WHO WE ARE | The Blueprint Series

SpeakNowAfrica is an affiliate of the Nigerian American Public Affairs Committee (NAPAC).

NAPAC is a US based organization that advocates for policies that positively impact Nigerian-American families, friends, and communities.

Together SpeakNowAfrica and NAPAC Foundation are collaborating to educate, engage, and empower Nigerians and other people of African decent.

Taye Doherty - NAPAC Sponsor

Mr. Taye Doherty is an experienced management and finance professional with a successful career in investment banking, asset management and business development. He has an expert knowledge of corporate finance, investment, M&A; a proven leader skilled at building collaborative connections with associates and partners. He is a veteran of the securities industries having work as an Asset Manager and an Investment Banker for Merrill Lynch Pierce Fenner & Smith Inc. and Citigroup Global Markets Inc. Mr. Doherty is an experienced Advisor known for helping educate and supporting both corporate and individual clients as they develop strategic investment plans for the future.

As an Investor Relations Manager for a real estate development company, he oversees underwriting and analytics team for financial analysis pertaining to property acquisitions and national expansion.

Mr. Doherty is currently a vice president of a real estate private equity firm specializing in private equity, credit, and hedge fund investment strategies. He is also a member of Bay Area Council Economic Institute and Urban Land Institute helping create thriving communities around the globe.

Mr. Doherty is proud alum of Saint Mary’s College of California where he received his MBA in finance.

Victoria Ekwenuke - Brand Management, MBA

Victoria is currently the Global Brand Manager at eBay working in Silicon Valley. She's not a techie, but loves the magic of technology and its ability to connect people to ideas across cultures and borders. With more than 10 + years of traditional CPG and entrepreneurial know how, Victoria brings an unconventional outlook on the magic between brands, people and culture shifts. With a Howard University MBA, her career in brand management spans across manufacturing companies such as Colgate Palmolive in New York, Wrigley in Chicago and Unilever in Toronto, Canada.

Born in Canada, Victoria's family is originally from Nigeria. She initially moved to the US on a soccer scholarship in 2002 and has traveled, worked and lived all over the globe. She gives back to the community by speaking at various events, blogging using her alias ‘AnalogBlackGirl,’ contributes to the diaspora movement and believes that she has a duty to positively influence the generation after her.

Nina Orike

Sr Director Program Management, Research and Development, MSc, Ph.D, PMP

Nina has been passionate about learning how the world works ever since she first glanced through a microscope in high school. This interest led her to pursue a career in the sciences. She has over 15 years’ experience working in research and development within the biotechnology industry and recently joined BioMarin Pharmaceutical Inc to lead their innovative gene therapy development program. She previously served as a Senior Project Manager at Genentech Inc., where she contributed to the development of numerous therapies for the treatment of cancer.

Nina currently resides in the San Francisco Bay area, but considers herself a world citizen having lived and worked in numerous countries.

'Niran Koko - Consultant, Scientist, Psychologist

Ph.D., MBA,PMP, MSc, MLS (ASCP), CLSp (MB), CSSBB, ACC

Niran is a Consultant and Scientist who helps healthcare organizations improve their performance and organizational culture. Before his current role as a consultant, Niran spent over 20 years in various roles of increasing importance in the healthcare and financial industries.

Niran has a PhD in Psychology, an MBA with a specialization in Healthcare Administration, and an MSc in Microbiology. He is also a board-certified Clinical Laboratory Scientist (CLS) and an American Society for Clinical Pathology (ASCP) certified Medical Laboratory Scientist (MLS). Niran is also a certified Project Manager (PMP), a Lean Six Sigma Black Belt Professional (LBBP), and an Associate Certified Coach (ACC).

When he is not consulting or working in the lab, Niran enjoys helping people at his Los Angeles, California Anti-Aging and Wellness practice - Palm Springs Wellness.

Abiola Doherty - Technology Analyst

Abiola is a recent graduate from Arizona State University and is currently a Technical Analyst. She has a passion for African issues with starting organizations on her own. She is excited for the vision the team has with Speak Now Africa and is looking forward to the future of sharing knowledge through the platform.