Leadership

Father Dominic is an American citizen of Ghanaian heritage from Babianiha, a small village in the Brong Ahafo Region of Ghana. He was ordained into the Roman Catholic Diocese of Sunyani, where he served in various capacities. He worked as an Associate Cathedral Administrator and also as the first chaplain and teacher at Notre Dame Girls High School in Fiapre-Sunyani for almost 7 years. After his time at Notre Dame Girls, Father Dominic relocated to the Archdiocese of New York, where he served at St. Mary of Assumption Church in Katonah in Northern Westchester County, St. Francis of Assisi of West Nyack, and St. Peter’s Church in Lower Manhattan. Presently, he is serving as a hospital chaplain in the Diocese of San Diego, California.

The young priest holds a Bachelor’s degree in Religion and Sociology from the University of Ghana, a post-graduate diploma in Education from the University of Cape Coast, and a Master’s degree in Public Relations from Iona College in New York. He is also the author of two published books, both in 2012 – “Overcoming the Judas Complex – A Tap Into Grace” and “Cry of the Hopeless: Inspiring Personal Poems for Daily Living.”

Father grew up in Babianiha and witnessed many talented boys and girls dropping out or failing to attend high school due to the inability to afford tuition. He considers himself fortunate to have completed high school and attended college, which he credits to his parents and the parish priests of Kwasibuorkrom. This experience ignited a passion within him to help less fortunate but gifted children, which ultimately led him to start the Hope for Education Ghana (HopE Ghana) Foundation in 2015.

Hope Ghana is a platform for him to give back and assist other talented and driven children in achieving their aspirations and making a positive contribution to humanity through the power of education. What drives him to keep going? The satisfaction of aiding these children in obtaining a respectable livelihood through education and the joy of hearing them say, “I can smile because of you.”

Linda Mortenson was a Managing Director at Oppenheimer Capital where she worked for fifteen years as an Equity Research Analyst and Portfolio Manager. She oversaw the investment management of client portfolios totaling $10 billion and was instrumental in the growth of that business. Prior to that she worked at the Investment Bank, Keefe, Bruyette and Woods, where she was a bank stock analyst.

She has also worked as an auditor with a public accounting firm. She is a Certified Public Accountant and a Chartered Financial Analyst.

Linda holds an MBA in Finance from New York University where she graduated with honors. She also holds a BS degree in Accounting from SUNY Binghamton where she graduated summa cum laude.

She has volunteered on numerous occasions at her son’s school and with the following charities: Visiting Neighbors, God’s Love We Deliver and The Friends Shelter.

Regina “Suki” Moran serves as the National Head of Wealth Planning Manager at Citi Wealth Management.

She is a highly skilled financial services expert with more than 28 years of experience in leadership, management, and client-facing positions in Wealth Management, Private Banking, and Institutional Banking for Fortune 500 companies. She is adept at creating structure, consistency, and efficiency while driving cultural change. She has a visionary approach and a proven track record of exceeding goals and driving employee engagement, development, and productivity.

Suki is responsible for creating and managing the operating model and amplifying the value of Wealth Planning for advisors, relationship managers and clients at Citi Wealth Management.

She has extensive experience in financial planning, having worked at several top institutions including JP Morgan, U.S. Trust Bank of America Private Bank, and TIAA-CREF.

Suki is a Certified Financial Planner® (CFP®), Accredited Estate Planner® (AEP®) and Wealth Management Certified Professional® (WMCP®). A member of various associations including NAEPC®, EPCNYC®, FPA®, and AAAA. DEI Committee

Suki holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree and an Executive Leadership Council and Global Wealth Executive Education at Wharton. Additionally, she holds FINRA Series 7, 63, 66, 24, Life, and Health Insurance licenses.

Suki is a well-known financial literacy and wellness presenter, educator, mentor, and coach. Suki lives with her family in New York City and enjoys daily jogging, yoga, long walks, and teaching Sunday School.

