Awamary Lowe-Khan (Gambia)
Awamary Lowe-Khan (Gambia)
(Founder and CEO of The Woman Boss, Innovative Gambia, and Ndox)
Awamary Lowe-Khan, a trailblazing entrepreneur and CEO, hails from the Gambia, born of a Spanish mother and a Gambian father. Raised in The Gambia, Africa's smallest mainland nation, she embarked on a remarkable journey of empowerment and leadership. At the age of 17, she left her home country to pursue higher education in the United States, where she obtained a BSc. in Business Administration from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, and an MBA from Upper Iowa University. Her commitment to continuous learning led her to complete an executive education program at Harvard University and earn a non-profit management leadership certificate from Duke University.
With a proven track record in the corporate world, Awamary established herself as a regional finance executive for the American Red Cross, chief financial officer for the Tammy Lynn Center for Developmental Disabilities, and executive vice president and chief financial and operating officer for Carolina Small Business Development Fund. Her expertise in finance, combined with her passion for entrepreneurship and innovation, propelled her to found the Innovation & Entrepreneurship Center and pioneer North Carolina's Black Entrepreneurship Week, a groundbreaking event in the state.
Recognized as an influential speaker on leadership, policy, small businesses, entrepreneurship, innovation, diversity, inclusion, gender, and finance, Awamary has graced prestigious platforms such as the White House, US Congress, US State Legislature, Harvard University, Duke University, and the Gambian government. Her insightful contributions have been sought after by various organizations and governments seeking to empower women, girls, and minority communities.
In 2018, Awamary returned to The Gambia, driven by a deep desire to effect transformative change. She established The Woman Boss and The Disruptive Lab under the Innovate Gambia umbrella. The Woman Boss is dedicated to empowering women and girls by fostering entrepreneurship, innovation, and leadership. With a focus on tackling societal challenges such as gender-based violence and traditional gender roles, The Woman Boss equips women with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to become successful entrepreneurs and leaders. The Disruptive Lab serves as a hub for Gambian tech entrepreneurs, providing acceleration, incubation, and co-working space to nurture their innovative ventures. Other businesses and products founded by Awamary include a tech startup (PointClick Technologies, cofounded with her husband), and a product (Ndox, The Gambia’s first boxed water product aiming to reduce plastic waste).
Awamary's commitment to championing women's empowerment and fostering innovation extends beyond The Gambia. She has initiated projects in several African countries, including Nigeria, Rwanda, South Africa, Tanzania, and Uganda. Through her tireless efforts, she has mentored and empowered thousands of women and girls, transforming their lives and inspiring them to embrace their potential.
Awamary's impactful work has been recognized and celebrated. She was nominated for Woman of the Year by Spectacular Magazine in 2016 and honored with the Leaders in Diversity award by the Triangle Business Journal in 2017. NBC Washington acknowledged her as one of 35 Rising Women in Africa in 2020. Forbes Africa also featured her as one of the "tech queens" in The Gambia in 2022.
Awamary Lowe-Khan's unwavering dedication to creating lasting change in Africa, promoting women's economic empowerment, and fostering innovation and entrepreneurship has made her a true visionary. Through her organizations, The Woman Boss and The Disruptive Lab, she continues to shape the landscape of leadership, break down barriers, and empower the next generation of women leaders in Africa. Her passion, expertise, and commitment are driving forces behind the transformation taking place in the continent's business and innovation ecosystems. She is married to an entrepreneur and has three children.
(Information from Amaka, March8, Awamary)