Zoom Appoints Cindy Hoots to Board of Directors

SAN JOSE, Calif., Jan. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zoom Video Communications, Inc. (NASDAQ: ZM) announced that it has appointed Cindy Hoots, Chief Digital Officer and CIO of AstraZeneca, as an independent director on Zoom’s Board of Directors effective immediately.

“Zoom has changed the way companies around the world do business and is ushering in entirely new ways to transact business internationally,” said Hoots. “Global leaders have the responsibility to ensure our ecosystem of employees, partners, customers, and our community can connect and collaborate seamlessly in a sustainably responsible way. I am thrilled to join Zoom’s Board and CEO Eric Yuan, an inspirational leader with a strong vision. I believe this company has an important role in making a meaningful impact on people’s lives.”

“On behalf of Zoom’s Board of Directors, I am excited to welcome Cindy to the team,” said Zoom Founder and CEO Eric S. Yuan. “Cindy’s experience leading large global companies in highly regulated and complex industries will bring tremendous value to our company. As Zoom continues to grow and innovate within the healthcare sector, we look forward to Cindy’s perspectives and contributions.”

About Cindy Hoots
Ms. Hoots has served as the Chief Digital Officer and Chief Information Officer at AstraZeneca PLC, a pharmaceutical company, since January 2020. From January 2018 to December 2019, she served as Global Vice President of Technology of Unilever PLC, a multinational consumer goods company. Prior to joining Unilever, Ms. Hoots served as Vice President of Next Generation Products, Commercial, and Digital Transformation at British American Tobacco plc from 2016 to 2018. She also spent 16 years at Mars, Incorporated. Ms. Hoots received a B.S. in Computer Information Systems from DeVry Institute of Technology.

About Zoom
Zoom is for you. Zoom is a space where you can connect to others, share ideas, make plans, and build toward a future limited only by your imagination. Our frictionless communications platform is the only one that started with video as its foundation, and we have set the standard for innovation ever since. That is why we are an intuitive, scalable, and secure choice for individuals, small businesses, and large enterprises alike. Founded in 2011, Zoom is publicly traded (NASDAQ: ZM) and headquartered in San Jose, California. Visit zoom.com and follow @zoom.

Zoom PR
Colleen Rodriguez
Head of Global PR
press@zoom.us

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8724219

Prepay Nation promeut Paolo Montessori au poste de président-directeur général (PDG)

BERWYN, Pennsylvanie, 05 janv. 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Prepay Nation, un leader mondial des produits prépayés B2B, annonce la nomination de Paolo Montessori en tant que nouveau président-directeur général (PDG). Le conseil d’administration a choisi M. Montessori pour succéder à A.J. Hanna en tant que PDG d’ici janvier 2023 après un exercice approfondi de planification de la relève.

Après plus de 3 ans et demi passés chez Prepay Nation, dont les 2 dernières années et demi au poste de PDG, A.J. Hanna a annoncé qu’il quittera son poste de PDG et de président de Prepay Nation avant le 31 décembre 2022. A.J. Hanna continue à soutenir la transition en tant que conseiller spécial du conseil d’administration et du PDG nouvellement nommé.

Paolo Montessori a rejoint Prepay Nation en octobre 2021 au poste de Chief Revenue Officer (directeur financier). Tout au long de sa carrière de plus de 25 ans, M. Montessori a établi un palmarès bien étoffé d’accomplissements à la tête d’entreprises de télécommunications et de services financiers sur un large éventail de possibilités stratégiques et de développement commercial à une époque d’évolution constante dans le monde des services financiers et des paiements. En tant que PDG, les objectifs principaux de M. Montessori seront de renforcer la situation financière et la solide assise des actifs de Prepay Nation, y compris un réseau mondial de distribution interconnecté et un marché prépayé, ainsi que d’accélérer les plans de croissance de l’entreprise et d’élargir ses alternatives de paiement.

