Marcia Ashong
Business Development Manager at Baker Hughes
Master of Laws, Energy Law
Certified Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
Nekpen Osuan
Associate Eduction Officer
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University
Co-Founder of WomenWerk
Ellen Osei is the President and Co-Founder of Raising H.O.P.E. (Hopeful Orphans Pursuing Excellence), a 501c3 non profit organization dedicated to providing resources that enhance quality of life for orphans, less fortunate children, and children with special needs. Ellen received a master of science degree in occupational therapy from Columbia University, NY, and is currently a doctoral candidate in the Movement Science and Education Program with a specialty in occupational therapy at Columbia University's Teachers College. Ellen currently practices as a pediatric occupational therapist in New Jersey’s early intervention system and board of education, focusing on children from 6 months of age to 5th grade with special needs that range from autism spectrum disorders to general learning and physical disabilities.
Ellen is an active member of Haven International, a special education program that focuses on providing adequate resources and training service providers of children with special needs in Ghana and eventually all of Sub-Saharan Africa. Haven International travels to Africa 3-4 times a year to provide workshops on instruction and behavior/symptom management for parents, teachers and healthcare providers of children with Autism and other intellectual disabilities. Ellen has also worked as a Neuroscience and Clinical Conditions lab instructor at the Columbia University Programs in Occupational Therapy. Ellen was the 2nd Runner- Up of Miss Ghana USA 2011, and currently serves as the Vice President and Director of the Miss Ghana USA pageant. Ellen is also a member of the North Jersey Alumnae Chapter of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Incorporated, a public service organization.
Dr. Calvin R. Hill has spent all of his professional life in an academic setting, having worked entirely in a college or university since obtaining his B.A. from Bethany College. Then and now, Dr. Hill’s energies remain focused on creating inclusive and vibrant campus communities.
Dr. Hill currently serves as the Assistant to the President, & Director of the Worcester State University Office of Diversity, Inclusion and Equal Opportunity. In this role, among other responsibilities he is responsible for the creating an inclusive and diverse campus community, whereby all employees feel physically and psychologically safe and secure. Dr. Hill is also responsible for investigating all grievances filed in accordance with the Department of Higher Education Affirmative Action Plan, which includes but is not limited to cases of Sexual Harassment and Sex Discrimination.
Prior to joining the Worcester State University Community, Dr. Hill served as the Associate Provost and Chief Diversity Officer at the MGH Institute of Health Professions in Boston, MA, and as the Assistant Dean and Director of the Office of Diversity Programs at Worcester Polytechnic Institute (WPI). In addition to his administrative appointments, he also has several years of teaching experience. Most recently at Anna Maria College in Paxton, Massachusetts where he served as assistant professor in the Division of Business, Law and Public Policy.
He is a member of several national organizations, including the National Association of Diversity Officers in Higher Education, the Massachusetts College Personnel Association, The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Pi Sigma Alpha (National Political Science Honor Society) and Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Dr. Hill received his bachelor of art degree in history-political science from Bethany College – Lindsborg, KS, masters of science degree in student personnel administration from Emporia State University – Emporia KS, and a doctorate of philosophy degree in political science from Howard University – Washington DC.
Business Development Manager at Baker Hughes
Master of Laws, Energy Law
Certified Institute of Arbitrators (MCIArb)
Marcia Ashong holds a Master of Laws degree in Energy Law and Policy (with distinction) from the Centre for Energy, Petroleum, Mineral Law and Policy, University of Dundee; a law degree (LLB) from the University of Exeter, and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and International Relations from the University of Minnesota. She is a certified member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators (CIArb), member of the Association of International Petroleum Negotiators (AIPN), and the Energy Institute (EI) respectively.
She began her career as a Fellow at Commission on Human Rights and Administrative Justice (CHRAJ) Ghana in 2006, after being awarded the Midwest Human Rights Fellowship award. Here she lead the Commission’s research efforts, and played a key role in getting the Ghanaian government to sign a key International Human Rights Convention. She subsequently gained Commercial and Corporate Law experience from two major International Law firms.
She was as a member of the implementation team of the World Bank’s Extractive Industries Technical Advisory Facilities’ Sourcebook (or as it is currently known EI Sourcebook) initiative; a project which was initiated as a tool to provide best practice policy frameworks for governments and stakeholders in the extractive industries; with specific emphasis on resource rich developing nations. Soon after this, she advised on a project which sought to evaluate the effectiveness of the ‘Norwegian Oil for Development Program’ in Ghana.
In 2010, she founded the Ghana Oil Club (GOC), a professional organization aimed at providing a forum for petroleum and energy professionals, as well as an avenue for active dialogue about Ghana’s Petroleum and Energy Sectors. She also serves as a member of the Board of Directors for the GOC.
Her areas of interest include, but are not limited to; Upstream and Downstream Oil & Gas and Energy Law & Policy, Local Content Strategies and Implementation, Business Development and Marketing Strategy, Sales, Market Analysis and Market Research, Business Process Development, Product Line Development, Client Account Management, Commercial Terms and Contract Management, Contract Negotiations.
She currently works as a Business Development Manager for Baker Hughes,’ and is based at the company’s headquarters in Houston, Texas.
Associate Eduction Officer
Adjunct Professor, Columbia University
Co-Founder of WomenWerk
Nekpen Osuan is an Associate Education Officer at the New York City Department of Education and an Adjunct Professor at Columbia University. An Economic Empowerment Mentor with The Clinton Global Initiative (CGI U), she is the co-founder WomenWerk (womenwerk.com) which celebrates International Women's Day annually in March. In 2014, WomenWerk attracted 380 men and women for its annual Youth Forum and Gala in New York City.
Nekpen is on the Boards of The New Leaders Council-New York, The Girls Education Initiative of Ghana, The Council of Young African Leader and AfriMetro, Inc. In 2012, she served as Florida Deputy State Data Director for Obama for America where she successfully led strategy efforts to re-elect President Barack Obama. Nekpen earned her Bachelor’s degree from Baylor University and her Masters from Columbia University. She is passionate about education policy, progressive advocacy, and economic development.
