Executive Committee

The current Executive Committee was elected by members of the Global Shea Alliance at Shea 2011 on April 5, 2011. View the latest Executive Committee minutes below.

	Eugenia Akuete - President Eugenia is the Founder and Owner of Naasakle Ltd. Naasakle is a shea butter producer located in Damango. and has been in the industry since 1999. Naasakle know the challenges of sustainable shea supply and production, and would welcome the opportunity to work with the Global Shea Alliance Executive Committee to find ongoing solutions that will enhance the lives of the women and communities involved in the shea value chain.
	Mamatou Djiré - Vice President A holder of a Masters degree in Economics from the National School of Administration (ENA) of Mali, I am the Manager of ACO Service, a company specializing in shea products processing and marketing. This responsibility as well as my involvement in the shea industry, led to my appointment as Chairman of the National Shea Federation (FNK) which brings together all the operators of the shea industry in Mali. We are deeply convinced that the success of our mission will largely depend on understanding the international environment and challenges in the shea market. Therefore, all the actors of the industry in Mali have designated me to represent them within the GSA.
	Peter Stedman - Vice President Peter Stedman is Senior Buyer for The Body Shop, responsible for all purchasing, stakeholder engagement and community development in raw materials sourced from Africa through its pioneering Community Fair Trade programme. A key player in responsible sourcing at The Body Shop, Peter brings with him over 10 years experience of international supply chain development and a genuine passion for shea. Peter Stedman has served as an active member on the Interim Executive of the GSA since October 2010. www.thebodyshop.com
	Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi - EC Member Zainab Ibrahim Kuchi formed and has been the driving President/Chief Executive Officer of Daralkuchi Group of Companies and all its ventures since April 2005. She has successfully developed detailed business startup plans, and developed and implemented business models that she has used for over three start-up businesses. Zainab has served as an active member on the Interim Executive of the GSA since February 2011.
	Kadijatou Lah - EC Member Public relations Assistant for the National Shea Federation in Mali and Founding Member; shea kernel and butter exporter, supplier for AAK and 3F in Mali.
	Santosh Pillai - EC Member Mr. Santosh Pillai is the Managing Director–West Africa of Wilmar International. He has over 15 years experience working in India and in various countries in Africa. His work experience spans industries covering Agro-Processing, FMCG, Retail and Engineering. He has a B.Tech in Mechanical Engineering and MBA in International Business. He is also an alumnus of Harvard Business School where he completed his General Management Program.
	Mamounata Velegda - EC Member Treasurer and founding member of Table Filière Karité, she has been a major exporter of shea kernels for the past 10 years, and possesses a thorough knowledge of the shea industry, strong relationships with the sector’s stakeholders such as Arhus among others. Mamounata Velegda is the Vice-President of the Chamber of Commerce of Burkina Faso and the President of the Regional Chamber of Commerce of Eastern Burkina Faso. Mamounata Velegda is the candidate of Table Filière Karité to the EC of the GSA.