Godwin Ize-Iyamu

Godwin Ize-Iyamu is a highly experienced banking executive and corporate leader with over 40 years of professional expertise across Africa and internationally. He has a strong academic background in accounting and engineering and is a Certified Public Accountant, with technical, financial, and strategic skills.

He currently serves as the Chairman of the Board of Directors, UBA Liberia, where he provides strategic guidance, governance oversight, and leadership for sustainable growth. His distinguished career at United Bank for Africa (UBA) included senior leadership roles such as Executive Director and Group Chief Credit Officer, contributing significantly to business growth, credit risk management, and major financing initiatives.

He has also held leadership positions in other organizations, including Chairman of Sigrun Africa Ltd, Acting Deputy Managing Director at Integrated Energy Distribution and Marketing Ltd, and Executive Vice-Chairman of Air Nigeria. Earlier in his career, he worked in engineering and auditing, building a strong foundation for his later achievements.

Overall, he is recognized for his expertise in corporate governance, financial strategy, risk management, and business development, with a career marked by impactful leadership and excellence.

Cllr. SEWARD MONTGOMERY COOPER

Seward Montgomery Cooper is an international and corporate lawyer who serves as Judge and Vice President of the World Bank Administrative Tribunal; heads the firm of Cooper & Co. (Counselors-at-Law); is a Member, Panel of Independent Administrative Reviewers, Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank; served as Legal Advisor (2011 – 2016) to the President of Liberia Nobel Peace Prize Laureate Mrs. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf; was the first head of the African Development Bank’s (AfDB) Integrity & Anti-Corruption Office; was the first Chief Counsel & Head for Good Governance, AfDB; was the pioneer editor-in-chief of AfDB’s Law for Development Review; led the international practice group for one of America’s largest multi-cultural law firms in the Washington D.C. metropolitan area; lectured as  adjunct professor of business law at the University of Liberia; was elected president Liberia Chamber of Commerce; served as  Deputy Agriculture Minister of Liberia during Liberian President Tolbert’s Administration; co-authored, co-edited, over eight published books and several articles in international law journals. He has chaired several boards of directors, co-conceived and chaired the Management Board of the African Legal Support Facility, a multi-million dollar international organization of 56 Member States, headquartered in Cote d’Ivoire, which has supported African governments negotiate commercial contracts valued over US$9.8 billion.  Served as the inaugural chair of the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center for Women & Development.  He serves as Chancellor of the Episcopal Diocese of Liberia.

He was the founding chairman of the Student Intellectual Discourse Committee at the University of Liberia.  Counselor Cooper is a strong proponent for women’s participation in governance and is also an ardent advocate for dual citizenship for Liberians.  His successful arguments before Liberia’s Supreme Court led to the landmark 2019 Liberian Supreme Court decision declaring unconstitutional the statute on automatic termination of Liberian citizenship rights.

He is a product of the College of West Africa; the University of Liberia (Bachelor of Business Administration); the University of Wisconsin-Madison (post-graduate studies agricultural economics); and the University of Wisconsin Law School (Doctor of Law – Juris Doctor). He has been admitted to the Bars of the Supreme Court of Liberia, the Supreme Court of the State of Wisconsin, and the Supreme Court of the United States of America. In July 2024, Liberian President Joseph N. Boakai conferred upon him Liberia’s National Distinction of Knight Grand Commander in the Humane Order of African Redemption.

He is a citizen of Liberia born June 25, 1952, and is married to the Rev. Canon Anne Fredericks Cooper, DMin., an Episcopal priest.  He is father of five children and three granddaughters.

Ayokunle Olajubu

Mr. Ayokunle Olajubu Abraham is currently the Managing Director/ Chief Executive, at United Bank for Africa Liberia Limited. He is vast with banking experience, having worked and excelled in several capacities as a banker for over 33 years.

He started his professional Banking career in March 1992 at entry level as a Teller with the defunct Nigeria International Bank before moving to the then Citizens Bank in 1995. He joined UBA in 1995 and later moved over to Access Bank where he was deployed as an expatriate staff in Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, and the Gambia where he became the Managing Director/CEO.

Due to his enthusiasm to continue his career at UBA, Ayokunle rejoined the bank in 2021 as the Group Head of Compliance, and due to his major achievements in banking, he was redeployed to Liberia as the Managing Director/CEO of the Subsidiary.

He is a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and effective team builder with strong leadership and communication skills.

