Develop Africa Team
Board Members
![]() Avis Dillard-Bullock is the Senior Vice President of Program Services for JMA Solutions, retired from the United States Air Force (USAF) after 28 years of outstanding service. |
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Susan L. Lang is the founder & CEO of XIL Health, a health analytics and technology company focused on drug pricing economics. XIL Health is a Fortune 5000 fastest-growing company headquartered in the US. As a healthcare leader, Susan has extensive experience leading complex organizations such as hospitals, medical schools, and pharmacy benefit managers. Before founding XIL Health, Ms. Lang was an officer and C-suite executive for Express Scripts, a Fortune 50 company. During her tenure at Express Scripts, Susan developed complex drug pricing that reduced the cost of medications for millions of consumers. Before joining Express Scripts, Ms. Lang held multiple executive positions, including the Associate Vice Chancellor for UMASS Medical School, the Vice President of Managed Care and Finance for BJC/Washington University School of Medicine, and a research fellow at WHO in maternal/child health. Lang has her MBA in finance from Stetson University, an MA in medical anthropology from the University of Memphis, and her BS in marketing from the University of Florida. As a leader in healthcare, she is committed to reducing the cost of care while improving access to care for populations who otherwise cannot afford health services. |
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![]() Sylvester Renner founded Develop Africa in 2006 after witnessing children and families in Sierra Leone struggling to access education and opportunity. Growing up in Sierra Leone and later earning his MBA in the United States, he combined personal conviction with practical experience to build a registered 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to empowering children and youth across Africa. With a background in nonprofit leadership, cross-cultural program coordination, and systems-based governance, Sylvester has spent the past 20 years guiding Develop Africa’s growth—strengthening its programs, partnerships, and commitment to transparency. His vision remains simple and steadfast: to create lasting impact through education, training, and opportunity—one life at a time. You can follow Sylvester on Twitter @sylrenner or connect with him. Read more about Sylvester, the Founder. |
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![]() Parker Russell recently (2019) concluded a successful 35-year career in international investment banking, having worked in London, Chicago, and New York. Throughout his career, though, he has had a passion for economic development in Africa, having started as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Kenya and, more latterly, as a supporter of multiple African micro-finance institutions. Parker and his wife, Lisa, had the opportunity to travel to Sierra Leone in early 2020 to gain a better understanding of our local operations and impact there. They spent nearly a week in Freetown and remote villages, working with the local team and visiting many projects and students Develop Africa support. He came away from the experience with a passion for our work and its impact on the students and their families. Parker earned his BA in International Affairs at Lewis & Clark College in Portland, Oregon, and his MBA in Finance at the University of Texas at Austin. |
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![]() Stephanie Salt is an international lawyer and seasoned business executive with more than two decades of experience in multinational, multicultural, multicommodity, and multidisciplinary arenas spanning Africa and the United States. The first American to be admitted to the bar as an Advocate by the High Court of South Africa, Stephanie advises some of the world's most disruptive start-ups in AI, blockchain, cloud, space, and e-commerce.
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She has held project management roles in Silicon Valley and has been involved in digital transformation in the UK and the US. Lydia holds a Bachelor's in Business Administration a Master's in Business Administration, and is a certified Project Management Professional (PMP). |
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![]() Chisom Uzosike is a media professional, entrepreneur, and proud member of the Nigerian community. He has been partnered with Develop Africa's Workforce Empowerment program since 2019. He is passionate about culture, innovation, and building unity within the diverse African diaspora. Chisom is a proud HBCU graduate and an alumnus of Howard University. He studied Public Relations and earned his Master's in Supply Chain Management from the University of Maryland. He aims to create media and tech jobs in West Africa and continue empowering bright minds back home.
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She's directed an award-winning documentary, Behind the Bullet; written a book, Beyond the Bullet; and written numerous articles that illustrate gun trauma's impact on victims and their families. As a Board member at The Brady Center, Women Donors Network, and the Trauma Intervention Program, Heidi has used her empathy, advocacy, and sensibility to improve boardroom governance, long-term strategy, diversity, equity, and inclusion. In 2013, Heidi went to Liberia and experienced the trauma its 14-year civil war had on women and families. Following the trip, she helped fund peace-building efforts. Heidi is a University of Northern Colorado graduate and lives in Portland, Oregon with her husband.
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Staff in Sierra Leone
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![]() Joseph Kambay graduated from the Milton Margai College of Education and Technology with a Diploma in Business Administration in 2015. He then started his work career as an IT Assistant / IT Tutor at Develop Africa Sierra Leone. In 2017, he was appointed Program Coordinator of Develop Africa Sierra Leone and later promoted to Program Officer. He is pursuing a degree in Procurement and Supply at the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM). |
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Daniel Kamulay holds a BSc in Electronics & Telecommunication and a Higher Diploma in Hardware & Computer Technology. He previously was an IT Engineer at Niche Technology (AFCOM), where he provided network interconnections and set up and configured complex systems. He enjoys listening to music/news, reading, traveling, and surfing the Internet.
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![]() Tamba Sam completed his secondary school education and is proficient in MS Office applications. After working in the hospitality industry for a few months, Tamba joined Develop Africa Sierra Leone as an Office Assistant in 2015. He supports office operations, computer classes, and program activities. |
![]() Ramatulai Mariam Sillah |
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![]() Johannes Tommy holds diplomas and certificates in Microsoft Office Applications, Computer Applications, Computer Hardware, Networking Electronics, Web Design and Development, and Digital Marketing from Africa Information Technology Holding (AITH), Sierra Leone, Blue Crest College, and Cudoo / LearningOnline. XYZ.
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Dr. Hudson Jackson is a licensed Professional Engineer with over 30 years of consulting, academic, and research experience in geotechnical engineering, structural design, pavement engineering, construction management, field inspections, and construction quality control. He is a Professor of Civil Engineering at the Coast Guard Academy in New London, Connecticut. In this role, he actively participates in the intellectual and professional development of leaders of character within the Coast Guard. With a background in civil engineering consulting, Dr. Jackson also serves as a general advisor and mentor on professional practice issues.











