Catherine Machungo: Head of Carbon Sciences Natural State
Catherine Machungo, PhD, has over 14 years’ experience in research and technology transfer gained from government and international organizations. Her major professional interest is to generate and communicate scientific knowledge to inform policy to enhance implementation of science-based technologies for development. She has been instrumental in forging and managing national and international collaborative research projects which have greatly impacted communities.
Catherine’s ambition is to fully exploit her potential in development of modern technologies to ensure environmental sustainability, community resilience and human well-being. Presently, she is the Lead carbon scientist at Natural State overseeing the development of innovative, transparent and cost-effective impact monitoring systems for carbon across different biomes and land uses as well as carbon sequestration technologies.
Overall objective is to promote transparency and accountability in the Nature Based solution space to aid unlocking of finances required to fund restoration initiatives at the required scale. In addition to development of new financial mechanisms for nature and capacity building to empower African leaders to manage and run restoration projects to facilitate Africa transition to the Green Economy.
Magdalene Wanjugu:Executive Director NairoBits
A dynamic tech enthusiast and seasoned social impact leader, Magdalene is passionate about harnessing technology’s power to transform lives. She’s the Executive Director of NairoBits Trust, a non-profit organization at the forefront of empowering young people through ICT skills and entrepreneurship, where she drives innovation and social change. With a proven track record in development programming, social advocacy, and resource mobilization, Magdalene successfully leads the design and implementation of programs that create lasting impact. Recognized for her exceptional leadership, she is a Gratitude Network Fellow and an alumna of the Enpact.e.V Female Tech Businesses Africa (FEBA). A dedicated G4G, Kenya Mentor and Board Member of TT Global Foundation, Magdalene is committed to nurturing the next generation of leaders and creating a more equitable future.
Elizabeth Wanjiru Ng'ang'a: Major Gifts Officer Rotary Foundation
Elizabeth Wanjiru Ng’ang’a is a Major Gifts Officer for The Rotary Foundation of Rotary International. The Rotary Foundation has invested over U.S $ 150 million in Africa by funding Community Projects and Major Programs. Among the Major Programs that The Rotary Foundation has invested in are U.S $ 30 million to curb Maternal and Child mortality in DRC, Nigeria and Mozambique, U.S $ 2 million for cervical cancer in Egypt, U.S $ 6 million for eradication of Malaria in Zambia among countless other projects. Elizabeth’s role is to grow The Rotary Foundation’s financial resources in Africa as well as growing Rotary’s Endowment Fund. She supports 17 countries in Africa on this role.
Elizabeth brings a wealth of experience from project and programs management and coordination, fundraising, donor and stakeholder engagement and strategic planning. She has over 20 years of experience working in the NGO space on programs implementation and fundraising from both individuals and organizations. Elizabeth will be share snippets on Major and Principal Gift fundraising from organizations and individuals, growing an organizations Endowment Fund for financial sustainability and donor and stakeholder engagement for donor attraction and retention. Elizabeth is a Member of The Harvard Business Review Advisory Council of Harvard Business School and the Association of Fundraisers Professionals among many others. Elizabeth also serves on various Boards. At Rotary International, she is a member of the DEI Committee.
Elizabeth can be reached on elizabeth.nganga@rotary.org or lizkiaries@gmail.com.
Dr. Gilda Odera, Phd: Leading Policy Advocate and Startup Advisor
Visionary leader with over 25 years of senior management, chief executive, and board director experience, playing a key role in developing policies in the Information Communication & Technology, Higher Education, Public Procurement, and Technical Skills sectors. A pioneer in the Eastern Africa information & communication technology (“ICT”) sector, anchoring one of the region’s first Internet services providers by founding and expanding a startup team of six to over 120 employees in about six years.
Founder of one of the first two international call centers in Eastern Africa, a joint venture with a Canadian firm funded by the Canadian International Development Agency. Founding chairperson of the Kenya Business Process Outsourcing Association (“KBPOA”), a link between the Government of Kenya and private sector participants. KBPA’s advocacy efforts led to the development of the ICT policy by the Government of Kenya, and the latter gained World Bank funds to lay the first fiber optic cable in East Africa. Appointed one of nine panelists of distinguished persons advising the Government of Kenya, Ministry of Health on key reforms, restructuring, and repositioning initiatives for the National Health Insurance Fund (“NHIF”) – now a strategic purchaser in the country’s health services industry.