Ayokunle acquired his academic qualifications at the University of Ilorin, the University of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, and the University of Bangor in the United Kingdom. He is an associate member of the Nigeria Chartered Institute of Bankers and also a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of England.

 Ayokunle’s career objective has been to enjoy a rewarding career in banking and general management where his varied skills can profitably be utilized to achieve corporate objectives.

Axel M. Addy

A senior leader with expertise in international trade policy, government, and business climate reforms. Built trust-based relationships across international diverse stakeholder communities enabling Liberia’s record-time
accession to the WTO. Mobilized multiple resources in accordance with various donors’ institutional
management processes, procedures, systems and policies valued over $50 million in direct and indirect
support. Galvanized trade community’s support through consultations and negotiations, instituting emergency
trade measures resulting in no major trade disruptions of primary commodities imports during Ebola epidemic.
Designed and implemented innovations to drive inclusive finance for SMEs, facilitating opportunities of over
$80 million in public procurement contracts and investments. Led a multicultural team of over 250 local and
international professionals in implementing a robust reform agenda resulting in improvements in Liberia’s
global rankings among the top 5 reformers in Africa, for starting a business, in the World Bank’s Doing Business
Ranking and MCC Scorecard on Trade Policy to achieve over $250 million Compact. Served as the chief
diplomat for international trade for Liberia engaging local and international media, participating in international
and local forums as panelists, special guest, producer, host among others.

Wil Bako Freeman

Wil Bako Freeman, a strategic thinker and highly motivated professional with over twenty years of cross-functional experience in a multinational setting has operated in the United States, Ghana, Liberia, and internationally within a variety of sectors and leadership roles. He possesses an extensive working knowledge of Central Banking, Economics, Trading Options, Trade Economics, Regional Integration, Public-Private Dialogue (PPD), Private Sector Development, Credit Risk Management, Asset Liability Management (ALM), and Banking Laws and Regulations and Airport Administration, with proven capacity to work in post-conflict environments and committed to improving the investment and business climates, ultimately attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) during periods of capital flight.

He is a successful designer and implementer of major airport infrastructure projects, including a USD 50 million new passenger terminal, a USD 35 million runway rehabilitation, a USD 10 million cargo terminal, and a USD 3 million new office complex.

Strong organizational abilities to plan and execute large-scale stakeholder convenings such as the Liberia Better Business Forum (LBBF), which establishment drastically improved the investment and business climate in Liberia, resulting in an improvement of 20 points for the country on the World Bank’s Doing Business ranking.

Employs analytical, managerial, and problem-solving skills using clear, yet concise written and verbal communication skills.

Ayokunle Olajubu

Mr. Ayokunle Olajubu Abraham is currently the Managing Director/ Chief Executive, at United Bank for Africa Liberia Limited. He is vast with banking experience, having worked and excelled in several capacities as a banker for over 33 years.

He started his professional Banking career in March 1992 at entry level as a Teller with the defunct Nigeria International Bank before moving to the then Citizens Bank in 1995. He joined UBA in 1995 and later moved over to Access Bank where he was deployed as an expatriate staff in Sierra Leone, Cote D’Ivoire, and the Gambia where he became the Managing Director/CEO.

Due to his enthusiasm to continue his career at UBA, Ayokunle rejoined the bank in 2021 as the Group Head of Compliance, and due to his major achievements in banking, he was redeployed to Liberia as the Managing Director/CEO of the Subsidiary.

He is a highly motivated, enthusiastic, and effective team builder with strong leadership and communication skills.

Ayokunle acquired his academic qualifications at the University of Ilorin, the University of Pennsylvania, the United States of America, and the University of Bangor in the United Kingdom. He is an associate member of the Nigeria Chartered Institute of Bankers and also a member of the Chartered Institute of Bankers of England.

 Ayokunle’s career objective has been to enjoy a rewarding career in banking and general management where his varied skills can profitably be utilized to achieve corporate objectives.

Kenechukwu Odigboh

Kenechukwu Odigboh, a professional Banker with over twenty years of experience in Business Development operations, and customer service, has built a career marked by leadership, operational efficiency, and customer satisfaction. Currently serving as the Chief Operating Officer at United Bank for Africa (UBA), Liberia Limited, Kenechukwu plays a pivotal role in coordinating  Operations across the country.

