MAAME AFON

Maame Afon is many things, so she simply identifies herself as a “Whole Woman”, which means she brings all of who she is to everything she does. Born and raised in Ghana, Maame is passionate about transformative leadership, support and mentoring for women and girls in Africa and the Diaspora. She holds an M.A. in international policy studies, gender and development and a B.A. in French and Spanish. Maame describes her calling as “to support and inspire leaders, especially African women and girls to enjoy a wholesome leadership journey”, and lives by the motto “Do good, but first do no harm.” She believes that when we bring all of who we are to everything we do everyone benefits. Named a 2016 Cordes Fellow, she participated as a Delegate at Opportunity Collaboration (OC), and returned in 2017 as a Moderator for the Colloquium for Good. In early 2017, she was selected as a Hive Global Leader. Maame uses her experience in grant-making, philanthropy, women’s rights and leadership to support socially impactful causes globally. She served as Program Officer for Africa at the Global Fund for Women, and later as Africa Program Director at Women’s Earth Alliance via Earth Island Institute. Maame mentors emerging leaders, particularly Mastercard Foundation Scholars and Moremi Initiative Fellows. She serves on the board of We Care Solar, African Women’s Development Fund-USA, Ghana Bamboo Bikes Initiative, Women Thrive Alliance and Cocoa360, while providing strategic advice to organizations such as African Youth in Philanthropy Network, Global Women’s Leadership Network, and Girls Empowerment Sierra Leone (GESL). Maame has been featured in various magazines, articles and platforms including in For Harriet—18 Phenomenal African Feminist to Know and Celebrate; AfroElle Magazine, June 2015 edition; Middlebury Institute of International Studies, Monterey (MIIS) Alumni Communique, Fall 2018; and PrettyPeriod. A gifted and dynamic singer, she co-founded Akwantu Media with her husband to produce and publish wholesome music that uplifts and inspires. She also uses music to promote social justice and Philanthropy. She founded MILT LLC (Management for Impact Leadership and Transformation) to connect people and organizations to the resources and opportunities they need to maximize impact and unleash potential. In 2018, Maame unveiled the Whole Woman 40/40 Project to facilitate deeper connections among women of color, where seasoned experience and wisdom will merge with new energy. Maame enjoys a fulfilling life as a wife and mother of three children. She currently serves as Director for Programs and Partnerships at Moremi Initiative.