The Export-Import Bank of the United States (EXIM), officially announced the membership of its 2026-2027 Advisory Committee and Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee in a public meeting yesterday. The EXIM Board of Directors unanimously approved all appointments, underscoring the Bank’s commitment to leveraging expertise from diverse sectors to strengthen American exports and global competitiveness.
Bob Diamond, CEO and Founding Partner of Atlas Merchant Capital, will serve as Chairman of EXIM’s Advisory Committee, while Florie Liser, President and CEO of the Corporate Council on Africa, will lead the Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee.
“EXIM’s Advisory Committee and Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee play a critical role in helping the Bank stay closely connected to the needs of American exporters,” said EXIM President and Chairman John Jovanovic.
“As we advance our 2026 Strategic Priorities, the expertise of these members will help sharpen our approach, strengthen our impact, and ensure we are revitalising American industry, strengthening our supply chains, and ensuring American workers and exporters can compete around the world.”
Advisory Committee: Guiding U.S. Export Growth
EXIM’s Advisory Committee is a 17-member body drawn from a broad range of sectors, including energy, agriculture, finance, labor, and technology. The committee provides guidance on policies and programs that support American jobs through exports. Members serve one-year terms, meeting quarterly to provide insights and strategic direction to EXIM.
Key members of the 2026-2027 Advisory Committee include:
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Dwight Anderson, Founder and Managing Partner, Ospraie
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Rita Adiani, President & CEO, Titan Mining Corporation
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Robert Bishop, Principal, Impala Asset Management
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James Cornell, President, NuCore Energy LLC
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Mark Campbell, President, Bechtel Enterprises
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Martin Dolfi, Founder and Managing Partner, Beliade Consumer Partners
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Lisa Epifani, Head of Policy, ClearPath
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Mike Gallagher, Head of Defense, Palantir
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Lars Hickey, Managing Director of International Government Affairs and Project Finance, Wabtec
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Maria Korsnick, President and CEO, Nuclear Energy Institute
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Matthew Kroenig, Vice President and Senior Director, Scowcroft Center for Strategy and Security, Atlantic Council
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Roger Martella, Chief Corporate Officer and Chief Sustainability Officer, GE Vernova
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Sean McGarvey, President, North America’s Building Trades Union
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Scott Nolan, CEO, General Matter
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Jay Shidler, Director of Business Recruitment, Oklahoma Department of Commerce
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Anthony Seiwell, International Representative, Labourers’ International Union of North America
Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee: Driving Engagement in Africa
The Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee is composed of 11 members representing trade, finance, commerce, and small business interests in the region. The committee provides policy guidance to enhance EXIM’s engagement in sub-Saharan Africa, promoting U.S. exports and supporting American jobs. Members serve one-year terms, with semi-annual meetings.
A notable highlight for Nigeria is the appointment of Ayo Sopitan, CEO of Metalex Commodities Inc., to the Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committee. Sopitan brings extensive experience in commodities trading and cross-border trade, making him a critical voice in strengthening U.S.-Africa trade ties and facilitating strategic partnerships for American exporters in Nigeria and beyond.
Other members include:
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Franklin Amoo, Managing Partner, Baylis Emerging Markets
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Reuben Brigety, II, President, Busara Advisors
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Francine Katsoudas, EVP and Chief People, Policy & Purpose Officer, Cisco
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Dan Runde, Senior Advisor, Center for Strategic and International Studies
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Amara Sackor, Director, TSC LLC
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Tisha Schuller, CEO, Adamantine Energy
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V Shankar, Co-Founder and CEO, Gateway Partners
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Karl Von Batten, Managing Partner, Von Batten-Montague-York, L.C.
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Guevera Yao, Vice President, U.S. Africa Business Center, Chamber of Commerce
Strategic Importance
Both committees are mandated by Congress under EXIM’s charter, reflecting the critical role of private-sector expertise in shaping U.S. export finance policy. The inclusion of Nigerian entrepreneur Ayo Sopitan highlights the Bank’s commitment to engaging with influential leaders across Africa, ensuring that EXIM’s programs are aligned with regional trade dynamics and opportunities.
EXIM’s 2026-2027 Advisory and Sub-Saharan Africa Advisory Committees are poised to guide the Bank through key strategic priorities, including revitalizing American industrial capacity, enhancing supply chain resilience, and expanding U.S. export opportunities in emerging markets.
By leveraging insights from both domestic and international experts, EXIM aims to strengthen the competitiveness of American exporters while supporting sustainable economic growth across sub-Saharan Africa.
