Gideon is an American of Ghanaian descent with over two decades of impactful experience in Management Consulting, Finance, and Technology across continents.
He is the Founder and former Chairman of Gideon Goldmann, LLC, a Wall Street advisory and emerging market/Sub-Saharan Africa-focused investment bank, through which he successfully led the financing of projects and trade-finance deals across Sub-Saharan Africa. He also served as a consultant on various power projects.
Gideon plays key roles in the tech space. He was CTO (Chief Technology Officer) at Simply Pay (a FinTech firm), an ITGC SOX Manager at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Chicago, Illinois), an IA Cyber Consultant at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (Orlando, Florida), and a Risk Acceptance Controls Analyst at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (New York, NY), all under the MBO Partners contract. He also served as an IA Cyber Risk Senior Associate III at Grant Thornton LLP (New York City, NY), an IA & IT Auditor at Deloitte LLP via Artech LLC, and a Technology Risk Auditor at EY (Ernst & Young LLP), New York, NY under the Software Specialists (SSi) contract. Additionally, he was a ClearPath contractor and Lead Financial Technology Risk Auditor at EY (New York, NY).
Gideon also worked as a Senior Internal Auditor at NYRA (New York Racing Association), a Senior Cybersecurity Consultant at Stealth ISS Group for Atos SE (Europe), an IT Internal Auditor at Munich Reinsurance Americas via Robert Half, and a Cybersecurity Consultant at Prudential Financial through Infinetix.
Gideon holds a Bachelor of Science with Honors in Business and Management from the University of Derby (UK), an MBA from Cornell University’s SC Johnson Graduate School of Management, and a Master of Professional Studies from Cornell University’s ILR School. He also earned a Master of Science in Technology Leadership from Brown University, jointly offered by the Brown University School of Professional Studies and the Brown University School of Engineering.
He is happily married and the proud father of five sons.
David Ramirez is an accomplished operational manager, mechanical engineer, talented athlete, and successful entrepreneur. With over 14 years of diverse industry experience, David has consistently demonstrated his ability to add value to any business across multiple sectors.
David launched his career as a STEM educator, teaching robotics and engineering through Arizona’s Upward Bound program in underserved school districts. He also traveled to Thailand, where he taught science to elementary school children in both English and Thai. These experiences sparked his passion for understanding global cultures and ignited his lifelong commitment to creating a positive impact.
After earning a Bachelor of Science in Mechanical Engineering from the University or Arizona, David worked as a software consultant, implementing medical software in hospitals and guiding several institutions to the successful deployment of life-saving systems. He later joined Raytheon Technologies as a mechanical engineer and manufacturing lead, serving as the primary engineer across multiple manufacturing plants. In this role, he ensured successful product production and timely delivery to customers. While at Raytheon, David ventured into entrepreneurship, launching several e-commerce businesses in the pet products, clothing, and specialty yoga markets. In 2019, he founded his first LLC, Tada Rugs, a company offering double-wide, extra-long yoga mats that doubled as functional, athletic area rugs for yogis and other fitness enthusiasts. David personally designed the product—both its materials and artwork—established a supply chain from China to the U.S., built his own website, and executed successful marketing campaigns, all through self-taught skills. He sold the company to an investor in 2022.
Since then, David has excelled in operational management within the renewable energy, IT, and cybersecurity sectors, working with Green IT and Radian Generation. He spearheaded technological integrations during multiple acquisitions, helping his company grow from 30 employees to over 200 in just three years. To further refine his expertise, David earned his Project Management Professional (PMP) certification, leveraging his knowledge to optimize company processes and procedures.
Most recently, David and his father have been working toward a shared lifelong dream—building out a sprinter van into an RV and traveling the country. He roams the country’s lively urban centers and stunning natural landscapes, harnessing modern technology to stay tuned in and continue his pursuit of improving the world for future generations.
Andy Sevordzi is a Board Member and Chemical Engineer with over 15 years of experience working with Fortune 500 companies such as ExxonMobil, Shell, and Enbridge Energy. Specializing in crude oil refining, natural gas processing, transportation, and petrochemicals, Andy has designed, constructed, managed, and operated numerous facilities worldwide. Currently, as an Engineering Specialist at Enbridge’s Joint Ventures division, Andy plays a key role in strategic acquisitions and partnerships involving assets and facilities, as well as optimizing offshore processing operations.
As a consultant, Andy has been instrumental in drafting energy, safety, and environmental policies and frameworks for the energy sector, including contributions to Ghana’s national energy transition framework—aimed at shaping the future of sustainable energy in the country.
Andy holds a BSc in Chemical Engineering from KNUST, an MSc in Natural Gas Engineering from Texas A&M University, and is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, as well as an honors master’s in Chemical Engineering at Stanford University. He is also licensed by the U.S. SEC as an Investment Adviser, offering professional financial services to U.S. clients.
Nana is a Board Member and a seasoned operations, sales, and marketing professional with over 15 years of experience in North America. He oversees the management of project off-takers and sales through mortgage channels. With extensive expertise in designing customer engagement programs, he leverages advanced digital marketing technologies, including SEO and SEM, to drive results. His innovative contributions have significantly enhanced our marketing, sales, and customer engagement processes, while his leadership has transformed our Customer Relationship Management (CRM) systems. Nana holds a Bachelor’s degree from the University of Ghana, Legon, and a Master of Public Administration from Columbia University, complemented by more than 15 years of experience in marketing and sales operations.
