Board & Team
OUR LEADERSHIP
Meet the dedicated professionals who guide the I AM HERe Scholarship, bringing decades of experience, passion, and purpose to every decision.
Claudia C. Pinder
Founder, Patron & IAH Scholarship Selection Chair
"Every brilliant girl deserves a stage to shine."
Claudia C. Pinder is a professional forensic accountant and global finance executive whose extensive career has been shaped by decades of experience, excellence, integrity, and a profound commitment to enriching the lives of others. Her employment within the Accounting and Finance industries has opened access within the Bahamas, the Cayman Islands, Bermuda, the Netherlands, United Kingdom, and the United States where she has worked with internationally recognized chartered accounting firms PricewaterhouseCoopers and Ernst & Young, as well as, held senior executive roles within the private wealth and asset management, private investment banking, trust services, and tourism sectors.
Her career continues to flourish as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, where she provides strategic financial leadership that supports sustainable growth and international development. Claudia is professionally credentialed as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), designations that reflect her commitment to ethical stewardship and professional excellence.
Academically, she holds dual bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Business & Professional Management from Nova Southeastern University, and a Master of Science degree in Forensic Accounting from Liberty University. She is also advancing her education as a Ph.D. candidate in Business Administration, deepening her expertise in leadership, controls infrastructure and systems, and organizational impact.
Yet beyond her corporate accomplishments, Claudia’s greatest persuasion is rooted in service and empowering others.
She is the Founder and Executive Director of the I AM HERe Foundation & Scholarship, a purpose‑driven nonprofit organization dedicated to expanding access to education, life-essential skills and resources, nurturing leadership, and empowering women and adolescent girls from underserved communities. Her leadership is grounded in compassion, authenticity, and a belief that every girl deserves the opportunity to rise, be supported, and discover her own brilliance. She is known as a standard setter and owns her tagline: Bring Your Brillance.
Claudia has long championed the growth and advancement of women, serving in various nonprofit organizations that share her conviction that empowered women strengthen families, communities, and nations. Her philanthropic work reflects a heart for justice, equity, and generational uplift, ensuring that her impact extends far beyond boardrooms and financial statements.
As a philanthropist, scholar, and visionary leader, Claudia brings together academic rigor, global experience, and a deep sense of purpose. Her work is guided by a simple but powerful belief: when we invest in women and girls, we invest in a future filled with endless possibility, secured dignity, and unwavering hope.
Board of Directors
THE BOARD
Dr. Ishmael Kwawununu
State Chairman of IAH Scholorship Committee & Alumni, Keta Technical School
Dr. Ishmael Kwawununu is a global security and emergency management executive, scholar, and philanthropic leader dedicated to advancing education, gender equity, and community resilience. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Public Safety within the State University of New York system and brings over a decade of experience in crisis leadership, public safety governance, and institutional risk management.
As Chairman of the Board, Dr. Kwawununu provides strategic oversight and values-driven leadership in support of the organization’s mission to expand opportunity and uplift vulnerable populations. He is a strong advocate for girls’ education and proudly champions the I AM HERe Scholarship, an initiative that supports young women from underserved communities through access to education, mentorship, and leadership development.
Dr. Kwawununu’s philanthropic work aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). His approach emphasizes long-term impact—investing not only in academic success, but in confidence, resilience, and the capacity of young women to become future leaders and change-makers within their communities.
In addition to his board leadership, Dr. Kwawununu is the Founder and President of Global Bridge Holdings (Ghana/Bahamas), a development-focused enterprise advancing cross-border trade, agribusiness, and community-based economic empowerment across Africa and the Caribbean. His work reflects a deep commitment to building sustainable bridges between local communities and global opportunity.
Dr. Kwawununu believes that educating and empowering young women is one of the most powerful investments a society can make—an investment that yields safer communities, stronger economies, and a more equitable future for generations to come.
Rev. Marlene C. Minus
Board Member
Rev. Marlene C. Minus is a distinguished religious leader, scholar, author, and political strategist whose influence spans The Bahamas, the wider Caribbean, and the United States. With more than three decades of ministry and public service, she is widely respected for her steadfast commitment to faith-centered leadership, social advocacy, and national development.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Theological Studies from Gilead International College, where she also served with distinction as a Faculty Member and Adjunct Professor, mentoring and shaping future leaders in ministry and theology. In addition, she served as Executive Administrator to the Office of the President, providing senior-level administrative leadership and institutional oversight.
An ordained and licensed Overseer and Pastor, Rev. Minus is also a renowned author, poet, and playwright, whose literary works explore themes of faith, justice, identity, and empowerment. She is a highly sought-after conference host and international speaker, recognized for her compelling voice at the intersection of spirituality, leadership, and civic responsibility.
Her political career in The Bahamas dates back to the early 1980s, where she emerged as a strong advocate for national policy reform, advancing the rights and well-being of women and children. She continues to champion inclusive leadership and the advancement of women’s participation in public life.