Korvah L. Dorbor

Korvah L. Dorbor is a Candidate for Master of Business Administration (MBA), University of Liberia MBA Program. He is an Alumnus of the University of Liberia Under Graduate Program. He holds a BBA Accounting of the University of Liberia (U.L), 2007, Certificate of Honor – Distinction of Cumlade (U.L), 2007, Certificate of Honor – University of Liberia Honors Society, 2001/2002, Certificate of Participation – IFRS Training – Liberian Institute of Certified Public Accountants (LICPA), 2010, Certificate – Outstanding Performance – International Bank Liberia Limited (IBLL), 2010, Certificate of Participation-IFRS Training – PricewaterhouseCoopers Ghana Limited (PWC), 2011, Certificate of Participation – CBL/KPMG/ATMS/AMSCO IFRS Training, Liberia, 2013, Certificate of Participation Professional Development Seminar on IFRS AJ SILICON Consultants, Nigeria/Baker Tilly Liberia, 2013; Certificate of Participation-International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) PricewaterhouseCoopers- (PWC), Nigeria/Keystone Bank Ltd, Nigeria, 2014, Certificate of Participation-Anti-Money Laundering/Counter Financing of Terrorism (AML/CFT) Compliance Training Keystone Bank Ltd, Nigeria/Global Bank (Liberia) Ltd, 2014, Certificate of Completion-UBA Credit Risk Policy Training, UBA Academy, 2016. Certificate of Participation – UBA Plc Empowerment Training, Lagos, Nigeria

Korvah L. Dorbor has over eleven (11) years of management experience in the private sector. Dorbor has performed lower and middle-level management functions in the private sector. His career started with West Africa Fisheries Enterprise in 2005, a Frozen Food company engaged in the importation and sales of frozen food products. He functioned as an Accountant in the above-mentioned entity. In 2008, He subsequently joined International Bank Liberia Limited (IBLL) as Bank Teller. Due to his effectiveness and efficiency, he was later transferred as Customer Service Officer in the Department of Banking Operations. Subsequently, Dorbor was transferred from Banking Operations to the Department of Finance as Accounts Analyst where he last served at the level of Acting Head of the Accounting Department (IBLL).

In 2011, He joined the Guaranty Trust Bank Liberia Limited as an Accountant in the Financial Control Unit where he led different roles that included Preparation and timely submission of statutory returns for regulatory authority (CBL), Quarterly Board Financials, Monthly Performance Review, Management Account for Group Office and etc. which afforded him the opportunity to work with an institution that was involved in subsidiary reporting. He joined Global Bank Liberia Limited in 2013 as Head- Financial Control Unit, the position he held up to August 31, 2015. He joined United Bank for Africa on September 15, 2015, as Deputy Finance Officer of the Financial Control Unit up to present.

Okwudili James Chime

Okwudili James Chime is a professional banker with over 20 years of experience in the industry, primarily focused on operations, internal control, and assurance. Born on April 15, 1972, in Enugu, Nigeria, Chime graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in Statistics and Economics from the University of Nigeria, Nsukka, in 1999. He further advanced his knowledge with an MBA in Business Administration from Enugu State University (ESUT), showcasing a strong academic foundation that complements his professional expertise.

Chime began his career with United Bank for Africa (UBA) in 2001 as a contract staff member, progressing to a confirmed staff position by 2003. Over the years, he has held various critical roles, including tellering, Funds Transfer Officer, Resident Control Officer and Cluster Control Manager. His responsibilities spanned diverse areas such as cash management, internal audit, compliance checks, and branch operations oversight, ensuring seamless and efficient bank operations.

In May 2023, Chime was appointed the Country Head of Internal Control for UBA Ltd in Liberia. In this role, he is entrusted with ensuring strict adherence to regulatory standards, managing fraud prevention protocols, and training control officers to maintain a robust compliance culture within the bank’s operations.

Chime is also a certified ISO 9001:2015 Auditor and holds multiple qualifications in Health, Safety, and Environment (HSE) standards, highlighting his commitment to quality management and workplace safety. Over the years, he has completed numerous professional courses, including training in risk management, customer service excellence, and relationship management.

Outside of his professional life, Okwudili Chime is an avid soccer enthusiast and enjoys listening to music. His dedication to fostering growth, implementing stringent controls, and ensuring organizational integrity has made him a respected figure in the banking industry.

Rosa Turay

Rosa E.A. Dillon-Turay is a seasoned Human Resources and Administration professional with over 15 years of progressive leadership experience in the banking, development, and NGO sectors. She currently serves as Country Head of Human Capital Management at United Bank for Africa (UBA), where she oversees strategic HR operations, talent development, and culture alignment across the organization.

