AFRICA DESIGN WEEK

Bilen Zeremariam is the Founder of Africa Design Week and Editor-in-Chief of luxury interiors publication OLISE Magazine. An Interior Designer by background and a graduate of the University of the Arts London, she brings 20 years of experience in the luxury interiors industry. Including 15 years in design leadership roles, and an international career working with HNW and UHNW clients. Her move from interior design into publishing deepened her commitment to championing creative talent and creating greater visibility, connection and opportunity within the industry. Africa Design Week grew from that vision: to create a global platform where African and diaspora design talent can be seen, celebrated and connected to meaningful opportunities.

Ann Sakyi brings extensive experience in operations, organisation, compliance and event management to Africa Design Week. She completed her undergraduate degree in Law at the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE), before continuing her studies at BPP Law School. Her professional background includes legal and compliance experience, alongside field operations for the African continent with the IJM Washington DC offices. Ann brings the strategic thinking, regulatory awareness, structure and operational expertise required to turn the vision of ADW into reality.

Simone Ward is a programme curator, moderator and content professional with a background in journalism and editorial. A graduate of the University of Greenwich, she has worked across leading design, retail and furniture industry platforms, including Top Drawer and the Furniture Shows, developing programmes that bring together established voices, emerging talent and fresh perspectives. Her editorial eye, strategic thinking and instinct for the conversations that matter bring a distinctive perspective to ADW, shaping its programme and content direction to create meaningful, relevant and thought-provoking experiences.

Amrita Waura is Head of Marketing at Africa Design Week, leading the strategy behind its brand, positioning and global growth. A Marketing graduate from the University for the Creative Arts, her experience spans design, luxury interiors and publishing, working with high-end clientele and leading creative brands, alongside her role as Marketing Manager at OLISE Magazine. Bringing a strong understanding of the creative landscape, Amrita leads ADW’s marketing vision, shaping how the platform is positioned, communicated and experienced by audiences worldwide.

Magdeline is an all-round creative with an extensive career spanning interior design, furniture and artistic direction. A graduate of the University for the Creative Arts in Interior Design, she has developed a distinctive creative eye and exceptional attention to detail throughout her career. Her ability to transform spaces through composition, form and visual storytelling brings an important design-led perspective to ADW, shaping how the festival’s work is curated, presented and experienced.

Kelly Richardson-Platt is an experienced partnerships professional, published fashion stylist and creative with a career spanning commercial relationships, stakeholder management and operational delivery. She studied at the London College of Style and has been featured in major publications, including Vogue. Kelly has built her career around developing trusted relationships between brands, organisations and communities, bringing the commercial understanding, creative perspective and relationship-building expertise needed to develop meaningful partnerships and a strong community around Africa Design Week.