About US

Gloria Doku-Boye
Non-Executive Director
Emmanuel Addo
Founder

Emmanuel Addo is a Ghanaian-born leadership strategist, youth development advocate, and the visionary founder of the Young Global Leaders Network. A former student activist at the University of Ghana, he holds an MBA from Anglia Ruskin University, a Postgraduate Diploma in Strategic Management from the UK, and is completing a Doctor of Business Administration at Manipal GlobalNxt University in Malaysia.

Currently a Manager at one of the UK’s leading universities, Emmanuel also holds certificates from the University of Oxford and the Malta Leadership Institute. Under his leadership, YGLN has grown to over 10,000 members across Africa, with registered branches in nine countries and presence in 15 others. He is also the founder and Chief Convener of the Young African Leaders Summit, and has supported over 370 young entrepreneurs and mentored more than 2,000 African youths.

Emmanuel’s work continues to impact policy, leadership, and entrepreneurship across Africa and beyond.

Abigail Foaty
Head, Operations (Partnership – Africa)
Abigail Foaty
Strategic Partnership Director

Abigail Foaty is a seasoned communications strategist with over a decade of experience in diplomacy, government relations, and media engagement. She began her career at the British High Commission in Ghana, where she played a leading role in shaping strategic communications for high-impact national and international programmes. She currently serves as the Strategic Partnership Director for the Young Global Leaders Network, where she drives Africa-focused collaborations to amplify youth leadership and innovation. Passionate about storytelling, women’s empowerment, and mental health advocacy, Abigail combines her professional expertise with a deep personal commitment to healing and transformation. She is also a mother, writer, and dedicated volunteer. In addition to her other roles, she serves as the Communications Director for Women in Leadership International (WILI), using her platform to spotlight female leadership and elevate women’s voices across the continent. Abigail believes communication is not just strategy, it’s a tool for meaningful impact and change.

Francesca Onyina
Head, Business Development & Partnership (UK)
Mamadou Diallo
Head of Membership & Special Initiatives
Mamadou Cellou Diallo is a passionate young leader from Guinea, currently pursuing a Master’s in Management at Universitas Muhammadiyah Malang, Indonesia, through the prestigious KNB scholarship. A Harvard Aspire Leaders Program alumnus, he is deeply committed to leadership, sustainability, and innovation in small and medium-sized enterprises.
Cellou serves as the Head of Membership and Special Initiatives at the Young Global Leaders Network (YGLN), where he leads engagement strategies, coordinates communications, and oversees delegate mobilization for major events like YALS26. His journey with YGLN began in 2019 as a delegate at YASL19, and since 2021 he has played a key role in empowering youth across Africa through leadership development and inclusive platforms.
Beyond YGLN, he actively shares scholarship opportunities and study-abroad tips through his YouTube (Cellou abroad JRK) and social media platforms, helping young Africans access fully funded international education. Driven by purpose, Cellou is a changemaker dedicated to building a more equitable and innovative future for African youth.
Ignatius Yankey
Regional Liaison Officer (Africa)
Divine Kporha
Project Officer (Public Lecture Series & Inter University Debate - Africa)
Olusegun Nelson
Country Director, Nigeria
Olusegun Nelson is a certified Project Manager, Economist, and Political Scientist with over 25 years of experience spanning the public and private sectors, and the creative industry. He currently serves as Head of Workshop and Project Manager at the Institute of Data Processing Management of Nigeria, where he leads key initiatives in cybersecurity, quality assurance, and digital innovation. He is also the Team Lead for the Institute on the 3 Million Technical Talent (3MTT) Training Programme of the Federal Ministry of Information, Communication, Technology and Digital Economy.
A former Acting State Chairman of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and Associate of the Electoral College of Nigeria, Amb. Nelson is a strong advocate for good governance. As Nigeria’s Youth Ambassador to the World Leaders Consortium, he promotes youth inclusion and global collaboration.
 He is also a seasoned filmmaker and passionate mentor, using media and leadership to drive sustainable development and social change.