Board & Team
Our Leadership
Meet the dedicated professionals who guide the I AM HERe Scholarship, bringing decades of experience, passion, and purpose to every decision.
Board & Team
Our Leadership
Meet the dedicated professionals who guide the I AM HERe Scholarship, bringing decades of experience, passion, and purpose to every decision.
Claudia C. Pinder
President & Founder
"Every brilliant girl deserves a stage to shine."
Claudia C. Pinder is a seasoned accounting and finance executive with over 25 years of global experience spanning public accounting, private investment banking, trust services, and wealth and asset management.
Her career includes senior roles with internationally global chartered accounting firms, private investment institutions, and multinational organizations operating across the Bahamas, Cayman Islands, Bermuda, the Netherlands, England, and the United States.
She currently serves as Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Global Bridge Holdings Co., Ltd., overseeing financial strategy and operations that support development initiatives in the Bahamas and Ghana, West Africa. Claudia holds professional designations as a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE).
Academically,
she holds dual Bachelor’s degrees in Accounting and Business & Professional
Management from Nova Southeastern University, a Master of Science in Forensic
Accounting from Liberty University, and is pursuing a PhD in Business
Administration with a concentration in Supply Chain Management and Logistics.
As the President and Founder of I AM HERe, Claudia leads a mission-driven
nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing educational access, leadership
development, and empowerment for adolescent girls from underprivileged
communities. Her leadership emphasizes authenticity, sustainability, and
measurable impact.
Board of Directors
The Board
Rev. Marlene C. Minus
Board Member
Rev. Marlene C. Minus is a distinguished religious leader, scholar, author, and political strategist whose influence spans The Bahamas, the wider Caribbean, and the United States. With more than three decades of ministry and public service, she is widely respected for her steadfast commitment to faith-centered leadership, social advocacy, and national development.
She holds an undergraduate degree in Theological Studies from Gilead International College, where she also served with distinction as a Faculty Member and Adjunct Professor, mentoring and shaping future leaders in ministry and theology. In addition, she served as Executive Administrator to the Office of the President, providing senior-level administrative leadership and institutional oversight.
An ordained and licensed Overseer and Pastor, Rev. Minus is also a renowned author, poet, and playwright, whose literary works explore themes of faith, justice, identity, and empowerment. She is a highly sought-after conference host and international speaker, recognized for her compelling voice at the intersection of spirituality, leadership, and civic responsibility.
Her political career in The Bahamas dates back to the early 1980s, where she emerged as a strong advocate for national policy reform, advancing the rights and well-being of women and children. She continues to champion inclusive leadership and the advancement of women’s participation in public life.
Through her lifelong service across ministry, education, literature, and politics, Rev. Marlene C. Minus exemplifies principled leadership, moral clarity, and an enduring dedication to uplifting communities and fostering just, faith-driven societies.
Yvonne Doe‑Tamakloe
Board Member
Yvonne Doe‑Tamakloe is a results-driven banking professional with 17+ years of experience
in banking operations, mass retail banking, SME banking, and credit products. She has a
proven track record of successfully managing High Net Worth Individuals and leading
high-performing teams. She currently heads the Affluent Banking team at Access Bank
Ghana Plc, where she drives growth, excellence, and exceptional client experiences.
She leads a team of eight banking executives and is dedicated to fostering long-term
relationships while promoting a culture of continuous improvement. Passionate about travel
and lifelong learning, Yvonne constantly seeks fresh perspectives, new markets, and global
best practices to strengthen her professional expertise.
Her belief that “we rise by lifting others” fuels her commitment to social impact. This value is
reflected in her active volunteer work at ICGC Open Heaven’s Temple during annual CSR
initiatives, where she supports the packaging and distribution of food and clothing during
Christmas. She also serves as the Welfare Officer of the 2000-year group of Keta Secondary
Technical School, where bringing joy to others remains her greatest fulfilment.
In her role as a member of the scholarship board, Yvonne is deeply committed to supporting
and empowering young women to achieve their educational goals. She works intentionally to
inspire and mentor the next generation of women leaders, helping to address gender
disparities in education and beyond. Her dedication to community development and female
empowerment is rooted in her desire to pay it forward, share her experiences, and create
meaningful opportunities for younger women to thrive.
Yvonne holds a bachelor's degree in political science and Linguistics as well as an MSc in
International Business from the University of Ghana Business School. She is currently
pursuing a professional certification to become a Chartered Banker with the Association of
Chartered Institute of Bankers in Accra.
SIKA GUNU
Board Member
With over 19 years in the banking industry, my journey has been shaped by growth, learning, and a deep commitment to excellence. I have built my career in International Trade Finance and Credit Risk Management, where I’ve had the opportunity to support businesses, manage risk thoughtfully, and contribute to meaningful financial solutions.
My experience over the years have not only strengthened my technical expertise but also shaped my perspective on leadership and continuous development.
I value meaningful connections, shared growth, and opportunities to make a positive impact—both within the workplace and beyond.
I hold a BSc in Accounting from the University of Cape Coast and an Executive Master’s in Finance from the University of Ghana Business School (UGBS).
Beyond my professional life, I am deeply passionate about coaching and mentoring young women in the corporate space. I believe in the power of guidance, encouragement, and shared experiences. Supporting young professionals and female students as they discover their strengths and pursue their goals is something I find truly fulfilling.
My aim is simple: to help others believe in their potential and achieve anything they set their minds to.
Terry Kwame Azaglo
Board Member
A scientist with a BSc in Physics and an MPhil in Climate Change, Terry is a testament to the power of mentorship. He attributes his success to the guidance of transformative leaders who saw his potential when he fell short.
Terry joined the board at the invitation of Dr. Kwawununu, bringing essential counsel to the foundation. His commitment to the "I AM HERe" mission is deeply personal: his biggest doors were opened by women who took a chance on him, and he is dedicated to paying that opportunity forward to the next generation of female scholars.
Dr. Ishmael Kwawununu
Board Member
Dr. Ishmael Kwawununu is a global security and emergency management executive, scholar, and philanthropic leader dedicated to advancing education, gender equity, and community resilience. He currently serves as Deputy Chief of Public Safety within the State University of New York system and brings over a decade of experience in crisis leadership, public safety governance, and institutional risk management.
As Chairman of the Board, Dr. Kwawununu provides strategic oversight and values-driven leadership in support of the organization’s mission to expand opportunity and uplift vulnerable populations. He is a strong advocate for girls’ education and proudly champions the I AM HERe Scholarship, an initiative that supports young women from underserved communities through access to education, mentorship, and leadership development.
Dr. Kwawununu’s philanthropic work aligns closely with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 5 (Gender Equality). His approach emphasizes long-term impact—investing not only in academic success, but in confidence, resilience, and the capacity of young women to become future leaders and change-makers within their communities.
In addition to his board leadership, Dr. Kwawununu is the Founder and President of Global Bridge Holdings (Ghana/Bahamas), a development-focused enterprise advancing cross-border trade, agribusiness, and community-based economic empowerment across Africa and the Caribbean. His work reflects a deep commitment to building sustainable bridges between local communities and global opportunity.
Dr. Kwawununu believes that educating and empowering young women is one of the most powerful investments a society can make—an investment that yields safer communities, stronger economies, and a more equitable future for generations to come.
Operational Team
Key Roles
Behind every scholar’s success is a dedicated operational team working to ensure fairness, support, and excellence at every stage of the programme.
"Our governance is built on independence, transparency, and a singular focus on the students we serve."
— I AM HERe Foundation, Governing Principles