OUR TEAM
Expert Team
Patricia Kenneth-Divine
Founder & Director
With over 16 years experience on International Trade Advisory, Business Development, Diplomacy and International Relations, Patricia Kenneth-Divine has worked extensively with several foreign and local SMEs, mid–sized and global corporate UK & overseas businesses, fund aided projects, Government Departments etc. With extensive Industry knowledge of the business environment within emerging economies, her expertise has contributed to the transformation of global opportunities for change and success in business.
Previously worked at Department of International Trade for over 12years as an International Trade Adviser for the Energy & Sustainability Sector. She was Member of the Advisory Group for the Foreign & Common Wealth office (FCO) Management Board. Where she actively led and engaged with various oversea embassies and diplomats developing FCO objectives and Policies.
As Founder and Director of the International Centre for Protocol and Diplomacy, she is leading on strategic engagements to promote Protocol and diplomacy globally. Leading various campaigns and networks including the Global Protocol and Diplomatic Network, World Protocol Matters Campaign, Women in Protocol and Diplomacy network and also championing the AfriProtocol Initiative aimed at promoting and driving the Protocol agenda in Africa.
She is also a Champion for Diversity and inclusion, promoting a transformation and Innovation agenda through ethnic and minority business engagements. She has also been driving a global, strategic initiative in protocol and diplomacy. As part of the SDGs goals she currently led an initiative that promotes learning and development under the Global Executive Education Programme which has trained over 300 professionals in Business, Protocol, Diplomacy, Cultural enhancement, Leadership etc in the last one year
She is also leading the Sustainability Matters Campaign and initiated the Global Conference on the role of Diplomacy to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals -2030 Agenda which has embraced other culture in Spanish and French
She leads on various advisory boards providing solutions to global challenges.
She is also the Principal Consultant Synergy Systems Consults (UK) Ltd – International Trade Advisory Firm. She has dynamic expertise and interest for Africa/ Sub-Saharan Africa. Providing expertise for emerging economies through a potential Business Growth Network aimed at powering opportunities through partnerships. Her passion for Business Improvement and continuous process improvement has led her to demonstrate her success stories within the Business Community. She has been instrumental in the successes of potential and dynamic projects across Africa from Energy, Oil and gas, Renewable, Agriculture, Infrastructure etc She is also promoting trade and investments opportunities with the African Continental Free Trade Agreement AcFTA within the United Kingdom.
Her previous engagements at the Department of International Trade and as an International Trade Adviser for the Energy & Sustainability sectors in West-Africa has also accelerated her performances in promoting and developing new strategic business methodologies. Even within the disruptive environment, she is still being able to influence and develop dynamic approach to maximize multi sector opportunities through research, high level advisory, partnerships, project management, policy dynamics etc to increase export performance and turn around global opportunities.
Em Bartels
Head of Operations Africa
As the Head of Operations in Africa for the International Centre for Protocol and Diplomacy she promotes the visions, objectives and oversees the business of ICPD in Africa. She a certified Protocol and Etiquette Executive.
Em Bartels is the founder and Executive Director of GPA Awards International Ltd, A professional development organisation that supports Executives through Creativity Innovation and Excellence.
She is also the founder of Excell Consulting GH, Excell Branding Consult, a Personal Branding Expert and Executive Coach with a track record of building incredible personal brands that help executives to stand out, become visible and attract a passionate tribe through Communication & Etiquette.
She’s also a certified communication expert passionate about oral communication as well as how executives present themselves digitally and virtually. An influencer and ardent public speaker Ms Bartels also supports and coaches one-on-one C- Suite Executives, senior government officials, Media houses, Banks, institutions and Parastatals.
Maurice Franck AYINA
Country Representative Africa French Communities
Maurice is a representative of the International Centre for Protocol and Diplomacy within the French communities in Africa. He is responsible for promoting the visions and objectives and engages with local’s in view of our programmes and activities.
Maurice is a business expert with huge experience of the market place.
Fadya Nazirkhan
Country Representative (Mauritius)
Fadya Nazirkhan is an experienced multilingual professional in Corporate Communications and International Media Relations with deep experience in the financial services sector and an extensive wealth of knowledge of African markets. She currently holds the position of University Lecturer in Communications in Mauritius, and as a Consultant also accompanies organisations, businesses and investors in their international expansion with strategic communications while focussing on SDG goals. Fadya is equally a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and a registered Russian Interpreter at the Supreme Court of Mauritius.
One of the major international projects she has worked on is the rebranding exercise of Barclays Bank Mauritius to Absa Mauritius – a job for which she was commended. Prior to that, she was the Advisor on Information Matters to a Minister. Before pivoting into the Communications world, Fadya worked as a journalist for the daily newspaper l’express, the leading national daily at the time. She holds a Master’s degree in Journalism obtained at the Southern Federal University in Russia.
