ESD Global Board Members
Kassoum Coulibaly is an esteemed economist, strategist, governance, and gender expert dedicated to advancing global economic and social progress, sustainable development, and universal peace promotion. With over 21 years of experience, he has worked extensively with youth and women in Africa aa well as across the globe. His career has seen collaborations with numerous national, continental, and international non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and United Nations (UN) agencies, including UNESCO, UNDP, UNICEF, UNFPA, UN Women, UNV, and UNCTAD in Africa. Notably, he has contributed to Civil Society Reference Groups (CSRGs) with the UN Global Spotlight Initiative, addressing issues such as Gender-Based Violence (GBV), Child Marriage, Female Genital Mutilation (FGM), as well as Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR).
Kassoum Coulibaly
Board Chair
Mark Nessel is a thought leader, educator, author, and speaker on Empowerment Self-Defense (ESD) with over 25 years of experience in the field. He holds black belts in jujitsu and Tae Kwon Do. He has BAs in English Literature and Creative Writing from the University of Wisconsin Madison. and is a graduate of the MOR Associates Higher Education IT Leaders Program.
Mark Nessel
Board Member
Born in Hong Kong and raised in Columbus, Ohio, Helen H Yee co-founded the American Institute of Alternative Medicine (AIAM) in 1990, after becoming a licensed massage therapist, where she is currently CFO. As a graduate of Ohio Dominican University and a third-degree black belt in Taekwondo, Helen competed nationally and internationally, and is a two-time National gold medalist, and was selected as an alternate for the 1988 US Olympic Team.
Helen Yee
Board Member
Andrea Gioia is a seasoned executive with a proven track record as Vice President of Product Management and UX/UI Design. With a strong foundation in Engineering, Andrea brings a unique blend of technical expertise and creative vision to her role. Known for her insatiable curiosity and data-focused approach, she excels at navigating complexity to prioritize work effectively, ensuring strategic objectives are met with precision.
Andrea Gioia
Board Member
Robert is a seasoned professional with over 35 years of independent agency management experience, marking a distinguished career trajectory that includes significant roles in the commercial insurance sector. His journey encompasses 13 impactful years as the Chief Operating Officer of a prestigious seven-location commercial insurance agency headquartered in Chicago, followed by a noteworthy 21-year tenure as the Chief Executive Officer of a regional commercial agency spanning two locations in Montgomery, AL.
Robert Froese
Secretary / Treasurer
Timothy F. Scott is a seasoned Business Executive with extensive financial and operational leadership experience in various industries. He has excelled in CEO and President roles for both large corporations and early-stage companies, demonstrating a dynamic and innovative approach to achieving operational excellence. With a track record of success in domestic and international manufacturing environments, Timothy is skilled in change management, production optimization, and team leadership. He has a strong background in plant layout design, production line setup, and machinery modification to meet specific production needs.
Timothy F. Scott
Board Member