Chuma Keswa is a visionary Revenue Transformation Director with a global career spanning strategy, operations, and change leadership. She has led transformative initiatives at companies like Accenture, Pfizer, De Beers, and ETS, and now drives scalable growth at TriNet. With advanced degrees in Materials Science and Business Administration, Chuma blends technical depth with strategic insight. A proud advocate for diversity in STEM and leadership, she mentors emerging talent and champions inclusive innovation, and credits Smith College and Inanda Seminary in South Africa for setting her on that path. Her journey—from South Africa to the U.S. boardroom—embodies the resilience, excellence, and impact celebrated during Blackweek.

Verna Lalbeharie is a strategic leader dedicated to fostering equitable education systems through technology, personalized learning, and evidence-based reforms. She is Managing Director at Results for Development (R4D) and Executive Director of EdTech Hub, a global initiative leveraging technology to improve student learning. With over 25 years in education technology and innovation, she has led major initiatives at the American Institutes for Research, the North Carolina Department of Public Instruction, and the Friday Institute. Originally from South Africa, Verna is renowned for her ability to bridge research, policy, and practice to advance equity in education. She co-chaired the EdTech Genome project and serves on the Brookings Global Taskforce on AI and Education. She holds a BA from Smith College and a Master of Education from UMass–Amherst.

Tandiwe Njobe is a South African national who was born and raised in exile (Zambia and Tanzania). She is the youngest of five children, born after her parents left South Africa in protest of the apartheid system. Tandiwe earned a BA in Economics from Smith College and an MSc in Applied Economics from the University of Massachusetts, and she currently lives in South Africa with her son while working in the finance sector.

Jane Dawson Shang graduated from Smith College with a BA in Economics and Art History, and pursued graduate studies in International Business at Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan, awarded by Rotary International. This experience launched her career in international financial markets, and more importantly, fueled her interest in world cultures. A passionate supporter of education and the arts, Jane has chaired committees, volunteered, and donated to numerous schools and non-profit organizations. Jane has worked with Tandiwe over the last ten years to create “Where I Became,” and is deeply grateful to the women involved for sharing their friendship, trust, and stories.

Kate Geis is an Emmy Award-winning producer and director of independent documentaries and programs for PBS. Including Where I Became, she has directed several documentaries on the transformative power of education; A Year of Change: Leadership in the Principal’s Office, and Lessons of September: One School Remembers 9/11. She has spent much of her career documenting artists and creators including Eric Carle, Saturday Night Live’s set design team, Traci Paige Johnson, and Katherine Bradford. Her critically-acclaimed documentary Paul Taylor: Creative Domain, followed the legendary choreographer’s creative process making his 133rd dance, and her next film will explore his company’s new creative directions since Taylor’s passing.