change ledby experience

Liz has been contributing to Small Foundation’s mission since 2013 and is based in London.

Her work focuses on catalysing strategic networks for rural business ecosystem-level change and draws on her professional experience as a diplomat, policy advocate, institutional donor and international development worker in sub-Saharan Africa, Europe and China.

Mick is Chair of Cystinosis Foundation Ireland, a charity which supports research into a rare metabolic disorder, and was involved in helping homeless people in Dublin for many years.

He has been a board member of Small Foundation since 2007.

His career is in global financial markets and he is CEO of Abbey Capital.

Josephine joined Small Foundation in 2023 where she is a member of the operations team, with a particular focus on travel, events and comms.

She has experience in the education, travel, heritage and legal sectors and has worked in Europe and Latin America. 

Andrew is an all-round finance and investment professional with more than 18 years of experience in impact investing, corporate finance, venture capital, and banking across Africa and emerging markets.

He has successfully closed investment transactions as an investor and adviser in agriculture, renewable energy, fintech, and transportation. 

Tracy is an investment analyst with a background in asset finance and business consulting.

She joined Small Foundation in 2023 with her work ranging across supporting innovative financing, enterprise support, and fund design for SMEs and rural enterprises across Africa.

She is passionate about leveraging capital to drive inclusive growth and resilience in emerging markets.

Alex is a Principal at Emerald Africa Financing Facility (Emerald Africa).

He has nearly 20 years’ experience of work in agriculture, tech and investing, he has co-founded and worked in tech start up ventures in Africa, and has spent most of the last ten years focussed on increasing the availability of appropriate financing in Africa, particularly in agriculture.

Emerald Africa is a two-year pilot within Small Foundation.

Thomas joined Small Foundation in July 2018, prior to which he held positions in an NGO, an international donor agency and a management consultancy firm.

Thomas has worked across sub-Saharan Africa and in the Middle East.

Vikas Joined Small Foundation in 2025.

He has 10-years’ experience in financial reporting, audit, and financial Control.

Vikas assists with operations and the Foundation’s internal capacity building efforts.

Aoife joined Small Foundation in 2023, where she works with the network practice.

Her background is in international development and she has experience working at NGOs and international development organisations.

In addition to Ireland, Aoife has worked in France, Mozambique and Uganda.

Mwikali (Esther Mwikali) is a social-impact and innovation leader with over a decade of experience advancing entrepreneurship, early-stage investment, and ecosystem development across Africa. She has driven accelerator programs, community-building, and advocacy efforts to support founders and scale innovation across the continent.

Anna has supported development in sub-Saharan Africa since 2000 and is also a founding member of Small Foundation.

Formerly Anna has held the position of COO and CIO of Small Foundation.

She joined the Board of Small Foundation in 2017.

Gwen joined Small Foundation in 2020, where she works most closely on communications and impact networks.

Prior to this she managed grant programmes with Rethink Ireland, a non-profit funder supporting innovative solutions to social issues in Ireland.

Arun joined Small Foundation in 2023, where he is a member of the Data and Analytics team.

Arun has more than 6 years of experience in data space and has worked in telecommunications, insurance and finance industries in European and APAC markets.

Sally joined Small Foundation in early 2016.

She has built her career around sustainable economic development, especially in agriculture and financial services, and has experience working and living in East Africa, southern Africa and south Asia.

Finola joined Small Foundation in April 2023, with almost 10 years of experience in a large international NGO.

Finola’s professional experience centres on programme and organisational learning and knowledge sharing.

She has worked and lived in Rwanda, Uganda, Liberia and South Sudan.

Conor has supported development in sub-Saharan Africa since 2000. 

Conor was a founding member and director of Small Foundation in 2007 and joined the executive team in 2015 after 15 years in the investment management industry.  

Conor has been CEO since early 2018.

Tony has been involved in social justice programs in Dublin’s inner city for almost 30 years on a voluntary basis, and has been a board member of Small Foundation since 2007.

His career is in global financial markets and he is Chief Investment Officer of Abbey Capital Ltd, a leading managed futures investment company, which he co-founded in 2000.

Gerard is a qualified chartered accountant (ACA) who joined Small Foundation in 2020.

He brings over a decade of experience in finance and investing across Europe, Asia-Pacific, and Africa, spanning debt advisory, leveraged finance, and early-stage, multi-instrument investing.

At Small Foundation, Gerard focuses on innovative approaches to expanding access to finance and technical support through commercially viable and sustainable models serving rural MSMEs.

Nicola joined Small Foundation in January 2019.

Nicola has 18-years’ experience in banking, relationship management and financial control.

At Small Foundation Nicola assists with day-to-day operations and the Foundation’s internal capacity building efforts. 

Imelda joined Small Foundation in November 2017. 

Imelda has 20-years’ experience in audit, financial control and financial reporting. 

At Small Foundation Imelda is responsible for operations and leads the Foundation’s internal capacity building efforts. 

Imelda is also Company Secretary for Small Foundation.

Karina has been contributing to Small Foundation’s mission since 2016.

She draws on over 20 years of experience in a combination of finance and international development, with a particular focus on entrepreneurial development and impact investing.

She has been working with entrepreneurs in sub-Saharan Africa since 2006.