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Herby Duverné elected Chair; Hilina D. Ajakaiye, Daren Bascome and Dana Mendenhall join Board of Directors
BOSTON – The Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) today announced the election of Herby Duverné as Chair of the organization’s Board of Directors. The Board also recently elected three new members: Hilina D. Ajakaiye, Daren Bascome, and Dana Mendenhall.
“BECMA is thrilled to welcome Hilina, Daren, and Dana to our Board of Directors. Each of our new members provides a unique perspective from diverse professional experiences across their various respective industries,” said Nicole Obi, President and CEO of BECMA. “Their guidance and direction, and the unwavering leadership of Chair Herby Duverné, who has served on our Board for many years, will amplify BECMA’s work to build Black wealth across Massachusetts.”
BECMA’s Board of Directors oversees the strategic direction of the organization, routinely provides expertise and advice, and reviews organizational matters at quarterly meetings to ensure the organization is on track to meet its goals.
Each of the new members will serve a three-year term ending in 2027. Brief biographies and quotes from the aforementioned Board members follow:
Herby Duverné, CEO of Windwalker Group, a firm noted for its specialization in physical and cybersecurity, is set to bring a considerable depth of experience to his new role. As the Founder and Partner of RISE Together, a company active in real estate development, and the owner of AJA Partners, a venture firm in Boston renowned for its significant investments across a variety of sectors, Duverné embodies a broad spectrum of business expertise and leadership.
Duverné expressed his enthusiasm and vision for his new role: “Assuming the role of Chair of the Board at BECMA is both an honor and a privilege. Under the leadership of Nicole Obi, the organization has achieved remarkable success in its mission to support Black businesses and entrepreneurs. BECMA’s steadfast dedication to diminishing the racial wealth gap, bolstering the Black business ecosystem, fostering generational wealth in Black communities, and contributing to a fairer, more inclusive economy is commendable. I look forward to working closely with Nicole and the board, leveraging my experiences to further advance BECMA’s strategic objectives and enhance the economic prosperity of the Commonwealth.”
Hilina D. Ajakaiye, is the current Executive Vice President at Meet Boston. With over 15 years of sales, marketing, and operations experience, Hilina, a native of Ethiopia, actively serves on several boards, including The Network of Executive Women and Big Brothers, Big Sisters. Recognized as the 2019 “Rhode Islander of the Year,” she co-chairs the Equity, Diversity & Inclusion Committee for Destination International. An inductee into the Big Brothers, Big Sisters “People We Admire” program, Hilina is a Leadership Rhode Island graduate and Founder of the R.I.S.E. Women’s Leadership Conference.
“I am so honored to join the BECMA Board, helping to promote and support businesses and entrepreneurs of marginalized groups, including people of color and women. As someone who first came to the United States as an immigrant in the late ’80s, I intimately understand the many systemic challenges Black and marginalized communities face, and as someone who is passionate about giving back to the community, I appreciate the important work BECMA is doing to level the playing field. I’m so excited to be a part of it,” said Hilina D. Ajakaiye.
Daren Bascome, is the founder and the creative director of Proverb, an award-winning place-branding agency that partners with innovative real estate developers, institutions, cities, and destinations to build groundbreaking brands and campaigns. Under Daren’s leadership, Proverb has become a recognized partner for brands seeking to apply strategic design thinking to their businesses, products, and communications. A native Bermudian, Daren set out to create the type of agency that the industry tends to lack—one that is dynamic, inclusive, effective, and culturally relevant.
“Many of today’s businesses, and the businesses of tomorrow, are not able to grow and thrive without organizations like BECMA there to offer targeted support and assistance, particularly within Black communities, which face unique barriers to economic prosperity. I’m excited to come to the table with other established leaders on the BECMA Board to create more opportunities and innovate new pathways to economic success for Black businesses,” said Daren Bascome.
Dana Mendenhall currently serves as Senior Vice President, Global Head, Commercial and Portfolio Strategy at Takeda. Dana has over two decades of experience in the pharmaceuticals and therapeutics industry, orchestrating strategies that have expanded global market penetration. With diverse expertise in marketing, sales, strategic planning, and operations, Dana is a charismatic leader with a strong record of achievement in the healthcare sector.
“I am delighted to contribute to the BECMA Board of Directors, collaborating with accomplished leaders to bolster Black businesses and the broader Massachusetts economy,” said Mendenhall. “BECMA’s impactful initiatives drive positive change in our communities, and I am enthusiastic about leveraging my strengths and expertise to further this meaningful cause.”
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About the Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA)
The Black Economic Council of Massachusetts (BECMA) is a member-based nonprofit organization that builds Black wealth across Massachusetts by supporting and empowering Black-owned businesses and removing barriers to opportunity and prosperity for the Black community. Founded in 2015, BECMA focuses on four pillars to building and sustaining Black wealth: entrepreneurship, placement, commerce, and ownership. Through advocacy, programming, and strategic partnerships, BECMA drives economic equity and prosperity for Massachusetts to achieve inclusive growth that enables Black-owned businesses and Black communities to thrive. For more information, visit www.becma.org.
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