Adam is an Investment Banker at Morgan Stanley, where he helps advise clients on financial transactions including Mergers & Acquisitions, Leveraged Buyouts, and capital raises. He previously served as an officer in the United States Navy in Japan, Iraq, the Pentagon and White House.

Outside of work, Adam is a lifelong volunteer. Highlights include leading the Midshipman Action Group at the Naval Academy, founding SuitUpDC! in Washington, D.C., and providing pro bono consulting services to non-profits in New York.

Adam holds a B.S. in Economics from the Naval Academy, an M.A. in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins, and an M.B.A. from Harvard Business School. While at Harvard, he traveled to Ghana to consult local businesses.

Lisa holds the position of Executive Advisor and also serves as the Chair of the Scholarship Selection Committee at HFEG.

Lisa Ackerman currently serves as the Executive Director of the Columbus Citizens Foundation, a non-profit organization dedicated to promoting Italian culture and heritage, particularly among Italian Americans. Every year, the foundation provides over $2 million in scholarships to deserving students and organizes various public programs that celebrate the Italian language, literature, culture, and history. These programs often focus on the centuries-long cultural exchange between Italy and the Americas, which is not as well- known as the story of Italian immigration to the US in the late 19th century and beyond.

Ms. Ackerman has a vast experience in the field of international heritage conservation. She served as Executive Vice President of the Samuel H. Kress Foundation, where she focused on art history, art conservation, and the development of scholarly resources for art historians, conservators, curators, and heritage professionals. Later, she served as EVP & COO of World Monuments from 2007 to 2018, and as Interim CEO in 2018 and 2019.

During the development of the Visual Thinking Curriculum, she was employed in the Education Department of the Museum of Modern Art where she assisted with school groups and family programs to make art more accessible to younger visitors. Currently, she holds the position of Chair of the Historic House Trust of New York City and the New York Preservation Archive Project.

She is a member of the Alabama African American Civil Rights Heritage Sites Consortium board and also serves on the ASOR board. She has previously served on the boards of US ICOMOS, Partners for Sacred Places, and the Neighborhood Preservation Center. She currently holds the position of Visiting Assistant Professor at Pratt Institute. Her educational background includes an MS in Historic Preservation from Pratt Institute, an MBA from New York University, and a BA from Middlebury College.

Akidam is the Country Director of HFEG in Ghana and is responsible for managing our finances, including making various disbursements and payments to the schools our scholars attend.

Akidam is currently the Assistant Principal in charge of academics at Notre Dame Girls High School. He graduated from Bagabaga Training College located in Tamale, northern Ghana, in 1990. After this, he started his career as a teacher at Abatey Junior High School in Yendi, Northern Region of Ghana.

After six years of teaching, he enrolled at the University of Education in Winneba in 1996 to pursue a four-year Bachelor of Education in Science degree. Upon graduation, Akidam taught at Business Secondary School in Tamale for five years before joining Notre Dame Girls High School in 2005. Currently, he serves as the head of the Science Department, teaching Integrated Science.

In addition to his teaching duties, Akidam is the Secretary to the NAGRAT regional branch in Ghana, where he is actively involved in various educational, social, economic, and political issues. He is also an active member of the Trade Union Congress (TUC), which provides legal support and encourages its members to seek higher-level jobs. With over 20 years of teaching experience, Akidam is an asset to HFEG. He provides guidance on the operations of the organization within the country.

Adu-Yeboah is the Assistant Country Director as well as Director of Alumni Relations at HFEG. He also plays a crucial role in supporting the scholarship committee in the USA. With his extensive experience in banking, he also helps us with financial reporting and auditing from Ghana.

Johnson is the manager of Wamfie Rural Bank’s Drobo branch in the Bono Region of Ghana. He has been working with the bank since 2005. From 2013 to 2017, he worked as a project manager at Drobo Community Bank. Johnson has received extensive training at Apex Bank and Bank of Ghana in credit management, banking ethics, treasury management, collateral registry, customer service, financial terrorism at the Financial Intelligence Centre, banking operations, and project management.