A.J. Hanna, président du conseil d’administration et PDG de Prepay Nation, a déclaré : « Nous sommes ravis d’accueillir Paolo Montessori en tant que prochain PDG de Prepay Nation. M. Montessori est un dirigeant qui a fait ses preuves dans le développement des talents et la direction d’équipes, tout en stimulant la croissance et l’innovation dans les secteurs des technologies financières et des télécommunications. Grâce à sa vaste expérience acquise dans l’expansion de Comviva sur de nouveaux territoires, en tant que PDG d’eServGlobal où il a constitué HomeSend, la coentreprise transfrontalière avec MasterCard, en tant que directeur général de l’activité de traitement des transactions de Novatti et en tant que PDG de LenddoEFL, une fintech innovante d’analyse des risques alimentée par l’IA, M. Montessori est bien placé pour diriger Prepay Nation dans cette nouvelle ère. L’attention toute particulière de Paolo Montessori portée à l’accélération de la croissance de l’entreprise et à l’adoption élargie de nos offres d’écosystème et des capacités du marché prépayé auprès des utilisateurs et des entreprises permettra de lancer Prepay Nation 2.0. »

Anurag Jain, co-fondateur de Prepay Nation, a ajouté : « Au nom du conseil d’administration, de nos employés, de nos clients et de nos partenaires commerciaux du monde entier, je tiens à remercier A.J. Hanna pour son dévouement et son enthousiasme envers Prepay Nation, et à le féliciter pour les nombreux accomplissements et étapes franchies, que nous avons célébrés alors qu’il était à la tête de cette entreprise dynamique. Sous la direction de M. Hanna, Prepay Nation a étendu son empreinte mondiale et développé un marché à la pointe du secteur pour les produits prépayés, et a transformé nos capacités en un avantage concurrentiel. »

Le nouveau PDG, Paolo Montessori, a commenté : « Être choisi pour diriger une organisation aussi respectée que Prepay Nation, un marché mondial de la technologie et du prépaiement, qui dessert plus de 150 pays et plus de 5 milliards d’utilisateurs, est un grand honneur et une opportunité véritablement passionnante.

C’est la passion d’innover, en restant à l’écoute des besoins des clients, qui guide Prepay Nation depuis ses débuts il y a plus de dix ans. J’ai hâte de diriger l’équipe de Prepay Nation et de travailler main dans la main pour tracer un avenir de croissance, créant de la valeur pour nos actionnaires tout en fournissant des services prépayés essentiels à notre public mondial. »

A.J. Hanna a ajouté : « Cela a été un honneur et un privilège de diriger Prepay Nation et d’aider à servir nos partenaires mondiaux et leurs utilisateurs. Je garde de précieux souvenirs du temps passé à travailler avec nos collègues, dont le talent, la fidélité et l’engagement envers nos clients sont sans pareil. Je suis fier de l’entreprise axée sur les objectifs que nous avons façonnée ensemble, et j’ai hâte de voir la société et l’équipe prospérer sous la direction de Paolo Montessori. »

À propos de Prepay Nation :

Prepay Nation est un leader mondial des produits prépayés B2B, qui facilite l’achat de recharges transfrontalières de temps d’antenne mobile, de données, de cartes-cadeaux et de paiements de services publics au-delà des frontières internationales. L’entreprise se targue d’une présence opérationnelle dans plus de 150 pays, avec plus de 600 partenariats d’opérateurs mobiles dans plus de 300 000 points de vente. Elle est soutenue par une équipe répartie dans le monde entier aux États-Unis, au Canada, en Asie, en Europe et au Moyen-Orient. Nous permettons aux marques locales et mondiales de distribuer leurs produits prépayés par le biais de notre réseau mondial de revendeurs omnicanal. Nos partenaires bénéficient d’une augmentation des ventes, de l’acquisition de clients, de l’engagement, de la rétention et de la fidélisation.

