Nela Duke Ekpenyong is an investor, award-winning conservationist, philanthropic advisor, and entrepreneur with over a decade of experience driving large-scale growth and development initiatives across Africa. With a deep passion for sustainability, innovation, and economic empowerment, she has played a pivotal role in shaping Africa’s investment and conservation landscape. She is the co-founder of LEGA.C Capital, a multi-family office, and oversees Obudu Capital, a $20 million climate tech fund dedicated to accelerating climate adaptation through innovative solutions. As an investor and ecosystem builder, Nela has directly contributed to the growth of high-impact ventures across Africa, previously serving as a Partner at Ingressive Capital and managing a multi-million-dollar fund backed by CISCO, which supported transformative startups such as Andela, MaxNG, Flutterwave, and Yoco. Beyond investing, Nela is a champion for conservation. Through the Obudu Conservation Centre, which she co-founded in 2015, she advances environmental research and community development on the Obudu Plateau, protecting vital ecosystems while empowering local communities. Her leadership in this space earned her global recognition, including being named a Global Ambassador for Wild Africa, a leading wildlife fund engaging policymakers and influencers to champion conservation efforts across the continent.