Benjamin Fernandes
About Benjamin Fernandes
Benjamin Fernandes is the Founder and Chief Eating Officer of NALA, a financial technology company operating across several international locations. He previously held positions at P1 Ventures, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and has an extensive educational background including studies at Stanford University and Y Combinator.
Work at NALA
Benjamin Fernandes serves as the Founder and Chief Eating Officer at NALA, a position he has held since 2018. Under his leadership, NALA has expanded its operations across multiple international locations, including Nairobi, London, New York, Dar es Salaam, Kampala, Kigali, and Accra. NALA focuses on financial services and has gained recognition for securing investment from Accel Partners, marking a significant milestone as their first investment in an African company. Fernandes' unique title reflects his strong interest in culinary pursuits, which is integrated into the company's culture.
Previous Experience at P1 Ventures
Prior to his role at NALA, Benjamin Fernandes was a Founding Partner at P1 Ventures from 2019 to 2022. During his three years in the San Francisco Bay Area, he contributed to the growth and development of the venture capital firm, focusing on innovative startups. His experience at P1 Ventures provided him with insights into the startup ecosystem, which he later applied to his work at NALA.
Education and Expertise
Benjamin Fernandes has a diverse educational background. He studied at Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where he earned a Master of Business Administration (M.B.A.) from 2015 to 2017. He also attended Y Combinator, completing the Winter 2019 Batch for NALA. Additionally, he holds a Bachelor's degree in Accounting with a minor in Computer Science from the University of Northwestern – St. Paul, where he studied from 2010 to 2014. Currently, he is pursuing Executive Education at Harvard Kennedy School, which enhances his leadership and management skills.
Leadership Roles at University of Northwestern - St. Paul
During his time at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul, Benjamin Fernandes held several leadership positions. He served as President of the Lambda Pi Eta Honor Society and as President of FORCE, both from 2013 to 2014. Additionally, he was a Director of Communications on the Student Activities Council and a Resident Assistant. These roles contributed to his development in leadership, communication, and organizational skills.
Previous Work Experience
Benjamin Fernandes has a varied work history that includes roles at the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation as an MBA Associate in Digital Foundation and Financial Services, and as an Ambassador for WildAid in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. He also worked as a Help Desk Computer Technician at the University of Northwestern - St. Paul from 2010 to 2014, and as a National Television Personality at Agape Television Network from 2011 to 2015. These experiences have provided him with a broad skill set applicable to his current endeavors.