Agnes Bihari
Multilingual & SDGs Representative
Agnes Bihari is a trailblazing international consultant and multilingual leader driving global sustainable corporate governance (ESG for short) at multiple multinational companies and intercultural diplomacy. Her focus area includes Public-Private Partnerships (PPP) related to SDG 17: partnerships to achieve the goals and SDG 16: strong institutions through Regulatory Risk & Compliance to uphold institutional reputation. In relation to SDG 4: quality education, she has acted as the tutor of the European Union’s INVESTMED project promoting sustainable investment and entrepreneurial capacity building for women and youth on behalf of LUMSA University.
She is specialized in Biology, Environmental Management and Educational Sciences, holds a master’s degree in Management of the Sustainable Development Goals and a postgraduate specialization in Executive Diplomatic Leadership. She has 28-year experience in international events management related to corporate, scientific and sustainable development conferences in the Europe, Middle-East and Africa, Americas and Asia-Pacific regions.
ADVISORY TEAM
OUR ADVISORY BOARD
Mike Lynn - United States
Michael (Mike) D. Lynn is a founding partner of the Global Protocol, Etiquette, Civility, Academy and Leads the Client Solution/Services Group and is a Team Leader. Prior to this position he was Director Exhibitions, Events and Protocol at L-3 Integrated Systems Group. Responsible for the development and coordination of worldwide trade/exhibitions, special events, meetings, conventions, and VIP/protocol functions.
Mike has over 30 years of industry experience and contributes strong talent, long-range strategic planning, and onsite tactical coordination. Mike effectively shapes marketing concepts into dramatic professional events to market and brand a company as world-class. He incorporates state-of-the-art event planning mechanisms, cost controls, and quality standards into an event.
Prior to his position with L-3, Mike served as Senior Manager of Trade Shows, Events and Protocol at Raytheon and E-Systems.
Mike received dual Master’s degrees from Embry Riddle University of Florida in Management and Science. Mike earned his Bachelor’s degree in Aeronautics from Embry Riddle University, Known as “The Ambassador of Certifications” he currently holds Exhibition and Event accreditations as a: CEM, CME, CMM, CMP, CPC, CPECP.
Mike has held positions in over 12 professional and community associations and served as Chair – International Center Exhibition & Event Marketing (ICEEM), and Hero Portraits Board of Directors, and serves on the certification and education committee of the Protocol Diplomacy International – Protocol Officers Association (PDI-POA). He has served on the E2MA, IAEE, TSEA and CMP (CIC) Board of Directors, the Exhibition Industry Task Force, Accepted Practices Exchange (APEX) Contracts Committee, the Travel Industry Advocacy Committee, and is a member of Meeting Professional International (MPI),
Mike’s distinguished military career was highlighted when honoured to serve10years in the 89th Special Mission unit, flying the U.S. President, Vice President, Cabinet and Foreign Leaders. Mike has qualified on the VC-118A, C-47, T-29, C-141A/B, VC-137B/C, B-727, and B747 aircraft, with over 12,000 hour’s flight time as a Flight Engineer, Instructor, and Examiner. In 1991 he received the Robert “Dutch” Huyser Award, the 21st Air Force Flight Engineer of the Year and the Military’s Red Carpet Award for Exceptional VIP Service.
He is a Co-Author, of the Chapter on International Protocol for the Convention Industry Council (CIC) International Manual, 1st Edition, 2005 (Co-Contributors, Letitia Baldridge – White House, Dr. P.M. Forni – John Hopkins, and AlindaLewris – Protocol and Etiquette Institute), and a Co-Author of the CIC Manual, 8th& 9thEdition, Chapter on “Etiquette. Ethics & Protocol” (with Colleen Rickenbacker – President Rickenbacker, Inc.).
He was selected as a consultant for the movie “Air Force One”, with Harrison Ford and has been ranked as one of the Top 5 Exhibit and Event Professionals worldwide by Exhibitor Magazine. Mike received the Exhibit
PHILLIPA LAWRENCE
United States/Barbados
For the past 25 years, she has served as a career diplomat and international civil servant with the United Nations, the Caribbean Community Regional Secretariat (CARICOM) and
the Jamaican Foreign Service. She has served in the following capacity, Chief of Protocol (Protocol and NGO Liaison Officer) at the United Nations Office at Vienna (UNOV), Chief Protocol and Research Officer to the Secretary-General of the Caribbean Community Secretariat (CARICOM, Deputy Programme Manager for Foreign Policy and Community Relations,CARICOM, Deputy Chief of
Mission/Head of Chancery at the Embassy of Jamaica to Mexico and Central America; Alternate Permanent Repre-sentative/Counsellor of Jamaica to the Organisation of American States (OAS);-First Secretary at the Embassy of Jamaica in Washington DC.