Pour plus d’information, rendez-vous sur www.prepaynation.com ou contactez Janis D’souza à l’adresse hello@prepaynation.com

Une photo accompagnant la présente annonce est disponible sur https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e6e795e8-3952-4fac-be39-a9e19eaaf650

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8724753

Prepay Nation promove Paolo Montessori a Diretor Executivo (CEO)

BERWYN, Pa., Jan. 05, 2023 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  A Prepay Nation, líder global no mercado de produtos pré-pagos B2B, anuncia a nomeação de Paolo Montessori como novo CEO. O Conselho Diretor escolheu Montessori para suceder A.J. Hanna como CEO até janeiro de 2023, após um minucioso exercício de planejamento sucessório.

Depois de mais de 3 anos e meio na Prepay Nation, incluindo os últimos 2 anos e meio como CEO, A.J. Hanna anunciou que deixará o cargo de CEO e de Presidente da Prepay Nation em 31 de dezembro de 2022. A.J. continuará a apoiar a transição como consultor especial do Conselho de Administração e do CEO recém-nomeado.

Paolo Montessori ingressou na Prepay Nation em outubro de 2021 como Diretor de Receita. Ao longo da sua carreira de mais de 25 anos, Montessori estabeleceu um sólido histórico de realizações liderando empresas de telecomunicações e de serviços financeiros em uma ampla gama de possibilidades estratégicas e de criação de negócios durante um período de constante evolução no mundo dos serviços financeiros e pagamentos. Como CEO, os principais objetivos de Montessori serão fortalecer a posição financeira e a base sólida de ativos da Prepay Nation, incluindo a rede de distribuição interconectada em todo o mundo e o mercado pré-pago, bem como acelerar os planos de crescimento da empresa e expandir suas alternativas de pagamento.

O Presidente do Conselho e CEO da Prepay Nation A.J. Hanna disse: “É um grande prazer receber Paolo Montessori como o próximo CEO da Prepay Nation. Paolo é líder comprovado, conhecido pelo desenvolvimento de talentos e liderança de equipes, e como incentivador do crescimento e da inovação nos setores de fintech e telecomunicações. Com sua vasta experiência na expansão da Comviva em novas regiões geográficas, como CEO da eServGlobal, onde formou a HomeSend, uma joint venture transfronteiriça com a MasterCard, como CEO do negócio de processamento de transações da Novatti e CEO da inovadora fintech de análise de risco alimentada por IA LenddoEFL, ele está bem-posicionado para liderar a Prepay Nation nesta nova era. Focado em acelerar o crescimento da empresa e conquistar a adoção mais ampla das nossas ofertas de ecossistemas e recursos de mercado pré-pagos por parte de usuários e empresas, Paolo lançará o Prepay Nation 2.0.”

Anurag Jain, cofundador da Prepay Nation, acrescentou: “Em nome do Conselho de Administração, nossos funcionários globais, clientes e parceiros de negócios, quero agradecer a A.J. por sua dedicação e entusiasmo na Prepay Nation e parabenizá-lo pelas muitas conquistas e marcos que celebramos enquanto ele esteve ao leme desta empresa dinâmica. Sob a liderança de A.J., a Prepay Nation expandiu seu alcance global e ampliou o mercado líder da indústria de produtos pré-pagos, transformando a nossa capacidade em uma vantagem competitiva.”

Paolo Montessori, o novo CEO: “É uma grande honra e uma oportunidade muito emocionante ter sido selecionado para liderar uma organização tão respeitada como a Prepay Nation, uma tecnologia global e um mercado global pré-pago, que atende mais de 150 países e mais de 5 bilhões de usuários.

A paixão por inovar com como foco nas necessidades do cliente é o que orienta a Prepay Nation desde seu início há mais de uma década. Estou pronto para liderar a equipe da Prepay Nation e trabalhar em conjunto para traçar um futuro de crescimento, criando valor para nossos acionistas e fornecendo serviços pré-pagos essenciais para nossa audiência global.”

A.J. Hanna acrescentou: “É uma honra e um privilégio liderar a Prepay Nation e ajudar a servir nossos parceiros e usuários em todo o mundo. Tenho muitas boas lembranças do tempo que passei trabalhando com nossos colegas, cujo talento, lealdade e compromisso com nossos clientes são incomparáveis. Estou orgulhoso do negócio orientado por propósitos que moldamos juntos e estou ansioso para ver a empresa e a equipe florescerem sob a liderança de Paolo.”

