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Emil D. Acolatse
Chief Executive Officer
Sets FVG's strategic direction across the U.S.–Ghana corridor, drawing on lived experience in Philadelphia and Accra. His work spans scientific leadership, nonprofit development, institutional relationships, community programming, and Ghana-based product development.
Senior Researcher and Chemist with 10+ years at ExxonMobil. Founder, F.I.R.E. (501(c)(3)) — operating in Philadelphia, Accra, Dominican Republic, and Zimbabwe since 2015. Partner, World Trade Center Accra. Co-founder, Zuri of Africa Shea — acquired land in Ghana (2024) for shea butter manufacturing. Made Man Award (2016); UPenn Medicine Community Hero Award (2022).
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James R. Beckley
Chief Operations Officer
Leads the operating systems that translate FVG strategy into accountable delivery, including market intelligence, stakeholder mapping, project governance, and in-country coordination.
Ghanaian-born technology entrepreneur and product architect with 24+ years of experience. Founder & CEO, Oriyn — 690+ projects, 200+ clients, $28M+ in client outcomes across 15 industries. 7 C-level roles held from 2008 to present, 5 companies founded, successful exit and acquisition of B2B marketing agency.
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Larz E. Jeter III, CPA
Chief Financial Officer
Leads financial planning, controls, compliance coordination, and engagement economics, combining public-accounting leadership with nonprofit oversight and direct experience building Ghana-based accounting capacity.
Licensed CPA (Pennsylvania). PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) alumni. Founder & Managing Member, EJeter Consulting LLC — fractional CFO practice serving 15+ clients. Identified $400K+ in unbilled grant receivables for an $8.2M nonprofit; delivered 47% profit margin turnaround.
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Donavan Sterling West
Chief Business Officer
Leads business development, strategic relationships, and expansion across the U.S.–Ghana corridor, drawing on experience convening business, civic, nonprofit, and government leaders.
Director, Mayor's Business Roundtables — convening 300+ CEOs across 10 industry sectors. Former President, African American Chamber of Commerce — grew membership 29% during COVID-19. Founder, Culturally Congruent Solutions and Black Business Accelerator.
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Star Wright
Chief Partnership Officer
Leads strategic partnerships and external relationships supporting FVG's cross-border objectives. Her experience spans elite athletics, youth sports, nonprofit leadership, international programming, and relationship development across African markets.
14-time All-American. 2017 Team USA Gold Medalist. NFL Alumni. Owner, Philadelphia Phantomz. Founder, The Star Wright Foundation (501(c)(3)) — "Access To Play" program active across 20+ African nations. First Black female partner of Africa's first sports academy (Morocco). 25+ international football camps impacting 5,000+ youth.
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Sean McMillan
Director of Business Intelligence
Leads market research, opportunity assessment, and intelligence systems supporting FVG's strategy across the U.S.–Ghana corridor.
Co-Founder, Ghana to the Moon Conference and Festival. Ambassador to the Anlo Kingdom of Ghana. Board member, United States African Caribbean Exchange. NSF and URI grant recipient (NJIT) — commercialized energy-harvesting technology.
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Alex Santana
Director of Sales & Revenue
Leads client acquisition, revenue strategy, and go-to-market development, combining enterprise growth experience with direct community and activation work in Ghana.
Enterprise growth and partnership strategy at Google (2020–2023) and Pinwheel (2024–present). Harvard Business School MBA. Rutgers University B.S. in Engineering. ~20 years building go-to-market strategies and customer acquisition programs.
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John Hardy-Bey
Director of Program Financing
Supports program financing, capital strategy, and investment-structure development for FVG initiatives in Ghana and across the African diaspora.
25+ years in real estate development and investment structuring. Founder, Uplifting Investment Group. Renovated 19+ residential properties. Co-partner in MINDSTYLE — scaled consumer products to a multi-million-dollar enterprise in China.
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Jason Kpakpo Acquaye
Director of Operations Logistics
Leads logistics, cross-border coordination, and in-market execution for projects involving events, exhibitions, panels, partnerships, and multi-stakeholder delivery.
Founder, Big Fella Global. Operational lead for brand activations with Mercedes-Benz, Foot Locker, and Beats by Dre.