Leonard Ihedirionye
Leonard Ihedirionye is the President of Saleton International LLC and Vice President, Women Foundation for Shea Butter Making Skills (WOFSHEAMS) USA. He holds a B. Eng. degree in Electrical Engineering with many years of working experience.
He was initially living in Nigeria but relocated to the United States with his family in December 2009.Since relocating to the US, he has worked in these areas: Quality Control Inspection, Manufacturing, Field Service Maintenance, Control Systems and Reliability Maintenance Engineering.
He is a member, International Society of Automation, ISA and Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. He is married with three children
Salome Ihedirionye
Salome Ihedirionye is the President of Women Foundation for Shea Butter Making Skills (WOFSHEAMS) USA and Vice President, Saleton International LLC.
She holds a Diploma in Agriculture and Home Economics. She initially lived in Nigeria but later relocated to the United States with her husband and children in December 2009. While in Nigeria, she was a member, Board of Trustees of African Women Agribusiness Network (AWAN), an African sub regional initiative for African women engaged in agribusiness. She was also the Founder and President of Women Foundation for Shea Butter Making Skills (WOFSHEAMS). Under WOFSHEAMS, she brought many poor rural Shea Women from various parts of Nigeria together.
After receiving training in Shea Butter Making from USAID and German group GTZ, she in turn extensively trained many of those women in Shea Butter making and got them ready for Shea Butter export business. After relocating to the US with her family in 2009, and in line with her insatiable desire to assist afflicted and underprivileged people, she picked up a job at a large organization housing thousands of people with physical and mental disabilities. She is married with three children.
Thomas Knoble
Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Pig Art Graphics, a company that specializes in graphics, web design and Marketing.
With his vast experience in these areas, Tom plays a pivotal role at Saleton, serving as both the IT and Website Consultant. His diverse skill set and expertise allow him to create a strong online presence for Saleton, with user-friendly and visually appealing websites that cater for the needs of the company’s clients and customers.
As the IT and Web Designer, Tom ensures that Saleton’s digital platforms are not only aesthetically pleasing but also technologically advanced, providing a seamless user experience for visitors. He utilizes his coding and graphic design prowess to create captivating websites that showcase Saleton’s products and services in the best possible light.
Gabriel Sunday Ayayia
Gabriel Sunday Ayayia, as the Head of Strategy and Marketing at Saleton, assumes a vital leadership role, orchestrating the company’s overarching business strategies and driving its marketing initiatives to new heights. He holds a Masters degree in Philosophy from the prestigious University of Ibadan, Nigeria, and a Higher Degree in Agricultural Engineering.
With his interdisciplinary background in Agricultural Engineering and Philosophy with over 8 years’ experience in Sales and Marketing Industry, Gabriel formulates innovative strategies that position Saleton as a formidable player in the industry. He is adept at identifying emerging opportunities, allowing the company to proactively respond to market trends and stay ahead of the competition.
As a visionary leader, Gabriel collaborates seamlessly with cross-functional teams, ensuring that marketing efforts align with the company’s broader objectives. His strategic approach ensures that marketing campaigns are not only creative and impactful but also closely aligned with Saleton’s overall vision.
Gabriel’s expertise in building brand awareness and cultivating customer loyalty enhances Saleton’s market presence. He leverages a blend of traditional and digital marketing tactics to reach target audiences effectively, forging lasting connections with existing clients while attracting new ones.
Administrator/Human Resource Manager, WOFSHEAMS Leader, Nigeria
Kelechi Loretta Nwosu, PhD
Loretta’s role at Saleton is crucial as the Administrator. With her extensive experience in managing diverse administrative tasks, she plays a pivotal role in ensuring the smooth functioning of the organization. Loretta’s expertise in coordinating schedules, managing correspondence, and overseeing office procedures helps maintain an efficient workflow within the company
Her multitasking abilities and meticulous attention to detail make her an invaluable asset, especially in a dynamic business environment like Saleton. Loretta’s approachable and positive demeanor foster a harmonious work culture, making her a trusted point of contact for colleagues and external partners alike
As the Administrator at Saleton, Loretta’s dedication to excellence and commitment to her role significantly contribute to the company’s overall success and growth. Her organizational skills and ability to manage multiple priorities seamlessly ensure that all administrative operations run smoothly, enabling the entire team to focus on their core responsibilities and objectives.
Production Manager and WOFSHEAMS Leader, Nigeria
Olukemi Ayodele holds a BA degree in Education. She has been involved in Shea Butter business since 2008 having gained valuable experience from her mother.
She plays a crucial role in overseeing the production operations, particularly focusing on empowering women in the process. Her leadership is instrumental in coordinating and managing the production activities, ensuring efficiency, quality, and timely delivery of goods.
With a deep commitment to empowerment, she champions the inclusion and development of women in the production team. Through mentorship, skills training, and providing a conducive work environment, she empowers these women to excel in their roles and grow both personally and professionally.
As the leader in Nigeria, she understands the unique challenges faced by her team and actively seeks solutions that align with the company’s values and goals.
Our Workforce
Women Foundation for Shea Butter Making Skills (WOFSHEAMS)
The WOFSHEAMS women have undergone training to work effectively as a team. Their individual tasks are complementary and they support each other in the production of Shea nuts and butter.
Their dedication and hard work have resulted in an unprecedented level of morale, poise, and diligence. This has contributed to their success and has enabled them to spread their activities throughout Nigeria. With a strong desire to expand internationally, the WOFSHEAMS women are well-positioned to meet high demand of Shea butter for export.
Currently, they are capable of producing 30 tons of high-quality Shea butter on a monthly basis. The WOFSHEAMS women’s commitment to excellence make them a formidable force in the Shea butter industry.