Topher has been convening and connecting people for the purposes of social change for 20+ years, starting at the Highland City Club, a membership community of 300 change-makers in Boulder, Colorado. He then managed Dunton Hot Springs, one of North America’s top all-inclusive resorts and retreat centers, and founded Conveners.org, a group of 150+ impact conferences and accelerators. In addition to Topher’s leadership of the Opportunity Collaboration’s global network of 3,000+ nonprofit executives, for-profit social entrepreneurs, grant-makers, impact investors, corporates, media and academics building sustainable solutions to poverty and injustice, he also leads Connective Impact, a comprehensive membership network providing critical connections, resources, and intelligence to help demystify the international development funding landscape.

You can also ask Topher about the Lunar University!

Jessica is a bridge-builder, strategic leader, community organizer, and operations architect for 10+ years with a focus in education, health, and impact investing. She speaks four different languages with which she has led global communities of impact investors, social entrepreneurs, and students.  Jessica has been actively engaged in the Opportunity Collaboration community since 2014, before assuming the Chief Operating Officer role in the Fall 2022. She also finds great joy as Mama of a toddler, COO of Connective Impact, Senior Advisor for JumpScale LLC, and Affiliate for Meridian Institute. Prior to this, she has served as the VP at Jumpcale LLC, Board Member of Conveners.org, Fulbright Scholar in Indonesia, Director at Toniic, and Director at The Future Leaders Institute.

Tracie has 25+ years of operations, administrative and non-profit experience.  She has enjoyed working with the Delegate community since Opportunity Collaboration’s inception in 2009.  Tracie’s most recent roles include assisting start-up organizations establish systems and processes.  She is also the Operations Manager at Bridging Voice, an organization assisting people with neurodegenerative diseases with their computer access and communication technology needs, and the Operations Manager at Computer Services for the Blind, an organization specializing in electronic braille for the blind. Previously, Tracie was the Operations Manager for MCE Social Capital for 14 years.

Favour is a social impact advocate with expertise in operations, project coordination, and community engagement. She holds an MSc in Project Management and an LLB in Business Law, with diverse international experience across Nigeria, the UK, the Netherlands, and France. Favour is passionate about supporting marginalized communities and driving initiatives focused on gender equity and cross-sector collaboration. She has led projects amplifying student voices, and her work with nonprofits like Period Reality underscores her commitment to creating lasting, meaningful change.

Abaas is the CEO and Co-founder of the Media Challenge Initiative (MCI), a youth-led non-profit fostering the next generation of journalists in Uganda. He believes good journalism can positively impact the world. Under MCI, he leads the MCI Media Hub, incubating journalism innovations, and Solutions Now Africa, Africa’s first youth-driven solutions journalism newsroom. His work has been featured in the Huffington Post, CNN Africa, JAM LAB, and DW Akademie. In 2018, President Obama highlighted his work in South Africa. Mpindi is a 2024 Elevate Prize Winner, 2023 Africa Visionary Fellow, 2018 Obama Leader, and Tony Elumelu Entrepreneur, focusing on solutions and constructive journalism.

Isabelle is a Haitian anthropologist focused on empowering local communities in Haiti by amplifying their narratives. She holds a double bachelor’s in literature and anthropology, a Master’s in nonprofit management from Florida Atlantic University, and a Master’s in applied anthropology from UNT. Isabelle has collaborated with diverse stakeholders, including community organizations, agricultural co-ops, impact investors, global corporations like Meta, and institutions like the United Nations, where she led a civil society initiative to create a national strategy for addressing past crimes. Her work spans small business development, climate justice, food security, transitional justice, and human rights. Recently, she designed a national dialogue process based on Haiti’s cultural approach to difficult conversations.

Michael (Founder of Story & Spirit) is a convening designer, facilitator, and leadership coach who helps organizations and individuals weave new stories for deeper connection. With 25 years of experience, his work spans solo storytelling, guiding teams through growth, and coaching founders and CEOs through transformation. No matter the format, his mission is to bring humanity, connection, and a sense of the Sacred to his clients’ work. Michael is an ICF Certified Executive Coach, Certified Breathwork Facilitator, and author of Story Maps: Wayfinding Tools for the Modern Seeker. He also serves on the Wild Gift Board. He has a weak spot for chocolate and puppies (though the two don’t mix well!).

Maame Afon is an internationally recognized thought leader, networker, speaker, recording artist, and advocate for women and leaders worldwide. With over 20 years of experience in leadership, coaching, philanthropy, and facilitation, she empowers leaders and organizations to unlock potential and maximize impact. Her career spans work and board service with organizations like Global Fund for Women, We Care Solar, The World Bank, UNFCU, CHIEF, Moremi Initiative, and Mastercard Foundation. In 2017, Maame founded MILT LLC (Mindsets for Impactful Leadership & Transformation) to support leadership transformation. She also leads The AfriWomen Network, an inclusive and intergenerational space for Black African women and girls.