Staff

B. Fatima

Executive Assistant

She/Her, They/Them

Twi, English

Fatima B. Derby is a queer African feminist writer, community organizer, and storyteller passionately living and working towards the liberation of African and Afro-descendant people globally. She joined ISDAO in January 2024 as an Executive Associate. Before joining ISDAO, she managed Communications at MASI Media (Adventures From The Bedrooms of Africa), where she worked on producing written and audiovisual content on sex, sexuality, and pleasure by and for African women and gender-expansive people. 

With a BA degree in English and Psychology from the University of Ghana, Legon, Fatima has over six years of experience in communications, administrative assistance, event planning, project management, and transnational feminist and LGBTQI+ organizing. They have supported Black feminist and LGBTQI+ organizations such as GBV Prevention Network/Raising Voices, African Women’s Development Fund, Silent Majority Ghana, None on Record, and Black Feminist Fund with social media management, event planning, and project management services. Fatima is a member of the advisory board for the Women in Islam journal published by Strategic Initiative for Women in the Horn of Africa (SIHA). They are also a member of Facebook’s Sub-Saharan Africa Women’s Rights Working Group, convened by the Africa Human Rights team in Facebook’s Africa, Middle-East, and Turkey (AMET) Policy division.  

Fatima was a Campaign Fellow at All Out, where they worked on a short film to contribute to existing documentation of queer resistance and activism in Ghana. Their written work documenting feminist and queer organizing in Africa has been published in the Women in Islam Journal by SIHA and in the Feminist Realities Digital Magazine by the Association for Women's Rights in Development (AWID)

Fatima enjoys reading for pleasure, doing karaoke with her loved ones, and experimenting with coffee recipes. Fatima is inspired by Black queer and trans people everywhere who are living their truth with authenticity and pride.

Stéphane

Director of Communications and Knowledge Management

He/Him

Dioula, Mooré, French, English

Stéphane is a feminist from Burkina Faso with a passion for communication, literature and political conversations, as well as innovative social research on gender and the development of the queer movement in Africa.

Joining ISDAO in September 2019 as Director of Communications and Knowledge Management, Stéphane comes with about 10 years of experience in engaging with the West African LGBTQI movement and in Cameroon. He worked at the Queer African Youth Network, the first West African regional network led by queer women for 8 years in various positions including leading several feminist community research and documentation projects and communications. Meanwhile, under other initiatives, Stéphane has been actively involved in-country and regional research and documentation projects on the sexual and reproductive rights of the LGBTQI movement, gender workers and people who use drugs. Prior to becoming Director of Communications and Knowledge Management, Stéphane supported ISDAO's IGB (Interim Governance Body) for 15 months as an Associate Coordination Consultant.

Stéphane holds a Master's degree in Research in Communication for Development from the Université Libre du Burkina (ULB). He has also been a fellow in several international programs on human rights education, gender issues and advocacy focused on human rights mechanisms in Africa.

Stéphane defines himself as a "disruptive feminist" because he asks questions and brings reflections and alternatives on social movements in Africa, decolonization, masculinity and the analysis of power to his work. Above all, he reflects on how best to equip communities to make their voices as audible as possible for themselves.

Outside of work, Stéphane enjoys reading, photography, inter-generational world music and observing the Silence. The writers Mariama Bâ and Fatou Diome are a source of inspiration for Stéphane.

B. Caroline

Executive Director

She/Her

English, French

Caroline is an African queer feminist of Ivorian and African-American descent, with over 17 years of diverse professional experience in philanthropy, human rights activism, social justice and education, including 8 years in feminist and human rights philanthropy at American Jewish World Service and the Global Fund for Women. Prior to joining ISDAO, she was a senior program officer at American Jewish World Service (AJWS), where she managed the sexual health and rights grantmaking portfolio in West and East Africa. While at AJWS, Caroline was involved with ISDAO in its early years, providing technical and strategic support. She aims to strengthen other innovative grantmaking initiatives, as a member of the Advisory Board for the VOICE program and the Advisory Committee for the ACTIF Fund. She holds a B.A. in Economics and Diplomacy & World Affairs from Occidental College (USA), a Master of Public Administration degree and a master’s in international relations from the Maxwell School of Syracuse University (USA).

Caroline identifies as a 'connector' and has been mobilising resources and helping to connect girls, women and LGBTQI people in all their diversity to opportunities and funding since she was an adolescent. She is one of the founding advisors of the Queer African Youth Network (QAYN), and a co-founder of Q-Zine, a pioneering queer African e-zine.

