About
Name: Yvonne Ofosu-Appiah
Nationality: Ghanaian
Programme: MBA 2014
Education: BComm Accounting & Finance, University of Cape Coast, Ghana
Current role: Co-founder and Managing Partner, Sahara Impact Ventures, Ghana
Pre-MBA role: VP, Fortiz Private Equity, Accra, Ghana
What stood out about the academic learning experience for you? Ie what were your favourite courses, what impact did they have on you etc?
My Global Consulting Project (GCP) experience was the climax of the MBA journey, a discovery of my passion and an introduction to my post MBA career. Together with 4 other like-minded MBAs, we took a project with ACTIS, a leading responsible multi-asset investor in growth markets across Africa, Asia and Latin America.
Please tell us about the standout elements of the Cambridge experience or extra-curricular activities you had during your MBA.
The Cambridge MBA built on my confidence and other soft skills, while the Global Consulting Project was helpful in directing me to my post MBA career. In addition, the coaching received from the career coaches and the connections made with corporate entities working within impact investments was also helpful.
What aspect of the MBA learning/experience would you say you find most useful now in your professional life?
Today, my passion and drive have paid off. I work with an Impact fund in Ghana, where I support early and growing businesses with patient capital for their growth, while delivering financial return and environmental and social impact at the same time.
How has the MBA influenced your career journey in general?
Prior to the MBA I had worked in financial services including private equity. While I wanted to continue to work as a private equity or venture capital fund manager, I knew I wanted more than just the conventional investment; I wanted to deliver impact beyond the return. The GCP deepened my interest and confirmed that impact and return were possible with patient capital.