Business
Reid E. Whitlock named as CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation
The board of Trustees of the Tony Elumelu Foundation last week announced the appointment of Reid E. Whitlock as Chief Executive of the Foundation. The appointment is effective immediately.
Professor Whitlock’s appointment follows Wiebe Boer, the inaugural Chief Executive of the Foundation, becoming Director of Strategy at Heirs Holdings, Tony Elumelu’s pan-African proprietary investment company.
Founded in 2010 by serial entrepreneur and philanthropist Tony O. Elumelu, the Foundation is Africa’s leading advocate for entrepreneurship, responsible for programes designed to ensure that entrepreneurs and entrepreneurship become the primary driver of Africa’s economic growth and social transformation.
Professor Whitlock brings 30 years of experience as a business school rector, diplomat, entrepreneur, strategy consultant and advisor to leaders in Africa, Asia and the Middle East on economic development. He received his Ph.D. and law degree from the Fletcher School of Law and Diplomacy at Tufts University. He also holds a Masters of Business Administration from Harvard Business School and is a cum laude graduate of Princeton University.
Commenting on Professor Whitlock’s appointment, Founding Patron of the Foundation, Michael Porter said, “Tony Elumelu’s commitment to African entrepreneurship is unshakeable and I salute his appointment of Professor Whitlock as the CEO of his Foundation.
Professor Whitlock has unique experience in driving competitiveness and entrepreneurship growth in Africa, including in Rwanda that has achieved remarkable progress. I look forward to continuing to support Tony, as he furthers Africa’s revival through the great work of the Tony Elumelu Foundation.”
President Paul Kagame of Rwanda stated “I am delighted to hear of Reid Whitlock’s appointment as the CEO of Tony Elumelu’s Foundation. Reid’s work was instrumental in improving Rwanda’s public sector service delivery, competitiveness, and business education. As CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, he now has a unique platform to ensure this work continues across Africa.”
Founder and Chairman of the Board of Trustees, Tony Elumelu said, “As Dr. Boer becomes Director of Strategy for Heirs Holdings, I want to thank him for the leadership he has provided, helping transform the Tony Elumelu Foundation from just an idea into a preeminent global philanthropic institution. I welcome Professor Whitlock, who brings considerable global experience in the private, public, and academic sectors, which will significantly assist in realizing the mission of the Tony Elumelu Foundation, in empowering Africa’s next generation of entrepreneurs and driving the continent’s economic and social transformation.”
Speaking on his appointment, Professor Whitlock stated “I am honored by the opportunity the Board of Trustees has given me. I am excited to join such a dynamic institution, with a truly pan-African focus and an ambitious agenda. I look forward to leveraging my extensive experience and networks to further help the Foundation achieve its important goals.”
