Our leadership team
Executive team
They provide strategic oversight and manage the day-day activities of Ella Africa
Samara Dias
Founder & CEO
Amal Bedri
Director of Programmes
Dawn Carrington
Director of Fundraising & Development
Emmanuel Duodu-Ababio
FInance Director
Bruna Silva
Director of Communications
Busara Drezgic
Fundraising & Development Associate
Paola Vargas
Communications Associate
Mwape Chama
Programmes Associate
Board of Trustees
They are responsible for overseeing our operations, and ensuring that our mission is fulfilled
Celine Moreira
Chair of Trustees
Celine Moreira is an experienced professional with a solid background in deep tech and strategic business initiatives for innovative, sustainable products.
She has successfully guided a mission-driven start-up from its early stages to becoming a scalable enterprise, managing global accounts. Currently pursuing an MBA at Imperial College London, Celine excels in merging innovation with strategic go-to-market strategies.
She believes in leveraging innovation to drive positive change and supports environmental and social causes, promoting diversity and sustainable growth within organizations.
Charlotte Morgan-Fallah
Trustee
Charlotte Morgan-Fallah is an international development professional with over 20 years of experience, specializing in maternal and child health and nutrition. As Associate Director of Programmes & Investments at The Power of Nutrition, she oversees multi-million-dollar health programs.
She has led regional teams for the British Red Cross, managed health grant strategies at Comic Relief, and contributed to humanitarian efforts with Save the Children and Concern Worldwide. Charlotte holds an MSc in Global Health from the University of Manchester and a BA in English Literature from University llege London.
Karen Vethakan
Trustee
Karen brings a focus on law and governance, with her latest experience as Senior Corporate Counsel in the legal team of a global professional services company.
She qualified as a UK solicitor in 2016 at London-based law firm Lewis Silkin LLP, and has held numerous in-house legal roles since then, including whilst living in Colombo, Sri Lanka. It was there that Karen first developed a passion for the impact and reach that foundations can have on their communities through upskilling and education, which she witnessed first-hand when Teaching English as a Foreign Language in Colombo back in 2014.
Abiola Dabiri
Trustee
Abiola R. Dabiri is a legal and governance expert with deep experience in corporate law, compliance, and strategic advisory. As Associate Vice President of Corporate Secretariat at Africa Finance Corporation (AFC), she manages complex governance frameworks and leads high-profile transactions.
She holds an MBA from Oxford's Said Business School, an LLM from the University of London, and certifications in compliance and anti-money laundering. Abiola is committed to advancing the foundation’s mission of empowering women and promoting girlchild development.
Hamilton Costa
Trustee
Mr. Costa is a seasoned executive with a proven track record of driving business growth and leading government affairs. He formerly led Angola's investment promotion authority in North America, fostering trade and investment relationships with the US and Canada.
Mr. Costa has advised companies on market entry and investments, and currently serves as a senior advisor on a large-scale infrastructure project. He is also committed to empowering African communities through economic development, education, and healthcare. Mr. Costa holds degrees from The George Washington University and the University of Salford (UK).