ASARI ST’ HILL
United Kingdom, London
An experienced trainer, business coach & assessor, with over 30 years’ working experience managing, mentoring, coaching and training professional staff and business owners. A dynamic trainer, presenter and facilitator for Business leadership and management skills. With over 25years Public and private sector training experience and had provided effective business growth techniques for big organisations, SME’s, lead generation & conversion strategies, marketing strategies.
He had provided business coaching and mentoring for numerous organisations during the Covid-19 era, helping them with a business transformation agenda and also helping their business’s succeed in these challenging time.
Joy-Ogeh Hutfield
United Kingdom
Multi Award-Winning Mindset Transformation Coach- Leadership Consultant. Inspirational Woman of the Year 2016. Joy has worked with some of the leading organisations on the international platform in UK, Europe, USA and Africa, including The European Commission, Brussels, Association of Translation companies, Portugal, The Federal Character Commission Nigeria, The BBC, The Welsh Assembly Government, Corcoran Group New York, The Lord Chancellor Department, Barclay’s bank, Save the Children and various regional Police and Probation services.
Joy applies her 20 years training and coaching expertise in Mindset Transformation, Diversity and Inclusion Leadership and Management, Executive Coaching, Workplace Motivation, BAME Talent Initiatives, Women Empowerment, Public speaking and Team Transformation.
Joy great awards, the Zokit ‘Engaging Speaker of the Year’, finalist for the ‘Mentor of the year category at the Swansea Bay Women in Business Awards and also a finalist for the ‘Trainer of the year’ at the British Excellence In Sales and Marketing awards, Wales Black Icon award. ‘Inspirational Woman of the Year Recognition Award’ to congratulate her for her outstanding contribution and achievements soul’
She also drives the Joy Transformation International Leadership Academy a centre for transformational and authentic Leadership.
Prof. CECILIA PALOMO CAUDILLO
Head of the subject“Gender perspective”
Cecilia has gathered huge experience and expertise in the area of Governance, International Relation, Law ,Gender perspective and many other fields of specialization A Professor in the Mexican Federal Judiciary, Aguascalientes extension, professor of the subject: “Theoretical-practical elements for judging with a gender perspective”. Honoris Causa Doctorate in law and governance by the International Internship University of New Delhi, India,
Doctoral candidate at the International University of La Rioja, Spain, doctoral thesis topic: “Judging with a gender perspective.
Making effective the right to equality in jurisprudence of the Inter- American Court of Human Rights.”
– Master’s Degree in Legal Argumentation from the University of Alicante in Spain.
– Master in Juridical Sciences from the Universidad Panamericana, Campus Aguascalientes.
– Expert Degree in Legal Argumentation from the University of Palermo, Italy.
– Specialization in Political, Economic and Social Sciences from the Phoenix Institute at the
University of Notre Dame, United States.
– Specialization in Constitutional Justice from the University of Castilla La Mancha, Toledo, Spain. – Diploma in Human Rights from the Henry Dunant University Institute in Geneva, Switzerland.
– Diploma in Comparative Legal Methodology, Constitutional, Supranational and Electoral Justice
Models, University of Bologna, Italy.
– Diploma in Family Law, Pontificia Universidad Católica de Chile.
– Vice-President of the Mexican Bar Association in Aguascalientes, Member of the Advisory Council
of the Association of Women Judges of Spain, Member of the International Consortium for the Study of Law and Religion, the Association of Philosophy of Law for the Latin World, the Inter- American Network of Women Professionals for Human Rights, and the International Association of Women Judges, among others.
– She was national administrator in Mexico of ILSA (International Law Students Association).
– She made a professional visit, as well as a doctoral research stay at the Inter-American Court of Human Rights. During her last stay, she also participated in the Interdisciplinary Course of the Inter-American Institute of Human Rights in San José, Costa Rica. Director of the Feminismo Igualdad Real Summer School, together with Mexican journalist Lydia Cacho, at the University of Cadiz, Spain.
Associated with the UNESCO Chair in Literacy for the Future with a gender perspective in Latin America. She is a member of the Editorial Board of the magazine “Feminismo 16” in Spain; she has published in various foreign media and has two columns, one in the newspaper Diario16 in Spain; and another in the digital magazine “The Human Globe”.
– Among her outstanding interventions, she has shared forums with the Vice President of the Government of Spain, Carmen Calvo. She collaborated in the project “Judges as Peace Builders” promoted by ILAC (International Legal Assistance Consortium) in collaboration with IAWJ and the Cyrus R. Vance Center for International Justice.
She has been a lecturer and professor in seminars related to human rights in various institutions and universities in the Americas and Europe. She has recently been the only Latin American woman to be nominated for the “Iustitia Awards” 2022 in Vienna, Austria, for her leadership in the training and defense of women’s human rights.