ABOUT US

WHO WE ARE  |  WHAT WE DO  |  WHERE WE WORK  |  ISSUES WE FACE

Welcome to Promote Africa
OUR BOARD OF DIRECTORS

BENJAMIN COBB: FOUNDER & CHAIRMAN OF THE BOARD

Benjamin has a longstanding interest in community development and an extensive record of public service throughout southern Africa. In his role as Chairman of the Board for Promote Africa, he chairs a non-profit African music label, directs a international media production firm, and manages an international arts trust and educational development organization in Namibia.  
A economics graduate of The Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia, Mr. Cobb focused on social entrepreneurship and community development in southern Africa. His professional training includes consultancy work for the Namibian Ministry of Education, where he worked to integrate computers into the secondary education curriculum. He is also the producer of Promote Africa's first international film, Deep Roots Malawi. In his free time, he enjoys reading, camping, hiking and film.

MATT FRANCIS: FOUNDER & BOARD MEMBER

  In addition to founding Promote Africa, Matt Francis is the founder and CEO of InterScape Inc, a company that integrates Web, Marketing, and Sales for non-profits and other companies. With a background spanning P&L, general management, technology innovation, and organizational strategy, Matt Francis has turned his experience and entrepreneurial spirit into rapidly growing respect in the software solutions marketplace.
Prior to launching InterScape, Francis was retained as a software architecture consultant for BellSouth. Here he converted a $1.2 million IT investment into an enterprise solution delivering $20+ million in annual development and operational savings while significantly reducing problem escalations. For Promote Africa, Francis and InterScape have developed the technology to enable our online MP3 and art sales. Matt is excited about the opportunity to bridge different cultures using online media.


OUR DIRECTORS & OFFICERS

DAVE GUPTA: DIRECTOR OF OPERATIONS, UNITED STATES


 Dave, a science geek at the University of Georgia, who on paper might seem to have interests unrelated to the world of nonprofits,
has a vested interest in people. Whether through his Genetics research, Masters in Public Health pursuit, or intended practice of Medicine, his drive for helping people matches perfectly with the efforts he puts in every day at Promote Africa.
The above photograph was taken in China on a summer research and internship grant
with NSF's PIRE, where Dave became interested in how Genetics can be used to help the environment and it's people. Pursuing environmental issues of developing nations through research and classes, he hopes to put this new knowledge into evaluating and improving future projects--skills he also hopes hone by working with UGA's College of Public Health and Nonprofit Organizations Management faculty.

DAVID FU: MANAGING DIRECTOR.

Over the summer, David worked with Benjamin in Namibia and Malawi on surveying potential music and artwork partnerships and on launching this (the current) website. He has since returned to the United States and has been instrumental in a recruitment campaign, in reforming the structure of the organization, and in creating teams to carry out the objectives and goals of Promote Africa.
  
In addition to his duties as Director of Networking and Strategy at the University of Georgia, he is currently working with a student-run think tank on a public policy proposal to restructure the accounts from which disbursements of bilateral and multilateral aid are made by the United States. As a reflection of his wide range of interests, he is currently pursuing dual business degrees in Finance and Economics, along with minors in Biology and Music Business, at the Terry College of Business at the University of Georgia. In his free time, he enjoys playing tennis and basketball, playing piano, composing, reading, and being outside.

MARY FORTSON: DIRECTOR OF PROJECT EVALUATION

With many exciting experiences working with communities abroad, Mary will be adding her skills and passions in global development.

Mary Fortson is currently pursuing a Masters in Social Work, concentrating in Community Empowerment and Program Development. With her experience and contagious enthusiasm, she is the perfect candidate to lead our first Bright Ideas Grant Reviewing Committee -- a small, motivated team of Evaluators.

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