Leigh Higginbotham Butler is the visionary Founder and CEO of Akina Technologies, PBC, where she not only leads the groundbreaking Akina platform but also spearheads future-focused initiatives like AkinaAI and Akina Connect. Under her leadership, these innovative projects are poised to redefine the health, financial, and professional landscapes for marginalized communities globally by integrating cutting-edge technology, robust community engagement, and inclusive empowerment.

With over 15 years of experience in government affairs, public relations, and community outreach, Leigh has built a vast network spanning the public and private sectors. Her impressive career includes serving as District Director for Congressman Artur Davis (AL-7) and working as a senior associate at Kemp Partners in Washington, D.C., where she led government relations initiatives for high-profile clients such as Monster.com and the NFL Players Association.

A proud alumna of Hampton University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Arts, Leigh currently resides in Frisco, TX, with her husband, Christopher, and their three sons. She expertly balances her roles as a leader, mother, and community advocate—dedicated to creating meaningful, lasting change both professionally and personally.

As Co-founder and Board Member of Akina Technologies PBC, Stephanie Roberts plays a critical role in building and nurturing strategic partnerships that drive the company’s mission forward. With nearly 20 years of experience in public relations and marketing across the nonprofit, arts, healthcare, policy, and entertainment sectors, she excels in relationship development and external engagement.

In addition to her role at Akina Technologies, Stephanie serves as the President of the Akina Technologies Foundation, where she leads philanthropic initiatives and community impact programs. She is dedicated to creating opportunities that align with Akina’s vision, ensuring the foundation serves as a pillar of support and empowerment for marginalized communities.

Stephanie has spent the past decade in leadership roles within a major corporation, honing her ability to navigate complex issues and cultivate meaningful partnerships. A graduate of Hampton University with a degree in Communications, she is also a proud member of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc. for over 20 years.

Stephanie resides in the Midwest with her husband and their three amazing children. Her passion for relationship-building, community engagement, and strategic growth makes her an invaluable force in Akina’s mission to drive innovation and impact.

As the Co-founder & Chief Strategist of Akina Technologies PBC, DeJuana L. Thompson drives the company’s strategic vision, partnerships, and community impact initiatives. She leads efforts to position AkinaAI as a transformative platform, ensuring its alignment with the needs of its members while leveraging her expertise in engagement strategy, leadership development, and advocacy.

A nationally recognized political and social strategist, DeJuana has spent nearly two decades pioneering innovative engagement methods for campaigns, candidates, and community organizations. She is the founder of Woke Vote, an organization that has mobilized over three million Black voters and trained thousands of new leaders through culturally relevant outreach strategies. She also leads Black Equity Strategy and Trust, a boutique consulting firm specializing in leadership development and premium cultural experiences.

DeJuana previously served as the President & CEO of the Birmingham Civil Rights Institute and has held national leadership roles with the Democratic National Committee and the Obama/Biden Administration. Her expertise spans domestic and international politics, including advising on Ghanaian presidential elections. Recognized by Elle, Glamour, and BET as a top Black female leader, her insights on race, politics, and social engagement have been featured on MSNBC, CNN, Essence, and The New York Times.

At Akina, DeJuana’s leadership ensures that the platform remains mission-driven, fostering innovation, inclusivity, and economic empowerment for its growing community.

As the Social Media Manager for Akina Technologies PBC, Nishu leads the digital storytelling and engagement strategy, ensuring AkinaAI’s mission resonates across platforms. She specializes in crafting innovative social media campaigns, developing meaningful content, and building an authentic online presence that fosters community and connection.

Nishu is the founder of Socialnix Marketing Agency, where she helps businesses grow authentically through strategic branding and digital marketing. Her passion lies in empowering entrepreneurs and creating narratives that inspire and drive impact.

Her collaboration with Akina is deeply personal, aligning with her belief that communities thrive when people support and uplift one another. Through her work, she amplifies Akina’s vision, helping to create a space where marginalized communities can grow, lead, and inspire—one story at a time.

Christopher R. Butler is a visionary leader, entrepreneur, and former banking executive with over 20 years of experience in finance, technology, and venture building. As the Co-founder & Chairman of Akina Technologies PBC, he is pioneering innovative AI solutions that drive impact and opportunity.

Before Akina, Christopher was a Senior Vice President in Corporate & Commercial Banking at Frost Bank, where he provided strategic financial solutions to businesses. He also held leadership roles at JPMorgan Chase and BBVA Compass, excelling in business relationship management and lending.

As an entrepreneur, Christopher founded Butler’s Grooming Club inside Saks Fifth Avenue, which was recognized by Ebony Magazine as one of the top upscale barbershops in the country. He also built Montez Renault Inc., a premium men’s skincare brand that achieved national distribution in Nordstrom, Lord & Taylor, and Belk. His 3-in-1 body wash was recognized as the best in the country by Men’s Health magazine.

A former NFL free agent and a record-holding hurdler, Christopher is known as a connector and closer, passionate about helping small businesses and entrepreneurs succeed. Above all, he is a proud husband to Leigh, father to three sons, and a testament to God’s grace.

As the Co-founder & Chief Technology Officer of Akina Technologies PBC, Jarvis Addison leads the company’s technology vision, product development, and AI innovation. He oversees the architecture and implementation of AkinaAI, ensuring it delivers a seamless, culturally competent experience for users. His role includes building and scaling the engineering team, driving product strategy, and integrating advanced machine learning solutions to enhance the platform’s impact.

Before Akina, Jarvis founded a successful app and web design firm that helped businesses of all sizes—from startups to Fortune 100 companies like AT&T Foundry and Harman/Kardon—bring their digital products to market. He also co-founded YAMS (Your App Management System LLC), a fintech company that utilizes machine learning to enhance alumni donor engagement at HBCUs through seamless financial routing technology.

A true full-stack developer, Jarvis has extensive experience in native iOS development with Objective-C and Swift, backend frameworks like Node and Express, and frontend technologies including Angular and React. He is also a skilled UI/UX designer proficient in tools like Sketch, Adobe XD, and Figma.

Beyond technology, Jarvis is an accomplished classical flutist, having played since the age of 10. His diverse skill set, innovative mindset, and passion for building transformative technology make him a driving force behind Akina’s mission.

As the Head of Design at Akina Technologies PBC, Michael Thomas leads the creative vision and user experience strategy for AkinaAI. He is responsible for designing intuitive, visually compelling digital experiences that align with Akina’s mission, ensuring a seamless and engaging platform for users. His role involves overseeing UI/UX development, branding, and front-end design, while collaborating closely with product and engineering teams to bring innovative AI solutions to life.

With over 16 years of experience, Michael has worked with some of the biggest names in entertainment and played a key role in shaping the design strategies of numerous startups. His expertise spans user-centered design, creative direction, and front-end development, utilizing industry-leading tools like Figma and the Adobe Creative Suite. His ability to merge aesthetics with functionality allows him to craft impactful digital experiences that drive engagement and retention.

Michael’s leadership and deep understanding of design trends position him as a crucial force behind Akina’s success, ensuring the platform remains cutting-edge, accessible, and visually dynamic.

Micah Clarke brings over a decade of expertise in film, photography, and digital media to his role as Multimedia Creative Director at Akina Technologies. With a passion for visual storytelling, Micah crafts captivating narratives that merge high-quality visuals with innovative digital strategies. At Akina Technologies, he leads the creative team, transforming visionary ideas into compelling projects that both inspire audiences and drive the brand forward.