Meet the Team
Meet the amazing people behind the scenes
Board of Advisors
Chairperson
Mo! Sibyl is a two-time award-winning podcaster, cultural curator, and unapologetic storyteller who amplifies the lived experiences of Black people, Asians, and those who love them.
By day, she is Dr. Motolani Adedipe, a Fulbright Scholar, health economics and outcomes researcher, and Associate Professor at the College of Medicine, University of Oklahoma Health Sciences. Her work focuses on health equity, community engagement, and improving quality of life for underserved populations.
By the mic, she becomes Mo! Sibyl is the host of The More Sibyl Podcast, a weekly global show that explores migration, identity, culture, and belonging across borders. With listeners in over 100 countries, the podcast has earned her two podcasting awards and a reputation for thought-provoking, cross-cultural dialogue.
Through her podcast and public scholarship, she champions authentic narratives, builds cross-cultural bridges, and advocates for marginalized voices.
Board Member
Chilu Lemba is a voice artist, author, and media professional with over three decades of experience across Africa’s creative industries. Based in Johannesburg, his voice has become a familiar presence on radio, television, and commercial campaigns throughout the continent.
He is a three-time Voice Arts® Award winner, two-time APVA Award Winner and was recently honoured with the Zambia Institute of Marketing President’s Lifetime Award or his contributions to media, marketing, and storytelling.
Beyond voice work, Chilu produces and hosts podcasts under the PodHouse Conversations platform, which explores culture, creativity, and conversations that hape contemporary Africa. He also leads Sharp Shooter Collective, a music initiative focused on African rhythms and storytelling through sound.
Chilu is passionate about nurturing emerging talent and sharing knowledge that empowers the next generation of creatives. His work continues to bridge local voices with global audiences, one story at a time.
Board Member
Gathoni Ngumba is the Founder of Story Palette, a podcast coaching and training company empowering African creators to craft impactful audio narratives. She also works with Afripods, a pan-African podcast hosting and distribution platform, focusing on community development, creator support, and ecosystem development.
With over six years in podcasting, Gathoni has collaborated with organizations like Mesha Science, Sahihi Africa, NBO Film Festival, and co-hosts the award-nominated Okay Kiasi podcast with her sisters.
Her work centers on authenticity, representation, and helping African stories be told by those who live them.
Board Member
Kevin Masaba is a seasoned radio programmer and consultant with over 20 years of leadership experience in radio broadcasting across East Africa. Renowned for his expertise, Kevin has played a pivotal role in shaping the radio landscape, working with various radio stations to enhance their programming and connect with audiences effectively.
Embracing the podcast revolution, he founded the Podcast Nursery project, SCOOL RADIO & PODCAST, which empowers primary and high school students to explore the art of podcasting and storytelling.
In addition to his work in education, he is a graduate of BAA at Kyambogo University with a major in English with several Media certifications, Kevin is a dedicated lifestyle radio coach, helping aspiring broadcasters hone their skills. As the founder of Radiomind Africa and the Radiomind Broadcast Summit, he continues to advocate for innovation and excellence in broadcasting. Through his initiatives, Kevin is not only shaping the future of radio but also inspiring the next generation of voices in media.
Board Member
Wakio Mzenge is a multi-award-winning Kenyan screen, stage, and voice actor known for her powerful performances and global voice work, including the Cannes-winning Stain Not Shame campaign and projects with Deutsche Welle, AMREF, and Discovery Learning.
She serves as Secretary of the Kenya Actors Guild and Organizing Secretary of VALA Capital, and was named Face of APVA 2024. A passionate mentor, she leads The Pokeza Skills Program through her outfit Beyond The Mainstream Storytellers*, empowering young creatives.
In 2024, Wakio was honoured with the Shujaa Medal by the President of Kenya, recognizing her outstanding impact on the country’s creative economy.
Board Member
Sean Loots is a South African podcast consultant, award-winning podcaster, and former radio host with over 15 years of experience in storytelling and broadcasting. Known as a quiet catalyst for transformation, Sean is celebrated for his calm, intentional approach to helping individuals and brands create meaningful, high-impact audio content.
Sean runs the Latitude Podcast Studio, and as the founder of Podcast Club, supports creators at every stage. His work is grounded in clarity, creativity, and connection, empowering clients to speak with confidence and craft podcasts that resonate.
Sean also hosts Something Shifted, a reflective podcast exploring stories of personal growth, change, and resilience. Whether behind the mic or behind the scenes, he brings care, curiosity, and deep listening to every project—helping ideas come to life, one thoughtful episode at a time.
Board Member
Lola Soyebo Harris is the founder and chief story curator at Kadara Media, an impact-driven platform amplifying inspiring African and diasporan voices. She hosts the Kádàrá Woman podcast, now in its second season, where she leads powerful conversations with African women living purpose-driven lives.
Lola is passionate about storytelling that challenges perceptions and celebrates African identity.
