EXECUTIVE TEAM
HELEN CHILISA
Executive Director
Helen is a renowned advocate for transformational change, known for her exceptional leadership and unwavering commitment to social justice. Her career spans diverse sectors, including entrepreneurship, aviation, community development, and human services, all marked by her innovative approach and collaborative spirit.
Helen’s influence extends well beyond her extensive experience. Recognized as the inaugural Deputy Permanent Secretary for Entrepreneurial Development in the Ministry of Entrepreneurship—a ministry established as part of Botswana's reset agenda—Helen has played a pivotal role in shaping entrepreneurial policies and fostering a culture of innovation. Her expertise encompasses supporting startups, facilitating their growth, and establishing sustainable business environments, reflecting her deep commitment to advancing entrepreneurial development.
She led the Public Sector for three installments of the Forbes 30 Under 30 Africa Summit, underscoring her significant impact in her field. She has established notable partnerships, including the Jim Leech Mastercard Foundation Fellowship for Entrepreneurship, offered by Queen's University in Ontario. Her passion for leveraging technology and innovation for social justice aligns seamlessly with our mission, promising impactful contributions as she leads the Ribbon Rouge Foundation into its next chapter.
Her academic credentials include a Master's in Contemporary Diplomacy, an MBA in Aerospace Management, and a Master of Science in International Marketing, all of which complement her rich background in solution-oriented management and client service excellence.
In addition to her role at the Ribbon Rouge Foundation, Helen has served on several boards and committees in Botswana and has gained substantial experience in corporate governance. She is currently a board member of the NEPARC Think Tank Group, the European Business Institute (EBU), and a mentor with the African Women Entrepreneurial Cooperation (AWEC). She is also featured on the 2024 list of Africa’s Doers.
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Adaku Uju
Chair
Adaku Uju is a Barrister and Solicitor in the province of Alberta, Canada. She obtained her LLB from the University of Ibadan, Nigeria; and her LLM from the prestigious Osgoode Hall Law School of York University, Toronto, Canada.
Adaku is the Principal of Cynel Law Office, Edmonton, Canada, where she practices various areas of Law. She is also the President/CEO at Cynel Global Resources Inc, providing expertise in Investor Relations, International Trade and Business Development, Technology, Corporate Social Responsibility programs, top Government engagement, among other skills sets and experiences.
Adaku is a dynamic professional with successful history serving the needs of the International, Federal, Provincial and Municipal Governments in the various sectors such as: Healthcare, Wellness, Agriculture, Education, Medical Industrial Hemp/CBD, Oil and Gas, Non-Profit, Energy and Finance. Adaku has a proven track record managing broad-based business and technology projects in support of revenue and business objectives, including professional training and management consulting.
Adaku has been a core part of various Canadian Government Trade Missions to Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire and South Africa. Adaku has led, spoken and networked extensively at various International Conferences, Forums and Summits, with multilateral and development organizations. Adaku is a public speaker and has a passion for corporate social responsibility programs, diversity and inclusion, global business matching, entrepreneurship, regulatory compliance, governance, risk management, change management, capacity building, and strategic planning.
Adaku has a passion for career and youth development, and continues to mentor various children, youths and individuals. She is currently a member of Black Canadian Women in Action and serves on the Board of several Non-Profit organizations including Skills-City Institute, STEMCEL (STEM and career exploration lab), Canadian Imperial Advantage, Building Minority Wealth Association, The Ovation Group, and When African Women Talk. Adaku is always open to the opportunity to positively impact others and be a part of their personal and career development, and advancement.
JACKIE FOORD
Secretary
Jackie has spent much of her life pursuing social justice and advocating for the equitable application of human rights. Currently the Branch Manager of Social Development at the City of Edmonton, Jackie has served her community through a career in the non profit sector that
included senior leadership roles with YWCA Edmonton, Covenant Health, the Kidney Foundation, the Multiple Sclerosis Society and the Legislative Assembly of Alberta. She received her Bachelor degree in Political Science from the University of Regina and her MBA from Athabasca University.
