Mbakeh Camara
Leads the vision, strategy, and impact of Oolu, drawing on lived experience and international higher education engagement to expand access and advance social mobility through sustainable pathways.
The Oolu Foundation was founded by Mbakeh Camara, whose personal journey and entrepreneurial drive shaped its vision. After being taken into care at the age of seven and beginning formal education at sixteen, he experienced first-hand the transformative role of mentorship, resilience, and access to opportunity. With the support of mentors, he self-funded his secondary education in The Gambia before pursuing higher education in the United Kingdom.
He holds a Master’s degree from Oxford Brookes University and completed executive training at the Blavatnik School of Government, University of Oxford. He serves as an ambassador for the Association of Commonwealth Universities and as an External Board Member of the European Universities Alliance NEOLAiA, reflecting his strong engagement with international higher education networks.
Through his work with universities across the UK and Europe, he identified a structural gap limiting access for capable students in The Gambia.
Marieke van de Laar
Leads international partnerships, programme development, and fundraising, supporting the institutional growth and global positioning of Oolu.
The Oolu Foundation was co-founded by Marieke van de Laar, whose experience in higher education and external relations shaped its international strategy and institutional model. Through her work in the Netherlands, she identified the absence of structured pathways connecting talented students from West Africa to international universities.
She holds a Master’s degree from Nyenrode Business University and brings nearly a decade of experience in external relations, partnership development, and programme design. She has led complex, multi-stakeholder initiatives and built collaborations across education, government, and civil society.
Drawing on this experience, she plays a central role in translating the founding vision into a structured and scalable approach, connecting locally delivered education to global academic opportunities.
Gambia Foundation
Ousman Touray
The Gambian Foundation is chaired by Ousman Touray, a Pan-African leader, human rights advocate, and social entrepreneur with a strong commitment to inclusive development, youth empowerment, and accountable governance. In his role as Chair, he provides strategic direction, strengthens local partnerships, and safeguards the mission and values of the Foundation, ensuring that Oolu’s programmes are both locally grounded and aligned with international standards, and that they deliver meaningful and sustainable opportunities for young people in The Gambia.
Cecilia Ekua Claymane Richards
Naffissatou Njie
Nelleke Launspach
TBA
Dutch Foundation
Nelleke Launspach
Nelleke Launspach serves as Chair of the Oolu Foundation in the Netherlands. She brings many years of experience in fundraising, governance, and strategic partnership development. Known as a highly effective connector and network builder, she has supported numerous initiatives in securing funding and building strong institutional partnerships. She will also serve as a board member of the Gambian Oolu Foundation, contributing to alignment between the two organisations and long-term strategic development.
Sue Martin
Sue Martin serves as Secretary of the Dutch Oolu Foundation and brings many years of experience in higher education, international marketing, and alumni engagement. She has delivered UK overseas marketing capability in support of the UK Government’s global visa service and has extensive experience in strategic leadership, governance, and change management. She has led international campaigns across regions including the Gulf, China, Nigeria, and India, and has a strong track record in building alumni communities and strengthening international networks.
Mario de Laat
Mario de Laat serves as Treasurer of the Dutch Oolu Foundation. He is founder and partner at AXP Adviseurs, a financial advisory firm specialising in accounting, tax advisory, and corporate finance. He brings extensive experience in financial oversight, governance, and organisational structuring, and supports the foundation in ensuring financial integrity, transparency, and sustainable growth.