Begay Downes-Thomas, a a Gambian-American born and raised in New York to Gambian parents. She has more than 20 years of experience as a senior advocacy, strategist in strategic communication, partnerships, and media in the development sector - specifically in strategies, branding, resource mobilization at the country and regional level in Africa and internationally. She currently leads Global Partnerships at SEED Project in Senegal and is a brand experience curator.