Terry Obel

Chief of Staff and AI Product Lead Consultant

2024 - 2024

-Collaborated with the CEO and leadership team to shape company expansion and strategic positioning, including licensing decisions, branding, go-to-market models, and organizational structure. -Defined company-wide OKRs and supported implementation across all teams, aligning operational focus with strategic objectives. -Developed DDI’s AI product strategy and defined four potential AI product lines; supported MVP development for two based on market research and internal capabilities. -Led business development product research and outreach to 50+ potential clients across health, climate, agriculture, and private sector domains. -Supported fundraising efforts, including refining pitch decks, drafting investment memos, facilitating investor introductions, and engaging prospective partners. - Spearheaded visibility and positioning experiments to elevate DDI’s brand through partner engagements, thought leadership, and ecosystem-building efforts.

Board Advisor and Director

2021 - 2024

Established Livara's board and currently provide ongoing support to the management team in fundraising and strategic growth initiatives.

Growth and Strategy Director [Interim]

2021 - 2021

Appointed interim Director to lead turnaround of strategy, growth, and operations during a critical period - Doubled sales revenue amidst the challenging COVID-19 pandemic and widespread lockdowns. - Engineered operational efficiency and data-driven decision-making by implementing robust business management systems and Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), creating a foundation for scalable growth. - Cultivated high-performing teams by establishing efficient and independent marketing and finance departments. - Revamped company structure and introduced performance-based incentives, reducing team turnover by 60% and improving team morale and output. - Reduced stock loss by 20% through the implementation of system efficiencies.

Head of Product (Electric and Software)

2023 - 2023

- Established and led integrated Software and Hardware Product teams, driving a unified product vision and scalable engineering processes to deliver a new line of electric consumer products for urban Africa, including talent acquisition, prototype assessment, and the implementation of scalable development processes and workflows - Led the development and launch of PAYGO-enabled Induction Cooker products, integrating firmware, hardware, and software systems, which resulted in a significant increase in the repayment rate from 50% to 93%. - Successfully rolled out electric Induction cookers and cookware (both PAYGO and non-PAYGO) across key African markets (Kenya, Tanzania, and Ghana), demonstrating experience in product launches and market expansion. - Oversaw full product compliance and integrated payment solutions for 5 core markets, with expansion plans for 7+ others across Africa and Asia, showcasing the ability to navigate complex regulatory environments and manage integrations at scale. - Directed the development, implementation, and continuous improvement of core software systems for customer acquisition, call center operations, production line management, credit assessment, and repair/warranty processes in Kenya and Tanzania. - Defined and established the hardware and software strategy and roadmaps for the next two product generations, aligning with business functions to enable the validation, sale, support, maintenance, and repair of electric and other B2C products.

Product Director [Interim]

2017 - 2023

Venture Builder

2021 - 2023

- Played a founding role in launching the Factor[e] Venture Studio, contributing to the establishment of a venture-building operation focused on addressing critical development challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa. - Led the WASH Portfolio, driving the development of a hardware sanitation venture aimed at reinventing the toilet for future cities in Sub-Saharan Africa, while also supporting a Software Water financing venture. - Defined and led the strategic roadmap from idea to pilot, aligning research and data from multiple partners, academic teams, and 100+ residents across three continents to inform product development. - Led the development of a toilet prototype with a demonstrated capability of dehydrating human waste by over 80%, successfully completing a pilot serving 10 users. - Conducted a comprehensive market viability and sizing assessment to inform product-market fit and go-to-market strategy - Defined the go-to-market strategy, led design and strategy discussions, and managed budget and resources for the WASH portfolio ventures. Engaged with over 10 investors and partners to explore funding and collaboration opportunities.

Senior Software Product Manager, Mobile Innovations

2019 - 2021

- Spearheaded the development and execution of Fenix's mobile strategy and roadmap, encompassing field-based customer onboarding, portfolio and credit management, and customer support, resulting in up to a 40% reduction in operational costs. - Developed and implemented an objectives and KPI framework to streamline annual and quarterly goal setting and tracking for all product managers. - Led the Fenix Software Internship program, as well as mentoring and developing emerging talent in the technology sector. - Contributed to organizational development as a founding member of the Fenix cultural committee, fostering a positive work environment and addressing employee challenges. - Participated in a key initiative to achieve pay equality through job grading across all roles at Fenix. - Represented Fenix in African technology ecosystem initiatives, engaging in high-profile events and discussions, including meetings with the President of Uganda.

