Rosa made history as the United States’ first-ever Assistant Trade Representative for Africa, serving under Presidents Bill Clinton and George W. Bush. In this groundbreaking role, she shaped landmark trade initiatives that transformed U.S.-Africa relations. Earlier in her career, as Senior Trade Advisor to US Congressman Charles Rangel, she played a pivotal role in crafting the African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA), enacted in 2000. AGOA remains the cornerstone of U.S. economic policy toward sub-Saharan Africa, unlocking billions in duty-free exports and fostering economic growth and job creation across the continent.

Today, Rosa continues to influence Africa’s economic trajectory through both enterprise and advocacy. She serves on several high-level boards, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Afreximbank’s Fund for Export Development in Africa (FEDA), and the World Trade Organization’s Business Advisory Board.

As President and CEO of The Whitaker Group (TWG), Rosa guided the firm’s strategic standing as the partner of choice for global companies investing in Africa — helping to deliver billions of dollars in commercial capital across the continent. In 2017, she led TWG’s pivot to its own direct investments when it acquired shares and management control of Dominion TV, a pan-African multimedia company broadcasting 24/7 in 49 African countries on DStv, the continent’s largest satellite platform.

Rosa’s impact extends beyond business. She served for 13 years on the Board of Directors of Mercy Ships, a global Christian charity delivering free surgical care and medical training across Africa via the world’s largest hospital ships. As the organization’s former President, she supported efforts that provided over $2 billion in medical support to economically vulnerable people in Africa.

Rosa holds both Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees from The American University in Washington, D.C., and has completed studies in London, Rome, and at the U.S. Foreign Service Institute.

Until March 2024, Dr. Wapakabulo served as CEO of Downforce Technologies, a UK-based environmental data company. Previously, she founded TIG Africa and made history as the first woman to lead a national oil company at its inception, serving as the inaugural CEO of Uganda National Oil Company (UNOC). At UNOC, she led the development of Uganda’s commercial oil and gas strategy, securing over $20 billion in investment partnerships with regional and global stakeholders. Under her leadership, UNOC established robust policies and agreements aligned with International Finance Corporation (IFC) environmental and social risk standards, ensuring community development and local participation across the petroleum value chain.

Beyond her tenure at UNOC, Dr. Wapakabulo has raised over $200 million in financing for various enterprises. She is an electrical engineer by training, with a PhD in data modeling and standards, an Executive MBA from INSEAD, and advanced credentials in oil, gas, and mining governance from Oxford University. Earlier in her career, she spent eight years at Rolls-Royce plc, where she earned recognition as an award-winning innovator and authored a book on the strategic importance of data standards for global organizations.

She served as Chief Financial Officer of two publicly traded business development funds totaling $1B in assets on the NASDAQ at the Gladstone Companies before landing at The Whitaker Group, Inc. as VP Finance and Compliance. She also serves as VP Finance of the NDW Ministries, Inc., a 501c3 non-profit. She is experienced in mergers and acquisitions, financial analysis and reporting, investor relations, treasury management, budgeting and forecasting, bookkeeping (receivable, payable and payroll management), HR and contract management, and auditing and tax matters.

She is an active volunteer at her church and in her community – serving on the boards of her local school PTA and also on her homeowner association. She is a member of the Virginia Society of CPA’s and the American Institute of CPA’s for over two decades. She enjoys exercising and traveling with her family.

David leads multiple initiatives in sectors including automotive battery distribution, private protection services, LED lighting, and sustainable agriculture—building scalable systems that enhance efficiency and unlock new market opportunities.

He holds an MBA in Maritime Management from the University of Greenwich, a certification in Data Science and Machine Learning from MIT-IDSS, and is pursuing an MA in Law at the University of Law, London. His affiliations include the Kingdom Business and Professional Forum and the Do mu Kiyoku Shotokan Karate Association. He is married with children and enjoys adventure motorcycling and being up to date on global affairs.