Latest news with #Kati
The Independent
09-05-2025
- Politics
- The Independent
2 activists who criticized Mali military rulers were seized and taken away, relatives say
At least two Malian pro-democracy activists, including a prominent political party leader, were taken away in Bamako by armed men after criticizing the military government and calling for a return to constitutional order and elections, their families and colleagues said. Mali 's military government this week suspended political party activities, days after the first pro-democracy rally since soldiers took power by force almost four years ago. The son of Alassane Abba, secretary-general of the Codem party, said three armed, hooded men dressed in military fatigues entered their house on Thursday evening and took the politician away 'in a car with black tinted windows and no license plate.' Alhousseini Jannatta Alassane told The Associated Press that the armed men 'did not look like bandits." On the same day, in Kati, 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Bamako, a Yelema party activist, El Bachir Thiam, was forced by armed men into their car before being driven to an unknown destination. 'We learned today of the arrest of our activist El Bachir Thiam and I call on the Malian authorities to release him. I call on those who arrested him to release him. A country is not built on gag orders,' former Prime Minister Moussa Mara, honorary president of the Yelema party, said in a video posted on his Facebook page. Both El Bachir Thiam and Alassane Abba have made media appearances criticizing the military government and calling for a return to constitutional order. Mamadou Traoré, president of the Alternative for Mali party, was arrested last month after he criticized the military and the use of Russian mercenaries by Mali's transitional authorities. Military leader Gen. Assimi Goita seized power following coups in 2020 and 2021. Last week, a national political conference said he should be installed as president for a renewable five-year term.
Associated Press
09-05-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
2 activists who criticized Mali military rulers were seized and taken away, relatives say
BAMAKO, Mali (AP) — At least two Malian pro-democracy activists, including a prominent political party leader, were taken away in Bamako by armed men after criticizing the military government and calling for a return to constitutional order and elections, their families and colleagues said. Mali 's military government this week suspended political party activities, days after the first pro-democracy rally since soldiers took power by force almost four years ago. The son of Alassane Abba, secretary-general of the Codem party, said three armed, hooded men dressed in military fatigues entered their house on Thursday evening and took the politician away 'in a car with black tinted windows and no license plate.' Alhousseini Jannatta Alassane told The Associated Press that the armed men 'did not look like bandits.' On the same day, in Kati, 15 kilometers (9 miles) from Bamako, a Yelema party activist, El Bachir Thiam, was forced by armed men into their car before being driven to an unknown destination. 'We learned today of the arrest of our activist El Bachir Thiam and I call on the Malian authorities to release him. I call on those who arrested him to release him. A country is not built on gag orders,' former Prime Minister Moussa Mara, honorary president of the Yelema party, said in a video posted on his Facebook page. Both El Bachir Thiam and Alassane Abba have made media appearances criticizing the military government and calling for a return to constitutional order. Mamadou Traoré, president of the Alternative for Mali party, was arrested last month after he criticized the military and the use of Russian mercenaries by Mali's transitional authorities. Military leader Gen. Assimi Goita seized power following coups in 2020 and 2021. Last week, a national political conference said he should be installed as president for a renewable five-year term.
