Founder & CEO
Hermann DeSouza
Founder & Chief Executive Officer
Austin, Texas, USA • Originally from Benin, West Africa
“At my core, I am a builder—of people, of programs, and of possibility. I’m not just managing programs; I’m reshaping what’s possible when talent meets mission.”
Hermann's story begins in Benin, West Africa—but its roots stretch deeper, grounded in generations of resilience. As a descendant of enslaved people, the oldest of six children, and now a father of three boys, he carries a powerful commitment: to leave the world better for the next generation.
When he immigrated to the U.S. without speaking English, most would see an insurmountable barrier. Hermann saw the next challenge to overcome. Within months, he added English to his toolkit—his seventh language—and began a 14+ year journey at Apple, rising from frontline support to executive relations and business process reengineering, designing systems that now support millions.
But his impact reaches beyond corporate walls. Through One-to-Many and Cercle Social, he brought digital learning to 700+ students in underserved communities, transforming shipping containers into mobile computer labs—work showcased at the United Nations as a model for grassroots innovation.