Sobre a Prepay Nation:

A Prepay Nation é um mercado líder global de produtos pré-pagos B2B que facilita a compra de recargas transfronteiriças de tempo de antena móvel, dados, cartões-presente e pagamentos de serviços públicos em fronteiras internacionais. Ela tem operações em mais de 150 países e mais de 600 parcerias de operadoras móveis em mais de 300.000 locais de varejo – apoiadas por uma equipe distribuída globalmente nos EUA, Canadá, Ásia, Europa e Oriente Médio. Nós viabilizamos que marcas locais e globais distribuam seus produtos pré-pagos através da nossa rede de revendedores omnicanal em todo o mundo. Nossos parceiros se beneficiam do aumento de vendas, aquisição de clientes, engajamento, retenção e fidelização.

Para mais informações, visite www.prepaynation.com ou contacte Janis D’souza em hello@prepaynation.com

Foto deste comunicado disponível em https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e6e795e8-3952-4fac-be39-a9e19eaaf650

GlobeNewswire Distribution ID 8724753

PowerChina soutient la formation de talents hautement qualifiés en Zambie

LUSAKA, Zambie, 6 janvier 2023 /PRNewswire/ — Sur la rivière Kafue, à environ 90 km au sud de Lusaka, capitale de la Zambie, la première centrale hydroélectrique à grande échelle de Zambie tourne à plein régime.

Mise en service en juillet 2021, la centrale hydroélectrique inférieure de Kafue Gorge, construite par PowerChina, prévoit l’installation de cinq turbines Francis, pour une capacité totale installée de 750 MW.

En plus d’avoir accéléré le processus d’industrialisation de la Zambie, cette centrale a également changé le destin de nombreux jeunes zambiens. Gift Kapanda, 35 ans, est l’un d’entre eux.

PowerChina Supports Cultivation of Highly Skilled Talent in Zambia

En 2017, la vie de ce jeune Zambien a pris un tournant inédit après sa visite de l’institut de formation Sinohydro, fondé par PowerChina dans le but de dispenser des cours de formation professionnelle gratuits afin de former des travailleurs qualifiés pour le projet hydroélectrique et de générer des talents pour des projets locaux en Zambie. M. Kapanda s’est inscrit à l’institut pour étudier l’ingénierie électrique et a commencé sa « transformation ».

Comme M. Kapanda, le destin de plus de 300 jeunes en Zambie a complètement changé grâce à l’institut de formation Sinohydro. Les compétences acquises à l’institut ont transformé leur vie.

Avec un investissement de 1,45 million de dollars, l’institut a été créé par PowerChina en 2017, et recrute des étudiants de toute la Zambie, leur fournit une éducation et une formation gratuites, un logement gratuit et des allocations de subsistance, dans le but de cultiver des talents qualifiés dont la Zambie a un besoin urgent dans le domaine de la construction d’infrastructures.

Jusqu’à présent, l’institut a formé 332 étudiants, dont 10 femmes, en tant que techniciens, qui sont devenus les piliers de ce projet ainsi que d’autres projets d’ingénierie en Zambie. La plupart d’entre eux travaillent pour le projet d’électricité après leur formation, a déclaré Fang Zhi, doyen de l’institut, à ChinAfrica.

« Avant, j’étais un électricien ordinaire qui ne pouvait faire que des câblages ou des réparations simples, mais c’est différent maintenant. J’ai reçu une formation professionnelle et systématique. À force de pratique, je suis devenu un bon ingénieur électricien », a confié M. Kapanda à ChinAfrica.

