Global Advisory Council (GAC)
The Global Advisory Council advisory members are influential women and men across different domains of media arts & communication working with the Global Chair and the Global Denim Partner to amplify the vision and mandate of the sector globally.
Frankie Picasso
Director of Communication
Frankie Picasso is a Talk Show Host, Author, Artist, International Socialpreneur and Champion for Change who has been transforming lives and influencing culture for the past 30 years. Professionally, she is a Certified Life, Business and Master Coach Trainer, Mentor and Activist, who just happens to specialize in the Impossible! Frankie founded The Good Radio Network, a socially conscious radio platform as a vehicle for social impact and change. As a professional Artist, Frankie’s paintings have been featured in the International Book of Contemporary Artists Volume 6 and can be found on Fine Art America.
The sale of her artwork and custom orders goes to pay for both Cleft Palate Surgery for children through Mercy Ships Canada, Saving Animals in Shelters and training puppies for the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, as well as other humanitarian efforts.
Frankie’s book Midlife Mojo won her recognition and the Finalist WINNER award as one of the “50 Great Writers you should be Reading in 2015!” and she now has 5 Best-Selling books to her credit, including I Bared My Chest, For Want of 40 Pounds, No Bulled Allowed, and the latest as Co-author in the Best Selling bLU Series. She is honoured to be a member of a group of high-level influencers and thought leaders who are out to cause a change in the world. As well as notably being the first female Kickboxing Promoter in the World and Manager of a 12 time Champion. A long time animal advocate, Frankie is passionate about SAVING Animals worldwide and raising AWARENESS for the compassionate treatment of all wildlife and Humans.
Frankie is a member of the Canadian Association of Journalists, Founder of both The Good Radio Network and The Good Media Network and proud Grandmother of 9 Grandchildren with the 10th arriving November 2021.
Stella Damasus
Director of Content
Stella Damasus is a critically acclaimed Actor, Singer, Podcaster, Speaker, Acting Coach, Publisher and Film Producer with over 20 years as an entertainer and over 100 films as an actor. She has won numerous awards globally like the Award for Best Actress at the Nigeria Entertainment Awards (2007) and Best Actress at the Golden Icons Academy Awards in Houston, Texas (2012), Best Actress at the African Film Festival (AFF) for the movie, Between (2016) amongst others.
Stella has been a strong voice for the education of women, consistently fights against underage marriages and injustice against women and young girls. She is the founder of ADIVA Networks, a media and consulting company; Stella Damasus Arts (SDA) Foundation, a non-profit organization established to provide economic, intellectual and emotional support to the society, using the Arts as its primary tool. The Foundation launched its Free Arts Training Program and opened its doors to its first set of students on the 16th of May 2011. An Actor's Playhouse, and is the Publisher/Editor-In-Chief of ADIVA Magazine. She is also a certified relationship coach and a mother and hosts the Ask Stella Series.
As an entertainer, Stella entertains and educates her fans through other various media programs. These programs are:
- African Girl Abroad–a chat show about the life of African immigrants living in America.
- Actors Playhouse–a program that showcases the actors’ lifestyle.
- Excuse my African–a weekly podcast, where she talks about the life of a misrepresented and misunderstood African girl abroad.
- Daily Dose–a daily podcast where Stella shares her experiences raw and unscripted. She also gives a daily boost to motivate listeners.
Jyoti Tiwari
Director of Community
Jyoti Tiwari is an Author, Gender Rights Activist, Citizen Journalist, Podcaster and Posh Trainer. She is the Gold Medalist of Dr Hazari Prasad Dwivedi Essay writing contest, and the winner of Sri Prem Chand Kahani Puraskar, Punjab University Woman of substance by SRL diagnostics 2016. She holds a PG Diploma in Journalism from Bharatiya Vidya Bhavan, and a PG diploma in Translation from IGNOU and has a BA (Hons) from Punjab University.
