academy of Sciences (ZAS) and former Pro Vice-Chancellor (Research, Innovation, and Enterprise Development) at the Zimbabwe Open University, Gabriel Kabanda has played a pivotal role in shaping higher education, research policy, and institutional development. His academic influence extends globally, serving as an Adjunct Professor of Machine Learning at Woxsen University, India; Professor of Applied Business Informatics at the University of Zimbabwe Business School for 24 years; Adjunct Professor of Cybersecurity at California State University, Chico, USA; and Professor of Big Data Science at the National University of Science and Technology (NUST), Zimbabwe. A distinguished scholar, he is a Fellow of the African Scientific Institute (USA) and a member of the African Scientific Research and Innovation Council (ASRIC) of the African Union. His contributions to global scholarship are further reflected in his editorial leadership, serving as Editor of the Journal of Signal and Information Processing (USA) and as an Editorial Board member of 10 esteemed international refereed journals. With an illustrious career spanning 38 years, Professor Kabanda has supervised over 20 Doctoral theses and 200 Master’s Dissertations, significantly shaping experts in AI, cybersecurity, and digital innovation while solidifying his status as a thought leader in digital transformation.

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Gordon Kwesi Adomdza is an Associate Professor of Management Practice at CEIBS and Executive Director of the Africa campus of the China Europe International Business School. In addition to providing administrative oversight and strategic direction for CEIBS Africa, he also teaches courses in strategy, innovation, and entrepreneurship across our Africa executive education programs. He also hosts the Africa immersion modules for the CEIBS Global Executive MBA (GEMBA), MBA, EMBA, and the CEO programmes that visit the continent.

Before the CEIBS role, he was an Associate Professor at Ashesi University where he led the implementation of curricular and extracurricular entrepreneurship programs for 10 years. Before leaving Ashesi, he led the development of the Ashesi MBA program through program research and design, stakeholder validation, and successfully received national accreditation for the launch of the program. Over the past 10 years, he has led a variety of private and public sector consulting projects applying the design thinking approach to technology commercialization.

Adomdza previously taught design thinking and entrepreneurship at the D’Amore-McKim School of Business, at Northeastern University, Boston, MA for 7 years.  His research interests concentrate on the areas of opportunity recognition, validation, and exploitation with a special focus on the design approach in the development of new ideas and business models. He earned a Ph.D. in Management of Technology, an M.A.Sc. in Management Science, and an M.A. in Applied Economics from the University of Waterloo. He also holds a B.A. Hons in Economics from the University of Ghana.

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Fuelled by a deep-rooted passion for people development and learning, Heema Sharma’s journey into teaching was a natural progression. Early teaching stints after completing her MBA reaffirmed that nurturing and inspiring young minds was not just a profession but her true calling. This conviction led her to pursue a full-time Ph.D. in Human Resource Management and Organizational Behavior at the Faculty of Management Studies (FMS), University of Delhi. Her time teaching at Delhi University following her Ph.D. proved to be a transformative chapter, rich in learning, perspective, and academic growth.

Today, Heema Sharma serves as an Associate Professor at Woxsen University in Hyderabad, India, where she finds immense joy in mentoring students, engaging in impactful research, and contributing to an ecosystem of innovation and leadership. Teaching, mentoring, and leading continue to fuel her academic soul, while research brings her something even more profound happiness. Beyond academia, Heema cherishes her role as a mother to two sons, finding balance and fulfillment in the moments shared with them.

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Hemachandran Kannan, a distinguished figure at Woxsen University, where he holds the roles of Director at the AI Research Centre, Associate Dean of the School of Business, and Area Chair of the Analytics Department. He also serves as an ambassador for the AI Accelerator Institute and sits on the advisory boards of several international and national companies, including AptAI Labs, USA, and Agzitence Pvt, Ltd. Dr. With an extensive publication record of over 35 journals and international conference contributions, Dr. Kannan also serves as an editorial board member for prestigious Scopus/SCI journals.

John North is an integrative entrepreneur working across business, education, and civil society to catalyse the development of global responsibility. As Executive Director of the Globally Responsible Leadership Initiative (GRLI), he helps steward a worldwide community advancing business- and management education that serves the common good. GRLI operates in strategic partnership with EFMD, AACSB International, and oikos International, and was co-founded with endorsement from the UN Global Compact.

John began his journey by founding two internet ventures during a customised liberal-arts undergraduate programme, then completed an MBA at the University of Pretoria’s Graduate School of Management. He went on to roles at Discovery Health and Accenture Strategy, where he helped establish the Sustainability practice in Dublin. Returning to South Africa in 2009, he combined local advisory work with global ecosystem leadership. Shaped by a life that spans apartheid-era Pretoria to President Mandela’s inauguration and a career across continents, John is committed to transforming organisations and learning systems for flourishing. He lives on the Garden Route with his family and enjoys singing, cycling, golf, and surfing.

