Meet The Jury



For the ‘50 Most Influential African Women In Sports’



Dr. Memuna Williams



Dr. Memuna Williams is a seasoned executive with over 30 years of global career experience, she brings an exceptional depth of expertise in education, leadership, entrepreneurship, and social development to the Jury. She is the Co-Founder and Executive Director of Empowering Sustainable Change and Co-Founder and Operations Lead at Champs for Change, organizations dedicated to advancing youth, women’s empowerment, and sustainable development across Africa. Her extensive leadership background includes senior roles with major NGOs, spearheading equity-driven initiatives, and contributing to renowned leadership institutions in South Africa.


Dr. Williams is widely recognized for her thought leadership in women’s entrepreneurship and education, having represented women business owners during policy discussions for President Obama. She has earned multiple accolades, including the prestigious Charlotte Business Journal Woman in Business Award. With a Doctorate in Business Administration from the University of Liverpool and academic qualifications from Canada and the United States, Dr. Williams offers a powerful blend of academic rigor, operational expertise, and cultural intelligence. Fluent in French and Krio, and operating between Johannesburg and Washington, D.C., she is uniquely positioned to help the Jury uphold the Awards’ mission to recognize, empower, and elevate African women shaping the future of global sports.



Sebine Malik



Sebine Malik is a UK solicitor, public speaker, and advocate for diversity, equity, and inclusion. With over a decade of legal expertise spanning litigation, commercial law, corporate governance, and international arbitration, Sebine has advised governing bodies on compliance, ethical governance, and strategic growth. Her commitment to gender parity and leadership in sports has been central to her career, advocating for equitable opportunities and the transformative power of diversity.


As a juror, Sebine will help evaluate nominees based on innovation, leadership, impact, and contributions to the advancement of African women in sports. Her role underscores her dedication to celebrating African excellence and shaping a more inclusive global sports landscape. Sebine believes that sports go beyond competition — serving as a platform for empowerment, unity, and global transformation. Through her work with ASVG and WSAN, she aims to spotlight trailblazers, advocate for inclusive policies, and inspire the next generation of sports leaders across Africa and the world.



Dr. Abdul Rahman Lamin



Dr. Abdul Rahman Lamin is a distinguished social scientist and Programme Specialist at UNESCO, he brings extensive expertise in sports and education policy, peacebuilding, and youth empowerment across Africa and globally. Based in Zimbabwe and originally from Sierra Leone, he leads initiatives on ethical governance of Artificial Intelligence (AI) through UNESCO’s AI Readiness Assessment Methodology, guiding Zimbabwe’s national AI strategy in collaboration with UN agencies and local stakeholders.


Dr. Lamin also heads UNESCO-ROSA’s Social and Human Sciences Sector, promoting projects like the General History of Africa (GHA) and advocating for lifelong learning, inclusive education, and community engagement across the continent. His work integrates historical knowledge, ethical innovation, and sustainable development to drive transformation in African societies. As a juror, Dr. Lamin’s deep commitment to social inclusion, knowledge production, and youth leadership will be critical in evaluating outstanding African women leaders in sports, advancing the Awards' mission to foster empowerment and global excellence.



Coralie Van Der Berg



As Regional Partnership Manager for World Rugby, Coralie oversees international relations between African rugby unions, the continental confederation, and World Rugby, managing key initiatives in high performance, development, and sport for social change across Africa. She leads World Rugby’s investment programs, supporting strategic implementation and reporting for member unions. Coralie holds an IOC Certificate in Safeguarding and serves on Rugby Africa’s Women’s Rugby, Governance, and Safeguarding Committees. With over 12 years of senior-level experience in African sports, she champions gender equity, youth empowerment, and sustainable practices.


A strong advocate for sports as a vehicle for achieving Africa’s Agenda 2063, Coralie blends strategic thinking with collaborative leadership, delivering high-impact programs like Rugby Africa’s competition initiatives and regional capacity-building summits. As a juror, Coralie will help spotlight African women who are reshaping global sports, supporting the Awards’ mission to drive leadership, inclusion, and transformation across the continent and beyond.



Bhavana Pramod



Bhavana Pramod is a seasoned serial entrepreneur with over 30 years of experience, Bhavana has successfully led ventures in fuel monitoring and RFID technologies across Ghana, Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. She is an ACCA and FCA professional, holds an MBA from the University of Notre Dame, Australia, and is a certified ISO 9001, 14000, and 18001 auditor.

Bhavana’s contributions extend beyond business she is a recipient of the World Bank SDG Award for her work empowering women through her NGO, Taxshe, in India. Currently, she serves as Co-Founder of Deep Carbon Africa Ltd, a pioneering climate tech venture focused on carbon sequestration through biochar, with operations across South Africa, Kenya, Ghana, and Mauritius.