Caroline never tires of thinking and talking about sexuality and feminism, and when she is not working, Caroline enjoys reading, making cocktails, and anything and everything to do with coffee.

Angela

Finance Associate

She/Her

Ga, Twi, English

Angela, a human rights and social justice advocate, joined ISDAO as Finance Associate in October 2023. Previously, Angela held the position of Finance Manager at Drama Queens Ghana, overseeing multi-faceted development programs and contributing to financial analysis. Angela holds a degree in Banking and Finance from the University of Ghana, and has three years' experience in Finance, Accounting and Management.

Beyond her financial expertise, Angela is a spirited LGBTQI and feminist movement artivist. Her roles as Theatre Lead and Let's Talk Consent facilitator at Drama Queens Ghana showcase her commitment to creating safe spaces and facilitating sex education workshops. 

Angela finds solace in podcasts and audiobooks, immersing herself in various art forms. Inspired by Ama Ataa Aidoo's resilience, Angela aims to shape narratives surrounding gender diversity and human rights in West Africa while enjoying the enriching world of storytelling.

Steffie

Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability and Learning Officer (MEAL)

She/Her

French, English, Mina

Steffie is a passionate Franco-Togolese feminist committed to promoting holistic health rights, social equity, and the fight against gender-based violence. She joined ISDAO in January 2024 as a Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning Officer (MEAL).

Her varied career, including strategic positions in Europe and Africa with associations, networks, and women's funds, has been enriched by her expertise in MEAL. Before joining ISDAO, Steffie most recently worked as Program Manager for Capacity Building/Synergies and Monitoring at XOESE, the fund for francophone women 

Beyond her expertise, Steffie embodies a creator of opportunities, always seeking innovation, and a fervent supporter of capacity building for those working at grassroots level. Steffie is a dedicated promoter of Continuing Education and Institutional Sorority. She has successfully led entire programs from grant to capitalization. In an innovative way, Steffie has always placed particular emphasis on accountability, implementing creative and innovative tools. Steffie holds a double master's degree in International Project Management (Université UPEC-PARIS XII) and Public Health (Ecole des Hautes Études en Santé Publique). Steffie fuses academic skills and diverse talents to excel in international and intercultural contexts.

In addition to her professional commitment, Steffie remains a determined activist, investing her energy in associations dedicated to women, LGBTQ people, and migrants. Steffie is a creator of opportunities, always on the lookout for innovation, and a fervent supporter of capacity-building for those working at the grassroots level. She has also carried out action-oriented research by and for several key populations.  

Passionate about ethnology and pre-colonial African studies, Steffie finds her balance in traveling and spending time with her family. Her mother, a model of resilience, resumed her studies at age 40, inspiring Steffie daily and confirming her love for continuing education.

Fleury Igor

Head of Finance and Administration

He/Him or She/Her

French, English

Igor has been involved as an LGBTQI activist since 2005 in Côte d'Ivoire and West Africa with sixteen (16) years of professional experience in finance management, and accounting. Igor joined the ISDAO team in July 2021. Prior to joining ISDAO, he worked at ENDA Santé for the Côte d'Ivoire office, where he was successively Accountant, Grant Manager and Administrative and Financial Officer between January 2019 and May 2021. Previously, Igor worked at Arc En Ciel Plus from 2005 to 2013 as a volunteer, then he held the positions of Treasurer, Accountant and Administrative and Financial Manager respectively. He was also the Administrative Manager of the NGO Secours Social LGBTQI identity organization based in Bouaké in central Côte d'Ivoire between 2016 and 2018, with a brief stint at the NGO Djantan d'Alépé.

Trained in Finance and Accounting, Igor is also a graduate in Audit and Management Control in Banking Insurance.

As an activist, he was active in the first gay male-led organization in Côte d'Ivoire, the NGO Arc En Ciel Plus Côte d'Ivoire, as well as a spokesperson and coordinator of La Coupole Akwaba, a federation of fifteen (15) LGBTQI organizations that advocates for the welfare of LGBTQI people in his country Côte d'Ivoire. He is also involved in supporting the capacity of LGBTQI-led organizations in Côte d'Ivoire and other West African countries.

Igor has a passion for reading of all kinds, music, and nature.

His favourite historical character is Queen Tassi Hangbé of the Danxomè kingdom (Benin).

