Almaz Negash, a pioneering figure in Silicon Valley, is celebrated as one of the inaugural members of President Biden’s Advisory Council on African Diaspora Engagement in the United States. Recognized as one of the 50 Leading African Corporate Women by Leading Ladies Africa, and honored as one of the 50 Women We Admire in San Jose, as well as Silicon Valley’s 100 outstanding Women of Influence, Almaz stands as a beacon of social innovation and leadership.

In 2010, Almaz founded the African Diaspora Network (ADN) with a vision to inform, engage, and activate Africans in the diaspora and allies, fostering direct collaboration with social entrepreneurs, innovators, and business leaders. This mission-driven approach aims to drive investment and uplift the lives of individuals across the African continent and in our local communities.

Under her visionary stewardship, ADN has evolved into a pivotal platform for a myriad of initiatives. Notably, ADN hosts the African Diaspora Investment Symposium (ADIS), an annual event held in Silicon Valley that convenes influential minds and changemakers. ADN also leads initiatives such as Builders of Africa’s Future, Accelerating Black Leadership & Entrepreneurship (ABLE), Young African Leaders Initiative Legacy Localization (YALI LL), and Impact & Innovation Forums.

Currently, Almaz is deeply committed to mobilizing Africans from the diaspora, urging them to explore innovative approaches for engagement beyond remittances, toward sustainable investments on the continent.

In addition to her leadership at ADN, Ms. Negash serves on both private and nonprofit boards. She played a pivotal role in the UNECA High-Level Commission on Migration from 2017 to 2019. Furthermore, she brought her expertise as an Executive in Residence at the Lucas School of Business, San Jose State University, during 2018 and 2019.