Meet the Board is a series that introduces the people who help steward Africa Matters Initiative’s mission and long-term vision.

Through these reflections, we’re sharing the values, experiences, and perspectives that guide our governance and leadership — offering a window into the thinking that shapes AMI’s work today and the direction we’re moving toward.

In this reflection, we hear from Gemma Thompson, Board Member of Africa Matters Initiative’s Board of Directors.

Why Africa Matters Initiative

What draws me to Africa Matters Initiative is its deep commitment to youth-led African leadership through storytelling, advocacy, and community impact. AMI creates spaces where young people are not only heard, but trusted to lead, shape narratives, and influence change in their own contexts. That is both powerful and necessary.

My background is in education, strategic partnerships, and storytelling for social impact. Through my work at Good Work Foundation, I work closely with young people in rural South Africa, supporting pathways into learning, work, and leadership. I see every day how confidence, voice, and a sense of purpose can shift life trajectories. This connects strongly with AMI’s flagship programs that centre storytelling and advocacy as tools for leadership, agency, and systems change.

I believe leadership is about creating the conditions for others to stand in their own authority and agency, rather than speaking for them or prescribing solutions.

What excites me about AMI’s next chapter is the opportunity to deepen its reach while staying rooted in its values. I’m excited to support the organisation as it strengthens youth leadership ecosystems that are ethical, courageous, and deeply connected to the future of the continent.

In HER Own Words

A Leadership Reflection

“What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make.” — Jane Goodall