Highlights from our tenth Global Ambassadors Program, this time in South Africa

Throughout our Global Ambassadors Program in Johannesburg, South Africa, we’ll be posting blogs and photos highlighting our Global Ambassadors and mentees and the events they participate in throughout the week, including one-on-one mentoring sessions, professional development trainings, a site visit to an HIV/AIDS clinic, a public forum convening experts and thought leaders to explore the role of women in advancing economic and social progress in Africa, and more.

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"Africa's time is now": Global Ambassadors share reflections
Employee blog: South Africa 2015
View photos from the program's most recent events in Johannesburg
Read more updates from our partner, Vital Voices, as they document the program's return to South Africa

“Africa’s time is now:” Global Ambassadors share reflections

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RED THREAD PRODUCTIONS
GAP South Africa 2015-Program Overview BofA, (RED) and Vital Voices
AS PRODUCED VIDEO TRANSCRIPT

GRAPHIC: The Global Ambassadors Program – A Vital Voices & Bank of America Partnership

SUPER: Anne M. Finucane , Global Strategy and Marketing Officer, Bank of America
In South Africa Bank of America and Vital Voices came together with (RED) to connect mentors and mentees integrating these future leaders of tomorrow with one of the greatest issues that’s facing Africa

SUPER: Deborah Dugan, Chief Executive Officer, (RED), Global Ambassador, United States

Deborah Dugan: It’s a diverse group here, all connected in some way, to the fight against AIDS.

SUPER: Titi Cole, Retail Products & Underwriting Executive, Bank of America, Global Ambassador, United States

Titi Cole: They come from many parts of Africa, Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Nigeria, South Africa. They’re leading on the front lines in their communities and you hear their energy and their passion for change.

Titi Cole: My mentee, Victoria, provides micro-leasing. By helping these women start their own businesses, they can then make better choices for healthcare and create a better life for their families.

Anne M. Finucane: The mentees get really meaningful skills, of how to improve their business how to improve their messaging.

SUPER: Philippa Thorne, Creative Director, Gone Rural, Mentee, Swaziland

Philippa Thorne: In the Global Ambassador Program, it was the first time I’d really seen that many women, in a room, with the same vision and direction. That was really amazing.

Deborah Dugan: Then together we went to a clinic and you see the money, that Bank of America and others have given to (RED), goes to global fund and funds innovation on the ground.

SUPER: Agnes Atim Apea, PhD, Chief Executive Officer, Hope Development Initiative, Mentee, Uganda

Agnes Atim Apea: What I saw is how strategic investment in health can actually be motivating the clients and increasing access to our people in this continent.

Titi Cole: We also got to spend time with mothers who have HIV but through the medicines they have babies who are HIV negative.

Mother: I was pregnant, my first child in 2008 I find I’m positive. Then I take my therapy from one month until nine months. My baby she’s negative. So, I was so happy because me, I’m positive, my baby, all of them, they are negative.

Deborah Dugan: When I look at these women, I think we are one step closer to the end of AIDS.

Linda Mafu: (Singing) We are fighting for our rights, we have a right to live.

Philippa Thorne: I really feel like we can do more for women and for the communities. This program has really helped me to see that I can achieve that.

Kogie Govender: I’m leaving today with a plan for my goals.

Agnes Atim Apea: We will get back to our countries and make a contribution and show that women’s voices are part of that process.

END GRAPHIC:
Graphic: bankofamerica.com/globalambassadors

Employee blog: South Africa 2015

Julia Benadie is a Director and Head of Corporate Banking on the Global Corporate and Investment Banking team in South Africa. Julia joined Bank of America Merrill Lynch in 2009 and has 13 years of investment banking experience. She is a member of LEAD for Women and was recently selected as a mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation Mentoring Women in Business program. Julia is attending the Global Ambassadors Program and providing live updates from the event. Get the full story.

View photos from the program's most recent events in Johannesburg

Victoria Kisyombe, Global Ambassadors Program participant, and Melissa Naidoo, Bank of America Merrill Lynch employee.

Kathleen Matthews, Global Ambassador, speaks with a young woman participating in the Johannesburg Mentoring Walk.

Global Ambassadors Program participants, employees, and South African women attend the Mentoring Walk on International Women’s Day.

Global Ambassadors Program participants and Bank of America Merrill Lynch employees at the Mentoring Walk.

Philippa Thorne, Global Ambassadors Program mentee from Gone Rural (Swaziland).

Linda Mafu, Joyce Mbwette, Antonia Ashton listen to mentor and mentee introductions.

Antonia Ashton, Global Ambassador from SAP Africa.

Mentors and mentees share their stories.

Sbusisiwe Myeni, Global Ambassadors Program mentee discusses objectives and challenges for her educational organization serving orphans.

Mothers with HIV negative babies meet with Global Ambassador participants.

Global Ambassador participants tour the Themba Lethu Clinic.

Julia Benadie, BAML employee with Global Ambassador participants as they learn about the clinic’s work.

A view of the automated medication dispenser for HIV/AIDS.

Deb Dugan, CEO (RED) and a mother and child.

A mother and her HIV free baby.

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Highlights from our tenth Global Ambassadors Program, this time in South Africa

“Africa’s time is now:” Global Ambassadors share reflections

Employee blog: South Africa 2015

View photos from the program's most recent events in Johannesburg

Read more updates from our partner, Vital Voices, as they document the program's return to South Africa

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