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BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Pierre C. Fanga
Chairman of the Board
Pierre Fanga is the Chairman of the Board for the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado. He earned his MS and BS Degrees in Computer Science & Mathematics from the University of Paris VIII where he was involved with the International Student Exchange Program at Denver University. He has since served as a consultant, advisor, lobbyist, contract developer and negotiator throughout his distinguished career.
Pierre has deep experience working as a liaison between the private sector and government entities in Africa, Europe, and North America, leveraging keen understanding of international business culture and government policies to enable foreign investments in oil and gas, mining, and real estate development. He is a proficient interpreter and translator in French and English and also speaks five other languages.
Pierre Fanga is the Chairman of the Board for the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado. He earned his MS and BS Degrees in Computer Science & Mathematics from the University of Paris VIII where he was involved with the International Student Exchange Program at Denver University. He has since served as a consultant, advisor, lobbyist, contract developer and negotiator throughout his distinguished career.
Pierre has deep experience working as a liaison between the private sector and government entities in Africa, Europe, and North America, leveraging keen understanding of international business culture and government policies to enable foreign investments in oil and gas, mining, and real estate development. He is a proficient interpreter and translator in French and English and also speaks five other languages.
Naquetta O. Ricks
President and Co-founder
Naquetta represents district 40 at the Colorado state capitol. She was born in Liberia but grew up in Aurora, Colorado.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.
Upon her election, she became one of the first two Liberian Americans elected to a state legislature in the United States. Naquetta is also a successful small business owner.
Naquetta represents district 40 at the Colorado state capitol. She was born in Liberia but grew up in Aurora, Colorado.
She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Accounting from the Metropolitan State University of Denver and a Master of Business Administration from the University of Colorado, Denver.
Upon her election, she became one of the first two Liberian Americans elected to a state legislature in the United States. Naquetta is also a successful small business owner.
Zamy Silva
Board Member
Zamy is currently a Senior Lead Consultant of Civil Rights Advisory Services and Compliance with WSP USA Inc., a global professional services and consulting firm.
Over the past 16+ years, Silva has helped promote equity, diversity, inclusion, equal access and equal opportunity at a global consulting firm and three government entities: WSP USA Inc., The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD).
Zamy is currently a Senior Lead Consultant of Civil Rights Advisory Services and Compliance with WSP USA Inc., a global professional services and consulting firm.
Over the past 16+ years, Silva has helped promote equity, diversity, inclusion, equal access and equal opportunity at a global consulting firm and three government entities: WSP USA Inc., The Commonwealth of Massachusetts, Massachusetts Bay Transportation Authority (MBTA) and Denver’s Regional Transportation District (RTD).
Eli Asfaw
Board Member
Eli is the National Black McDonald’s Owners Association - West Zone President. Eli often acts as a spokesperson for McDonald’s and franchisees, both locally and nationally. Eli believes in giving back to the communities and cities in which he does business.
His family founded the Asfaw Family Foundation International (AFFI). AFFI organizes and sponsors several events every year including a Senior Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Bicycle Giveaway, and the Aim High Scholarship Program. He also participates as a mentor in the Aurora Public Schools Badging Program where he speaks at schools about achieving business success. The students also shadow him to learn more about owning a business.
Eli is the National Black McDonald’s Owners Association - West Zone President. Eli often acts as a spokesperson for McDonald’s and franchisees, both locally and nationally. Eli believes in giving back to the communities and cities in which he does business.
His family founded the Asfaw Family Foundation International (AFFI). AFFI organizes and sponsors several events every year including a Senior Thanksgiving Dinner, Christmas Bicycle Giveaway, and the Aim High Scholarship Program. He also participates as a mentor in the Aurora Public Schools Badging Program where he speaks at schools about achieving business success. The students also shadow him to learn more about owning a business.
Maya Wheeler
Executive Director
Maya Wheeler is the Executive Director of the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado, USA. She holds an MBA and two master's degrees from Webster University where her studies emphasized Business, Health Administration, and Information Management combined with 22 years of high-level project administration.
Maya was raised in Boulder Colorado and has been a strong community advocate, holding leadership positions on numerous community boards and organizations. She currently serves on the Colorado Enterprise Fund Black Business Advisory Board, Colorado Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Advisory Committee, Colorado Black Leadership Coalition and Zion Senior Center Advisory Board.
Maya Wheeler is the Executive Director of the African Chamber of Commerce Colorado, USA. She holds an MBA and two master's degrees from Webster University where her studies emphasized Business, Health Administration, and Information Management combined with 22 years of high-level project administration.
Maya was raised in Boulder Colorado and has been a strong community advocate, holding leadership positions on numerous community boards and organizations. She currently serves on the Colorado Enterprise Fund Black Business Advisory Board, Colorado Respecting Ethnic and Cultural Heritage (REACH) Advisory Committee, Colorado Black Leadership Coalition and Zion Senior Center Advisory Board.
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