Meet the Team
Vivienne Umusu
Co-Founder & Director
Vivienne Umusu
Founder & Executive Director
As the Co-founder of Seeding Africa, Vivienne is passionate about empowering young African women to thrive in STEM fields. With over 27 years of experience in Information Technology Solution Delivery, Vivienne is dedicated to bridging the gender gap in tech by providing training, mentorship, and job placement opportunities.
Under her leadership, Seeding Africa offers scholarships, fellowships, and career development programs in software development, data science, and business intelligence. Through strategic partnerships across Africa, Vivienne is expanding Seeding Africa’s reach and impact, creating lasting opportunities for women starting in Nigeria and beyond.
A strong advocate for gender equality in tech, Vivienne is committed to reducing the digital divide and creating sustainable career pathways for the next generation of women leaders in technology.
Rafat Bello
Co-Founder & Director
Rafat is a dynamic IT leader and visionary Co-Founder of Seeding Africa, brings 22 years of impactful experience. She masterfully blends Software/Product Development with cutting-edge Data Analytics, directly fueling Seeding Africa’s mission.
With a Computer Science degree, Rafat also holds Lean Six Sigma and Big Data certifications. Her career includes a decade in software development and 12 years transforming data into strategic business decisions for growth.
Rafat’s versatile background spans Healthcare, Manufacturing, and Retail, optimizing processes for efficiency.
A results-oriented leader, she leverages Lean Six Sigma to deliver measurable, data-driven results for Seeding Africa.
Her journey is a testament to her technical acumen, strategic insight, and leadership in creating significant impact.
Susan Desmond
Co-Founder & Director
Susan, a visionary Co-Founder of Seeding Africa, combines a profound commitment to journalistic integrity with a deep passion for food justice.
Based in Atlanta, she brings over 20 years of extensive experience in non-profit grant writing.
Her proven expertise has been instrumental in raising millions in grant funding and donations, directly fueling impactful initiatives.
Susan holds a Bachelor’s in Political Science and a Master of Public Administration.
Her core strengths lie in strategic development, fostering key partnerships, and securing vital financial resources.
As a co-founder of Seeding Africa, Susan is set to channel her dedication and fundraising expertise to grow support for its essential mission.