Phidelia

Communication Officer

She/Her

English

Phidelia is a Nigerian writer and communications strategist with a passion for using storytelling and media to influence behaviors and outcomes, and achieve advocacy goals. She joined ISDAO in May 2021. Prior to joining ISDAO, she worked at The Initiative for Equal Rights (TIERs) in Nigeria for over two years, first as Content and Communications Manager, then as Advocacy Director, creating campaigns and strategic documents aimed at influencing public perceptions, behaviors, policies and laws relating to sexual and gender minorities in Nigeria.

With over 5 years of experience in communications, she has written and edited several resources on sexual and gender diversity and rights; has hosted, produced and written media content including podcasts, documentaries and talk shows, and has run multiple advocacy campaigns. She holds a bachelor’s degree in International Studies and Diplomacy.

Phidelia is a feminist dedicated to raising awareness about sexual and gender diversity. She has facilitated workshops and symposia on this topic for groups and organisations. Her work is driven by the desire to live in a world where everyone lives with equal dignity and enjoys equal rights, access and opportunities, regardless of their status, orientation or identity.

She enjoys travelling and spending time with her chosen family.

Phidelia is inspired by bell hooks' commitment to loving radically.

Raymond

Policy and Advocacy Officer

He/Him

Ewe, French, Fon and English

Raymond is a health and human rights activist of Togolese and Beninese origin. He joins the ISDAO team in May 2021 as Policy and Advocacy Officer. Prior to ISDAO, Raymond was the Executive Director of Cupidon, a network of LGBTQI+ organizations in Togo. In this position, he implemented projects aimed at better inclusion of sexual minorities in SRHR services. Until 2020, he was the key populations' representative on the coordinating body for Global Fund projects in Togo and on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor. Raymond holds a master's degree in management science. He chaired the strategic monitoring committee of the regional coordinating body for Global Fund projects on the Abidjan-Lagos corridor.

Raymond has been an advocate for inclusion, sexual and reproductive health, and the full development and promotion of the basic human rights of sexual and gender minorities for nearly 15 years. A committed feminist, Raymond is also involved with vulnerable and marginalized groups such as rural youth and adolescents, prison populations, sex workers and drug users.

Raymond is passionate about architecture and cooking. He has a particular interest in reflecting on social dynamics. For his bravery, leadership and self-sacrifice for a greater cause, Abla Pokou is one of his most inspiring historical figures.

Femi Olumide

Director of Programmes

He/Him

English, Yoruba, Pidgin

Olumide is a Nigerian Human Rights activist with a specific interest in LGBTIQ rights, conversations, and capacity development for emerging LGBTIQ, Sexual Health and Rights activists and organizations in West Africa. Olumide's work focuses on expanding public knowledge and discourse on LGBTIQ rights and issues through storytelling, public education, legal representation, inclusive policy advocacy, and movement building.

Olumide’s journey in LGBTIQ rights and advocacy started in 2005 as a founding member of The Initiative for Equal Rights—one of the leading LGBTIQ rights organizations in Nigeria with initiatives in Anglophone West Africa. While at TIERs, Olumide created a series of programs including the annual Human Rights, Sexuality and The Law Symposium, web and television series, movies, and documentaries as a way of sharing the lived experiences of LGBTIQ persons, interrogating social and legal discrimination, while expanding public knowledge and discourse. Olumide holds a degree in Business Administration and a postgraduate in Strategic Project Management from Ogun State Institute of Technology and Anglia Ruskin University.

Olumide’s work over the years has provided him with the opportunities to share his knowledge on the impact of laws and policies that are discriminatory towards LGBTIQ persons, their families, and society at large. With years of experience and knowledge in advocacy, fundraising, donor engagement, organization, and project management, Olumide is now journeying at Initiative Sankofa d’Afrique de l’Ouest (ISDAO) as the director of programs, leveraging his experience and contextualized knowledge to strengthen the financial and technical resources of LGBTIQ-led groups and organizations in West Africa.

Olumide enjoys cooking, hosting, and travelling with friends and now enjoying being a daddy. Olumide’s favourite historical figure is Funmilayo Ransome Kuti, her activism and public advocacy resonate deeply with him.

Sonia

Program Associate

She/Her

Dioula, French

Sonia is a writer and director from Burkina Faso. She joined ISDAO in May 2024. Before joining the staff of ISDAO, she was a member of the Local Activist Grant Making Panel (LAGMP) in Burkina Faso.

