Michael Bervell is a Ghanaian American angel investor, social entrepreneur, and author with a passion for equalizing access to educational and financial resources.

Bervell is a portfolio development manager at M12, Microsoft’s venture capital fund, which invests in early-stage technology companies. He is the author of Unlocking Unicorns, featuring stories of successful startup founders in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East. A recent Harvard College graduate, he is returning to pursue his MBA at Harvard Business School in fall 2022.

Since 2007, Bervell has been executive director of “Hugs for,” an international nonprofit he cofounded as a sixth grader to deliver materials and monetary donations to hospitals, orphanages, and schools in Ghana. The organization has since expanded to also support over 300,000 children in Tanzania, Uganda, Kenya, Sierra Leone, and the United States. He was recognized for his work with the National Caring Award in 2015.

A dedicated Harvard volunteer, Bervell joined the Harvard Alumni Association board as a student, initiating a program to connect students with alumni during board meetings, reunions, and Commencement. Now president of the Harvard Club of Seattle, he previously chaired the Club’s Crimson Achievement Program, which provides mentorship and enrichment opportunities for high-potential high school students from Western Washington.

“I’ve discovered that I fill my cup by facilitating impactful multigenerational relationships within communities. There’s an immense opportunity to use Harvard’s influence for good. I will push the board to focus on engaging younger alumni and developing innovative programming to support pathways toward college for all.”