Meet the Founder
Irene Nyarko: The Driving Force Behind Impact Space
Founder and CEO of Impact Space, a global non-profit leveraging technology to break cycles of poverty across Africa and beyond.
From a young age, I’ve wanted to make a difference. I set a goal early in my career: build a successful business, then transition to nonprofit work by 40. That’s where I am today.
After 25 years building INCENTIPAQ, raising a family, and earning my Master’s in Data Science, I launched Impact Space’s e-learning platform in 2019. When the pandemic left Africa’s vulnerable communities behind, we mobilized young volunteers to serve their own communities directly—that became our Care Drive, and we formalized as a 501(c)3 in March 2020.
Our model empowers young people to become solutions-driven leaders who break cycles of poverty in their communities. Today, we serve learners from over 42 countries with field operations in seven African nations, delivering measurable results on lean budgets.
Our board of African diaspora leaders—medical doctors, a PhD, and, pharmaceutical & financial executives from Ghana, Nigeria, and Uganda—ensures every dollar creates lasting change.
Professional Highlights
Founder and Executive Director of Impact Space Inc., leveraging 25 years of technology expertise to address poverty through education and empowerment in Africa and beyond. Also founder of INCENTIPAQ, a software company specializing in AI-powered solutions. Combines technical skills in software development, data science, and AI with strategic business leadership to create measurable social impact.
Impact Space Inc. | Founder & Executive Director | January 2020 – Present Lead strategic vision and business decisions for nonprofit operations globally. Collaborate with board of directors, program coordinators, employees, volunteers, and stakeholders to drive organizational growth and impact. Direct fundraising efforts and establish data-driven culture promoting transparency, accountability, and collaboration.
INCENTIPAQ LLC | Founder & CEO | 2000 – Present Built sustainable software company serving Fortune 500 clients including Standard Bank, PWC, Fujitsu, Intuit, IBM, University of Maryland… and small businesses. Generate resources supporting nonprofit mission while advancing AI-powered educational technology.
Penn State University – Master’s Data Science with Business Analytics (2016-2017)
Barach College, Zicklin School of Business – Bachelor’s Business Administration, Marketing & Advertising, Finance & Law Minors (2001-2005)
Certifications:
The Wharton School – Business Analytics (2019)
Cornerstone OnDemand Foundation – Nonprofit Management (2021)
Google Inc – Project Management (2021)
Google Inc – Digital Marketer & E-commerce Manager (2024)
Leadership & Strategy | Data Science & Analytics | AI & Technology | Digital Marketing | Programming & Software Development | Project Management | Nonprofit Management | Fundraising
