Shanthi Annan

Shanthi Annan is a strategist and entrepreneur with a strong track record of supporting organisations and communities to deliver long-lasting impact. She has worked with leading charities to empower young people and promote social change, while also advising foundations and managing a diverse commercial portfolio. Shanthi is passionate about helping others unlock their potential and drive meaningful, lasting progress.

As Co-Founder and Executive Director of Africa House, Shanthi leads a global platform advancing African leadership on the world stage. Africa House brings together visionary leaders across public, private, and philanthropic sectors to drive sustainable solutions and position Africa at the forefront of global progress. Under her leadership, Africa House has pioneered high-impact initiatives that connect African talent and ideas to global opportunities.

With a degree in Politics, Philosophy, and Economics (PPE) from Oxford University, Shanthi began her career managing construction projects at Chapman Black. She quickly rose to Head of Operations for the company’s recruitment arm, becoming the youngest member of the leadership team and joining the prestigious IoD99 network for emerging business leaders. She led strategy across Marketing, Communications, Human Resources, Process Improvement, and Technology, and spearheaded the development of Endorsed, an online recruitment platform connecting candidates directly with employers showcasing her strengths in technology and innovation. After moving to Ghana in 2012, Shanthi led entrepreneurial ventures across industries including Tech, Media, Fashion, Human Capital Development, FMCG, and Agriculture.

In 2015, she launched Kin of Kush, a prototype multiverse empowering young people of African descent as change agents in their communities. In recognition of her impact, she was appointed in 2018 as a Founding Advisory Board Member of The Queen’s Commonwealth Trust, a charity supported by Prince Harry as President and established in honour of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II to champion young leaders across the Commonwealth.

In 2017, Shanthi became an Advisor to The Uncondemned, a powerful documentary about three courageous Rwandan women and young lawyers who achieved a historic breakthrough in global justice for women.

In 2018, she launched Mandela Mile with partners including UNA-Westminster, Youth Charter, Women Walk Together, the University of East London, and The Elders’ Walk Together Campaign, growing it into a global youth movement honouring International Mandela Day.

Shanthi is a dynamic leader known for galvanising diverse stakeholders for the greater good. As a Global Strategist, Project Developer, and Visionary Leader, she delivers transformative solutions that make business and community spaces more effective and purpose driven. Shanthi Annan is married to Kojo Annan, son of the late UN Secretary-General Kofi Annan. They have three children.