Meet our Team

Meet Ebere Akadiri

Founder and Program Chair

Ebere Akadiri, CEO of Rise and Lead, has been described as “an inspiring role model to Women” and an influential leader helping women in business to connect with decision-makers and get a seat at the table.

Through her business experience of over 20 years, managing and leading her own company and partnering with major global corporate clients, Ebere developed a toolkit to help women rise to leadership and make an impact.

A VIVA 400 nominee and a recipient of Rotary Club award for philanthropy, Ebere believes in following her calling, living a life of purpose and leading through generosity and fairness.

Ebere’s inspiring leadership conferences and roundtables bring together diverse women in business, together with accomplished leaders from major global brands like Aon, Accenture, Coca-Cola, Google, Uber, Mastercard, WeTransfer, P & G, Insights, United Nations, UPS and many more. Her platform helps corporate organizations to gain insights on best practices to advance women and drive change towards diversity, inclusion and equity.

Ebere regularly writes and speaks about Leadership, Inclusion and Entrepreneurship. She has spoken at various conferences and industry events.

Follow Ebere on LinkedIn, Twitter and Instagram to read her thoughts and insights on leadership.

Melisa Dicker

Director of Partnership

Melisa is an experienced and engaging professional, leading finance and business operations across a range of disciplines and functions. She supports businesses by providing strategic financial direction, financial planning and analysis, financial and business control and stakeholder management. She is an authentic and influential leader, with a focus on modeling a positive and inclusive culture. I strive for collaboration and inclusion in decision forming. She builds high performing teams through sharing common purpose/vision and fostering camaraderie through my genuine and approachable nature. Melisa enjoy coaching and developing others to achieve their goals and potential. She has led high performing teams delivering financial planning and analysis, business and corporate support services including; strategic and business planning, budget and forecast development and management, business case development, trend and exception analysis, monitoring and reporting, cost modeling, financial compliance, guideline development, risk and assurance, AP and AR, payroll and business information services.