Emily S.

President @ Hugo

About

Principles ⭐️ › Build shared focus; align team and individual successes. › Absorb complexity, transmit clarity. › Share decision-making principles, enable leadership at all levels. › Empower, delegate, and trust. › Be bold, but define and manage risks. › Work smart: automate processes, apply 80/20 thinking. › Measure outcomes, iterate on feedback, own mistakes openly. › Bring your whole self to work; encourage others to do the same. › Build something that lasts; build something beautiful. › Do work that matters to you when your head hits the pillow. Experience🧩 I'm a results-oriented executive with a proven track record in startups and large organizations. I bring structure to ambiguity and take ideas through ideation, design, development, and launch with rigor & speed. My experience spans Strategy, Finance, Product Development, Business Development and Operations. I practice leadership that ignites individual potential while propelling team achievements. My background includes Economics & Human Biology (Stanford), Policy (HKS), and Management (HBS). I'm committed to using technology for good, creating jobs, and making the planet more livable. Personal 🏞️ Beyond work, I'm a mom, a partner, an avid reader, an outdoor enthusiast, and always learning, whether it's farming, horseback riding, or cooking. I strive for a world where diverse values are honored, where we shape a future of work that empowers people, and where my kids can thrive on a healthy planet.

Country

City

Ghana

Industry

Computer Software

Skill

Strategy, Key Performance Indicators, Go-to-Market Strategy, Nonprofit Organizations, Healthcare, Finance, Energy Efficiency, Renewable Energy, Public Policy, Public Finance, Mobile Applications, Strategic Planning, Corporate Finance, Project Management, Strategic Consulting, Analytical Skills, Change Management, Operations Management, Digital Strategy, Product Management

Experience

President

Hugo

2024-9 - Present · 2 yrs 1 mo

Accra, Greater Accra Region, Ghana

At Hugo, we build and manage remote teams for world-leading companies, specializing in high nuance, high judgement work. https://hugoinc.com

Interim CEO, Board member & strategic advisor to technology and finance companies

Strategic Advisory

2020-11 - Present · 5 yrs 11 mos

Accra, Ghana & Lagos, Nigeria

Helping African companies identify opportunities, test feasibility, and launch new initiatives with rigor & speed Highlights include: • Independent director, committee chair, and executive strategy coach at Bayport Financial Services (Ghana). Bayport is a Helios-backed Savings & Loans company in Ghana (and 8 other markets). • Independent director and technology advisor at IC Liquidity Fund (Ghana). IC Liquidity Fund is the only fully digital asset manager in Ghana, focused on democratizing investments with low fees, high liquidity, high return profile • Interim CEO to Confidential Financial Services Startup (Nigeria): supporting launch of new fintech business for financial conglomerate based in Lagos, Nigeria; Led setup of business including market context, priority segments, value proposition, business case, go-to-market strategy, partnerships, organization, governance, and technology acceleration. Acquired by major Nigerian bank

Founder & CEO

Liquid Financial Services

2018 - 2022 · 4 yrs

Ghana

• Identified a strategic opportunity to launch a fully digital financial institution in Ghana; formulated a compelling business case and secured investor support. • Established and managed key components of the venture, including the business model, operations team, and technology team. • Orchestrated the product development for a mass-market financial service, enabling high-yield investments, low-cost money transfers, and seamless bill payments. • Directed a dynamic team to develop cutting-edge technology (features & flow, architecture decisions, backend build, robust cybersecurity & fraud modules, PCI-DSS compliance)

Associate Principal

McKinsey & Company

2012 - 2017 · 5 yrs

Lagos, Nigeria

I worked first in the US and then in Sub-Saharan Africa serving financial institutions, mobile operators, and private equity firms on a range of topics, including digital, customer experience, operations, strategy and technology. In that capacity I served clients across more than 10 Sub-Saharan African markets, including Nigeria, Ghana, Kenya, South Africa.

Strategy Manager

PayPal

2011 - 2011

Led emerging markets mobile strategy review, with focus on Africa

Marketing & Business Development

Embrace Global

2010 - 2010

• Developed a go-to-market strategy for portable, safe, user-friendly infant warmer to prevent infant mortality in India. • Led business development team to forecast demand and recommend business models, price points, market roll-out strategy and key design elements for private market viability based on 70+ doctor and patient interviews.

Special Assistant to Advisor on the Recovery Act

Deparment of Energy

2009 - 2009

• Managed special initiatives across DOE to get $36.7 billion in Recovery Act funding awarded to projects that would provide enduring value, unprecedented transparency, and a strong foundation for economic energy competitiveness. • Briefed Congress and the Office of Vice President Biden on matters related to the Recovery Act, focusing on funds disbursement strategy, risk mitigation, and best practice sharing. • Accelerated program timelines by identifying and resolving critical bottlenecks.

Associate

Touch Foundation

2007 - 2009 · 2 yrs

• Worked with Touch Foundation, Inc. and Tanzanian Ministry of Health to expand healthcare worker training capacity across Tanzania and pilot initiatives in second largest hospital and medical school in Tanzania. • Designed and facilitated performance management system for 1,080 hospital and medical university staff at Bugando Medical Centre (BMC), including annual target setting, monitoring, and performance rewards. • Organized 50 Weill Cornell Medical College resident and faculty volunteers annually at BMC.