Captain Schoofs is a Board Member, the visionary, and the driving force behind World Aviator Group Inc. and its subsidiaries. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in Aviation Management from Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia, USA, and studied Industrial Psychology at the University of Tampa in Tampa, Florida. Captain Schoofs has been a pilot since he was 19 years old, earning his first pilot license in 1975. Shortly thereafter, he became a commercial pilot and began instructing other pilots.
In 1988, Captain Schoofs joined United Airlines as a co-pilot, officially beginning his career as an airline pilot. He grew up in the airline industry—his father was a senior captain at Delta Airlines, beginning his career in 1942 and retiring in 1975. Aviation was in his blood. Later in his career, Captain Schoofs also became a pilot for Delta Airlines and eventually attained the position of Pilot Training Captain.
As an accomplished pilot with over 14,000 flight hours, Captain Schoofs has served in a variety of leadership and technical roles, including Chief Executive Officer, Executive Vice President of Operations, Director of Operations, Chief Pilot, Instructor, Check Airman, and FAA Designated Examiner. His extensive experience has given him a unique and comprehensive understanding of airline operations.
In 1988, Captain Schoofs founded a small pilot training business at a general aviation airport in Georgia. From the beginning, he felt a calling to mentor and prepare the future airline pilots of the world. In 2012, he founded World Aviator Group Inc., an organization dedicated to advancing the aviation industry in all its forms—from certifying new airlines to training pilots and aviation professionals.
Captain Schoofs is also the founder of Angel Flight Africa, a nonprofit initiative that provides non-emergency transportation for people in need across Africa, free of charge. The organization partners with NGOs and mission groups to deliver aid to those who need it most.
In addition to the proposed airline, World Aviator Group and WAG Africa plan to establish a top-tier aviation university, a heavy maintenance facility, and a cargo center. This transformative project aims to employ thousands of Ghanaians and train the next generation of aviation professionals.
Mohammed Sherif is a Board Member and was recently appointed by the President of Liberia as the CEO of the Liberia Electricity Commission. He is an economist who previously served as the first Director General of TRANSCO CLSG. Before assuming this role in September 2014, he served as Chief Economist at the Ministry of Finance from 2012 to June 2014 and as Senior Economist from 2008 to 2012.
Mr. Sherif is a proven leader with extensive experience in strategic development. He contributed significantly to several key national documents, including the Poverty Reduction Strategy Paper (2008–2011), the Agenda for Transformation (2012–2017), and the Liberia Public Finance Law of 2009. He played a technical lead role in the development of five Budget Framework Papers that shaped Liberia’s medium-term budgets from fiscal year 2010/2011 through 2014/2015, the Medium-Term Debt Management Strategy of 2013, and the Risk Analysis Strategy for budget execution in 2013/2014. From 2008 to 2014, he also served as the energy sector focal person at the Ministry of Finance.
Mr. Sherif is well known for coordinating the reporting requirements for the International Monetary Fund (IMF) Poverty Reduction and Growth Facility/Extended Credit Facility Program in Liberia, which contributed to the country's HIPC completion in 2010. He also successfully coordinated the negotiation of a new IMF ECF program for 2013–2015.
He was involved in preparing various country assistance strategies from 2009 to 2013 with multilateral institutions such as the World Bank and the African Development Bank (AfDB), and participated directly in negotiating numerous credit agreements for Liberia, including International Development Association (IDA) credits.
Mr. Sherif holds a B.Sc. in Statistics from Usmanu Danfodiyo University in Nigeria and a Master of Arts in Economic Policy and Management from the United Nations Institute for Economic Development and Planning in Dakar, Senegal. He has received professional training from institutions including Duke University, Harvard School of Professional Education, the IMF Institute, and the World Bank Institute in Washington, DC. He also taught Business Statistics for four years and Public Finance for one year in the University of Liberia’s graduate program in Public Financial Management.
Stephen Abormegah is a Board Member and a dynamic, accomplished entrepreneur with over fifteen years of experience in project management, business development, and strategic marketing. He holds a Master’s in Enterprise Risk Management from Columbia University in New York, NY, where he honed his expertise in identifying and mitigating corporate risks.
Professionally, Stephen has worked as an SAP FICO consultant at Fortune 500 companies, including Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) and Amazon in the United States. In these roles, he demonstrated exceptional skills in financial systems integration, international trade, and business optimization—driving growth and efficiency.
Stephen also holds a Master of Business Administration from the University of Ghana, where he served as a representative in the marketing department. As a certified strategist and marketing expert, he has received several accolades, including the Ambassador of Peace award and the title of Best Young Male Entrepreneur by the West Africa Regional Magazine.
Stephen integrates his data science expertise to inform strategic decisions, enhance business intelligence, and capitalize on growth opportunities. With a proven track record of delivering innovative solutions and driving profitability, he remains a formidable leader and strategic thinker in the business world.
