Chief Executive Officer

Born and raised in Romulus, Michigan, a small suburb of Detroit / USA; Mr. Ward graduated from Michigan State University with a Bachelor of Science and Mechanical Engineering degree and later attended Xavier University to attain a Master of Business Administration.

After a stellar career with Procter & Gamble where Ward advanced from entry level to VP & General Manager, Ward joined PepsiCo Inc. in 1988 as Vice President of operations for Pepsi-Cola East. Later, as head of Frito-Lay’s Western and Central Divisions, he raised the company’s market share in those regions to over 50%. Sales from Ward’s central division accounted for more than $1.3 billion, and he was named BLACK ENTERPRISE Corporate Executive of the Year in 1995.

Ward served as CEO of Maytag Corp. from August 1999 to November 2000. In 1999 Ward received the distinction of BrandWeek’s “Marketer of the Year” and his life and professional story were featured as the cover story in Business Week Magazine.

Ward is a visionary and avid fitness buff, having led his college basketball team as Captain, was a member of President George W. Bush’s President’s Council / Physical Fitness, and later led the U.S. Olympic Committee during the 2002 winter Olympic games; netting more than $876 million from sponsors, selling approximately 1.53 million tickets, and producing 34 medals for the United States-the most ever at an Olympic Winter Games ~

Chief Financial Officer

Martin is a leader in Louisiana. A long-time member of the banking community, Martin served in every position from teller to President. As Regions Bank President of Central Louisiana, he was responsible for not only the consumer and commercial divisions of the bank, but he was also the market leader for Regions Mortgage, Regions Insurance, and Morgan Keegan Investment Banking, a subsidiary of Regions Bank.

Banking Specialist/Regions Bank

Martin was with Regions Bank for approximately 5 years. Prior to Regions, he was a Senior Vice President with Capital One Bank, which acquired Hibernia Bank in 2005. Mr. Johnson was with Hibernia/Capital One for 20 years. Since 2012, he has been involved in international trade and finance in China and Tanzania. In addition, Martin has done mission work in Haiti with the National Baptist Convention of America. He has a graduate of the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Business Program. Martin received his Bachelor of Science Degree in Accounting from The Southern University and Agricultural & Mechanical College. He also completed additional graduate courses at Louisiana State University.

COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT
Martin has served as Chairman of the Greater Alexandria Economic Development Authority, the England Authority dba Alexandria International Airport, the Central Louisiana Community Foundation, the Central Louisiana Business League, and the Central Louisiana Chamber of Commerce.

Chief Administrative Officer

Karen has 25 years of experience with public, private and non-profit organizations which has developed leadership ability in strategic planning, project-program design and implementation, consulting for business development and growth of cohesive teams built on mutual dependence, respect and continued personal and professional growth.
Beginning with the public school system in Mid-Michigan, she was successful in job training for graduating high-school students and moved into grants and special projects. She’s worked in the private sector as personnel officer, then followed her passion for doing good in non-profit development and later administrative director for over 20 years. Secured better than $6M in grants and developed preliminary annual budgets. Facilitated grant compliance and accountability. Developed, planned and managed international public programs. Provided resources to prepare the CEO for all forward looking activities.

Lent sound and efficient reporting to Board of Directors and officers, upholding the interests of the company, while coordinating and executing initiatives verbally or in writing that helped the company grow, and assisted the CEO in efficient leadership through clear standards and encouragement of team members and volunteers.

A strong believer in the power of Doing Good, Karen has aligned herself and her energies to projects and people who share a passion for creating equity for individuals and the communities in which they exist~

General Counsel

Accomplished professional with expertise in providing General Counsel, Consulting, Business Development and Construction Services to state and parish governments, municipal corporations as well as small- medium- large sized businesses. Possesses strong litigation, administrative and organizational abilities.

Proven strengths in taking difficult legal situations and finding well-reasoned, constructive solutions. Talented at concluding matters with consistent attention to detail and creativity in problem solving.

Works well independently or as part of a team in litigating, negotiating, drafting, and crafting workable solutions.

Strong work ethic, superior interpersonal skills, and adept at establishing meaningful relationships.

Licensed general contractor responsible for construction project management and business development.

Successfully completed and currently manage a mixed-financed senior housing complex.

Applied for and received $2M of funding for the creation of a business incubator.

While serving as secretary-treasurer of the district, began planning the mixed-use redevelopment of the property fronting the Red River in downtown Alexandria.

Worked property and casualty insurance, medical malpractice, and environmental defense matters.

Licensed in the State of Louisiana

Group President Ward Holdings Africa

Godfrey is an involved and committed businessman with a strong public/private background in Tanzania’s public and private political communities.

Beginning as a consultant for Ward Holdings Intl, Godfrey proved his business skill, acumen, and knowledge of Tanzania and Africa’s political climate. He was quickly promoted to President of Ward Holdings Tanzania. Continuing to prove himself an invaluable business resource as well, he was promoted to his current position as President, Ward Holdings Africa.

Godfrey served as the immediate former CEO of the Tanzania Private Sector Foundation (TPSF) where he led that organization for 10 years. TPSF is the umbrella body for the private sector in Tanzania, where he led foreign business investment.

As CEO, he participated in meetings organized by Regional private sector bodies such as East African Business Council (EABC), was a founding member of the Southern Africa Development Community (SADC) Business Council and presided over the establishment of bilateral, regional and international relationships.

Godfrey served as a Director for Equity Bank Tanzania Limited, a subsidiary of Equity Bank of Kenya.

He is a qualified accountant (ACCA) and has a Master of Science degree in Information Management & Technology from University of Strathclyde in the UK~

Global Chief Marketing Officer

Graduated Mzumbe University - Morogoro, Tanzania with a BS in Public Administration and an MBA at University of Liverpool, Liverpool, UK

Designed Tanzanutz packaging and logo, branding, contest development and implementation. Conducted market research, performing analysis, and utilizing the business data in the interest of the agency.

15+ years' experience in training and facilitating, administration, client service/relationship management, marketing and advertising including media, branding and communications.

Developed brand plans and implemented roll out strategies for increasing revenue and profits through daily analyses of sales performance, quarterly pricing reviews, and periodic logistics procedures and recommend effective changes to be made as well as advise sales and marketing departments on how to convert leads and achieve targets.

Successfully led internal sales team as well as performing various duties related to overall operations of the companies. In addition to the sales duties, I provide leadership and strategic direction to management

Mr. Mugendi has experience with McCann Erickson Advertising Agency, Standard Chartered Bank, Johns Hopkins University, Coca Cola, Kia Motors, Precision Air and more. His education includes an MBA from University of Liverpool and a degree in Public Administration from Mzumbe University – Tanzania.

President, Ward Holdings China

President and Executive Director for Nafsi Za Baadae Future Souls NGO

Senior Advisor

Senior Advisor

Lead Spiritual Advisor