Kingsley Aikins is the founder and CEO of The Networking Institute based in Dublin. He has worked with over 30 countries in the areas of Diaspora Engagement and Diaspora Diplomacy. Prior to that he was, for 17 years, the Global CEO of The Ireland Funds based in Boston, USA. The Ireland Funds is an organisation that raises funds from the Irish Diaspora to support projects of Peace, Culture and Charity in Ireland. During his time with The Ireland Funds he established them in 12 countries and raised over a quarter of a billion dollars. Prior to that he represented IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland in Australia for 8 years and was responsible for encouraging foreign direct investment in Ireland as well as promoting exports from Ireland. He is an Economics and Politics graduate of Trinity College Dublin.