Evelyn Park i President
Evelyn is a trusted leader and community advocate.
Her skills in communication, networking and nurturing talent have been developed through her successful entrepreneurial endeavours in the wellbeing and beauty industries and her career in real estate.
Coming from Zambia to Aotearoa in 1994, Evelyn completed her undergraduate studies in hospitality at Auckland University of Technology. She has made an impact in New Zealand society as a business leader, creating job opportunities and helping to grow our economy.
She is an active member of several communities and is excited to lead ACOFI. Her aim is to build strong relationships with the ACOFI executive, African community leaders, ethnic group leaders, government agencies and businesses to find sustainable ways of uplifting our community.
Evelyn hopes that ACOFI becomes accessible to African organisations in New Zealand, implements future-focused practices and technology, and authentically celebrates
Noah Ghebremichael i Vice President
Noah is a social innovator and thought leader.
A strategist, problem solver and creative thinker, Noah believes in weaving purpose, knowledge, and action to create meaningful solutions to challenges and seize opportunities. In his professional work as a consultant in the tertiary, non-profit and public and corporate sectors, he is focused on developing an ecosystem of kaitiakitanga (stewardship), mahi tahi (partnership) and houtupu (authenticity) to create a more equitable, entrepreneurial, and sustainable society.
As a proud Afro-Kiwi born in Eritrea and grew up in Sudan, Noah has resided in New Zealand for over fourteen years. He has completed a Bachelor of Business in Business Management and Business Information Systems, and a Master of Commercialisation and Entrepreneurship in Science and Technology Innovation.
Noah believes that ACOFI has a vital role to play in creating an environment for Afro-Kiwis to thrive and inform public policy to help future generations succeed.
Henok R.G. i Secretary general
Henok R.G. I Secretary General
Henok is an expert communicator and ethical leader.
His professionalism, work ethic and investigative skills have been developed through his undergraduate study in English and literature, previous profession as a journalist, and current career as a writer.
Originally from Ethiopia, Henok moved to New Zealand in 2016 to embark on a new personal and professional journey.
He believes that Africa has an unheard story to tell New Zealand and the rest of the world and hopes that his work with ACOFI will contribute to the growth of the organisation and greater understanding of African culture and values in Aotearoa.
Lucky Nwaomah i Treasurer
Lucky is a diligent team player and analytical thinker.
His optimistic outlook and commitment to continuously improve things is evident in his work in the engineering field and community engagement. A proud Nigerian Kiwi, he has lived in Aotearoa for more than a decade and has contributed significantly to the progress of ACOFI, having been on the executive since 2019.
He is confident that ACOFI will become an organisation that nurtures and supports African community organisations in New Zealand.
Fatima Bashir i Women Affairs Officer
Fatima is a passionate community advocate and thought leader.
Her strategic thinking and organisational skills have been cultivated through a successful career as an environmental engineer and her community involvement serving the needs of the Sudanese community in New Zealand.
Living in Aotearoa for nearly twenty years, Fatima was born in Sudan and raised in the United Arab Emirates. Though she has spent most of her life out of Africa, she still has a strong connection to her roots and African culture.
She hopes that ACOFI will become an umbrella organisation that unites all African organisations in Aotearoa and makes a positive impact in our community and wider New Zealand society.
Genevieve Kayembe i PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
Genevieve is a social justice advocate and community motivator
Her expertise in quality improvement and stakeholders engagement enabled her to make an impact in people’s lives through volunteer and professional work with a wide range of community organisations
Originally from the Democratic Republic of Congo, she has called New Zealand home for 16 years. She re-trained in Public health and has played an active role in supporting the Congolese Community since then and the wider African community in the last 2 years.
She believes and hopes that ACOFI will be able to strengthen connections within the African diaspora, local communities, businesses, and government agencies.
Tatenda Tomu I Youth affiars officer
Tatenda is an adept problem solver and innovator.
Her ability to influence, educate and understand people from diverse backgrounds can be seen from the global impact she has made in her career, having worked and travelled to more than twenty nations.
Since migrating to Aotearoa two decades ago from Zimbabwe, Tatenda still holds the land of her birth close to her heart. She hopes that the rich sense of ubuntu that is present in communities across Africa will one day be the norm in Aotearoa.
She is hopeful of ACOFI’s ability to nurture the ambitions of our youth and help them to use their voices to bring about change and make a positive contribution at every level of New Zealand society.
Dr Fred Musika i Elected OFFICER
Dr Fred is a critical thinker and global citizen.
A skilled researcher and analytical minded individual, he has made a significant contribution to tertiary education and wider New Zealand society as a business academic and thought leader.
Born and bred in Tanzania, his journey in Aotearoa began in 2010 as a PhD candidate at Massey University. He considers himself fortunate to have embraced Kiwi culture without having to sacrifice his African roots. Fred’s research and teaching focus on managerially relevant problems in business, soft skills and workplace dynamics. His work has been published in several renowned journals and he has been a finalist for ANZMAC Doctoral Best Researcher and best paper award as well as a few research scholarships (Germany, USA, South Africa, India, New Zealand, and The Netherlands) for Outstanding Research.
He hopes that ACOFI will have a strong voice on African issues and advocate for the upliftment of the diaspora in Aotearoa.
sTANTON dUNN i Elected OFFICER
Stanton is a creative leader and community builder.
Passionate about uniting people around issues and initiatives that matter, he is focused on building a more inclusive and accessible world through his profession as a marketer in the tertiary sector and community involvement. Stanton’s expertise and leadership have enabled many organisations to achieve their strategic objectives. Stanton has a Master of Communication Studies and an array of professional certificates in Marketing.
Though he has lived in Aotearoa for almost twenty years, Stanton is deeply connected to his homeland, South Africa and motherland, Africa. Stanton and his wife were both born in Africa, but they hadn’t lived there since they were kids, so they looked at voluntary positions where they could make a difference and experience living in Africa. They ended up teaching and mentoring at different schools in Namibia for 18 months.
He is confident that ACOFI will play a crucial role in creating a New Zealand that is more equitable, understanding and truly diverse.