Yahoo
02-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints a New Managing Partner for Their CEO & Board Practice in Europe and Africa
Kati Najipoor-Smith brings decades of cross-sector global experience to help boards and CEOs provide great leadership at the top at a crucial and complex time LONDON, May 02, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII), a premier provider of executive search, global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, has appointed Kati Najipoor-Smith as Regional Co-Managing Partner, CEO & Board Practice, for Europe and Africa. Based at the Firm's office in Frankfurt, Germany, Kati brings decades of global executive search and consulting experience to the Heidrick & Struggles team to support boards and CEOs in navigating complex leadership challenges. Kati began her executive search career at Egon Zehnder in 1999, where she led Global Automotive and later the Global CEO Practice over several years. She advises chairs and CEOs of publicly traded, family-owned, and private-equity-backed companies across sectors and regions, focusing on building effective and strong boards and senior leadership teams. With a global network and extensive experience in CEO transitions, including many visible placements, Kati collaborates closely with boards to ensure robust, objective, and confidential succession processes, including the development of future CEOs. Speaking about her appointment with Heidrick & Struggles, Kati Najipoor-Smith said: "In this era of unprecedented uncertainty and complexity, business leaders are under immense pressure and the quality of leadership – at both board and C-Suite levels – is being tested like never before. With that in mind, I am excited to join Heidrick & Struggles and to work alongside a highly qualified and diverse consulting team, combining human-centric insight with fact-based, analytical rigour to support our clients' most critical leadership decisions." Jenni Hibbert, Heidrick & Struggles' Global Managing Partner Go-To-Market and Regional Leader, Europe & Africa, added: "We are very pleased to welcome Kati to Heidrick & Struggles, where I look forward to working with her as she brings her unique talent and experience to bear to make a meaningful impact on our clients across the region." Kati spent several years in management consultancies including Roland Berger and at FEV Group, a leading engineering services firm. She holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Aachen in Germany, an MSc in mechanical engineering from the University of California, and a BSc in mechanical engineering from the University of Portland. Kati is a frequent speaker and panel guest on leadership topics and is often invited to provide global perspectives on leadership. She also co-founded a private network of senior female executives 10 years ago to support female leaders' advancement. About Heidrick & Struggles Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) is the world's foremost advisor on executive leadership, driving superior client performance through premier human capital leadership advisory services. For more than 70 years, we've delivered value for our clients by leveraging unrivaled expertise to help organizations discover and enable outstanding leaders and teams. Learn more at View source version on Contacts Media inquiries: Heidrick@
Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Business
- Business Wire
Heidrick & Struggles Appoints a New Managing Partner for Their CEO & Board Practice in Europe and Africa
LONDON--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII), a premier provider of executive search, global leadership advisory and on-demand talent solutions, has appointed Kati Najipoor-Smith as Regional Co-Managing Partner, CEO & Board Practice, for Europe and Africa. Based at the Firm's office in Frankfurt, Germany, Kati brings decades of global executive search and consulting experience to the Heidrick & Struggles team to support boards and CEOs in navigating complex leadership challenges. "In this era of unprecedented uncertainty and complexity, business leaders are under immense pressure and the quality of leadership – at both board and C-Suite levels – is being tested like never before." - Kati Najipoor-Smith Share Kati began her executive search career at Egon Zehnder in 1999, where she led Global Automotive and later the Global CEO Practice over several years. She advises chairs and CEOs of publicly traded, family-owned, and private-equity-backed companies across sectors and regions, focusing on building effective and strong boards and senior leadership teams. With a global network and extensive experience in CEO transitions, including many visible placements, Kati collaborates closely with boards to ensure robust, objective, and confidential succession processes, including the development of future CEOs. Speaking about her appointment with Heidrick & Struggles, Kati Najipoor-Smith said: 'In this era of unprecedented uncertainty and complexity, business leaders are under immense pressure and the quality of leadership – at both board and C-Suite levels – is being tested like never before. With that in mind, I am excited to join Heidrick & Struggles and to work alongside a highly qualified and diverse consulting team, combining human-centric insight with fact-based, analytical rigour to support our clients' most critical leadership decisions.' Jenni Hibbert, Heidrick & Struggles' Global Managing Partner Go-To-Market and Regional Leader, Europe & Africa, added: 'We are very pleased to welcome Kati to Heidrick & Struggles, where I look forward to working with her as she brings her unique talent and experience to bear to make a meaningful impact on our clients across the region.' Kati spent several years in management consultancies including Roland Berger and at FEV Group, a leading engineering services firm. She holds a PhD in mechanical engineering from the University of Aachen in Germany, an MSc in mechanical engineering from the University of California, and a BSc in mechanical engineering from the University of Portland. Kati is a frequent speaker and panel guest on leadership topics and is often invited to provide global perspectives on leadership. She also co-founded a private network of senior female executives 10 years ago to support female leaders' advancement. About Heidrick & Struggles Heidrick & Struggles (Nasdaq: HSII) is the world's foremost advisor on executive leadership, driving superior client performance through premier human capital leadership advisory services. For more than 70 years, we've delivered value for our clients by leveraging unrivaled expertise to help organizations discover and enable outstanding leaders and teams. Learn more at