Rosa’s career spans key roles with Give Directly, Millennium Challenge Account-Liberia (MCAL), IBI-LASS, IBIS Liberia, and Child Fund Liberia. Her core expertise includes HR strategy, policy development, performance management, organizational culture building, and employee engagement. She has led major HR transformations, designed performance systems, and managed high-impact recruitment and onboarding initiatives.

She is recognized for her ability to align HR with business strategy, develop strong teams, and ensure regulatory compliance across sectors. Her work has consistently contributed to organizational growth and operational excellence.

She holds an MBA in Management from Cuttington University Graduate School and a Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resource Management from GIMPA, Ghana. She also earned a B.Sc. in Biology from Cuttington University. She has received advanced training in organizational development, gender integration, and performance improvement from institutions including Harvard CID and Davine Thaw & Warren Banks.

Dennise Nimpson

Dennise Nimpson is a distinguished Liberian journalist with extensive experience in both broadcast and print media. She has 17 years of working experience in the Public and Private Sector, Micro-Finance Inclusion, with almost a decade in mainstream journalism.

Prior to joining the United Bank for Africa-Liberia, she served as a correspondent for Voice of America (VOA), a Contributing writer for Frontpage Africa Newspaper, and a fellow of New Narratives, a media development initiative.  She has held prominent roles in Liberia’s media landscape, including serving as Director, Editor, Senior Reporter, and Presenter. She also led the Executive Mansion Reporters Association Press Corps, overseeing coverage of the Liberian Presidency.

In 2022, known for her impact in the Liberian Media, she was selected by the U.S. Embassy and traveled to the US and participated in the Edward R. Murrow Program for Journalists, where she earned a certificate in New and Traditional Broadcast Media. It is a prestigious initiative under the International Visitor Leadership Program (IVLP).

She has earned multiple national and international training certificates in various disciplines. In 2023, she was part of a delegation of female journalists that traveled to Sierra Leone to provide media coverage for the country’s general elections.

She is a candidate for a Master’s Degree in International Relations with Emphasis in Foreign Service Leadership from the African Methodist Episcopal University and holds a BA in Mass Communication and Public Administration from the University of Liberia

She is a member and associate member of several professional groups, including the State Exchange Alumni of Liberia (SEAL), Press Union of Liberia, Female Journalists Association of Liberia (FeJAL), and the International Visitor Leadership Program Alumni.

Lady-Lawrene Dennis

Lady-Lawrene Dennis is a seasoned banking professional with over a decade of experience in public sector, institutional banking, and engagement with Embassies and Multilateral Donor Organizations (EMDOs). She currently serves as Head of the Public Sector Group at United Bank for Africa (UBA) Ltd, a role she has held since April 2020. In this capacity, she leads key initiatives across government and development sectors. Prior to this, she held strategic leadership roles within UBA, including Team Lead, Institutional Banking, and Team Lead, Public Sector, where she managed complex client relationships and drove portfolio growth. She holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the University of Liberia.

She is widely recognized for her strategic leadership, exceptional client relationship management skills, and a deep understanding of the public sector, institutional banking, and EMDO operations.

Vaanii J. Kiazolu

Vaanii J. Kiazolu, Jr. is an experienced finance and risk management professional with over 15 years in the banking sector in Liberia. He holds an MBA in Finance from Cuttington University and a BSc in Economics from the University of Liberia. Kiazolu is currently the Chief Risk Officer at UBA Liberia Limited, where he designs and implements enterprise risk management frameworks, assesses various financial risks and leads compliance and anti-money laundering efforts. Previously, he served as Chief Risk Officer at Bloom Bank Liberia Limited. He also served as Head of Treasury and Head of Risk Management at Global Bank Liberia, where he designed and developed the bank’s risk management framework that covers all risks to which the Bank is exposed, managing liquidity, policy alignment, and credit risk assessments. His early career included roles in grant compliance for USAID projects, credit administration, and financial reporting. Kiazolu’s professional development includes certifications from the World Bank’s IFC, WAIFEM, and international risk and compliance workshops. His comprehensive risk, compliance, and strategic management expertise underscores his dedication to Liberia’s financial stability.

Mai Cole

Mai Evelyn Cole is a seasoned finance and administrative professional with a Master of Science in Finance from Cuttington Graduate School, Liberia, and a Bachelor of Arts in Business Administration from African Methodist Episcopal University, Liberia. Known for her integrity, dedication, and ability to manage complex resources efficiently, Mai has established herself as a reliable and results-driven leader in the financial sector. She brings over a decade of experience, blending an analytical approach with a commitment to ethical practices and operational excellence.

