Roberta Annan is The United Nation Environment Program (UNEP) Goodwill Ambassador for the Creative Economy and an award-winning business woman with several leadership awards such as Rising Woman Africa 2020/2021, ‘20 under 40 Influential Business Leaders in Ghana’, ‘Feminine Ghana Achievement Award’, ‘Woman 2.1 Summit Award’; 40 under 40 influential business leader in consulting and 100 Young Influential Africans. She was the youngest African to be inducted into the African Leadership Hall of Fame and is a member of the Young Leaders Circle for Milken Institute and Young Presidents Organization (YPO). She is the Co-founder of IFFAC Investment Holdings aimed at supporting and investing in Africa’s creative and lifestyle industries. Roberta is also the Founder of Frallain Group, a luxury accelerator based in New York aimed at pushing African brands. She is also the Co-founder of Semblance World, a new immersive virtual platform that aims to reimagine digital experiences for brands and consumers in the global fashion industry. In May 2021, Roberta convened the African Fashion Foundation Creative Industry Retreat, the first-ever creative industry retreat to be held in West Africa which attracted top fashion icons and industry players. Roberta was recently appointed as a Member of the Condé Nast College of Fashion & Design Advisory Council which will be responsible for bringing unparalleled insights to curriculum development and nurturing talents.
Consultants
AFF is run by a team of local and international consultants who support with the overall operations and strategy of the not-for-profit organisation.
Jesse Rannells
PARTNER AT IFFAC
Jesse Rannells is a distinguished professional with a profound impact on the dynamic realms of technology, entrepreneurship, and the creative sectors. Her career trajectory reflects a fervent commitment to nurturing innovation, empowering startups, and championing the creative economy.
With a remarkable portfolio that includes initiatives such as the UNICEF Startup Lab, the Pan-African Fintech Accelerator, Tech by Her, and the Smart Cities Innovation Programme, Jesse has consistently been at the forefront of fostering innovation and supporting early-stage startups. However, her most recent role as Partner at IFFAC or Head of IFFAC Ventures marks a strategic shift towards the creative spaces, where she focuses on fund management and business support programming.
Elisabeth Morzadec
PROGRAM DIRECTOR
Elisabeth is a proud graduate of the School of Oriental and African Studies in London, holding a Masters’s degree in African Development. With a diverse background—French and Ghanaian descent—she possesses hands-on experience in West Africa’s cultural and creative industries.
As our Program Director, Elisabeth leads initiatives like the African Fashion Futures Incubator and the Fashion Industry Retreat. Her passion for developing the continent through culture adds a unique perspective to our programs.
Julius Quansah Yankson
DIGITAL STRATEGIST
Julius is a seasoned a digital strategist dedicated to empowering businesses, creators, and influencers through the art of digital and content strategies. With a wealth of experience spanning four years, he has become a trusted architect of compelling online narratives and brand stories.
Julius’s career in the online media industry is defined by a profound passion for fostering communities, enhancing brand influence, and spearheading lead-generation initiatives. His expertise extends to the very core of digital strategy, where he excels in crafting actionable plans that drive results.
Currently at the helm of the digital front for the African Fashion Foundation, Julius is instrumental in shaping our online presence. His role involves meticulously designing digital strategies that not only resonate with our audience but also foster a thriving community of fashion and creative enthusiasts. Julius is the driving force behind our journey to create meaningful connections and leave an indelible mark in the world of digital and fashion.
Mildred Ayishetu Nelson
EXECUTIVE ASSISTANT
Mildred is a bilingual professional with more than two years of working experience in our client-facing division. She’s an astute customer relations personnel fluent in both English and French.
At the African Fashion Foundation, she is a cherished member of our administrative team that liaises with key stakeholders, including fashion and creative directors, to ensure success on launches and in programmes.
She holds an honours degree in Communications Studies. Outside the office, you will find her trying food recipes and binging Netflix dramas.
Board Members
Lupo Lanzara
BOARD MEMBER
Lupo Lanzara is the Deputy Chairman of Accademia Costume & Moda, one of the most prestigious fashion and costume design schools in the world. Based in Italy, the Accademia collaborates with more than 80 companies from the Italian Manufacturing Districts, Productions, National & International Fashion houses. The school and its curriculum are designed to act as a cultural platform, fostering the interchange of ideas and inspiration between students and faculty alike. Students are taught to focus their creativity through research, design, experimentation, prototyping and craftsmanship.
Waridi Schrobsdorff
BOARD MEMBER
Waridi Schrobsdorff, Born in Kenya and a resident of Berlin for 25 years, former model and fashion entrepreneur. As an ambassador for many African projects, she is regarded as a high profile and trusted voice for Africa. Her mission, as she sees it, is to find ways that progress in Africa can be achieved and to encourage a positive attitude of belief in the possibility of change. Waridi trusts in the new talents of Africa and believes that fashion is the perfect tool to rebrand the continent
Adenike Adebayo-Makinde (Mrs.)
BOARD MEMBER
Adenike Adebayo-Makinde (Mrs.) LLB, BL is a Lawyer who graduated from The University of Ife in 1978 and therafter was called to the Nigerian Bar. She worked in the Federal Ministry of Justice for some years as a State Counsel and thereafter went into Private Practice culminating in the setting up of her own Law firm Adebayo, Mohamed Adewunmi and Abudu. Additionally, she has built up several successful businesses in the Furniture industry with several factories and showrooms in Lagos and Ibadan. She was also a shareholder in a commercial Bank and in an Insurance Company.
Sara Sozzani Maino
BOARD MEMBER
Sara Sozzani Maino is the deputy director of Vogue Italia and head of Vogue Talents, an editorial and online project that scouts and supports the best emerging creative talents around the world. A regular attendee at global talent spotting committees, Sara serves as a judge in several fashion competitions, including LVMH’s prize , the International Talent Support (ITS), Woolmark Prize, Fashion Trust Arabia and many more. As the global fashion market expands, travels around the globe including visits to Africa to meet up and coming designers is a big part of her work. Her time and attention over the past decade has brought forward relationships of great depth as young careers have grown.
She is also the International Brand Ambassador for Camera Nazionale della moda Italiana and works in collaboration with yoox.com on an initiative called The Next Green Talent.