Jackie devotes considerable time to volunteerism. She is a member of the International Women’s Forum and was the inaugural Chair of the Women’s Advocacy Voice of Edmonton (WAVE) which is the committee that advises city council on issues related to gender. Jackie is also the President of the Good Hearts Transplant Foundation. In 2013 Jackie was named one of Edmonton’s Top 100 Women in Business and in 2014 she received the Lifetime Achievement.
Kemi Jegede
Treasurer
Kemi Jegede is a Chartered Accountant with more than 20 years of experience working in the corporate setting. She specializes in providing financial consulting services to companies, including financial statements preparation, budgeting, and forecasting and audit review. She is also knowledgeable in financial risk management and cash flow management and has worked with numerous organizations to optimize their financial strategies.
Kemi is a powerful force in the workplace and uses her positive attitude and tireless energy to encourage others to work hard, improve on themselves and succeed. In her free time, Kemi likes to crochet, explore diverse cuisine and cook. She currently lives in Fort McMurray, Alberta with her husband and they have three amazing adult children.
THOMAS BANKOLE
Director
Mr. Thomas Bankole is a retired Engineer who has worked extensively in the manufacturing industry in Canada and the US. He has been a member of RRF since 2017.
Mr. Bankole knows of the reality of systemic disparities in our society and how it is affecting our communities. He is focused on lowering the barriers of inequity in government services.
He spends time advocating and supporting members of our community who are victims of systemic inequity in our justice system.
Mr. Bankole is married with children and grandchildren.
Henry K Aidoo
Vice Chair
Dr. Henry Kweku Aidoo is Canadian but was born and brought up in Ghana. He currently works as a Public Health specialist with the Canadian Red Cross. He attended high school in Ghana and completed the University of Ghana Medical School. He has a postgraduate certificate in occupational medicine from the University of Kent, UK, and a certificate in HIV/AIDS management in the workplace from V.V Giri Institute in India. He has also completed a master’s degree in public health from the University of Alberta and a certification in Infection Prevention and Control from the Queens University, Kingston, Ontario.
Dr. Aidoo worked as an Occupational Physician for several years before moving to Canada. He gained practical research training and skills through conducting a few systematic reviews and cohort studies. He has a few publications to his credit.
He is married with three kids. He is an ardent soccer fan and enjoy sports in general. He is passionate about public health and occupational health and hope to merge his public health practice with clinical medical practice in future.
Emmanuel Alade
Director
Emmanuel, a current member of the Law Society of Alberta practices law as a partner with City Law Offices. A product of the University of Alberta, Edmonton, where he earned a Master of Law Degree, Emmanuel’s multi-national and extensive practice has spanned many branches of law. He has garnered significant exposure in Board’s membership and management.
He was the Senior Manager (Legal)/Assistant Company Secretary of Odu’a Investment Corporation and has also served as a board member on numerous non-profit organizations and some committees of the Law Society of Alberta in the past. The founder of the Centre for Equity, Education and Justice (‘CEJE’), Emmanuel, a passionate advocate of societal egalitarianism, is deeply committed to championing human rights causes including but not limited to: poverty alleviation, public policy, public awareness and education and equitable administration/ enforcement of justice for all, through the instrumentality of the law.
He has mentored and continues to mentor young lawyers in the Province. A member of the Knights of Columbus, he is currently a volunteer member at the Edmonton Community Legal Centre, the Law Society of Alberta Mentorship Program and the Africa Centre Pro-Bono Legal Services initiatives.
IMA ANUGOM
Director
Ima’s professional journey includes working with community organizations, not-for-profit organizations, international NGOs, intergovernmental organizations, Indigenous communities and organizations, and provincial and federal governments in Canada and globally. She is currently a resident doctor affiliated with the University of Alberta.
Her unique experiences working in health and public health has afforded her the opportunity to witness the consequences of social inequity on people’s health. Using her knowledge, voices from her past, evidence-based practice, and current health and public health networks, she is committed to advocating for and influencing policies to address the social determinants of health that negatively impact racialized, vulnerable, and marginalized populations; and promoting practices that ensure equitable access to health, and healthy lives for these populations.