Leadership

Board of Directors

Francis is a CFA charter holder, and a CPA, with more than 15-year experience in the field of accounting and financial investment with specialization in Private Equity.

He started off his financial career with Deloitte in the audit department where he left as an audit senior. He has experience managing transactions in various Private Equity houses including TBL Mirror Fund, Centum Investments, and Agrivie encompassing various sectors ranging from Food and Agribusiness, Financial Services, Healthcare, Education, Real Estate, Technology, and FMCG. He has been involved in differently sized transactions as an investor and advisor and also managed portfolios at various stages of growth.

He is a Principal at Raisin Capital and Investments and is in charge of Special Opportunities Investments in addition to overseeing advisory engagements across the business. He is responsible for the setup, product development and go to market of Raisin; he imparts his skills and knowledge in advisory and passion for distressed assets, bringing with him his vast experience in transactional structuring, risk analysis, portfolio management, and business funding among others. Francis is engaged with the CFA society and supports in various initiatives including participating in the CFA challenge mentoring CFA surgeries, and conferences participation among others.

Gilbert Twinamasiko, FCCA, joined CFA Society East Africa This year (2021). He has supported the society’s activities in Rwanda and has volunteered in various areas including the CFA Institute Research University Research Challenge. Gilbert is currently Chief Financial Officer at HQ Power Rwanda and Board Chairman Mvend Limited

George Jato Otim, CFA is a corporate finance professional with 10 years of experience, having executed business strategic financial reviews and valuations, mergers and acquisitions, and privateequity and debt transactions in microfinance, telecommunication, construction, healthcare, manufacturing, and agribusiness and consumer retail sectors.

He heads the corporate finance function at BDO East Africa and is a Management Accounting
Lecturer at MAT Abacus under the ACCA curriculum.

Upendo Mick Kadikos, CFA is an Academician at Ardhi University with over five years of working experience. Upendo is currently a consultant on Equity Research with TSL where she has been involved in a number of Equity research assignments for both public and private companies.

She possesses a bachelor’s degree in Commerce (Accounting) from UDSM and a BBA in International  Business and Management Studies from Hogeschool Utrecht (Netherlands). She has also obtained a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Dalian Maritime University (China) and is a certified trainer in Mortgage Lending by the Bank of Tanzania.

Ms. Kadikos is passionate about Financial Markets, Financial Modelling, and Valuation, as well as the bond market. She loves traveling, adventures, book reading, and meeting new people.

Charles Maina, CFA is the CEO and Founder of Invest Bantu, Inc, a New York-based investment management platform that provides access to globally diversified investment portfolios. He is also the Managing Director of Infinit Capital, an investment advisory firm providing services to high-net-worth individuals, businesses, and family offices.

Previously, he was the Director of Business Development for AXYS, a Mauritius-based financial services company, as well as the Head of Investment Advisory, East Africa, for Standard Chartered Bank. His experience of 20+ years in the investment services space spans various roles in financial planning and advisory, relationship management, business development, wealth planning, and portfolio management.

John, a seasoned Transaction Advisor, currently a Director at Ernst & Young with over 10 years of professional experience, excels across diverse industries. As a CFA Charterholder and Chartered Accountant (SAICA), he is a critical thinker passionate about problem-solving and mentorship. In his spare time, John is an avid runner, reader, and enjoys captivating movies, competitive sports, and good company with a nicely aged whiskey.

Escar, currently serving as an Investment Manager at GenAfrica Asset Managers Uganda Limited, is a seasoned professional in the banking and asset management industry in Uganda. Her expertise spans macro-economic analysis, equity and fixed income research, portfolio management, and client relationship management. Over her career, Escar has undertaken various roles contributing to her comprehensive understanding of the financial landscape. In her current role, she executes investment strategies for GenAfrica Asset Managers Uganda Limited's clientele. As a dedicated member of the CFA Society of East Africa, she has volunteered in the Research Challenge as a grader and remains committed to contributing in various capacities as the society pursues its mandate.

David is an experienced strategy and finance professional with 11 years industry experience leading and working with strategy and finance teams. He has proven experience in fundraising, financial modelling, structuring, carbon markets, development
of processes and policies, and financial planning and analysis. He has worked in the audit, corporate finance, technology, and real estate industries. David has also been a CFA lecturer at Strathmore University. 

Juliet, a CFA Society East Africa member since August 2020, boasts over 9 years of professional experience as an Economist in the financial sector. Currently a global markets Investment Analyst at the Bank of Uganda, she designs investment strategies ensuring growth while meeting capital preservation and liquidity objectives. Previously a banking sector regulator, Juliet conducted full-scope examinations of commercial banks, focusing on corporate governance and risk management frameworks. Holding an MA in Policy Economics from Williams College, USA, and a CFA qualification, she has also served in financial advisory roles with the Uganda Revenue Authority. Beyond finance, Juliet is passionate about financial literature, hiking, and traveling.