Leadership

Founder, CEO, Dr. Sandrine Mubenga, PE

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Dr. Ngalula Sandrine Mubenga, PE, was born in Kinshasa, in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC). As a daughter of a United Nations diplomat, she lived in DRC, Belgium, France, Senegal, and in the USA.  She speaks English, French, Kikongo, Lingala, Swahili, and Tshiluba.

Ngalula Sandrine Mubenga is the founder and CEO of SMIN Power Group.  The company specializes in the design and installation of renewable energy systems based in USA and D.R. Congo (Africa) since 2011.

In 2017, SMIN Power Group was recognized as one of the Top 5 Innovators for bringing renewable energy in DRC by Congo Na Paris Magazine. Mubenga is a Professional Engineer registered in Ohio, USA. She is passionate about finding renewable energy solutions so people can better their lives while fighting climate change. She has worked in the industry for 15 years during which she designed/interconnected/approved 50,000KW of solar PV mainly for utility scale solar fields. She also worked on distribution planning & protection (7KV- 315KV), energy management, and project management.

Mubenga is the former Electrical Engineering Manager at the University of Toledo, USA where she has helped manage a total of $65million energy budget, saving over $5million in utility costs. She was a co-founder of the Sustainability Energy Efficiency and Design Initiative. Mubenga has been an active IEEE member for the last 9 years. In 2010, she started and chaired the Toledo

She was a co-founder of the Sustainability Energy Efficiency and Design Initiative. Mubenga has been an active IEEE member for the last 9 years. In 2010, she started and chaired the Toledo Section IEEE Graduate of the Last decade- now known as Young Professionals. Mubenga was the IEEE Toledo 2010 Young Engineer of the Year. Currently, she serves as the General Conference Chair for the 2017 IEEE PES PowerAfrica conference in Ghana.

Academically, Dr. Mubenga is a Professor of Electrical Engineering at the University of Toledo where she earned Bachelors, Masters, and PhD degrees in the same field with honors. For a MS research, she hybridized an electric vehicle by integrating a fuel cell and developed a solar powered hydrogen generating station. IN the process she earned the “University of Toledo EECS Department Most Outstanding Thesis Award”. For her PhD research, she developed a patented battery management system for large Li-ion batteries energy storage that are used in electric vehicles and grid applications.

Mubenga served as the Entrepreneurial Lead for the Icorps@Ohio program and helped her team earn a competitive research grant through the National Science Foundation based program.
Mubenga was nominated as 2017 African Most Influential Women in Business and Government by CEO Magazine based in South Africa. She was also nominated for the 2017 Clean Energy Education Empowerment (C3E) Award, a program from the USA Department of Energy in collaboration with MIT Energy Initiative and Stanford Precourt Institute for Energy. She was invited by the European Parliament S&D Group. She served as keynote speaker at the MREA 27th Annual Energy Fair(USA) and at the 2nd Sultani Makutano (DRC). She was featured in Forbes Afrique, AMINA , JeuneAfrique, the Toledo Blade, Portage County Gazette, Afrimpact, on France24, Congo WebTV.

Sandrine is passionate about finding sustainable solutions to provide energy to people so they can better their lives.

 

Hybrid Vehicle

“Mubenga demonstrated the feasibility of renewable energy technologies. She developed a hybrid electric vehicle by incorporating a hydrogen fuel cell. The car uses hydrogen as a fuel and direct current. This is a car that does not pollute and whose only waste is water.

Indeed the fuel cell uses hydrogen gas and air to produce direct current. This current is then used by an electric motor that turns the wheels of a car. In order to produce hydrogen for the hybrid car, Mubenga also developed a hydrogen generating station that splits water into hydrogen and oxygen. The hydrogen station is powered by solar power and does not pollute. This research was funded through a grant from the Ohio Department of Development and the Department of Energy.

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General Counsel Madimba KADIMA-NZUJI, Ph.D 

Madimba KADIMA-NZUJI

Madimba Kadima-Nzuji is an attorney  with experience in regional trade agreements, development, international law, regional conflicts, WTO, culture, management of intellectual property rights, good governance.  Dr Kadima-Nzuji earned his Master degree with honors, and his Philosophy Doctorate degree of Law from the Catholic University of Louvain, Belgium.  He served as instructor at the Universite Libre de Bruxelles, Belgium before returning to Kinshasa, D.R.Congo where he was hired as a  lecturer at the Universite Libre de Kinshasa.  Here he established his consulting service in international law and public relations.