With her diverse background in entrepreneurship, social impact, and sustainability, Bhavana brings a wealth of strategic insight and a commitment to transformational change. As a juror, she will help evaluate trailblazing women in African sports, reinforcing the Awards’ mission of celebrating leadership, innovation, and empowerment.


Albert Kyei Frimpong



A pioneer in African sports development, Albert has dedicated his life to promoting sports in Ghana and beyond since 1986. He introduced baseball and softball to Ghana, co-founding the nation's first Baseball and Softball Association in 1992, and captaining Ghana’s national baseball team until 2003. Albert has served as a leading member of the Africa Baseball and Softball Association (ABSA), an executive of the Francophone Baseball and Softball Association (AFBS), and is a respected figure within the World Baseball and Softball Confederation (WBSC).


He is the founder of Skate Soccer Ghana, co-founder of Beach Soccer Ghana, and has been a longstanding Executive Board Member of the Ghana Olympic Committee. Currently the President of WBSC Africa and a Board Member of the Confederation of African Olympic Sports Associations (CASOL), Albert is a global sports ambassador recognized on platforms like CNN and BBC. His vast leadership experience and vision make him a valuable asset to the Jury in celebrating African women's excellence in sports.



Diane Huffman



Currently serving as the President of WomenSport International (WSI) based in Ottawa, Canada, Diane is a leading advocate for creating equitable, safe, and inclusive sport environments for women and girls. She has been instrumental in influencing national and regional policies on gender mainstreaming, human rights, and leadership opportunities for women in sport across Southern Africa in collaboration with the African Union Sports Council Region 5 and the Association of National Olympic Committees of Africa Zone VI. Diane spearheaded the development of safe sport criteria focused on preventing gender-based violence and has contributed globally to the creation of women's leadership programs.


Her extensive community development work has empowered advocacy groups to challenge policy and drive behavioral change. A former advisor to the UN’s Sport for Peace and Development Program and a contributor to the Africa Women Sport Network, Diane continues to champion women’s leadership and participation in sport as an active member of the International Working Group for Women in Sport.



Dancan Muhindi



Currently serving as the Communications Manager at Isuzu East Africa and a Director on the Board of the Isuzu East Africa Foundation, Dancan brings over 20 years of leadership experience in corporate communications, stakeholder engagement, brand positioning, and social impact strategy. Throughout his career, Dancan has championed initiatives that strengthen brand equity and community empowerment.


Notably, he led the partnership with marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge as Isuzu D-Max Brand Ambassador and developed the "Lionesses Arise" CSR program to empower Kenya’s national women’s rugby team through life skills and entrepreneurship. Prior to Isuzu EA, he held senior communication roles at FSD Kenya and FARM-Africa, gaining regional expertise in financial inclusion and agricultural development. Dancan began his professional journey at Nation Media Group in digital innovation. Holding a Master’s degree in Communication Studies and a Bachelor's in Design from the University of Nairobi, Dancan is also passionate about mentoring youth, coaching chess, and promoting life skills through sports.



Diana Asonaba Dapaah



Diana Asonaba Dapaah, a seasoned legal professional and former Deputy Attorney-General and Deputy Minister for Justice of Ghana is a Partner at Sam Okudzeto & Associates and a Lecturer at GIMPA School of Law, where she has taught Corporate Law, Human Rights, and ADR. With over 14 years of experience, she is a trained arbitrator, mediator, and a recognized authority in legal reform, governance, and human rights. She is also Vice President of the Ghana ADR Hub and a listed arbitrator with the Ghana Arbitration Centre.


A recipient of numerous accolades including one of Africa’s 50 Most Promising Young Arbitration Practitioners, Diana is admitted to both the Ghana and New York Bars. She holds an LL.M (cum laude) from Fordham University and is pursuing a PhD in Business and Human Rights at the University of Cape Town.


Her rich legal, governance, and advocacy background brings immense depth to the jury’s mission to recognize African women's leadership in sports.



Ytannia Wiggins



Ytannia Wiggins an accomplished sports administrator and educator, brings over 20 years of leadership experience in athlete development, event management, and sports governance across the Caribbean. Her work has focused on promoting Sport for All, gender equity, and using sport as a vehicle for social impact and sustainable development.


She has held key positions with both regional and international sporting bodies and currently serves as a Director on the Board of the Caribbean Association of National Olympic Committees (CANOC), where she works closely with regional Olympic Committees to advance sport policy, equity, and participation.


Ytannia is a strong advocate for empowering youth—particularly girls—through sport and education. As the mother of two national athletes, her passion for developing the next generation is both personal and professional. Her wealth of experience, regional perspective, and deep commitment to inclusion will be instrumental in supporting the Awards’ mission to spotlight and celebrate African women shaping the global sports landscape.



