Asili
/ah-SEE-lee/ — Swahili for "origin" or "foundation"
Asili is a Swahili word meaning “origin” the place we return to when we need grounding, perspective, and renewal. Our philosophy draws from the fundamentals of African tradition: collective responsibility, relational wisdom, and the understanding that communities advance by uplifting one another. We don't treat these traditions as fixed or historical, we purpose to evolve them, just as an origin is a seed with the capacity to grow.
Our Philosophy
We lead with pluralism, the belief that better outcomes emerge when many perspectives are allowed to exist and contribute meaningfully. We emphasize multiculturalism because how people trust, decide, and work together is inseparable from lived experience and culture. We practice integrality as both a mindset and a method, recognizing that insight arises from many sources: analysis and intuition, tradition and innovation, technical rigor and human experience
Our role is to bring these strands into coherence, converting shared values into strategies, policies, and technologies that work in the real world. Together, these principles guide how Asili turns community knowledge into practical, future-ready solutions, helping people and institutions move with more clarity, integrity, and alignment.
Our Mission
We are committed to driving meaningful social change through approaches that emphasize cultural fluency and multi-generational intelligence. Our mission is to tackle key challenges in Canada - Africa partnerships, fostering environments that enable repeatable success. We empower individuals and communities by providing essential tools, resources and knowledge, paving the way for cross-border prosperity.
Meet the Team
Our team is guided by a shared commitment to thoughtful, grounded impact. We lead with curiosity, cultural understanding, and a belief in what becomes possible when people connect with intention.
David Harlley
Director
Provides clarity on direction, manages institutional relationships, and keeps the ecosystem aligned around shared goals across borders.
Faith Biyapo
Director - Member Experience
Sets the strategic vision for member engagement, ensuring Asili’s experience remains warm, intentional, and high-value.
Olive Munene
Board Advisor
Brings deep experience across blended finance, financial regulation, and emerging-market institutions, including prior work as an economist at a central bank.
Seyi Laja
Director - Insights
Leads Asili’s insight function: gathering data, interpreting community signals, and producing strategic insights that guide program design and partnerships.