With over three years' experience in the film industry, she has held a variety of roles ranging from writing to directing and from producing to post-production on international award-winning projects. Sonia has three short films to her credit. She holds a degree in film and audiovisual studies.

Sonia is a feminist activist and human rights defender, committed to gender equality in all aspects of society. She has participated in awareness-raising campaigns and advocacy initiatives. Young in the Social Justice movement, Sonia dreams of a world where everyone is respected and valued for who they are, with no discrimination.

She is passionate about writing, dancing, and discovering new places.

Sonia draws inspiration from Stéphane SIMPORE's commitment to honesty and fairness, for our movement’s good.

Daniel Adams

Programme Officer - Nigeria

He/Him

English

Daniel is a young, queer Nigerian, a passionate Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) advocate, and a Gender-Based Violence (GBV) activist. He comes with over 6 years of professional experience in the social development sector. He joined the ISDAO team in December 2021. Prior to joining ISDAO, Daniel has worked with organizations in Nigeria including International Center for Advocacy on Right to Health (ICARH) and, most recently, Youth Network for Community and Sustainable Development (YNCSD). He has supported the design and implementation of several projects that cater to the social and health needs of key populations across Nigeria including projects on social protection, improved access to SRHR services, and human rights activism, and he has also supported grantmaking processes for both local and international development funders in Nigeria. Daniel holds a B.Sc. in Environmental Science and Resource Management from the National Open University of Nigeria.

Daniel engages with indigenous LGBTQI and feminist groups in Nigeria to advance social justice and social protection for sexual and gender minorities. He enjoys organizing/engaging with social activities that promote human rights and feminist principles, especially for key populations in Nigeria.

Daniel is passionate about knowledge gathering and sharing especially in the area of social development and social change. He aims to create an open society where everyone, irrespective of sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, and/or sexual characteristics, can have unrestricted access to sexual and reproductive healthcare and other social amenities with no benefits withheld. He enjoys movies and television shows, especially by Ryan Murphy.

Alassane

Program Manager - Burkina Faso

Alassane

French, Bambara

Alassane is a Malian queer human rights advocate with over 10 years of professional experience in human rights, personal development, feminism, gender and sexual diversity, equity and inclusion, sexual and reproductive health, holistic safety, wellness and movement building strategies.

Prior to joining ISDAO, Alassane was Executive Director of the Anti-AIDS Coalition for 6 years, during which time the association reached national, regional and international levels. During his career, Alassane has been a Technical Consultant in Gender and Sex Diversity for HP Plus and VOICE GLOBAL - NETHERLANDS, a member of COC's International Advisory Committee, and has piloted several mapping and Bio-Behavioral studies among key populations.

Alassane has a strong commitment to Theory of Change strategies, social change and social justice with a 3rd AWARD! VOICE - NETHERLANDS AWARD. Alassane holds a Master's degree in Financial Management from the University of Economics and Management of Bamako.

Alassane identifies himself as a Visionary and promoter of good energy and positivity. Alassane is passionate about music, video games, reading, dancing, discovery, culture, well-being and travel.

Alassane never tires of reflecting, reading feminist quotes and is very inspired by his mother's journey and the Dogon culture in Mali.

Alexander

Director of Finance and Administration

He/Him

English

Alex is an expert in finance, risk management, operations, project management and organization development, with over 20 years' experience in various international non-profit and non-governmental organizations. He joined ISDAO in December 2022.

Prior to joining ISDAO, he worked at Development Alternatives Inc. as Director of Finance and Administration. He has significant NGO management experience, working directly with the United States Agency for International Development (USAID/Nigeria), the United States Department of State (USDOS), and well-known international non-profit organizations, including DevTech Systems Inc, Abt Associates Inc, FHI360 and Society for Family Health.

As Director of Finance and Administration, he was responsible for overseeing all aspects of financial and operations management, including implementation of financial systems, budgeting, expenditure tracking, financial reporting and accounting, grants and contracts management, procurement, logistics, human resources management, and counterpart capacity building.

He has been involved in the establishment and structuring of various NGOs in Nigeria, developed and implemented process improvement plans, financial procedures manuals, accounting software, charts of accounts, transaction recording methodologies, voucher systems, templates, and documentation, which have contributed to the organizations' growth strategy.

He has a degree in Accounting and Finance and holds a Master of Business Administration and a Post Graduate Diploma in Business Management. He is also a Chartered Accountant and a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN) and an Associate of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN).

When not working, Alex enjoys traveling, researching and spending time with his family.