Through her lifelong service across ministry, education, literature, and politics, Rev. Marlene C. Minus exemplifies principled leadership, moral clarity, and an enduring dedication to uplifting communities and fostering just, faith-driven societies.
SIKA GUNU
Board Member
With over 19 years in the banking industry, my journey has been shaped by growth, learning, and a deep commitment to excellence. I have built my career in International Trade Finance and Credit Risk Management, where I’ve had the opportunity to support businesses, manage risk thoughtfully, and contribute to meaningful financial solutions.
My experience over the years have not only strengthened my technical expertise but also shaped my perspective on leadership and continuous development.
I value meaningful connections, shared growth, and opportunities to make a positive impact—both within the workplace and beyond.
I hold a BSc in Accounting from the University of Cape Coast and an Executive Master’s in Finance from the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS).
Beyond my professional life, I am deeply passionate about coaching and mentoring young women in the corporate space. I believe in the power of guidance, encouragement, and shared experiences. Supporting young professionals and female students as they discover their strengths and pursue their goals is something I find truly fulfilling.
My aim is simple: to help others believe in their potential and achieve anything they set their minds to.
Charlene Gibson
Board Member
Born and raised in Nassau, Commonwealth of The Bahamas, Charlene Gibson is the eldest of four children — a distinction that shaped her instinct for leadership and her deep sense of responsibility toward those she serves. A proud graduate of R. M. Bailey Senior High School (Class of 1988), she pursued studies in Primary and Elementary Education at The College of The Bahamas and launched her professional life where her heart led her first: in the classroom. Charlene began her teaching career at Carlton E. Francis Primary School before transitioning into the private education sector. Driven by a conviction that meaningful learning begins at the very earliest stage of life, she went on to establish a preschool in the very community where she grew up — a deeply personal act of investment in the next generation, and the seed of an educational legacy she continues to cultivate today.
As her career matured, so did her creative vision. Charlene discovered a natural affinity for interior design and décor — an extension of the same eye for detail, intention, and beauty that had defined her work as an educator. She channelled this passion into her own interior design and consultancy practice, offering clients functional, elegant spatial solutions with a distinctly refined aesthetic. Her technical depth expanded further as she gained proficiency in AutoCAD, enabling her to move fluidly between the conceptual and the architectural — between vision and blueprint. This rare combination of design sensibility, spatial literacy, and creative instinct laid the groundwork for the multi-dimensional real estate career that followed, and continues to distinguish her approach in every market she enters.
Terry Kwame Azaglo
Board Member
A scientist with a BSc in Physics and an MPhil in Climate Change, Terry is a testament to the power of mentorship. He attributes his success to the guidance of transformative leaders who saw his potential when he fell short.
Terry joined the board at the invitation of Dr. Kwawununu, bringing essential counsel to the foundation. His commitment to the "I AM HERe" mission is deeply personal: his biggest doors were opened by women who took a chance on him, and he is dedicated to paying that opportunity forward to the next generation of female scholars.
Miss Lavison Jayne Fafa Shirley
School’s Liaison
Miss Lavison Jayne Fafa Shirley is the Assistant Headmistress (Administration) of Keta Senior High Technical School (KETASCO). She is a dedicated educationist, accomplished administrator, and lifelong learner whose career has been marked by professionalism, commitment, and exemplary service to education in Ghana.
She commenced her professional career as a Librarian with the Ghana Library Board. In 2006, she undertook her national service at Sokode Etoe M.A. Junior Secondary School, where she served as a teacher. The following year, she joined Awudome Senior High School as an English Language teacher. During her tenure at the school, she served as a Class Advisor for three years before being appointed Housemistress, a position she held with distinction for ten (10) years. Her exemplary leadership, dedication to student welfare, and commitment to academic excellence earned her recognition as an effective school administrator.
In October 2020, Miss Lavison was appointed Assistant Headmistress (Welfare) and reposted to Keta Senior High Technical School. In November 2024, she was appointed Assistant Headmistress (Administration), a position in which she provides strategic administrative leadership, supports the implementation of school policies, and contributes significantly to the advancement of the school's vision and mission.
Miss Lavison holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English. She has further enhanced her professional expertise through Executive Diplomas in Education; Disaster Management, Environment, Health and Safety; and Educational Management and Administration. In addition, she holds Postgraduate Certificates in Communication and in Peace and Development Studies. Her pursuit of continuous professional development reflects her unwavering commitment to educational excellence, effective leadership, and lifelong learning.
Beyond her official responsibilities, Miss Lavison has many interests and passions that demonstrate her creativity, attention to detail, and appreciation for innovative learning beyond the classroom.
Operational Team
Key Roles
Behind every scholar’s success is a dedicated operational team working to ensure fairness, support, and excellence at every stage of the programme.
"Our governance is built on independence, transparency, and a singular focus on the students we serve."
— I AM HERe Foundation, Governing Principles