Ampersand Executive and Leadership Team

Matthew Higgins, the Chief Operating Officer at Ampersand, directs the daily execution of electric transport energy services. Managing the complex logistics of battery swapping networks, the Chief Operating Officer ensures seamless fleet performance for commercial operators. Higgins oversees the expansion of infrastructure across East African markets, maintaining high uptime for the electric motorcycle fleet. By optimizing supply chain workflows and coordinating with technical teams, the Chief Operating Officer drives operational efficiency and service reliability. This leadership role involves scaling energy distribution models to meet rising demand for sustainable public transport. Through rigorous oversight of regional operations, Matthew Higgins guarantees that the company maintains its status as a leader in electric mobility. The Chief Operating Officer continuously refines internal processes to support rapid growth and long-term stability within the energy sector.

Alper Tilev, the Founder, President & Chief Technology Officer at Ampersand, architects the core technological framework for electric motorcycle energy systems. Leading research and development initiatives, the Founder, President & Chief Technology Officer designs high-performance battery swapping hardware and software interfaces. Tilev drives innovation in energy storage and power delivery, ensuring the company remains at the forefront of the African electric transport market. By aligning technical roadmaps with commercial objectives, the Founder, President & Chief Technology Officer enables the deployment of scalable, reliable energy solutions. Alper Tilev manages the engineering teams responsible for product durability and performance optimization. This leadership role involves setting the strategic vision for future energy infrastructure and hardware advancements. Through constant iteration of proprietary technology, the Founder, President & Chief Technology Officer secures a competitive advantage while advancing the transition to lower-carbon public transport systems.

Valerie Okinda, the Chief People Officer at Ampersand, directs human capital strategies to support the growth of the electric transport energy workforce. Overseeing talent acquisition, organizational development, and employee engagement, the Chief People Officer builds a culture centered on innovation and sustainability. Okinda manages the recruitment of specialized technical and operational staff necessary for scaling battery swapping networks across regional markets. By implementing robust training programs, the Chief People Officer ensures that the team possesses the skills required to maintain high-performance energy infrastructure. Valerie Okinda aligns personnel policies with the company mission of creating green jobs and fostering professional development. This leadership role involves collaborating with executive peers to maintain organizational health during periods of rapid expansion. Through strategic workforce planning, the Chief People Officer drives the internal capabilities needed to sustain long-term market impact and operational excellence.

Alice Rwema, the Chief Legal Officer at Ampersand, directs all regulatory compliance and corporate governance initiatives for the electric transport energy business. Managing complex legal frameworks across diverse jurisdictions, the Chief Legal Officer ensures that battery swapping operations adhere to regional energy and transport standards. Rwema oversees contract negotiations, intellectual property protection, and risk management strategies that safeguard the company assets. By providing legal counsel to the executive team, the Chief Legal Officer facilitates smooth market entry and expansion efforts. Alice Rwema navigates the evolving regulatory landscape of the African energy sector to support sustainable growth. This leadership role involves mitigating legal risks while enabling the deployment of innovative electric mobility solutions. Through proactive legal oversight, the Chief Legal Officer maintains the integrity of corporate operations and supports the company mission of providing affordable, lower-carbon public transport.