Ascent Board Advisory in Residence Programme 

Building Africa’s Next Generation of Board Leaders While Strengthening High-Impact Organisations

Applications Open: 7 September – 9 October 2026

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About Programme?

The Ascent Board Advisory in Residence Programme is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to bridge Africa's experienced corporate leaders with high-potential NGOs, social enterprises and mission-driven organisations seeking stronger governance and strategic leadership.

NNNGO

The Nigeria Network of NGOs

organisations
4000

In order to achieve the programmes laudable objectives, Ascent Board Collective is partnering with The Nigeria Network of NGOs (NNNGO). NNNGO is the first generic membership body for civil society organisations in Nigeria representing over 4,049 organisations ranging from small to larger groups working at both the local and national level.

This partnership aims to provide senior executives with meaningful board advisory experience while enabling participating organisations to benefit from the expertise of accomplished leaders across strategy, governance, finance, risk, communications, technology, ESG, human resources and organisational growth.

Strategy

Governance

Finance

Risk

Communications

Technology

ESG

Human Resources

Organisational Growth

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This is not an operational volunteering programme.

It is a structured governance initiative designed to strengthen organisations while preparing executives for future Non-Executive Director (NED) and board appointments.

Why This Programme?

Many experienced executives aspire to serve on boards but struggle to gain credible governance experience.

At the same time, many purpose-driven organisations have reached a stage where strategic guidance and stronger governance can significantly accelerate their impact.

The Ascent Board Advisory in Residence Programme brings these two opportunities together, creating a mutually beneficial partnership where organisations gain strategic insight, and executives gain practical board-level experience.

Executives gain board-level experience.

Organisations gain strategic leadership.

Africa gains stronger institutions and stronger board leaders.

Who Should Apply?

For NGOs, Social Enterprises & Mission-Driven Organisations

Applications are invited from organisations across Africa that are committed to strengthening their governance and are ready to engage experienced executives as strategic advisors.

Eligible organisations

Registered NGOs

Foundations

Social Enterprises

Mission-driven Startups

Applications are welcome from organisations based in Nigeria and across Africa.

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Applications Open: 7 September – 9 October 2026

Successful organisations should demonstrate:

  • A clear mission with measurable social impact.
  • A capable Executive Director or Founder who values strategic challenge and external perspectives.
  • A commitment to strategy, governance and long-term organisational growth.
  • Meaningful organisational scale or growth potential.
  • Financial maturity through responsible financial management and, where available, audited accounts.
  • Transparency and a willingness to share relevant strategic and organisational information with advisors.
  • A genuine commitment to implementing Advisory Board recommendations where appropriate.

Applications are welcome from organisations based in Nigeria and across Africa.

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Applications Open: 7 September – 9 October 2026

For Ascent Members

The programme is open to experienced Ascent members seeking practical governance experience that strengthens their readiness for future board appointments.

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Applications Open: 7 September – 9 October 2026

Participants will have the opportunity to:

  • Advise high-impact organisations on strategic priorities.
  • Participate in structured board-level discussions.
  • Develop practical governance experience.
  • Build a credible board portfolio.
  • Learn alongside experienced governance practitioners.
  • Join a community of executives committed to purpose-driven leadership.
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Applications Open: 7 September – 9 October 2026

Programme Journey

Phase 1

Applications Open

7th September – 9th October

Phase 2

Assessment & Shortlisting

12th October – 23rd October

Applications will be reviewed against Ascent’s governance readiness criteria.

Phase 3

Discovery & Programme Orientation

Late-October

Selected organisations and Ascent members will participate in a virtual orientation introducing the programme, expectations and the matching process.

Phase 4

Board Governance Masterclass

Late-October

A practical governance workshop led by experienced board leaders, covering:

  • Governance versus management
  • The role of Advisory Boards
  • Board responsibilities
  • Strategy and oversight
  • Risk and fiduciary thinking
  • Effective board meetings
  • Building productive board relationships

Phase 5

Board Discovery Conversations

Late-October – Early November

Organisations and prospective Advisory Board members will participate in structured introductory conversations to explore strategic fit before appointments are made.

Phase 6

Matching & Appointments

Second Week of November 2026

Successful matches will be confirmed, and organisations and advisors will begin onboarding.

Phase 7

Board Advisory Engagement

November 2026 – October 2027

Participants will serve a 12-month term, meeting quarterly while receiving ongoing support from Ascent.

