Noble Kumawu
Ghana
President
Noble is IODA’s President since October 2022.
Psychologist with a post-graduate specialization as an Organization Development [OD] Consultant having pursued his education at Birkbeck University, London; East London University, UK, and Harvard University, Boston, USA.
He divides his time between Africa and Europe, undertaking relevant Facilitation, Organizational Development (OD) & Management Development Consultancy, Training and Research assignments or strengthening the capacity of local consultants to do so. Noble is the current President of the OD Institute, Ghana and superintends over the training of OD Practitioners and Change Leaders in Post-Graduate Diploma or Master’s Degree in Organisation Development.
Noble has undertaken various short and long-term consultancy, research and/or training assignments for various clients including development partners such as United Nations, World Health Organisation, European Union, Africa Union Commission, etc. Prior to his election as the President of IODA, Noble also served as the President of the Organisation Development Practitioners Association (ODPA), Ghana.
Alfredo Bernardo Mazive
Mozambique
VP Conferences & Events
Alfredo Mazive has a diverse background in agricultural mechanization, law, and business administration. He began his career in education, later founding a rural vocational center that equips school-dropout youth with skills for self-employment, reducing migration to cities.
An alumnus of the Anglophone OD training initiative in Africa, Alfredo also completed training in Conflict Resolution, Mediation, and Appreciative Coaching. He is a certified professional facilitator and IAF member since 2000.
For over 25 years, Alfredo has been a dedicated IODA member, helping organize the 27th IODA Conference in Mozambique (2012). He has contributed to global Aid and Development forums through the OECD/DAC, ACP LenCD, EIP, Afrik4R, and CABRI. Currently, he serves as Executive Director of the Human and Organizational Development Academy (Mozambique), Chairperson of the Desmond Tutu Center for Leadership (South Africa), and lectures on OD & Sustainable Development at ISG Mozambique.
Ron Banerjee
USA
VP Affiliations & Partnerships
Banerjee is a Prosci® Certified Change Professional in ADKAR® and a published large-scale and DEIB cultural change expert. Ron has brought his energy and presencing to the Organization Development Community as the developer and leader of the ODN Welcome Group and Penn State OD and C liaison to the Pennsylvania Workforce Education Association. Ron is known globally as the creator of his Rapid Response Organization Development (RROD) model, an action plan for an OD response in times of crisis.
Banerjee is a decorated disabled veteran of the U.S. Navy and has been nationally recognized by the US Veterans Administration as an advocate for his fellow disabled veterans. Banerjee is also an active community leader holding Board and leadership positions in a variety of organizations including the Organization Development Network, Meals on Wheels of State College, the International Fraternity of Phi Gamma Delta, and the Penn State University World Campus Alumni Society.
Jim Maddox
USA
VP Strategic Projects
Jim is a Change Strategist and Teaching Assistant Professor at the University of Arkansas. He’s passionate about helping individuals and organizations experience life to the fullest, and engaging in positive, transformational change. He has a master’s degree in industrial and organizational psychology from the University of Nebraska at Omaha, and a Ph.D. in Community and Human Resources from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Jim is a Certified Management Trainer with Zenger-Miller/Achieve Global and a Registered OD Consultant (RODC). His current research focus centers on facilitating transformational change in developing communities and organizations and exploring the construct of resistance to change.
Lakshmidevi Vasudevan
India
VP Membership & Communications
Lakshmidevi Vasudevan is an Organization Development and Dance movement therapy (DMT) practitioner. Her inner work of change started with ISABS (Indian society for applied behavioural science) ODCP (Organisation development certification program) and continued with awareness to change through movement from DMT in Tata Institute of social sciences (TISS), Mumbai. Her all-time mentors and go to persons are Vasudevan Alasingachar,
VM Ramalingam and Sohini Chakraborty. (Ocean of wisdom & knowledge in OD & DMT)
Lakshmi brings embodied experience and movement exploration as an integrated approach for holistic growth and development of people for all age group and gender. Having around 20 plus years of overall experience, she has worked as HR professional for 11 years. As a Founder of “Way to Roots” for last 13 years she is into OD consulting. From 2019 she is integrating embodiment and movement practice through “Kalpavriksha4you” as part of interventions.
She is also a professional classical dancer and finds meaning, solace and expressions through movement and dance. She is passionate about holding monthly online space for people to bring back the forgotten body wisdom through “Body wisdom circle.”
James Eckley
South Africa
Operations Manager
James is responsible for the day-to-day operations of IODA, ensuring that the organization runs smoothly and efficiently. He is your go-to contact for all member-related queries, including membership applications, renewals, account support, and general correspondence.
In addition to supporting our global community of members, James plays a key role in coordinating the work of the Executive Committee (EC) and various sub-committees.
With a strong commitment to service and collaboration, James helps maintain the rhythm of IODA’s operations, making sure that our systems, people, and projects stay aligned with our mission.
Sophie Dazin
Spain
Marketing, Social Media & Comms
Sophie leads Marketing, Social Media, and Communications for IODA, helping promote our global activities and connect our vibrant international community. She ensures that IODA’s mission, events, and impact reach audiences around the world. From crafting compelling campaigns, managing digital engagement, and updating the website, Sophie works to amplify voices across the OD field and build lasting relationships within and beyond our network.
Paul A. K. Agbakpe
Ghana
Secretary
Paul, known fondly as Uncle Paul, is an experienced educator and the current Headmaster (School Principal) of St. Martin’s Senior High School in Adoagyiri–Nsawam, Ghana.
His involvement with OD began in 2011 when he enrolled in a postgraduate program with Organisation Capacity Improvement Consultants and the University of Cape Coast. He later earned a Master’s degree in OD from the same university in 2016, with research focused on managing transitions in organizations (change management).
His experience with secretarial and governance work dates back to his student days, when he served as SRC Secretary in sixth form. He was Secretary of the committee that restructured St. Rose’s SHS in 2010 and later Secretary to the Academic Board. He served as teaching staff representative on the Board of Governors at St. Rose’s SHS for over four years, was a board member at St. Paul’s SHS Asakraka–Kwahu, and currently sits on the board of St. Martin’s SHS.
Uncle Paul aspires to become a consultant in the management of organizational transitions in the near future.
Piyush Sharma
Denmark
Treasurer
Piyush Sharma is a seasoned finance professional and Chartered Accountant with over 15 years of experience spanning financial management, business partnering, budgeting, risk awareness, and strategic planning. Currently based in Copenhagen, he serves as a Business Controller at Ferring Pharmaceuticals, where he oversees global R&D budgeting and forecasting, leads monthly financial reporting to senior leadership, and drives cost-saving initiatives across the organization.
Throughout his career, Piyush has held progressive leadership roles within Ferring in Denmark and India, guiding teams through major audits, financial transformations, ERP implementations, and operational excellence projects.
Piyush holds professional qualifications as both a Chartered Accountant and a Company Secretary, supported by a strong foundation in commerce. Known for his analytical mindset, can-do attitude, and commitment to continuous improvement, he brings thoughtful stewardship and strategic insight to his role as Treasurer of IODA.