Jyoti is a published author of the Amazon best-selling book “Anuurag”, and has published a new book, “Ladka Hua hai.” with rave reviews from fans, supporters and readers alike. She has vast experience of dealing with the media as she has previously worked with All India Radio (Akashwani Lucknow) as a newsreader cum translator. Jyoti is a Podcaster and host of The Jyoti Tiwari Show.
She is a blogger and citizen journalist, and has also Co-authored research reports to the Government of India, and appeared on international radio shows as well for creating awareness regarding gender issues. Jyoti has worked towards sensitizing MPs and MLAs about gender issues and problems that have arisen. She has been a prominent proponent of gender research in the arena of well-being, has managed a community centre in Delhi NCR and handled a helpline.
She has appeared in various TV debates and programs voicing concerns on gender issues, spoken to hundreds of victimized people, listened to their problems and helped them stabilize in crisis situations. Jyoti also conducts training programs on soft skills and sensitise prevention of sexual harassment at the workplace in various organizations. She has conducted posh training programs and session in Shapoorji Pallonji Group: Adidas/Reebok, Volta, Sarva Foam and conducted Soft skill training at Amity Law College, Delhi University, Fastrack, and Akash Ananda Foundation.
Clara Rufai
Director of Strategy & Planning
Clara Rufai is a Speaker, Writer, Podcaster, Author, Coach, Compliance Professional, Entrepreneur and Corporate Lawyer. She holds a Master's Degree in Business Administration (MBA) with 3 decades of experience under her belt, mainly within the financial services sector.
She expresses her brilliance in diverse ways, including as a Book Consultant, Storyteller, and Mentor. Clara is the Founder and President of The SHINE Zone, a social enterprise specialising in leadership, and personal development. She is also the Editor-In-Chief of SHINE Magazine, the Host of the Shine Capsules Podcast, the Convener of the annual Leap And Shine Conference, and the Creator of the annual Shine Legacy Awards.
Clara is an experienced network marketing professional leading a team of over 3000 business partners and counting. She partners with thought leaders and Influencers, leveraging the extensive relationships she has built, to deliver valuable content that serves individuals, businesses and organisations. Popularly known as ‘The Shine Strategist’, Clara uses her SHINE Philosophy and platforms to empower people to (S)tart (H)arness (I)dentify (N)etwork and (E)xpress their brilliance.
She is a multiple awards recipient, some of which include the Iconic Woman Award at the Annual Global Women Economic Forum (WEF) in India, a Humanity Award and a Motivational Award from Powerhouse Global. She was inducted into The World Book of Greatness 2020 as a ‘Creator of Greatness’, and received the Prestigious ‘CEO's Award for Excellence’ in the course of her banking career.
Clara Rufai is also the author of the BEFFTA Award Nominated book 'PRISON BREAK: The 9 to 5 Escape Agenda - Taking the Leap from Limitation to Liberation. She has also co-authored two other books: a 3-time bestselling anthology titled ‘The Journey to Purpose’ (published 2016) and ’40 Pearls of Wisdom’ (published 2019).
Tamy Sass
Director of Partnerships
Tamy Sass is a Speaker, Tech Leader and German-brazilian entrepreneur. After 13 years of experience in online travel, Tamy joined the mobility tech sector in 2016, when she joined the german startup Wunder, helping the company to identify opportunities and partnerships that amplified its expansion and presence from 1 to over 900 cities in the world. In 2021
Tamy founded the startup Twidie, a game-changing marketplace that connects talent from the Media and Entertainment industry to the global demand from contractors, easing the journey, from searching to hiring and paying, being recognized by the website Beststartup.eu as one of the top 101 media and entertainment startups and companies in Germany.
Tamy is also a TEDx speaker, and was awarded in 2020 with the “Tech Women Awards Europe” by the DIT (British Government) and with the “Top 25 global speakers” by AGS.
Cresta Durojaiye
Director of Operations
Cresta Durojaiye, CPO® is a Certified Professional Organizer, and one of Africa's leading Productivity Experts, Author, Podcaster and Life Strategist who teaches and empowers people with practical tools and strategies to live fuller and perform optimally.