Outside podcasting, she heads brand, marketing, and design teams at a real estate firm, crafting both narratives and spaces where communities thrive.
Her work reflects a deep belief in the power of stories to build connection, purpose, and transformation.
Creative Partners
Creative Partner - Podcast
Tony Onwuchekwa aka Tony Doe is a Radio and Podcast Consultant, with years of experience On-Air, in Production, And In Management For Multi-Format Radio Stations.
He’s the Country Representative of the Association of Podcasters and Voice-Over Artistes [APVA], a growing community looking to give credit and much-needed attention to unique African voice talents, (podcasts, voice-over artists, spoken word artists, poets, and more) and He’s the Operations lead/Instructor at the Broadcast Radio Masterclass [BRMC].
He consults for Afripods a Kenyan-based podcast technology company.”
Staff
Founder/Creative Director
Bidemi Adedire is a Communications and Idea Strategist and Marketing Automation enthusiast. She considers herself a lifelong learner and believes that ideas and creativity rule the world.
Bidemi specializes in leveraging digital tools to effectively communicate and build platforms, set up systems, and deliver solutions that are audience-centered.
She is the founder of The Association of African Podcasters and Voice Artists, a fierce adolescent health and women’s empowerment advocate, an avid podcaster, and the coordinator of the African Podcast and Voice Awards.
IT Operations & Website Manager
Kolawole is an experienced website designer who’s passionate about creating captivating online experiences. With over 7 years of web design expertise, his specialty is merging creativity with functionality to deliver visually stunning and user-friendly websites across diverse industries.
He focuses on ensuring that all APVA sites are being updated timely and making sure branding and security of the platform is top notch at all times
Communications & Partnerships Manager
Gracie Imo is the creative force behind the award-winning Grow&Glow Podcast. Alongside her podcasting journey, She is deeply involved in podcast management, leveraging my expertise to assist fellow creators in finding their unique voice and managing their shows effectively. Beyond the mic, She indulges in my love for exploring and cherishing moments with family and friends.
Editorial Associate
Abimbola Babatunde is the Communications Intern at APVA. Her role is to curate a variety of opportunities, events, jobs, and resources for podcasters, spoken word artists, voice-over artists, and creatives across Africa.
She gathers and filters through these opportunities, ensuring they align with the audience’s interests and aspirations.
She is the bridge that links talents and opportunities within the Africa landscape.
Country Leads
Country Lead Nigeria
A multifaceted digital creator, podcast host, and voice-over artist known for his magnetic presence and insightful discussions on Richie’s Talk Zone. With a captivating voice and dynamic energy, Richie serves as both a Master of Ceremony and a guiding voice in the quest for personal growth and a positive mindset. Join him on this transformative journey, where every episode, event, and endeavor invites audiences worldwide to explore new horizons and embrace the power of potential.
Country Lead Zambia
Muzhinga Kankinda is a burgeoning powerhouse in the realm of media and communication, emanating from the bustling heart of Lusaka, Zambia. Muzhinga’s passion for storytelling and solutions journalism, coupled with her ability to captivate audiences, positions her not merely as a communicator, but as a researcher who breathes life into stories and unlocks new avenues of knowledge and possibility.
Country Lead South Africa
Top 25 Exceptional Women In Digital Award, Head of Video Marketing – The Ethical Agency, Be Digital Creative – Founder, Director of Marketing – Ojimah, Podcast Creator & Host – A 1000 Voices Podcast, Speaker, Author.
Volunteers
Event Host
Audrey Akpevwe Odogu has over 10 years of working as a social development professional. Her work in the social development sector specifically focused on Education, Volunteer Management, Youth Unemployment (TIVET), Unemployment, Cervical Cancer and issues affecting women across Africa.
She enjoys volunteering and has done so for Slum2School Africa, Global Shapers (Lagos Hub), Sustyvibe ( women development team), Health Emergency Initiative, Kaiser Foundation for Social Development, Obodo Support Group ( Ndidi Health Services LTD) to mention a few.
Audrey is driven by her commitment to eradicating cervical cancer through her advocacy platform called Save the Cervix Initiative. Cervical cancer is the second leading cause of death in women, and one day she hopes to witness a completely liberated and equal society. She plans to continue her work in gender equity with a focus on advocacy for women, women’s health and volunteerism respectively.
Event Host
Deborah Oiza Yusuf is a seasoned Voice talent skilled in narrations, e-learning, commercials, documentaries, audiobooks, etc.
She has over 5 years experience as being an On-Air Personality, has worked with several media establishments both on radio and TV in South-West, Nigeria.
Holds a degree in Mass Communication and several certificates in media and journalism. An alumnus of Voice Over Workshop.
She is the Voice of Wildlife Weekly, a Wildlife podcast for International NGO, WildAid, headquartered in California, and also voiced the audiobook “OMOH” written by Dr. Omoayena Odunbaku, Human Settlements Officer with the UN Habitat, amongst other voice works to her credit.
She is an environmental advocate and gender advocacy catalyst.
