UrbanGeekz 50 2025: Africa
December 17, 2025
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Claudette McGowan: Founder & CEO, Protexxa
Claudette McGowan is one of Canada’s most influential leaders in cybersecurity, digital transformation, and enterprise technology. With more than two decades of experience across public and private sectors, she has built a career at the intersection of technical excellence, strategic leadership, and societal impact. She is the Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Protexxa, a Canadian-based cybersecurity software and services company dedicated to helping organizations proactively manage cyber risk, protect digital assets, and build long-term cyber resilience. Under McGowan’s leadership, Protexxa has emerged as a trusted partner to enterprises navigating increasingly complex threat landscapes.
Prior to founding Protexxa, McGowan held senior executive roles at some of North America’s most respected institutions, including Deloitte, TD Bank, Bank of Montreal, Metropolitan Police Services, and North York General Hospital. At BMO, she served as Chief Information Officer for Enterprise Technology Employee Experience, while at TD she was Global Executive Officer for Protect Fusion & Cyber Experience. Her technical expertise spans cybersecurity operations, cryptography, incident response, cyber intelligence, digital forensics, and large-scale data center management across Canada, the U.S., Singapore, and Israel.
Beyond the boardroom, McGowan is deeply committed to advancing equity and inclusion in technology. She founded the Black Arts & Innovation Expo, chairs the Coalition of Innovation Leaders Against Racism (CILAR), and co-led the launch of Phoenix Fire and The Firehood, a women-focused angel fund supporting tech entrepreneurs.
McGowan holds a BA, an MBA, an honorary Doctor of Laws, and is currently pursuing a PhD in Computer Science. Her career reflects a rare blend of technical mastery, visionary leadership, and a steadfast commitment to building a more inclusive innovation economy.
Lise Birikundavyi: Managing Partner, BKR Capital
She is the Managing Partner of BKR Capital, a venture capital firm focused on supporting innovative Black-led companies. Through BKR Capital, Birikundavyi works to close systemic funding gaps while backing founders who are building scalable solutions across technology, finance, and emerging markets. Her investment philosophy centers on using capital as a catalyst for sustainable economic growth and community empowerment.
Before launching BKR Capital, Birikundavyi worked at Sarona Asset Management, a global investment firm funding growth-stage companies in emerging markets. There, she managed investments that helped African businesses scale operations, create jobs, and strengthen local economies. Her work emphasized not only returns, but also measurable social and environmental outcomes.
A passionate advocate for gender-lens investing, Birikundavyi has supported initiatives aimed at increasing funding for women-led businesses and advancing gender equity across the continent. She is a sought-after speaker on Africa’s investment potential, inclusive economic systems, and the role of finance in addressing development challenges, regularly contributing to global conversations on equitable access to capital.
With a clear mission to democratize investment and build inclusive ecosystems, Birikundavyi continues to shape the future of impact investing—championing founders who are often overlooked yet critical to Africa’s economic transformation.
Tiffany Callender: Co-Founder, FACE Coalition
Tiffany Callender is a nationally recognized community builder, social entrepreneur, and advocate for generational wealth within Canada’s Black community. She is the Co-Founder of the Federation of African Canadian Economics (FACE Coalition), a Black-led nonprofit established in 2021 to accelerate economic opportunity and wealth creation for Canadians of African descent.
Under Callender’s leadership, FACE Coalition has become a pivotal force in Canada’s entrepreneurship ecosystem. Most notably, the organization is collaborating with the federal government to co-develop and administer the $160 million Black Entrepreneurship Loan Fund—one of the largest public investments ever dedicated to supporting Black-owned businesses in the country. The fund is providing critical access to capital for entrepreneurs historically excluded from traditional financial systems.
Callender brings decades of experience designing and implementing programs that empower communities and dismantle systemic barriers to economic participation. Her work blends strategic program development, policy advocacy, and deep community engagement, ensuring that wealth-building initiatives are both accessible and sustainable.
Her impact has earned widespread recognition. Callender is a recipient of the RBC Canadian Women Entrepreneur Award and was named one of Afroglobal Television’s 100 Most Influential Black Canadians. She has also been recognized by MIPAD as one of the 100 Most Influential People of African Descent under 40, received the BBPA Harry Jerome Chairman’s Award, and earned the CanadianSME Editor’s Choice Award. FACE Coalition itself has been honored with the CWE Industry Award for Empowering Women in Business.
A member of the Forbes Business Council, Callender continues to shape national conversations on economic justice, entrepreneurship, and inclusive growth—building pathways to prosperity for future generations.
Efosa KC Obano: Founder, Black Founders Network
Efosa KC Obano is a social entrepreneur, technologist, and ecosystem builder dedicated to empowering Black and African founders through access to capital, community, and capacity-building resources. He is the Founder of the Black Founders Network (BFN) and the African Impact Initiative (AII), two organizations committed to supporting early-stage innovators and driving sustainable economic impact.
Through BFN and AII, Obano has helped thousands of entrepreneurs launch and scale their ventures, collectively generating more than $150 million in financial value. His work focuses on equipping founders with the tools, mentorship, and networks needed to build resilient businesses while addressing structural barriers within the innovation economy.
Before founding his organizations, Obano held leadership roles at Dell Technologies Canada, where he guided startups through digital transformation and led community outreach initiatives for Dell’s Social Impact Team and Black Networking Alliance. His contributions earned Dell’s Corporate Social Responsibility Award, recognizing his commitment to inclusive innovation.
Obano’s impact has been recognized globally. He has received honors from the United Nations, the Ontario Minister’s Award of Excellence, MIPAD’s Most Influential People of African Descent, Globe and Mail’s Change Makers, and the University of Toronto’s Young Outstanding Alumni Award.
A graduate of the University of Toronto with a degree in Strategic Management, Obano brings together entrepreneurial rigor and faith-driven purpose. He is motivated by a desire to use technology, capital, and mentorship as tools for service—uplifting marginalized communities and helping founders build solutions that create lasting change.
Main Image: Claudette McGowan, Protexxa
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