Elizabeth Tanya Masiyiwa is a social entrepreneur and smartech executive. She is the executive director of Delta Philanthropies and the co-founder & CEO of Simba Education, an edtech startup whose mission is to increase access to quality early childhood education, leveraging the use of technology. More recently, she is the co-founder and director of the STAR Leadership Academy, an intensive educational and experiential learning program aimed at academically gifted students providing them with leadership skills, challenging their identity and cultural awareness and building a commitment to servant leadership whilst placing a strong emphasis on STEM and 21st century skills. Elizabeth serves on the board of Cassava Smartech, Ashesi Foundation and Higherlife Foundation where she leads the Office of Design & Innovation. She also sits on Harvard University’s Leadership Council for the Centre of Africa Studies and advises a number of entrepreneurship and philanthropy networks. She also co-manages a social impact investment fund that invests in initiatives that promote economic development in Southern Africa. Prior to her role, she was the lead analyst for UNICEF’s Innovation Venture Fund. Her most recent accomplishment has been, being the youngest nominee of the 2018 African Choiseul 200 List, a France-based think-tank that ranks the top economic leaders under the age of 40.
Elizabeth Tanya completed a Bachelor of Science in Banking & International Finance. In line with her passion to find sustainable solutions to the world’s most pressing issues, she also holds a Masters of Social Entrepreneurship.