Midlothian Angel Network Announces New Investment Committee Appointments as Dr. Iyanu, Jaysen and others step up…

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

A strategic expansion to strengthen investment governance and portfolio excellence

Dallas, Texas — October 2025 — The Midlothian Angel Network (Midlo Angels) is pleased to announce the appointment of new members to its Investment Committee (IC), marking a significant milestone in strengthening its governance structure and investment leadership capacity across North America and Africa.

The expanded Investment Committee brings together a diverse group of accomplished professionals with expertise across AI, engineering, technology, fintech, enterprise systems, and venture analysis. Their combined experience will enhance Midlo’s diligence, deal structuring, and portfolio management processes as the network scales its global footprint.

All members of the Investment Committee will report to Dami Ogunsanya, Chair of the Investment Committee, and work closely with Temitayo Ade-Oshifogun, Deputy Chair, to advance the network’s investment governance and portfolio evaluation framework.

Newly Appointed Investment Committee Members

Iyanuoluwa Odebode, PhD — CEO, Wokkah

Dr. Iyanu is an Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning (AI/ML) expert, entrepreneur, and technologist with deep expertise in data science and intelligent systems. He is the Chief Executive Officer at Wokkah, an AI platform helping organizations accelerate software delivery and decision-making through AI-driven automation.

He previously founded Zeitios, where he led data-driven innovations, and co-founded Metabull AI and Afromeals, leading R&D and product engineering efforts. Dr. Odebode also serves as Chief AI Advisor to CybrCastle, working at the intersection of AI, cybersecurity, and enterprise strategy.

He holds a Ph.D. in Information Systems (Data Science and AI focus) from the University of Maryland, Baltimore County, an M.S. in Bioinformatics from Morgan State University, a B.Sc. in Computer Science from the University of Ilorin, and executive education from Harvard Business School.

Jaysen Lamb — Project Manager & Agentic Architect, VALID Systems

Jaysen is a seasoned technology strategist and agentic architect with expertise in AI, data science, and agile project delivery. He currently serves as Project Manager and Business Analyst at VALID Systems, where he leads cross-functional teams in AI-driven business transformation.

His career includes leadership roles at Equinix and Wells Fargo, where he advanced enterprise data integration and strategic operations. Jaysen holds an Executive MBA from the University of Texas at Arlington and a Postgraduate Certificate in AI & Machine Learning from the UT Austin — McCombs School of Business.

Beyond his role on the Investment Committee, Jaysen will work closely with Midlo’s Chief Technology Officer, Emmanuel, to strengthen the network’s digital infrastructure and scalability across North America and Africa.

Ayobami Alao — Geotechnical Engineer, Freeport-McMoRan

Ayobami is a Geotechnical Engineer at Freeport-McMoRan, where she leads infrastructure stability, hydraulic construction monitoring, and tailings management across major U.S. mining operations. She brings extensive experience in engineering design, quality control, and project management from roles with the Rural Access & Mobility Project (RAMP) and large-scale dam construction projects in Nigeria.

Ayobami holds a B.Eng. in Civil Engineering from the University of Ilorin and a Master of Engineering (M.Eng.) from South Dakota Mines. Her technical and analytical expertise strengthens Midlo’s due diligence rigor for projects involving infrastructure, industrial technology, and sustainability.

Prakash Acharya — Senior Enterprise Solution Architect, Blue Yonder

Prakash is a Senior Enterprise Solution Architect at Blue Yonder, where he advises Fortune 500 organizations on AI, Agentic Systems, and digital transformation strategy. With over two decades of experience in enterprise solutions and global technology delivery, Prakash has led complex projects across supply chain management, automation, and portfolio optimization.

A graduate of Manipal Institute of Technology, Prakash is recognized for his thought leadership at the intersection of technology and operational efficiency. His expertise in enterprise integration and cross-border solution architecture informs Midlo’s approach to data-driven investment analysis and emerging tech evaluation.

Yinka Oshe — IoT Business Development Manager, AT&T

Yinka is an IoT Business Development Manager at AT&T, where he manages strategic OEM partnerships with leading global automakers including Lucid, Subaru, and Honda. He began his career in the oil and gas industry before serving in the U.S. Army Reserves as a Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear (CBRN) Specialist, and later transitioned into corporate technology and strategy.

Yinka holds a B.S. and M.S. in Chemical Engineering and an MBA from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where he developed a passion for business strategy and consulting. He lives in Frisco, Texas, with his family and brings a strong operational and partnership-building mindset to Midlo’s investment strategy.

Obiageli Ezike (Canada) — Product Manager & Scrum Master

Obiageli is a Product Manager and Scrum Master with expertise in fintech, biometrics, and digital banking systems. She has held product leadership roles at SterlingPRO Business Applications and currently designs user-centric fintech products in North America. Her work focuses on improving digital identity and payments through innovation and agile methodologies.

She holds certifications as a Professional Scrum Product Owner™ (PSPO I) and Professional Scrum Master™ (PSM I), along with business analysis training from Fanshawe College in Ontario, Canada. Obiageli’s international experience and fintech insight enrich Midlo’s technology and diaspora innovation investments.

Zayyad Atekoja — Software Engineer & Venture Partner

Zayyad Atekoja is a Software Engineer and Venture Partner with a strong foundation in backend development, cloud computing, and startup technology evaluation. He has previously worked as a Software Engineer at Amazon Web Services (AWS), focusing on EC2 Networking and Transit Gateway infrastructure, and held engineering roles at Oracle Cloud and Smartsheet, where he contributed to systems reliability and large-scale product scalability.

A two-time AWS Certified Engineer, Zayyad holds a Bachelor’s degree in Computer and Information Technology with a concentration in Cybersecurity and Software Engineering from Purdue University. His technical rigor and venture insight position him as a bridge between engineering excellence and investment analysis.

As the youngest member of the Investment Committee, Zayyad will oversee the Midlo Fellowship Program (MFP), mentoring fellows and driving youth engagement, innovation, and early-stage venture pipeline development across the Midlo ecosystem.

“The strength of any angel network lies in the caliber of its investment leadership,” said Wale Salami, Founder and Executive Director of Midlothian Angel Network. “These appointments reflect our commitment to rigorous governance, analytical depth, and cross-sector innovation as we continue to empower entrepreneurs across continents.”

About Midlo Angels

Midlothian Angel Network (Midlo Angels) is a dynamic cross-border investment network headquartered in Dallas, Texas, with operations in Africa. Recognized as one of the fastest-growing angel networks in North America and among the top seven in Africa, Midlo Angels connects accredited investors with high-impact startups across technology, real estate, and sustainability sectors.

With about $2 million in assets under management (AUM) and a combined portfolio valuation exceeding $500 billion, the network’s portfolio includes leading companies such as Prembly, OpenAI, CDcare, Databricks, Regxta, Natilus, Mainstack, and Fit:Match, among others. Midlo Angels maintains active memberships in the Stanford Alumni Fund, Harvard Business School Alumni Angels Association (HBSAA), and the Angel Capital Association (ACA).

The organization’s mission is to democratize access to venture capital by empowering diaspora investors to participate meaningfully in wealth creation, startup development, and nation-building through strategic funding, mentorship, and leadership programs.

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Midlothian Angel Network Communications Office

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