Dr. Tshepang Tshube



Dr. Tshepang Tshube, a retired athlete and Associate Professor at the University of Kentucky, holds a PhD in Kinesiology from Michigan State University, specializing in the psychosocial aspects of sport and physical activity. With a decade of academic experience—including nine years as a lecturer at the University of Botswana—his research spans youth sports, life skills, mental health, and athlete career transitions.


He is a contributing expert to the International Olympic Committee’s Consensus Statement on Mental Health in Elite Athletes, joining a global team of researchers, physicians, and former Olympians to improve athlete well-being.


In addition to academia, Dr. Tshube has served as a sports psychologist for Botswana’s national teams, including at the 2015 African Games, the 2018 Commonwealth Games, and the 2016 Olympic Games. His contributions to Botswana’s sporting success and his expertise in athlete development bring invaluable depth to the Jury’s mission of recognizing African women leaders in sport.



Dr. Maha Zaoui



Dr. Maha Zaoui is a seasoned sports management professional who currently serves as the General Manager of Rugby Africa, where she leads strategic initiatives to strengthen governance, expand union networks, and promote gender equality across the continent. Formerly the Women’s Rugby Manager, she was instrumental in designing and implementing the Rugby Africa–Sports Management Training Program (RA-SMTP) in collaboration with MEMOS (Olympic Solidarity–IOC) and LUNEX University, empowering African women sports leaders with critical management skills.


Maha holds a PhD in Sports Management and has served as an Advisor to the Tunisian Minister of Youth and Sport, as well as an Assistant Professor at the University of Sports (ISSEP). She has held leadership roles on various sports boards, including the Tunisian Olympic Committee, and represented Tunisia as Chef de Mission at both the Olympic and African Games.


Her broad experience in sports diplomacy, governance, and leadership development makes her a powerful advocate for inclusion and a vital asset to the Jury's mission.



Behind the scenes.



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Jean-Claude Rugigana



Jean-Claude Rugigana is a dedicated sports administrator and advocate for the Olympic Movement who currently serves as the Executive Director of the Rwanda National Olympic and Sports Committee. A graduate of the International Olympic Committee Young Leaders Programme, he is also pursuing a Master of Arts in Olympic Studies at the German Sport University Cologne, reinforcing his commitment to advancing the global sports agenda through education, leadership, and policy.


Jean-Claude is the founder of the Sport4Change Foundation, a community-centered initiative that uses sport to drive social transformation, empower youth, and promote peace. He is also an active member of the Commonwealth Youth Sport for Development and Peace Network, where he collaborates with peers across continents on sport-driven development strategies.


Through visionary leadership and a strong belief in sport as a force for good, Jean-Claude contributes his experience and passion to the Jury’s mission—recognizing and celebrating African women who are redefining excellence and leadership in sports.



Nisha Van Hoek



With over 30 years of experience in marketing, public relations, and corporate communication, Nisha is a respected strategist and the Managing Director of Advance Public Relations & Marketing (APR&M). She leads a dynamic team delivering impactful communication solutions, event management, and stakeholder engagement strategies across multiple sectors.


Nisha is also a dedicated sports leader, currently serving as a Board Director at the Kenya Rugby Union (KRU), where she oversees communications and co-chairs the Women’s Rugby Committee. Her strategic input has been pivotal in shaping KRU’s public presence and championing the development of women’s rugby in Kenya.


Additionally, she sits on the board of Karen Country Club as Sports Director and is an active golfer. A passionate advocate for women’s empowerment and social transformation through sport, Nisha brings her extensive leadership, marketing expertise, and unwavering commitment to inclusive sports ecosystems to her role on the jury, helping elevate women’s voices across Africa’s sports landscape.



Rania El Rafie



Rania El Rafie is a seasoned public relations executive with over 22 years of experience across Africa and the Middle East. Based in Cairo, Egypt, she currently serves as Vice President of Public Relations & Strategic Communications at APO Group, where she became the first and youngest person internally promoted to this executive role in January 2024.

She has led award-winning campaigns recognized by SABRE Awards, Brands Review Magazine, and World Business Outlook, and was recently named Most Innovative Woman of the Year 2025 by the Stevie® Awards, and among Africa’s Top 50 Outstanding Women in Communications.

Rania has led pan-African communications for major sports entities including the NBA, NFL, Basketball Africa League, IOC, and FIFA. Her team also represents high-profile clients such as Canon, Nestlé, TikTok, and Afreximbank.

With a degree in Business Administration from the American University in Dubai, Rania brings strategic insight, media expertise, and a passion for sports and empowerment to the jury’s mission.





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