Johnson has a Master of Business Administration in Banking and Finance from Valley View University, Ghana. He earned his first Bachelor of Management Studies degree from the University of Cape Coast in 2011. Johnson also holds a Higher National Diploma in Marketing from Sunyani Polytechnic in the Bono Region of Ghana. He serves as the Deputy Financial Secretary for St. Anthony Parish in Drobo and has participated in numerous financial management, savings, and investment seminars with the church and other associations in the Jaman South Municipality.

Ms. Tenyo serves as the liaison between college administrators and scholarship recipients.

Ms. Tenyo is the Senior Administrative Manager at the Holy Family Nursing and Midwifery Training College, Berekum, in the Bono Region of Ghana. Her role involves managing the day-to-day operations of the college’s administration, and she is passionate about the well-being and progress of staff, students, and all stakeholders.

Ms. Tenyo holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in Social Sciences with a focus on Economics and Sociology from the University of Cape Coast. She has also been a member of the Association of Certified Chartered Economists (Chartered Economic Policy Analysis) since 2013.

Before her current role, Ms. Tenyo was a staff member at Scripture Union Ghana and currently volunteers with the Union. She used to reach out to students and youth through the Word of God and assisted in distributing Christian literature and reading materials to the youth.

In her professional career, Ms. Tenyo worked with GN Bank Limited and held the position of Customer Service Officer for four years. She also worked for one year as a Lead Generator-(Credit Officer) for ABSA Bank of Ghana, Berekum Branch. She has extensive knowledge in marketing and customer service.

Ms. Tenyo joined Hope for Education Ghana to improve the lives of underprivileged but academically gifted students.

Miss Addai is the assistant director of alumni relations. She is also responsible for managing HFEG’s social media presence.

Ms. Addai is a young and enthusiastic professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Health Informatics from the Catholic University of Ghana. She has worked in various organizations, such as Subah Infosolutions Gh. Limited, and is currently employed at BHM Construction International UK Limited. Over the course of her career, she has acquired expertise in administration, business development, marketing, and executive support in different industries.

Thanks to her extensive background in administration and executive support, Ms. Addai has been able to provide invaluable assistance to top-level executives. She manages day-to-day operations, coordinates high-level meetings, and ensures seamless administrative functions.

Ms. Addai is an accomplished professional who is also highly dedicated to charitable causes. Her involvement with the 12mata Foundation is a testament to her passion for giving back to the community. She is actively engaged in philanthropic endeavors and supports initiatives that aim to positively impact society’s well-being. Ms. Addai strongly advocates for the underprivileged and works tirelessly to contribute to their well-being.

Brown is the chief advisor for our operations in Ghana.

Brown has worked as the Principal Human Resources Manager at St. Mary’s Hospital in Drobo, located in the Brong Ahafo region of Ghana. Before this, he served as a professional teacher for 18 years and is fluent in English and French. He graduated from the University of Education Winneba. Brown participated in the World Youth Day Festival held in Canada in 2002. Fr. Dominic has known Brown for over 20 years and has worked with him on various parish projects, describing him as a man of integrity and dedication.

Asante-Gyamfi is HFEG’s advisor on our Ghana operations.

David has held an MBA in Financial Management from Cambridge International College in the UK since 2012 and a post-graduate diploma in management practice from Paris Graduate School of Management. He also holds a Baccalaureate in Business Administration from Cambridge. David is an Association of Certified Chartered Accountants member and currently serves as the Senior Accounting Officer at Produce Buying Company (PBC) Limited in Ghana. In the past, he worked as an Accountant at St. James Seminary High School in Abesim-Sunyani, Ghana. During his time there, he saw the financial challenges that poor students face. David is also the financial secretary of Twene Amanfo High School Past Students Association, his alma mater. He is also HFEG’s Country representative and advisor.