L’aide apportée par la Chine à l’Afrique a été faussement accusée de « néo-colonialisme », et l’image des entreprises chinoises en Afrique a également été déformée et diffamée. « Le fait est que les entreprises chinoises en Afrique emploient un grand nombre de travailleurs locaux grâce à la localisation des ressources humaines, ce qui favorise grandement l’emploi local, améliore le niveau de vie de la population locale, et renforce le sentiment d’appartenance, de bonheur et de responsabilité des employés locaux », a déclaré Zhou Qingguo, chef de projet du Bureau de la centrale hydroélectrique inférieure de Kafue Gorge, à ChinAfrica.

Depuis la mise en service de la centrale hydroélectrique inférieure de Kafue Gorge, plus de 10 000 employés locaux ont été embauchés, soit 90 % de la main-d’œuvre du projet.

Depuis son entrée sur le marché zambien en 2001, PowerChina s’est profondément impliquée dans le développement du pays. « En formant et en employant la population locale, il est possible de renforcer les échanges entre les peuples chinois et africains, afin de rapprocher davantage leurs cœurs », a déclaré Song Mingming, représentant national de PowerChina en Zambie.

Photo – https://mma.prnewswire.com/media/1977060/PowerChina_Supports_Cultivation_Highly_Skilled_Talent_Zambia.jpg

New political-administrative division poses challenges to government – minister

Ndalatando – Angola’s minister of Territorial Administration Dionísio da Fonseca has considered the implementation of the new political-administrative division of the country as one of the challenges posed to the government.

Speaking Thursday in Lucala, northern Cuanza Norte province, Dionísio da Fonseca pointed mainly to the creation of the conditions for the effective delivery of services to the population.

At the end of his 48-hour visit to the province of Cuanza Norte, the minister said the government’s project for the new political-administrative division of the country is focused on improving the quality and bringing closer basic social services to citizens.

“Once in place, citizens will no longer have to travel long distances to meet their needs,” he concluded.

He underlined that the Executive is working toward mobilisation of financial resources to ensure that the citizen has education, health, identity card and other services close to him.

He says he understands society’s skepticism towards this proposal, but advises citizens to think about a long-term project, rather than the immediate one.

The proposal for a new politico-administrative division of the country provides for the division of the provinces of Moxico and Cuando Cubango, raising to 20 territories at the provincial level, rather than the current 18.

It also provides for the elevation of communes and districts to the rank of municipalities, raising to 581 municipalities, instead of the current 164.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

New cabotage terminal kicks off in April

Luanda – The new north cabotage terminal at the Port of Luanda will start operating from the second quarter of this year, with new equipment and technological means that will provide greater comfort and safety in the freight transport.

The works, that started more than two years ago, are at 60% of physical execution and, at this point, the assembly of equipment and technological means is already concluded.

The assessment results from a visit paid by the minister of Transport Ricardo D´Abreu this week to verify the degree of technical execution, as well as the estimated conclusion of the works.

Among other terminals advantages, the construction of the cabotage pier and pier bridge that will connect the provinces of Luanda, Zaire and Cabinda by sea, promoting the transport of people and goods in this corridor of the country, stands out.

The overall design of the project results from multidisciplinary work with solutions suited to the effectiveness required for each situation, in a technical-economic relationship.

The minister also visited the closed circuit television operations center at the Port of Luanda, recently installed, which has provided greater control and security to the entire area of port jurisdiction.

The official visited the Maritime Passenger Terminal (TMP) at the Port of Luanda, where he learnt about the operation of the X-ray equipment, the operation of the Luanda Bay car park, as well as the departures and arrivals process of passengers and goods.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

SADC Essay competition winners receive award

Luanda – Southern African Development Community (SADC) announced the three Angolan winners of the 23rd edition of 2022 Secondary School Essay Competition on Friday.

The SADC Secretariat has allocated USD 1000 as prize money for national winners of the competition as follows: USD 500 for first prize, USD 300 for the second prize and USD 200 for the third prize winner.

The top three winners of 2022 Southern African Development Community (SADC) recently announced are:

In the first place was the student Casimira Pimenta in Angola’s Huambo province from the Secondary School Joaquim Kapango (12th grade), Irina Sardinha from the Commercial high Institute of Luanda (12th grade), and Ecliseaste Ricardo from Polytechnic Institute of Benguela (12th grade).