Jordi Rey is the Director of International Partners at Geneva Business School, where he leads the expansion of the institution's network of Academic Partnerships and Associations worldwide.

His 25 years of experience in Higher Education includes a six- year period as Director of International Relations and Accreditations and Board Member at UPF Barcelona School of Management. He also dedicated six years as a Board Member and Vice-Chair for the Global Accreditation Center (GAC) of the PMI. His dedication to advancing the sector is further solidified by his election as a Member of the Steering Committee at CLADEA in 2025. This influential organization oversees a network of 290 universities across 33 countries, working to promote management education with a multicultural, global perspective, particularly in Latin America.

Jordi’s academic foundation includes PhD preparation courses in Higher Education Management, an International MBA, and degrees in Electronics and Telecommunications Engineering. His career spans strategy, technology, and global project development and cultural exposure to +40 countries, driving problem-solving and institutional excellence.

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Lana Elramly leads the strategic and operational direction of the Association of African Business Schools (AABS), driving the development and accreditation of business schools across the continent. Since joining AABS in 2018, she has spearheaded the launch of the AABS Accreditation System, championing quality assurance and institutional excellence in African management education.With over a decade of experience in higher education leadership, Lana continues to shape the future of African business education through strategic vision, collaboration, and innovation.

Manuel Ortiz de Zevallos is an electronic engineer and project management professional working across business, education, and civil society to strengthen leadership and innovation. As Executive Director of the Latin American Council of School of Administration (CLADEA), he leads a network of more than 250 universities in 33 countries, advancing management education with a global and multicultural perspective. With over 25 years of experience in the private, public, and non-profit sectors, and more than 12 years teaching in undergraduate and graduate programs, his career bridges technology, strategy, and academia.

Manuel’s path has included leading major telecommunications projects, speaking at international conferences, and serving on PMI® global committees. He has also been engaged in civic and social leadership as a neighborhood president in Miraflores, Lima, and through Rotary. Currently pursuing a PhD in Business Administration, he builds on an MBA and PMP® certification to design and deliver programs in management, project leadership, and telecommunications. Fluent in English and trained in Portuguese, French, and Mandarin Chinese, Manuel combines strategic vision, coaching expertise, and a passion for innovation with a commitment to human development and positive global impact.

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Maurice Radebe, Head and Director of Wits Business School and a seasoned executive with over 30 years of experience in the energy industry. Formerly Executive Vice President at Sasol, he led global energy operations and major ventures in Qatar, Nigeria, and Mozambique. With a rich background including roles at Shell and Exel, Maurice has driven high-impact initiatives like the Go4Gr8 project and Sasol’s Phoenix programme. He is also the Founder and Chairman of the Unleashing Leadership Potential Foundation, dedicated to empowering future leaders in South Africa.

Mills Soko is Professor of International Business and Strategy at Wits Business School (WBS), and also serves as the WBS’s Director of Development and Partnerships.   He is the author of the highly acclaimed book South Africa and the World, and co-author (with Greg Mills and Ray Hartley) of the bestseller The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. He holds a BSoc Science degree from the University of Cape Town, an MA in

International Studies from the University of Stellenbosch, as well as an MA and Doctorate in International Political Economy from the University of Warwick in the United Kingdom.

Nicolas Arnaud is the Dean of Rabat Business School, where he leads the institution’s strategic vision to foster academic excellence, innovation, and global impact. With a strong commitment to advancing higher education, he focuses on enhancing the school’s international reputation and shaping future business leaders. Before joining Rabat Business School, Arnaud held various academic and leadership roles, including serving as Dean for programmes at Audencia  Business School in France. His extensive experience spans program management, accreditation processes, and faculty development, underscoring his expertise in academic administration and his passion for impactful education. Arnaud is also an accomplished scholar in the fields of management and organizational behavior. He has published numerous books, articles and case studies in leading academic journals and regularly contributes to advancing knowledge in these areas.

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Rajesh Kumar K V serves as CTO of the AI Research Centre at Woxsen University, bringing extensive experience in leading AI/ML, IoT, and Data Science projects using Agile methodologies. His core expertise spans AI/ML, Deep Learning, Data Analytics, and Robotics, coupled with strong project management skills and a proven track record in cross-functional team leadership.

