Alexander Canfor-Dumas
General Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, GE Healthcare; General Electric Co. Accra, Ghana. Age: 37
Ghanaian Alexander Canfor-Dumas enrolled in Arizona State University on a student’s visa and graduated with a bachelor’s degree in industrial engineering. “My [visa] application was initially rejected because the visa counselor thought I would not return to Ghana after completion of my studies. Now I’m back in Africa with a thriving career,” he says.
Since 2008, he has been general and sales manager for sub-Saharan Africa at GE Healthcare, a unit of General Electric Co., responsible for health-care equipment sales and country management. The latter involves government relations, identifying opportunities and building an infrastructure for GE Healthcare in local markets. A certified Six Sigma Black Belt, he owes much to GE’s African American Forum and Africa Project, and to the National Society of Black Engineers. “These organizations provided me with a unique platform to develop my professional and personal skills and continue to so today,” he explains.
Canfor-Dumas joined GE Healthcare in 2002 as a regional sourcing leader for accessories and operational hardware, moved to global sourcing leader for service parts with GE Healthcare Technologies in 2004, and to GE Africa project manager in 2006. He led the sustaining efforts for the company’s corporate citizenship initiative, “Developing Health Globally in Africa,” under which GE Healthcare, Infrastructure and Consumer and Industrial businesses donated products and transferred technology to rural hospitals in 10 countries. On his own, he hopes to build orphanages and rescue centers for Africa’s most vulnerable children. “Don’t settle for mediocrity, but live a life of excellence and integrity,” he advises students and aspiring professionals. “We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence therefore is not an act but a habit,” he adds, quoting Aristotle.
Canfor-Dumas enjoys traveling, American football and playing soccer with his children. “Balancing the demands of work and family time has been one of my biggest challenges. I love my profession, but I really love to play with my children and have date nights with my wife,” he says.
Fun Facts
Favorite food: Jerk salmon
What actor should play you in a movie: Eddie Murphy
Facebook or LinkedIn: Facebook
What artist/group would you go on tour with: Usher
Movie theater or home theater: Home theater
Favorite sports team: Indianapolis Colts
Last movie: Despicable Me
List the languages you speak: English, French
