J. Skyler Fernandes is the Chief Operating Officer and serves on the Board of Directors of SACCA. 　Prior to this role, he acted as the Vice President of Operations (2007-2009). 　As COO, Mr. Fernandes plays a key role in developing SACCA´s global initiatives, managing team operations, and facilitating trans-Atlantic partnerships.

In 2010, Mr. Fernandes led the Missing Middle Initiative, supported by a group of Young Global Leaders (YGLs), which was launched at the World Economic Forum in Davos. 　Mr. Fernandes also supports the development of the African Entrepreneurship Platform, showcased at the Clinton Global Initiative in 2007, and　SACCA´s MBA Africa Alliance, a network of Africa-focused business clubs at leading graduate schools. 　He　advises high-impact entrepreneurs by refining their business plans and communication strategy and connecting them to　intermediaries　and investors. 　Through the Africa Platform, he introduces entrepreneurs to global audiences, assisting them in their expansion and growth strategy, and　facilitates　dedicated sessions with organizations such as Endeavor and the Acumen Fund. 　

Mr. Fernandes is a venture capitalist at Centripetal Capital Partners, investing in early-mid stage high growth businesses. Previously, he has worked at Standard Bank, raising capital for Latin American corporations, Societe Generale within the Asset Securitization Group, and at Credit Suisse within investment banking in the Financial Institutions Group (FIG).　

Additionally, Mr. Fernandes is on the Social Investment Council of Echoing Green, the YP Steering Committee of Endeavor, and acts on the Junior Board of the American Museum of Natural History. He received his BA in Economics and International Relations, graduating a year early from New York University summa cum laude, due to coursework at Harvard University.