As General Counsel within SMIN Power Group, he represents SMIN Power Group in Africa. Dr.Kadima-Nzuji is responsible for legal matters and External Relations.During his free time, Dr. Kadima-Nzuji is passionate about literature and travelling around the world. He brings a wealth of experience, know-how and savvy decision making to the team.

 


Digital Marketing Manager Lonn Dugan, B.S., B.A.O.T., M.A.

Lonn Dugan, Digital Marketing Manager

Lonn Dugan is Founder of BIG Marketing Solutions LLC and brings experience in Traditional & Digital Marketing to his role at SMIN Power Group.  Dugan studies at the University of Toledo, having accomplished an Associates Degree in Sales and Marketing Technology and A Bachelors Degree in Business and Organizational Technology (Graduating Cum Laude).  He is currently enrolled in the Master of Liberal Studies program.

As Digital Marketing Manager, Dugan is passionate about helping SMIN Power Group provide Green and Renewable Energy solutions to under-served populations.  His contributions include work on Image, Identity, Value Proposition, Brand Management, Collateral Design, Web Design and Development, Content Strategies, Sales Stories, Copy Writing, Powerpoint Presentations, Multimedia Production, Public Relations, & SEO efforts.

Previous Work:

  • Marketing Manager at a Mortgage Bank:  Replaced Print Ads with Google Adwords Campaign, Cut Spending, Developed Collateral, Improved online marketing and lead generation.
  • Marketing Manager at a Cable TV Channel:  Created and launched integrated, 3 screen, 24-hour real estate channel for Buckeye CableSystem. Created TV+WEB+MOBILE applications with back office accounting and billing system to produce Television ads, web video, and & mobile search application with mobile video streaming. Developed process to accomplish semi-automated build of :30 TV spots in about 2 minutes of studio production time.
  • V.P. of Marketing Manager then President of Global Market Leading Health & Beauty Manufacturer: Created and managed product and package design, new product launches, line extensions, market communication efforts, PR, brand, collateral, advertising and operations, accomplishing category leadership in multiple categories with 70% share in U.S. Market and growing shares in multiple International Market.

Additional skills / Interests: Opportunity Analysis, Strategic Planning, Business Planning, Brand Management, Reputation Management, Social Media Management, Marketing Plans, Value Propositions, Positioning Statements, Promotional Plans, Public Relations campaigns, WordPress Web Design and Development.

Personal Notes:   Dugan lives in Sylvania Ohio with his wife of 20+ years.  They raised 5 children who are now grown.  Interests include Gardening and Photography. Pets include 2 dogs, 1 cat, an African Gray Parrot, and a Discus fish aquarium.


Léopold MULUMBA KADIMA – Chemical Expert & Educator 

Léopold MULUMBA KADIMA has 20 years of experience in various sectors of business and industry.

His work has included support for mining, import and sale of agricultural products, and in buildings and public works.

He is a humanitarian, particularly in terms of educational programs, and a Chemist by training.

Léopold graduated university with studies in business management and project management.

 


Gilbert Kajabika – Financial Analyst

Gilbert Kajabika has 23 years of experience in project finance.

He specializes in work on economic analysis of rural and / or disadvantaged communities.

He enjoys providing financial analysis and support for the development of income generating activities.

Gilbert is an Economist who has received training in formulation techniques, monitoring and evaluation of community-based projects, reformulation of strategies and training tools.

 


SMIN Power Group LLC

Solar Power Engineering LogoSMIN Power Group provides affordable electricity for communities using renewable energies (solar, fuel cell, biomass, wind, etc). We specialize also in Engineering Consulting, Project Management and Energy Management. SMIN Power Group, was founded by Mubenga. It is registered in the USA, in the State of Ohio since 2011.

In 2013, SMIN Power Group expanded its presence in Africa, through the establishment of its branch SMIN Power Group Asbl. The office is located in the Democratic Republic of Congo(DRC), Kinshasa/Gombe.  The company’s primary focus is providing solar energy to under-served and remote locations, especially the DRC in Africa.