The Impact Angel Network in Action!

In late July, members of the Delaware chapter of the Impact Angel Network (IAN), including Don Fulton, Larry Disabatino and IAN chapter chairs Jeff and Donna Turi, spent their morning discussing impact investing with 25 participants in the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI).

According to their website, YALI is “a signature effort to invest in the next generation of African leaders. Nearly 1 in 3 Africans are between the ages of 10 and 24, and approximately 60 percent of Africa’s total population is below the age of 35. President Obama launched YALI in 2010 to support young African leaders as they spur growth and prosperity, strengthen democratic governance, and enhance peace and security across Africa.”*

The participants of this particular group, aged 22 to 32, received Mandela Washington Fellowship scholarships and spent 5 weeks at the University of Delaware learning about civic engagement and leadership, business and entrepreneurship, and public administration. Each year, YALI brings over 500 young African leaders to participate in trainings at 20 different U.S. universities and colleges.

During the week that focused on entrepreneurship, IAN Delaware chapter members were able to speak with these young leaders about what sophisticated investors are looking for in investment opportunities in frontier markets, and helped them refine their pitches for their for-profit or social venture organizations.

We know our Delaware chapter had a great time participating and sharing their knowledge with the future leaders of Africa!