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Selection Criteria for Organisations

Applications will be assessed based on:

  • Clarity of mission and measurable social impact.
  • Organisational maturity and credibility.
  • Leadership openness to strategic advice.
  • Governance readiness.
  • Strategic need for an Advisory Board.
  • Organisational transparency.
  • Financial maturity and responsible management.
  • Capacity to support an effective Advisory Board.
  • Commitment to implementing recommendations where appropriate.
  • Potential to provide meaningful governance experience for participating executives.

What You’ll Need to Apply

Applicants should be prepared to provide:

  • Organisation profile
  • Registration documents
  • Executive Director details
  • Governance information
  • Strategic priorities
  • Organisational impact
  • Financial information
  • Annual report or impact report (where available)

Key Dates

Activity
Date

Applications Open

7th September

Applications Close

9th October

Assessment & Shortlisting

12th October - 23rd October

Orientation & Governance Masterclass

Late-October

Discovery Conversations

Late-October – Early November

Final Matching

Second Week of November 2026

Fellowship Commences

November 2026 – October 2027

Join the Inaugural Cohort

Whether you are an organisation seeking strategic governance support or an experienced executive ready to build your board portfolio, the Ascent Board Advisory in Residence Programme offers a unique opportunity to create lasting impact while strengthening leadership across Africa. We look forward to welcoming our inaugural cohort.

Applications Open: 7 September – 9 October 2026

Join Ascent Club
Apply as an Organisation

Ascent Board Advisory in Residence Programme

Tell us about your organisation, its impact, leadership and governance readiness. This helps us match you with the right Advisory Board. Applications are competitive, so please answer thoughtfully and accurately.

Colleen Larsen

Chief Executive-Business Engage

Colleen Larsen is the Chief Executive of Business Engage, with a career spanning 28 years in the financial services market. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work in gender mainstreaming and is considered one of the leading voices for the sustainable advancement of women in the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors in South Africa. She advocates for using the business case as a foundation for transformation. One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because

Dr. Naike Moshi

Founder – CVPeople Tanzania

Dr. Naike’s journey, with over 15 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur, businesswoman, and gender consultant, is one of resilience, vision, and dedication to empowering others. Her career has focused on advancing business growth, leadership, and gender diversity across Africa. As the founder of CVPeople Tanzania, she established a trusted HR consulting firm that prioritizes people-centered solutions. Her dedication to addressing gender gaps led her to create Women in Management Africa (WIMA), a platform to elevate African women into C-suite roles. WIMA provides mentorship, career development resources, and networking opportunities that empower women across the continent to break barriers and reach new heights.

Nkiru Olumide – Ojo

Africa Regions Executive Head, Marketing Corporate Communications & CSI- Standard Bank Group.

Nkiru is currently the Africa Regions Executive Head, Marketing Corporate Communications & CSI at Standard Bank Group. She leads a diverse team across African countries to deliver business objectives through Brand Marketing, Corporate Communications, and Corporate Social Investment. Over the course of her 20 years across career, she has gotten several recognitions such as Leading Woman in Marketing and Communications 2016, Marketing Personality of the year among others. She is also a published author of the ‘Pressure Cooker-Lessons from a woman at work’ and is a female enthusiast.

Osayi Alile

CEO of Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation

Osayi is the CEO of Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation and has over 25 years of experience across different sectors. She is an experienced Council Member with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organisation management industry. She has also been named one of the African Women of the Year in 2015.

Yemi Faseun

Chief Talent Officer at YT Talent

Yemi is a business leader with over 30 years of multi-sector, multi-function experience. He is currently the Chief Talent Officer at YT Talent Officer and was a two-term elected council member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). He has received a number of global recognitions such as Top 8 HR Thought Leader in Africa, Top 50 Personality on LinkedIn, 2022 Top 200 Global Thought Leader among others.

Tewa Onasanya

Founder/CEO of Exquisite Magazine Services Ltd

Tewa Onasanya is a British-Nigerian publisher, philanthropist, Author and Mindset Stylist. She is the Founder/CEO of Exquisite Magazine Services Ltd, the publishers of Exquisite Magazine and the organizers of EMAC Walk and ELOY Awards. Tewa has been featured in numerous international and Nigerian media which include the CNN, BBC, New York Times, Wikipedia, Punch, Guardian, Thisday, Vanguard and more newspapers, Television and Radio station