Board of Directors
The Board of Directors sets the overall vision for the organization, while the day-to-day operations are performed by the members of the Executive Committee. .
Folake Ayoola, Esq.
Folake Ayoola recently moved from New York City to the United States’ capital, Washington D.C., to serve as an attorney-advisor in the Division of Corporation Finance at the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission. Prior to joining the Commission, Ms Ayoola was an associate in the securities and capital markets group of Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP’s New York office, one of the world’s leading law firms. She started her legal career at the Houston office of Baker Botts LLP. In addition to her corporate practice, she has also worked on numerous pro bono matters. Ms Ayoola is admitted to the New York State Bar and the Texas State Bar. She is also a member of the American Bar Association, the New York State Bar Association, Houston Bar Association, and the Houston Young Lawyers Association. Ms Ayoola is currently a Director and the immediate-past President of the Nigerian Lawyers Association (USA), which provides leadership and advocacy for the legal needs and interests of the Nigerian community in the United States. She attended the Columbia University School of Law where she obtained her Juris Doctorate and Masters of Laws degrees. At the Columbia School of Law, she was, among other distinctions, a Harlan Fiske Stone Scholar and a Parker School Certificate for Achievement in International & Comparative Law award recipient. She holds a Bachelor of Laws degree from the University College London, University of London (UCL), graduating with upper class honors (magna cum laude). At UCL, she was, amongst her numerous accomplishments and involvement, the Vice President of the Law Society, a prestigious law faculty students’ association, and a founding member and tutor for the “Property Law Peer Assisted Learning" (PAL) Program.
When she is not busy practicing law, Ms Ayoola gives back to her community through her involvement with certain nonprofits she founded, including without limitation, AfriPRO Houston, a 501(c)(3) tax exempt nonprofit organization (www.afriprohouston.org). Ms Ayoola is an Associate of the Nigerian Leadership Initiative (NLI), an international non-profit organization and a member of the Aspen Global Leadership Network (http://nli-global.org). She is a former Director of The Endeavor for Hope Foundation, a U.S. based charitable organization (www.efhf.org), and a former mentor for the Dress for Success Woman to Woman Mentoring Program. Ms Ayoola works tirelessly to make a positive impact in her community and, .in 2011, she was named one of the 50 at 50 Nigerian Women in the Diaspora by The New Nigerian Initiative in the Diaspora for her outstanding philanthropic contributions to the Nigerian community in America. In 2010, she was honored with the 2010 Emerging Leader Award by the Egbe Omo Obokum of Ijesaland (New York, New Jersey and Connecticut chapter). In 2008, she was recognized as one of the Top 40 Under 40 Nigerian Female Professionals by NiPRO International, Inc. for her academic prowess, professional excellence, community involvement, and philanthropy. In 2007, Ms Ayoola was awarded one of the Top 10 Individual Fundraisers by the Breast Cancer Network of Strength (formerly known as Y-ME National Breast Cancer Organization, or Y-ME), a Chicago-based national 501(c)(3) nonprofit charitable organization. Ms Ayoola is frequently invited to speak at various events and has been interviewed in connection with her community outreach endeavors (http://cultureshocknigerians.com/shows/episode-22-folake-ayoolas-giving-spirit/). She is an avid reader, enjoys traveling, swimming, and professional networking.
Director
Austin Obi-Okoye
Austin Obi-Okoye hails from Anambra State, Nigeria and is a veteran Solution Sales Executive at Dell. He received a Bachelor of Science degree in Economics from Nnamdi Azikiwe University in Nigeria and an MBA in Information Systems Management from University of Houston. In addition to being a director at AfriMETRO, Mr. Obi-Okoye gives his time to Hopebasket and The Nehemiah Gathering. He extends college scholarships to the top male/female high school students in his home town in Nigeria. Mr. Obi-Okoye enjoys encouraging others, having fun with friends and family. He is a sports enthusiast and enjoys playing soccer and tennis, as well as traveling. His faith in Jesus Christ has defined his life.
Director
Elechi Osueke
Elechi Osueke is an elementary school teacher in New York. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science & Economics and her Master of Arts degree in Education and Special Education. She enjoys classical music & opera, international politics and supports various children’s causes.
Director
Solomon Nnanna
Solomon Nnanna is the Executive Director of Royalty Lifestyle Group (RL), a New York based full service marketing and corporate event planning firm seeking to re-define the marketing and hospitality industry by consistently delivering a high–end, revolutionary lifestyle and entertainment experience. As an Executive Director, Mr. Nnanna oversees the day to day activities of RL as well as providing direction and leadership towards achievement of the group’s philosophy, mission, strategy and objectives. Under his leadership, RL is poised to become the premier firm for everything marketing and event planning related for the ever growing afropolitan population. Mr. Nnanna is also a financial adviser at Baypark Financial, a wealth & risk management firm with primary offices in Short hills, NJ. There he provides knowledgeable advice and representation to his high net worth clients. His focus is in long term investment strategies. Mr. Nnanna is a self – proclaimed sports fanatic. So in his spare time you can either find him watching or participating in any or every type of sport (Soccer and Basketball being his favorite). He also enjoys spending down time kicking back with close friends and family or engaging in mentally stimulating conversation with colleagues and associates.