Mai began her career in 2003 as a Procurement Clerk at the Liberian Bank for Development and Investment (LBDI), where she handled procurement processes and maintained stringent documentation standards. She later transitioned to the United Nations World Food Programme as a Storekeeper, managing logistics and inventory for WFP’s warehousing unit in Monrovia. This role honed her skills in logistics management, overseeing stock integrity, and conducting regular audits to ensure operational compliance.

Her experience deepened at LBDI, where she served as a Credit Relationship Officer from 2009 to 2015, focusing on credit analysis and client relationship management. Here, Mai developed strategies to identify financing opportunities and monitor key performance indicators to ensure customer success and regulatory compliance.

In 2015, Mai joined the United Bank for Africa (UBA) Liberia as a Credit Analyst, quickly advancing to Branch Manager by 2016. In this role, she oversaw branch operations, supported business growth, and cultivated customer relationships to enhance deposit growth and credit offerings. Since May 2023, she has been the Head of Retail Banking at UBA Liberia, where she is responsible for strategy development, policy creation, and sales team training across all branches in Liberia. Her contributions have driven business growth and expanded customer engagement within the subsidiary.

A skilled communicator and mentor, Mai’s leadership extends beyond administration to inspiring her team to achieve corporate objectives. Her expertise includes managing advertising campaigns, strategic planning, and financial analysis. Additionally, she is adept in Microsoft Office Suite and familiar with various office technologies.

Mai has undergone extensive professional training, including courses in SMEs Credit Appraisal, Microfinance, and Warehouse Management, further solidifying her expertise in finance and operations. Her professional network and strong relationships with corporate leaders make her a valuable asset in any business environment.

Mai Evelyn Cole’s dedication, experience, and comprehensive skills in finance and management underscore her capability to drive impactful changes in Liberia’s banking sector.

Emmanuel Knagay

Mr. Emmanuel Knagay is a Liberian who has served the Liberian Banking sector for the last 14 years in various capacities. In the earlier stage of his career, Mr. Knagay served as an accountant at the International Banks Liberia Limited. He assisted the institution in preparing and submitting several financial and regulatory reports. He also served as a Senior Accountant at the Afriland First Bank. He was very instrumental in setting up the bank’s Finance Department and contributed immensely to transforming the institution’s reporting regularities. He then moved to Global Bank Liberia as the bank’s Chief Finance Officer. At Global, Mr. Knagay oversaw the bank’s entire financial and reporting function. He led the bank’s team in transforming to the new International Financial Reporting Standards.

He has a Master’s Degree in Corporate Finance from the African Methodist Episcopal University. Mr. Knagay is an associate member of several professional bodies including the Association of Certified Fraud Examiners, the Institute of Charter Accountants of Ghana, etc. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Accounting from the AME University. He has also earned several postgraduate certificates in various fields including, Accounting, Finance, IFRS, Treasury, etc.

He is the Country Head of Treasury at the United Bank for Africa Liberia Limited. He is overseeing the bank’s Investment, Liquidity, and Treasury functions.

Mercy N Flomo

Mercy N. Flomo is a seasoned Audit and Finance professional with over a decade of experience in the banking sector, currently serving as the Chief Internal Auditor at the United Bank for Africa (UBA), Liberia. In this capacity, she leads comprehensive inspections and risk assessments across the country’s business offices, ensures strict regulatory and policy compliance, and oversees the performance of regional audit teams. Her career at UBA has been marked by progressive leadership, having previously served as Acting Chief Internal Auditor and as an Audit & Investigation Officer.

Mercy’s expertise spans financial planning, risk management, and operational control. Her skill set includes proficiency in accounting, budgeting, and certifications in Audit and Control, Asset & Liability Management, Financial Planning, and Human Resource management credentials that reflect her dedication to excellence in financial leadership.

She holds a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Banking and Finance from the University of Liberia, a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) and Associate of Arts (AA)degree in Accounting from Stella Maris Polytechnic.

In 2018, she was selected by the U.S Embassy for the Mandela Washington Fellowship in the United States of America, where she earned a certificate in Business & Entrepreneurship from Northwestern University’s Kellogg School of Management and a Certificate of Achievement from the YALI program with the U.S. Department of State, reflecting her commitment to serve and continuous professional development.