WASHINGTON – The ONE Campaign is proud to announce the appointment of five distinguished leaders to its Board of Directors: Wemimo Abbey, co-founder and co-CEO of Esusu; Clare Akamanzi, CEO NBA Africa; Ryan Beedie, President of Beedie; Matthew Freud, chairman of Freuds Communications; and Larry Kramer, president and vice chancellor of the London School of Economics and Political Science. Each brings exceptional experience, vision, and a deep commitment to social impact that will help ONE advance its mission to fight for a more just world by driving the investments needed to create economic opportunities and healthier lives in Africa.

“We are living through a defining moment in our ecosystem and urgent action is needed to unlock economic growth, strengthen health systems, and ensure that the most vulnerable people have the opportunities to thrive,” said Ndidi Okonkwo Nwuneli, CEO of the ONE Campaign and member of the ONE Board of Directors. “Wemimo, Clare, Ryan, Matthew, and Larry bring extraordinary expertise and innovative thinking that will help shape ONE’s strategic direction and accelerate the impact of our work.”

“We are thrilled to welcome these dynamic leaders to our board,” said Tom Freston, Chair of ONE’s Board of Directors. “With their passion, global outlook and vast experience navigating complex challenges, we are even better positioned to fulfill our mission and vision.”

These appointments follow the recent addition of Anne Finucane, former vice chair of Bank of America and a leader in sustainable finance, to ONE’s Board of Directors. ONE also recently welcomed Dr. Vera Songwe, a renowned economist and former Executive Secretary of the UN Economic Commission for Africa, and Arancha González, former Foreign Minister of Spain and global trade expert, to its Global Leadership Circle — a distinguished group that advises ONE and helps advance our mission.

These additions reflect ONE’s ongoing commitment to bold leadership and cross-sector collaboration in helping build a future where Africa is an equal partner on the world stage and people across Africa have access to abundant economic opportunities and lead thriving, healthy lives.

Wemimo Abbey

Wemimo Abbey is a Lagos-born entrepreneur and co-founder of Esusu, a fintech company that helps renters build credit by reporting rent payments to credit bureaus. Esusu works with property owners covering over 5 million units nationwide, representing nearly $100 billion in rent payments, and recently achieved a $1 billion valuation. Recognized by Fortune 40 Under 40, Forbes 30 Under 30, and as a Bloomberg New Economy Catalyst, Abbey is a leading voice for financial inclusion and equitable access to capital. His background in nonprofit leadership and technology innovation strengthens ONE’s mission to expand economic opportunity across Africa and the diaspora.

Clare Akamanzi

An accomplished trade and investment lawyer, Clare Akamanzi is the CEO of NBA Africa, responsible for continuing to grow the popularity of basketball, the NBA and the Basketball Africa League (BAL) across the continent, including through grassroots basketball development, media distribution, corporate partnerships, and social responsibility initiatives that improve the livelihoods of African youth and families.  

Previously, Akamanzi served as CEO of the Rwanda Development Board, driving Rwanda’s economic development through private sector growth. She holds a Master’s in Public Administration from Harvard’s Kennedy School and has been recognized globally for her leadership in advancing Africa’s economic transformation. Her experience in economic development and cross-sector partnerships strengthens ONE’s work to leverage trusted voices to change the narrative surrounding Africa and elevate Africa’s role on the global stage.

Ryan Beedie

Ryan Beedie is President of Beedie, one of Canada’s most successful industrial and residential property development companies, and a philanthropist whose giving has reshaped access to education and healthcare. In 2018, he launched Beedie Luminaries, a $50 million social-profit scholarship program that supports students and single parents facing financial adversity, helping them pursue higher education and brighter futures. He has also made transformative contributions to Simon Fraser University, the BC Children’s Hospital, and numerous other institutions, with his family’s philanthropy exceeding $145 million over the past decade. Honored with the Order of British Columbia and the King Charles III Coronation Medal, Beedie brings a deep commitment to education, opportunity, and equity to create a more just world.

Matthew Freud

Matthew Freud is chairman of Freuds Group, an independent global family of creative agencies that he founded in 1985. Since then, Matthew has played a significant role in many of the world’s major notable causes – from Live Aid and Make Poverty History to helping create (RED) and launching campaigns to increase Covid-19 vaccinations.

He is a co-owner of the Sustainable Markets Initiative, launched by His Majesty King Charles III, is a Director of the UN SDGs and a Co-Founder of Goals House. He sits on Tent Refugees’ Advisory Council, has been a trustee of Comic Relief for over 30 years and advises many charities including DKMS and Choose Love. Matthew is also an Academy and BAFTA Award-winning producer.

Larry Kramer

Larry Kramer, an internationally respected legal scholar and philanthropic leader is the President and Vice Chancellor of the London School of Economics and Political Science. As former president of the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, he led groundbreaking investments in civic engagement, democracy, climate action, and racial justice. A former dean of Stanford Law School, he transformed legal education to prioritize public service and multidimensional impact. Kramer brings deep experience in systems change, public service, and global philanthropy that will help ONE champion a fairer, more inclusive world.