The competition takes place in two phases, with Irina Sardinha, second ranked in Angola, obtaining 10th place in the regional contest.

In 2022, under the theme: How SADC can increase production capacity in the face of Covid-19´´, 33 newsrooms competed across the country and the top three went to the regional competition.

Speaking at the ceremony, the Secretary of State for Pre-school and Primary Education, Pacheco Francisco, said he was pleased and called for more efforts by the sector in order to evolve and win better places.

To him, the creation of the competition, in 1999, helps young people to deepen their knowledge about the region and create proposals for mitigation, as well as stimulating reflection on the resilience of different sectors.

The ceremony also served to launch the 2023 edition, with the theme: How SADC can promote industrialisation for inclusive, resilient and sustainable economic growth.

The SADC Secondary Schools Essay Competition is a regional competition for students from schools and member countries to provide new opportunities for further knowledge.

SADC currently has 16 member countries.

They are Angola, South Africa, Botswana, DRC, Lesotho, Madagascar, Malawi, Mozambique, Mauritius, Eswatini, Namibia, Tanzania, Zambia, Zimbabwe, Seychelles and Comoros.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Man arrested for kidnapping baby in Huambo

Luena – A 23-year-old citizen, who allegedly abducted a two-month-old baby at the maternity hospital in Huambo province more than 60 days ago, was arrested in Luena, eastern Moxico province, police have said.

According to the spokesman for the Provincial Command of the National Police in Moxico, Inspector André Cahilo, the fact occurred last November, when the accused, taking advantage of the bond of friendship created with the child’s mother, kidnapped the baby, taking him to Luena.

In view of the crime, he said that the Department of Investigation of Criminal Illicit (DIIP), in cooperation with the Criminal Investigation Service (SIC), detained the accused, in compliance with a mandate decreed by the Public Prosecutor’s Office (MP).

The young man will be sent to Huambo province to answer for the crime committed.

The source added that the child, now with four months old, is receiving medical treatment at the Moxico General Hospital for showing signs of advanced malnutrition.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

SIC opens inquiry into alleged involvement of its staff in drug trafficking

Luanda – Criminal Investigation Service (SIC) announced on Friday that it opened an investigation into the alleged involvement of its members in drug trafficking.

Confirming the information in a press note, SIC stated that the investigation resulted from complaints circulated on social media concerning the existence of an alleged cocaine trafficking network, made up of its staff and senior officials.

According to this body, assigned to the Ministry of the Interior, the investigation was immediately opened, after the tipoff, to check the veracity of the information.

In a press release, SIC reiterated its committed to fight against drug trafficking throughout the national territory, particularly in border zones.

The source points out that the operational work, carried out in cooperation with other defence and security bodies, has produced satisfactory results.

It adds that the operation led to the seizure of large quantities of drugs at Luanda Port and at “4 Fevereiro” International Airport.

Source: Angola Press News Agency

Cabinda General Hospital to become national training centre

Cabinda – Cabinda General Hospital (HGC) will soon be turned into a National and International Centre for training staff, with several specialization areas.

This was announced Thursday by minister of Health Silvia Lutucuta at the end of visit to Cabinda.

The minister said that the facility has valences necessary to house national specialised training hubs.

Silvia Lutucuta also announced plans for the Ministry of Health (MINSA) to set up specialised training centre for professionals in the sector, including physicians, nurses, diagnostic technicians and general practitioners.

She considered Cabinda hospital a national reference, equipped with many facilities and with competent professionals to pass on knowledge to other technicians.

New doctors

She also announced the arrival in Cabinda soon of about 175 doctors, for a rotation of knowledge transmission as part socialised training.

Lutucuta hopes that by the end of this five-year period, MINSA will have more than 3,000 specialist doctors and an equal number of nurses and diagnosis technicians.

During a meeting, held with members of the unit’s clinical staff, the minister was informed of the productivity and the significant decrease in critical cases of evacuation of patients to the country’s capital city.

Source: Angola Press News Agency