She serves as the Founding Chairperson of the Association of Productivity and Organizing Professionals in Nigeria (APON). She is the Founder of Cresta Durojaiye Productivity Academy (CDPA) & Co-Founder of PineTree Group of companies. She is a WEF London 2019 Speaker and Recipient of the WEF London 2019 Iconic Woman Award.
Cresta is passionate about creating systems and structures for organized workflow and personal transformation. She also places a major premium on family life, as a wife and hands-on Mum to two amazing girls.
She is the author of the book, MAD HOUSE, and co-author of the book, ‘40 Pearls of Wisdom’, - an anthology featuring 40 inspiring stories by 40 women. She is the recipient of the London 2020 Shine Legacy Award in Productivity, and recipient of the WEF Cairo 2020 Exceptional Woman of Excellence Award.
Dixie Gillaspie
Director of Projects & Events
Dixie Gillaspie is the author of Just Blow It Up - Firepower for Living an Unlimited Life and co-author with Dr. Joe Dispenza, Dr. Bernie Siegel, and others, of The Thought That Changed My Life Forever. She is a past member of the Forbes Coaches Council and has also been an Executive Editor for The Good Men Project and a weekly columnist for Entrepreneur.com, Her articles have also been featured numerous publications including HuffPost, Fox News, Thrive Global, and MariaShriver.com. As a revered speaker, she is the TEDx presenter of “Feminine Traits and the Business Economy” and in 2017 she was honored as a “Woman of the Decade in Enterprise and Innovation” by the Women Economic Forum.
Dixie's 30 years as a business leader and entrepreneur, combined with her deep passion for creation, innovation, and bringing out the highest and best in her fellow humans, add a wealth of inspiring wisdom and grounded pragmatism to all her enterprises.
Beginning in 1994 as a business analyst and management consultant for a U.S. based national consulting firm, she left in 1998 to build her own consulting practice. After shifting her focus to leadership coaching, she co-founded Return To Your Power, working with business and social leaders to consciously create new realities in life and business. Dixie holds certifications as a Magnetic Mind Coach, a Charter Human Team Activator, and a Soul Language Practitioner. She is also the creator and primary coach for the Super Creators Transformation program, a process of claiming innate gifts, transforming old identities, and stepping into your truth and power to create anything you love.
Vanessa Mbamarah
Director of Social Media
Vanessa Mbamarah is a Speaker, Writer, Trainer & Digital Marketing and Transformation Specialist passionate about bridging the digital skills gap in Africa.
She is the CEO and Lead Strategist at Ztallion, a Woman-Led Creative Digital Agency that works with brands to increase their perceived value and impact through experienced design, marketing, and training. Through her agency, she leads several Google initiatives in Africa focused on helping small businesses leverage digital technology for business growth, and also partnering with organisations dedicated to skills development and Digital Transformation in Africa.
She currently leads 5 Google initiatives and training programs in Francophone Africa, trains and manages several trainers across the region. The programs include; Google Digital Skills, Google Business Group Cotonou, Women will, I am Remarkable, G Suite for Education Program. She is passionate about sharing knowledge and focused on bridging the Digital Skills Gap in Africa, especially for women.
She has helped over 1000+ businesses get their business verified on Google and trained over 20, 000 people across Africa - Benin, Nigeria, Rwanda, Niger, Mali, Cameroon, Togo, Cote d’Ivoire, South Africa, Tanzania, Kenya, Mauritius and Burkina Faso, both in English and French language. When she is not working, she spends her time serving as a Rotarian. She has served as the Chair for Media & Publicity (2020 - 2021) and Director for International Services (2021 - 2022) in the Club.
Clare Ezeakacha
Director of Research
Clare Ezeakacha is a Filmmaker, Content Developer, Voice Artist, Child advocate and founder of Clare Cares Foundation. She makes short films as tools for advocacy to create awareness about social issues.
She has a Bachelors degree in Computer Science, a PGD in Mass Communication, a mini MBA in non-profit leadership (LBS) and an MSC in Information Technology. She started her career as an IT officer in KPMG, then transitioned into radio where she worked as a Radio Personality, producing and voicing jingles and political programs.
