Meet Our Team
ANITA FARSAD, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Anita began her career in education as a primary school and English teacher in Morocco before taking on the role of Resident Director for the National Security Language Initiative for Youth (NSLI-Y). She later transitioned to Training Resources Group, where she worked as an Adult Learning Specialist, designing learning solutions for USAID, the World Bank, and the US Forest Service. In 2020, she joined LEAD, where she now leads the organization’s strategic direction, fundraising, and program management.
DANIELA BOLANOS, MARKETING & COMMS ASSOCIATE
Daniela began her career in education and nonprofit work while an undergraduate at Harvard University, where she developed and implemented summer programming curricula for the Phillips Brooks House Association. She’s also served as the social media manager for several nonprofits and community groups in Cambridge, MA. As Marketing and Communications Associate, she now plays a key role in supporting the organization’s outreach, messaging, and fundraising efforts.
JAMES KIAWOIN, PROGRAM ADVISOR
James is a public policy and social entrepreneurship expert from Liberia. Prior to joining LEAD Edu, James worked at our flagship Hub in Liberia, LEAD MFA, for two years. As our Program Advisor, he conducts on-site Hub quality checks, manages the Hub formation process for new Hubs, and builds partnerships for LEAD graduates' future opportunities from his base in Monrovia, Liberia. James is also the Country Manager, Liberia at Luminos Fund.
Meet the incredible staff at the LEAD Hubs we support: LEAD MFA in Monrovia, Liberia and LEAD Morocco in El Mansouria, Morocco.
Our Board
WILLIAM SMITH, FOUNDER & BOARD CHAIR
Will is a social entrepreneur from the United States who has co-founded three nonprofits and one social enterprise across the U.S., Liberia, and Morocco, including LEAD Edu. He is currently the Founder & CEO of Charter Oak Advisory. Will holds an MSc in African Studies from Oxford, a BA in Government and French from the College of William & Mary (Phi Beta Kappa), and a degree in social entrepreneurship from Santa Clara University. He is a recipient of the Jerry Yeagley Award (2018) and Cordes Fellowship (2018), and serves on UNICEF and FC Barcelona's Working Group on Sport for Development.
NOMNDENI MDAKHI
Nomndeni is a serial entrepreneur from Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. In 2009, she established Fusa Academy, a deejay school for girls aiming to expand female presence in the entertainment industry. In 2011, Nomndeni founded Edits Communications, a Johannesburg-based communications agency that specializes in PR, Experiential Branding, and Talent Marketing. Nomndeni lives in Jo'burg and speaks around the world on female entrepreneurship in Africa.
IMAD IZEMRANE
Imad, born in Rabat, Morocco, and raised in the Netherlands, moved to the U.S. in 2004 after working as a Civil Engineer in The Hague. In 2015, he founded Spring Place, a collaborative workspace and membership club for the contemporary culture business. In 2021, he launched N4XT Experiences, an immersive events company focused on fashion, beauty, health, and gaming. A philanthropist, Imad is passionate about the transformative power of education and sports. He currently resides in Los Angeles.
STEVE MILLER
Steve is a sports marketing and social impact expert based in the United States. After starting his career as a Head Coach of Track & Field and Athletic Director at several US universities, Steve joined Nike in 1991. He rose to become Nike’s Director of Global Sports Marketing, overseeing Nike’s $100 million investment in the 2000 Olympic Games and signing global superstars such as Michael Jordan. In addition to his work at Nike, Steve sits on several boards and is a member of five Halls of Fame. Today, Steve is the CEO of Agassi Graf Holdings.
GRAHAM ALBERT
Graham was a student-athlete at the College of William & Mary in Virginia, USA from 1999-2003. In addition to his background as a footballer, Graham has always been passionate about coaching, development, education, and administration. Graham lives and works in New York City as a financial analyst at MP Securitized Credit Partners, an investment fund specializing in mortgage bonds.