Our Team
Emma Hayes
Emma Hayes is the Founder of Make Your Mark in Africa and serves as Executive Director of Empathy FX International.
After first traveling to Ghana in 2009, Emma developed a lasting connection to the country's Central Region. In 2023, she founded Make Your Mark in Africa to expand access to education and improve opportunities for women and girls through community-led initiatives.
She oversees all aspects of the organization, including fundraising, strategic partnerships, program development, and operations, and has traveled to Ghana three times to support its work firsthand.
Emma holds a B.A. from Trinity College (CT) and is based in New York City.
Nana Aggrey Fynn
Nana Aggrey Fynn leads the local Make Your Mark in Africa and Empathy FX team in Ghana as Director and Co-Founder.
Born and raised in Cape Coast, Ghana, Nana began his nonprofit career in 2004 as Overall Country Coordinator for Global Routes. Under his leadership, Empathy FX was recognized by the Paramount House of Chiefs as the premier nonprofit organization in Ghana's Central Region (2016–2019).
With more than two decades of experience, Nana oversees local operations and community partnerships, helping implement education, infrastructure, and women's health initiatives across Ghana's Central Region.
Rosemary DeAragon
Rosemary Hua serves as Advisor to Make Your Mark in Africa and is the Founder of Empathy FX International, where she previously served as Executive Director and now sits on the Board of Directors.
Rosemary is Head of Technology & Consumer Industries at OpenAI. She also serves on the boards of the Revolution Robotics Foundation and the University Catholic Conferences of California.
Since 2009, Rosemary has traveled to Ghana eight times, overseeing the construction and management of five schools serving more than 1,000 students. Under her leadership, Empathy FX was recognized by President Barack Obama for Exceptional Service Abroad, and she was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list in 2021.
Rosemary holds B.A. and B.S. degrees from UC Berkeley and is based in Los Altos, California.
Hannah Baffoe
Hannah Baffoe joined Make Your Mark in Africa in February 2024 and serves as Director of the Every Woman Project in Ghana.
She leads the implementation of the organization's women's health initiatives, including menstrual supply distribution, bi-monthly Girl Talk sessions, and coordination between the U.S. and Ghana teams to monitor program impact and community needs.
Hannah's deep understanding of the challenges facing women and girls in Old Odonase makes her a trusted mentor, role model, and advocate. Her leadership, communication, and organizational skills have been instrumental to the success and growth of the Every Woman Project.
Fluent in English, Twi, and Fante, Hannah grew up in Ghana's Central Region, where she excelled academically and earned sponsorship to attend senior high school.
She earned her degree from the University of Cape Coast and now resides in Kumasi, Ghana.
Bernard Abakah
Bernard Abakah serves as Program Development Manager for Make Your Mark in Africa and Empathy FX International.
He joined the organization in 2021 after moving from Ghana to the United States to pursue graduate studies.
Born and raised in Old Odonase, Bernard brings a deep understanding of the community's culture, values, and evolving needs. He plays a key role in program development and grant writing, helping ensure each initiative reflects authentic local priorities and creates lasting impact.
Bernard is currently pursuing a Ph.D. in Chemistry at the University of Pennsylvania. He has served as Director for Research, Scholarship & Graduate Transitions for the Graduate Students Association of Ghana (U.S.) and as Co-President of Penn's Black Graduate and Professional Students Association.
His personal connection to Old Odonase, including his sister's family benefiting from the teacher housing initiative, continues to inspire his commitment to expanding educational and economic opportunities across Ghana.
Charles Atta Fynn
Charles Atta Fynn is the In-Country Travel Program Manager of Make Your Mark in Africa and Empathy FX International. Charles was born and raised in the village where Empathy FX built a school in 2012. Charles oversees the construction of our program’s buildings.