Combating Poverty Through Transformational Business in Africa

Olivia Bahemuka, DNP, MSN, RN-BC, CGNC

President

Olivia N. Bahemuka brings over 25 years of nursing leadership, global health expertise, and community-centered practice to her work. A Doctor of Nursing Practice graduate from the University of Alabama at Birmingham and a Post-Doctoral Global Health Leadership Fellow through the Afya Bora Consortium at the University of Washington, she carries both academic rigor and frontline global experience into every initiative she leads.

A certified Global Nurse Consultant through the International Council of Nursing, Dr. Bahemuka holds deep expertise in transcultural care, health equity, and grant-funded program development, with scholarship appearing in peer-reviewed journals and international nursing publications.

During her tenure as Professor of Nursing at Belmont University's Gordon College of Nursing, Dr. Bahemuka mentored emerging nurse leaders and built cross-sector partnerships connecting students with underserved communities locally and globally. Her work across Uganda, Rwanda, Botswana, and Tanzania shaped national health policy, strengthened nursing education, and trained frontline healthcare providers.

Her nonprofit governance experience spans three organizations: board member for Blood Water Mission, a Nashville-based NGO serving Africa; board of trustee for Christ Presbyterian Academy; and board of trustee for The Mustard Seed, a Phoenix-based NGO advancing community development across Northern and Western Uganda.

In April 2026, Dr. Bahemuka founded Friends of TBN Africa, serving as its President in her continued commitment to combating poverty and fostering sustainable economic growth across Kenya, Uganda, and South Africa.

Doug Korn

Secretary-Treasurer

Doug Korn serves as the Secretary-Treasurer for Friends of TBN Africa, bringing a wealth of executive leadership, strategic foresight, and corporate governance to the organization. Professionally, Doug is the Chief Executive Officer of Fear Free, LLC, where he leverages his deep expertise in corporate strategy and business development to drive organizational growth and innovation.

Doug is deeply passionate about the mission of Friends of TBN Africa, believing that impactful giving must move beyond temporary aid. He is committed to investing in sustainable, dignified empowerment by backing local entrepreneurs who drive economic independence, unlocking a ripple effect of job creation and community reinvestment capable of thriving for generations.

An active leader in both his local and global communities, Doug currently serves as an Elder at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville, Tennessee. His extensive governance background also includes past service as a Trustee at Christ Presbyterian Academy and as a board member for the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce.

Jacob Zikusooka

Director

Jacob Zikusooka is the Regional Director for Transformational Business Network Africa, leading TBN Africa's strategy and operations across Kenya, Uganda, and Southern Africa. Jacob is passionate about enabling access to capital for African entrepreneurs and advocates for impact investing as a tool for inclusive economic growth.

His work at TBN Africa combines capacity building and capital mobilization, fostering a community of purpose-driven, values-based founders using enterprise solutions to fight poverty. Together with his team, they have to date supported 5,006 enterprises (56% women-owned), increased their aggregate revenues by USD 9.2M, and helped them access USD 27.2M of debt, equity, and mezzanine capital, creating an additional 19,624 jobs.

Jacob has spent the last 27 years actively involved in the shipping and logistics industry, alongside entrepreneurial pursuits in real estate, commercial forestry, media, and e-commerce. "Zik," as he is fondly called, holds an MBA in Entrepreneurship and Innovation from York St John University and is a graduate of the Stanford Institute of Innovation in Developing Economies.

Nate Morrow

Director

Nate Morrow is Head of School at Christ Presbyterian Academy (CPA) in Nashville, Tennessee, a 1,360-student independent, college-preparatory Christian school serving preschool through grade 12. Having just completed his twentieth year at CPA, he joined as Head of Upper School in 2006 and has served as Head of School since 2011. During his tenure, CPA has seen significant growth across academics, arts, athletics, enrollment, advancement, community service, and college placement.

Mr. Morrow holds a B.A. from Vanderbilt University with a double major in Special Education and Human and Organizational Development, along with a master's degree in School Administration. His public education career began in 2002 teaching fifth-grade resource at H.G. Hill Middle School, following his time with the Titans and NFL Europe, and included leadership roles across Metro Nashville schools, becoming one of Davidson County's youngest administrators at age 26.

Mr. Morrow and his wife, Anne, have four children: Jack, Luke, Lily, and Ali Rose.

Ron Buck

Director

Ron Buck brings a lifetime of entrepreneurial achievement, community investment, and faith-driven service to the Board. Born in Montgomery County, Tennessee, in 1950, the son of a sharecropper, Ron grew up working on the family farm before his father's declining health brought the family to Nashville in 1965.

Ron served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1973, then earned his BS in Agri-Business, with dual minors in business and marketing, from Austin Peay State University in 1976. In 1989, Ron founded Ronald D. Buck, Inc., a real estate company specializing in the acquisition and redevelopment of underperforming properties, leading the transformation of several landmark Middle Tennessee sites over his career.

Ron's business acumen is matched by a deep commitment to service. He is a founding member of Mufutuli Ministries, which has established an orphanage, school, and housing for at-risk children in Zambia, and he remains active in prison ministry and mission work both locally and internationally.

Ron and his wife, Mary Bolton Buck, have been married since 1967 and have two sons, James Robert and Eric Jeffrey ("EJ"), who also serves alongside Ron on the Board.

Eric "EJ" Buck

Director

Eric Buck brings a rare combination of technical skill, hands-on curiosity, and heartfelt service to the Board. Currently pursuing studies in mechatronics and industrial electrical maintenance, Eric approaches every challenge, whether an engineering problem or a community need, with curiosity, integrity, and practical problem-solving.

His commitment to service runs deep. Eric has traveled on mission trips to Zambia, where he supported food distribution, evangelism, and care for orphaned and at-risk children. Closer to home, he has partnered with Legacy Mission Village, a Nashville nonprofit serving refugees resettling in the United States, through diaper distribution programs.

As the son of fellow board member Ron Buck, Eric represents the next generation of leadership carrying the mission forward. Outside of his studies and service, Eric enjoys time with friends, classic automobiles, and the outdoors.

Mike Gingras

Director

Mike Gingras brings more than 30 years of business leadership, strategic relationship management, and governance experience to his service on the Board. Professionally, Mike is a key Account Sales Manager for Gates Rubber Company, where he has built a distinguished career leading strategic customer partnerships and driving business growth over three decades.

In addition to his professional leadership, Mike currently serves on the Board of Trustees for Christ Presbyterian Academy. His governance experience also includes previous service on the Board of Benchmark Adventure Ministries, where he served as Board Chair for three years. Mike has also served as an Elder at Christ Presbyterian Church in Nashville for the past eight years, where he currently leads a Connect Group.

Mike lives in the Nashville area, where he continues to invest his time and leadership in business, education, and faith-based organizations.