Empire Magazine Africa is guided by a Board of Directors established to protect the integrity, credibility, and long-term vision of the platform. The Board ensures that every recognition, ranking, and feature reflects measurable impact, ethical leadership, and demonstrable contribution to Africa’s progress and global presence. Its purpose is governance, stewardship, and institutional trust.
Board of Directors
The Role of the Board
Strategic Oversight
The Board provides high-level guidance to Empire Magazine Africa, helping the platform fulfill its pan-African mission while responsibly evolving across sectors, regions, and industries.
Governance and Accountability
The Board safeguards governance standards through clear frameworks for ethics, transparency, and responsible decision-making. This ensures all rankings, features, and awards operate independently and with integrity.
Integrity of Recognition
The Board upholds principles that define who and what is recognized. Honorees are selected based on verifiable leadership, measurable outcomes, and sustained influence, rather than popularity or visibility.
Stewardship of Reputation
The Board protects the reputation of Empire Magazine Africa as a trusted authority in
leadership, wealth, and enterprise recognition. Its oversight signals seriousness and long-term institutional purpose to partners, honorees, and audiences.
The Role of the Board
Board Chair
The Chair leads the Board, coordinates deliberations, and ensures governance responsibilities are executed with clarity and balance.
Board Members
Members bring diverse sector experience and independent judgment. They contribute strategic insight, uphold governance standards, and help shape the platform’s future direction across media, business, and leadership recognition.
Advisory Council
The Advisory Council comprises subject-matter experts who provide specialized guidance across award categories, industry sectors, and thematic rankings. The Advisory Council supports the Board with insight and expertise, while final governance responsibility remains with the Board of Directors.
Principles Guiding Board Appointments
Board appointments reflect standards that align with Empire Magazine Africa’s values:
- Proven leadership and verifiable impact
- Ethical standing and professional integrity
- Cross-sector or regional relevance
- Commitment to Africa’s long-term development, influence, and excellence
Appointments are made with care to ensure balance, independence, and credibility.
Transparency and Independence
Empire Magazine Africa operates independently of political, commercial, or personal influence. The Board is committed to transparent governance practices that protect the credibility of outcomes and reinforce trust in the platform.
Governance Enquiries
For board-related correspondence, governance matters, or institutional partnerships, please contaceditor@empiremagafrica.com
Board Profiles
Rukayat Alabi-Oyelayo (Coach Ruky)
Rukayat Alabi-Oyelayo, popularly known as Coach Ruky, is a Nigerian-British career strategist, business coach, and tech entrepreneur focused on career transformation and digital upskilling. She is the founder and CEO of the RKY Group, an ecosystem of brands dedicated to helping professionals transition into high-growth careers and build sustainable professional pathways.
Through initiatives such as RKY Careers, RKY Digital, and ApplyBuddy, Rukayat has supported thousands of professionals with digital skills training, CV and LinkedIn optimization, and career placement support, particularly for international students and professionals navigating the UK job market. As a career and business coach, she has coached over 5,000 individuals, guiding them into roles across technology and corporate sectors.
Rukayat is also the author of Limitless and Thriving, a book centered on career reinvention and resilience. Her work has earned recognition at platforms such as the Black Tech Achievement Awards, and she has been featured in publications including Forbes, The Guardian, and Business Insider. She is a sought-after speaker at leadership and technology events across the UK and beyond.
With a background in finance and IT consulting, and a Master’s degree with Distinction from the University of Stirling, Rukayat brings a strong blend of technical expertise, strategic insight, and mentorship to her work, continuing to empower individuals and businesses through technology-driven career solutions.
Deborah Nwankwo
Deborah Nwankwo is a global supply chain strategist and risk management professional with expertise spanning infrastructure procurement, enterprise risk analytics, and large-scale operational systems. Her work cuts across U.S. retail networks, public-sector procurement, healthcare supply chains, and compliance-driven environments, where she is known for strengthening resilience, transparency, and performance.
At Amazon, Deborah leads supply chain operations supporting nationwide distribution networks. She oversees procurement for critical materials, applies data-driven forecasting and replenishment strategies, and enhances supplier performance to stabilize inventory across complex demand cycles. Her work contributes to continuity, efficiency, and resilience within one of the world’s largest logistics ecosystems.
Previously, she held senior vendor and consulting roles, where she shaped commercial strategy, negotiated long-term supplier agreements, and introduced analytical tools that improved operational decision-making. Her early career in risk consulting and procurement forensics at KPMG Nigeria built a strong foundation in financial controls, compliance, and enterprise risk management. Deborah also brings experience from technology-enabled healthcare and consumer-focused operations.
Beyond her professional career, she is committed to mentorship and social impact, co-founding the Encouragement of the Girl-Child Initiative and supporting youth development through education and mentorship. Deborah holds a STEM-designated MBA from Washington University in St. Louis and is an active member of professional networks including the Forté Fellowship and the National Black MBA Association.
Habeeb Ilufoye
Habeeb Ilufoye is a global business strategist and sustainability-focused technologist with experience spanning the United States, Africa, and Europe. His work integrates digital transformation, clean energy strategy, and high-growth commercial leadership, positioning him as a forward-thinking leader operating at the intersection of technology, sustainability, and enterprise performance.
He currently serves as a Senior Vendor Manager at Amazon in Seattle, where he manages a large commercial portfolio and delivers measurable operational and financial impact. His leadership has driven consistent growth, improved profitability through data-informed partnerships, and introduced technology-enabled workflows that enhance efficiency and decision-making.
Habeeb’s background includes strategy and transformation roles across fintech, e-commerce, education, and digital services. He has led market expansion initiatives, revenue growth strategies, and large-scale digital transformation projects across multiple geographies. His sustainability research at Georgia Tech contributed to clean energy procurement frameworks supporting institutional decision-makers.
With an academic foundation in engineering and business, Habeeb is also deeply committed to mentorship and talent development. He has supported aspiring professionals through academic mentorship, education initiatives, and thought leadership, while contributing to global conversations on innovation, sustainability, and technology-enabled growth.
Ambassador Dr. Temisan O. Louis
Ambassador Dr. Temisan O. Louis is a serial entrepreneur, Pan-African development advocate, and governance leader with interests spanning technology, social enterprise, leadership development, and community advancement. Widely known as Amb. Mayorkings, he is recognized for building platforms that promote African excellence, innovation, and inclusive growth.
He is the Founder and President of Mayorkings Agency Group, a leading social enterprise brand responsible for convening high-impact continental initiatives such as Africa’s Under 40 CEOs Awards & Summit, African Women Achievers Awards, and Global Good Governance Ambassadors Awards. He also serves as CEO of Queen Delta International Concept, delivering pageantry and empowerment programs focused on women and youth development.
Dr. Temisan is the Founder of Iconic International Holdings, the parent brand behind the globally recognized Iconic Global, Iconic Africa, and the annual Iconic 500 List, with headquarters in Johannesburg and operations across Africa and the diaspora. Through these platforms, he champions recognition, leadership, and global visibility for African changemakers.
His professional journey includes leadership roles across multiple organizations, board appointments, and service in public-sector advisory capacities, including community development. He is also the President of the African Union Youth Council (AUYC), Nigeria Chapter, and has received several local and international recognitions for his contributions to leadership, youth empowerment, and social impact.