Raul Villamarin Rodriguez is the Vice President of Woxsen University and an esteemed academic with expertise in cognitive psychology and artificial intelligence. He serves as an Adjunct Professor at Universidad del Externado, Colombia, and is a member of various international advisory boards. Rodriguez is recognized for his contributions to AI-driven solutions in education and technology, fostering innovation and strategic leadership across diverse platforms.

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With over 20 years of combined industry and academic experience, I specialize in Entrepreneurship, HR, OB, and Business Communication. In my current role, I focus on enriching learners' learning and fostering academic excellence. In my previous roles, I’ve gained 11 years of HR consulting experience with leading firms and 9 years managing international business operations in EOUs. A people's person, I’ve led teams and projects in academia as well, including Personality Enhancement Program, and the outcome-based interdisciplinary project encompassing all schools at the university. As part of my vision in my current role, I focus on bridging the gap between academia and industry, bringing academic innovation, ensuring that students are equipped with the skills and knowledge needed to excel in the dynamic business world.Driven by a passion for growth, I pursued a Ph.D. with a focus on talent acquisition, management, and development in both entrepreneurial and large organizations, along with a deep interest in Organizational Behavior and Entrepreneurship.

Sunil George brings over 28 years of leadership and academic experience across law and management education. As the Head of Symbiosis Law School, Hyderabad, he has led initiatives that strengthen academic excellence, faculty development, and curriculum innovation.

Before joining Symbiosis, he held senior positions at MIT-WPU University, FIM Law School Bangalore, and Vijaybhoomi University, combining academic leadership with 14 years of corporate experience in administration and legal affairs. His expertise spans Corporate Law, Mergers & Acquisitions, Constitutional Law, and Corporate Finance, and he remains deeply engaged in environmental protection initiatives.

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With around 2 decades of experience in Workplace Strategy & People Experience at Fortune 500 companies, I have guided teams and organizations through transformational initiatives that enable growth of product teams, value driven employee engagement, and impact-led community outreach.During my tenure at Google, Deloitte, Ericsson, and Tata Motors, I led strategic programs to empower business leaders, foster high-performing teams, and create lasting impact in the local community. I take pride in leading with vision, fostering collaboration, and ensuring alignment between business goals and human potential.As Strategy & Operations continue to evolve, I am excited by its role at the intersection of People Intelligence and Artificial Intelligence—where human ingenuity shapes and refines AI models to drive progress.Beyond the workplace, I mentor young professionals, helping them identify and harness their strengths as they navigate their careers. I am also a certified #IAmRemarkable facilitator. I champion a global movement that inspires individuals—especially those from underrepresented groups—to celebrate their achievements and redefine the narrative around self-promotion. I lead workshops and serve as an ambassador for #IAmRemarkable (iamremarkable.org.) within my professional and personal networks.

Syed Hasan is Vice Dean at the School of Business and holds the position of Area Chair/HOD of Finance at Woxsen University. He has around 14 Years of experience in Finance and worked as a Deputy Research Head and Corporate trainer before joining academics. He comes on several national & International media channels, including CNBC, AajTak, BizTak, ET, The Finance World, Dubai, and others, as a financial expert to share his view on the Financial market. He is a contributing writer for “The Economic Times”, Investing.com on various Finance topics. He shares his opinion on the global magazine “The Finance World,” published in the Middle East and diverse countries, including India. He is a Board member of various corporate and a financial advisor for multiple companies. His areas of expertise are Security Analysis, Equity and Derivative Research, and Valuation. He has taken several sessions at top universities in India and abroad.He was awarded Best Faculty of the Year 2020-21 and best faculty of Corporate Alignment in the Year 2022-23 at Woxsen University. He conducted over 50 Investor awareness programs nationwide and was awarded the best Research Analyst multiple times during his corporate journey.

Varun Nagaraj is the Dean of S.P. Jain Institute of Management and Research (SPJIMR), Mumbai, India. His research, teaching, and practice interests include responsible innovation, product management, and entrepreneurship. During a 30-year career in product innovation in Boston and Silicon Valley prior to assuming his role at SPJIMR, he held various product leadership roles, including that of CEO at venture-funded start-ups and public companies. He was also a partner at PRTM Management Consulting. He holds a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering from the Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, an MS in computer engineering from North Carolina State University, an MBA from Boston University, and a PhD from Case Western Reserve University’s Weatherhead School of Management. He has published articles on design thinking and product management in top journals such the Journal of Product Innovation Management, California Management Review and Research-Technology Management, and has contributed to Edward Elgar's 2022 Handbook of Digital Entrepreneurship. Under his leadership, SPJIMR solidified its reputation as on of India’s leading management school and has become one of a small number of Indian business schools that hold the prestigious triple crown of EQUIS, AMBA and AACSB accreditation.

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