Software Product Manager

2018 - 2019

Key Achievements included - Lead Fenix’s efforts in decentralizing the core software platform and building targeted functionality for our remote field teams using mobile technologies so they can on-board and service our customers efficiently. Some key achievements include: • Rolled out a mobile application that saw significant business value in the 1st year of launch: 40% reduction in cost of sales, 240% increase in sales without scaling the call center, 400% time reduction in customer on boarding and 2% improvement in loan repayment. The app continues to deliver significant business value through new functionality and iterations • Launched the app in all markets of operation in various languages • Trained and continue to support app adoption and usage with in country teams, the app maintains over 60% usage across all countries • Leading migration efforts of the app to a more scalable platform that would offer better performance especially on low resource phones in poor network areas. • Heavily involved in Fenix’s technology eco-system initiatives in Africa and have been a representative and speaker at various key engagements including meeting with the President of Uganda, Engie Innovation Awards, Women in Tech and Africa Conferences etc • Part of the inaugural culture committee at Fenix which develops and launches new ideas for nurturing Fenix’s culture as we grow. In addition to ensuring we have more fun, the team also gives input on and helps address significant new culture issues as they arise.

Entrepreneur In Residence

2017 - 2018

Spearheaded early-stage product research and business model design for two PAYGO-based clean energy and digital access ventures --BBOXX Gas: Designed to provide access to LPG & LNG to rural communities using Pay-As-You-Go (PAYGO) technology. --BBOXX Connect: Focused on providing internet access and smartphone financing to unconnected rural populations.

Hardware and Software Product Manager, SmartCook

2015 - 2017

- Joined as employee #1 and played a foundational role in establishing KOKO's research, operations, customer support, and sales & marketing teams for the SmartCook product suite across Kampala and Nairobi. - Defined and product-managed the initial 5 iterations of KOKO's core hardware (fuel dispensing kiosk, 2-burner cookstove, smart canister, smart tanker) and integrated software systems, leading a distributed, multi-disciplinary team to achieve market readiness. - Drove early customer acquisition and managed pilot programs for the SmartCook product suite in Kampala and Nairobi. - Transitioned to a Software PM role, leading software product management for key customer-facing products including the public kiosk interface, mobile application, and business reporting dashboards. - Conducted extensive user experience research, market analysis, and product testing to identify user pain points and gather data that informed KOKO's product strategy and identified new opportunities (including pilots in content streaming, internet distribution, and GIS mapping of competitor fuels). - Established KOKO's initial upstream and downstream logistics for cooking fuel, securing and managing partnerships with ethanol producers, chemical suppliers, transporters, petrol station owners, and local retailers.

Analyst and Project Manager

2014 - 2015

• Joined the company as employee #1

Product & Business Lead, Co-founder

2011 - 2014

- Co-founded the company and led product and business strategy across 5+ game titles, driving early-stage growth and innovation. - Secured Kola’s first angel investment round, supporting product development and go-to-market execution. - Spearheaded user acquisition strategy for Matatu, growing daily gameplay by 50x and monthly active users by 20x. - Achieved #1 ranking on Google Play Store in Uganda for two consecutive years; app remains a top national download. - Developed and executed the company’s first revenue model and closed strategic advertising partnerships, including a leading telecom; the company broke even in year two. - Led early team operations, product roadmap definition, and market validation efforts in a lean startup environment.

Business Development Intern

2012 - 2012

Worked with Google Uganda’s country team to drive product adoption and digital ecosystem growth. -- Supported go-to-market and user engagement strategies for Google Plus, Google Trader, and Google Apps. -- Promoted adoption of Google Apps across education institutions and SMEs, contributing to early-stage digital transformation efforts. -- Engaged with key stakeholders in tech hubs, universities, and businesses to showcase product value and drive uptake.