Clare debuted her career in film, with a directorial short titled "Arima" (a vignette on rape), thereafter producing a few more short films and feature-length movies. As a mentor and child advocate, she started the Clare Cares Foundation, highlighting the struggle for education and protecting the rights of children in Nigeria and beyond.
Her foundation organizes educational seminars to sensitize the youths against vices such as rape and child abuse and raise funds from members, corporate organizations, philanthropists, international donor agencies, and government support programmes for social impact projects.
Clare Ezeakacha supports children in rural areas and uses her voice as a tool for creating change in society.
Nana Karikari
Director of Administration
Nana Karikari is a multiple award-winning broadcast and digital journalist – with more than a decade of experience in the cable news industry. She received Emmy nominations for her contribution to CNN’s reporting of the 2013 War in Syria and the live coverage of 2013 Israel-Gaza conflict.
Karikari is also a Peabody Awards Recipient for the network’s 2011 reporting of the Arab Spring, 2010 coverage of the BP oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico and the coverage of 2008 U.S. Presidential Primary Campaigns and Debates. Additionally, Karikari is a member of the United Nations Correspondent Association.
As a National Producer at Fox News Network, Karikari produces original content and global affairs, including the channel’s live coverage of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022. In addition to her role in the newsroom, Karikari is assigned to the United Nations Headquarters in New York, where she reports and produces high-stakes meetings and events.
Karikari holds a B.A. in Broadcasting, Telecommunications and Mass Media from Temple University. She completed a one-year leadership certification program from Harvard University in 2021.
Meet the GAC Advisory Members
Monica Monteiro
Advisory Member
Monica Monteiro is the owner of Cine Group, Content Producer, and Media Executive with over 25+ years of experience in the Audiovisual, Broadcasting & Television sector with companies in Brasília, São Paulo, Rio de Janeiro and Maputo - Mozambique. She is the executive producer of television programmes, series, documentaries, films, interactive media, TV commercials and educational entertainment in Brazil and globally. She is the President of EGEDA - Entity of collective management of rights holders on audiovisual works in Brazil, Vice President of the FME Federation of Women Entrepreneurs of the CPLP and Director of Hera.
In 2019, she became the Executive Director of Grupo Bandeirantes, BAND PAY TV which includes full Production & Licensing with channel portfolios like Band Internacional, Canal Arte 1, BandNews, BandSports, TerraViva, Smithsonian Channel, Sabor & Arte and AgroMais Channel.
Her work includes promoting revenue acceleration of the Business Unit through the structuring/incorporation of new products and channels (production, co-production, and licensing). She oversees the management of the operation; defining the corporate strategy, growth models and expansion of channel portfolio, new business development and origination of opportunities pipelines in a global scope through commercial distribution.
From 1997 to 2019, she was the founding partner and president of CINE GROUP; providing leadership in the local and international expansion of the company, turning the company to become amongst the largest content producer in the country (TV programs, series, documentaries, and movies); CINEGROUP was recognized with several awards and inductions like
- Three (3) APCA Awards with “Presidentes Africanos”, “Infiltrado”, and “Chegadas e Partidas”.
- Two (2) MONET Awards with “Boas Vindas” and “Mulheres de Aço”.
- Awarded Best Documentary at Cameroun Cine Festival with “Mama África”.
- Awarded Best Documentary at Los Angeles Cine Festival – LABRFF with “Esse viver ninguém me tira”.
- Inducted to the EMMY International Award with“Infiltrado”.
Monica Monteiro has a broad multicultural experience; and has visited over 50 countries and concretized deals in the USA, Argentina, Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, Portugal, France, UK, China, Japan, Qatar, Mozambique, Angola, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Senegal, Guinea Bissau, Kenia, Ethiopia, Tanzania, among others.
She is a member of several Advisory Boards and President of several local and international Councils & Associations including serving in the Women's Indian Chamber of Commerce & Industry (WICCI) bilateral council as President of the Brazil-India Business Council.
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