SUMMARY
Effective team player and social eco-entrepreneur consistently described as initiator and strategic thinker with a heart of compassion. A sound manager with strong communication skills and a proven ability in problem analysis and resolution in multi-cultural settings. Able to translate business plans into reality in urban and rural setting in the for-profit and not-for-profit sectors. Ten years experience living in Kenya.
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PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
ZanaAfrica |
October 2007-Present |
A social enterprise finding creative, solutions to poverty alleviation through business innovation in the nexus of health, education,, environment and technology while expanding market access for the “bottom of the pyramid” consumer. Inaugural project is to coordinate the sanitary pads provision to school girls (the Foundation) while creating a for-profit company to produce environmentally-friendly sanitary pads in a franchise model to scale across Africa (BAWA). (zanaa.org)
Founder and Chief Executive Officer
- Spearheaded launch, National Sanitary Towels Campaign, in partnership with the Rotary Club of Nairobi South, Girl Child Network, Ministry of Education, and others (2006) and founded National Sanitary Towels Campaign Coordinating Committee with same partners (2008) as part of laying foundation for ZanaA
- Conceptualized and created the non-profit organization, forming boards in Kenya and the United States (focused in New York City) and senior advisory boards of eminent professionals to enable transition from concept to execution while empowering the young generation (30-35) to take major leadership roles
- Created multi-ethnic boards of directors and advisors on two continents to provide strategic support
- Secured exclusive national distributorship agreement within the informal market for Ugandan-based MakaPads, made of papyrus
- Formulated the sales model for women in groups selling small numbers of pads daily to women to reach 4 million women currently not in the market due to economic constraints, thereby achieving higher market penetration and creating multiplier effects for poverty alleviation
- Researched and wrote robust business plan, winning Wharton Africa Business Forum business plan competition in 2009 with plan heralded as “game-changing for Africa”; secured back-ended agreement for financial and brokerage services with Open Capital Advisors to develop tailored donor and investor packets
- Negotiated relationship with University of Nairobi (UON) to be their first incubated manufacturing company in Kenya’s first science park, with UON assisting in the development of the manufacturing plant
- Established unique program of cascading leadership for students in Kibera to be mentored by young local leaders, who themselves engage in a microfinance-for-university program, starting businesses and entering University
- Advocating for policy change through the East African Bureau of Standards to ensure that environmentally-friendly waste disposal is necessary in the approval process for sanitary products
Globe Foundation |
January 2007-December 2009 |
A joint project between Purdue University, NRT, The Globe Foundation, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy and the St. Louis Zoo Foundation. Addressing key challenges in conservation through establishing markets for pastoralists’ livestock in order to enhance indigenous land and livestock management practices. (www.globefoundation.org)
Contract Project Coordinator
- Providing logistical, technical, and inter-cultural support to 5 Purdue Masters’ students and 5 Kenyan students from 3 local Universities to equip them to complete their research projects
- Coordinating of annual stakeholders’ meetings across two continents
- Offering an independent evaluation of the project implementation vis-à-vis its stated objectives
Northern Rangelands Trust |
August 2006-February 2008 |
An umbrella organization providing assistance to communities in conservation, security, wildlife monitoring and research, livestock management and business enterprise for 15 ethnic groups comprising 100,000 people over 3600m2 based in Isiolo, Kenya. (www.nrt-kenya.org).
Technical Advisor
- Developed fundraising proposals for up to $2M for local and international donors
- Researched and contacted potential donors to forge long-term relationships with Ambassadors and bilateral donors
- Provided technical guidance and input to NRT’s website development, newsletter production and overall branding
- Co-facilitated strategic planning exercises for five Community Wildlife Conservancies across northern Kenya, including photo documentary work, leading to a pioneering method for multi-ethnic facilitation teams conducting strategic planning community workshops in vernacular language
- Led two socio-economic surveys amongst three ethnic groups to obtain first baseline which includes perceptions on wildlife conservation and security through Conservancies
- Developed 5-year, $1.6M plan for the initiation of the conservancy, a project bringing together two warring ethnic groups, including ensuring security, reintroducing wildlife, planning for eco-tourism lodges, and researching business enterprises for community employment, with inaugural grant approved by EU funding body for $400,000
Homeless Children International – Kenya |
August 2001-August 2006 |
A non-profit grass-roots Christian organization with international support base serving over 230 children in long-term rehabilitation and education, with a focus on leadership and career development. (www.hcikenya.org)
Resource Mobilization Manager
Planning & Strategy
- Arranged the first strategic planning in the history of HCI-Kenya with a professional facilitator and 10 staff representing the organization; creating a culture of reflection and planning to ensure ongoing goals are created and attained
- Produced a policy manual developed from the five stated core values
- Trained 29 staff to keep written work logs to enhance performance and organizational memory
- Introduced an international auditing company to increase financial credibility
- Increased staff morale and performance through appreciation days and trainings, holding over 3000 man hours of staff training in 2005, personally conducting < 60 hours of training in 2 years
- Expanded department from one to seven full-time Kenyan staff and numerous volunteers helping to meet capacity needs for program implementation
- Led team to develop a comprehensive leadership program for all children and youth, including personally mentoring four high-risk teenagers for a 4-month period, with two returning to school
- Forged relationships with local and international press to gain greater visibility for increased credibility and fundraising opportunities
Fundraising
- Raised $1.1M in private donations through long-term partnership cultivation
- Initiated grant writing based on strategic plan which generated over $250,000 between 2004-2006
- Restructured fundraising strategy to enable all operations to be sustained fully through child sponsorship, growing sponsorship from $2.11 per child per day in 2001 to $7.15/child/day
- Oversaw fundraising for and project management of multiple construction projects of up to $80,000 each: dormitory, dining hall, deep borehole and reticulation system, and primary school
- Increased land acquisition by over 450% to relocate children from slums to rural area
- Generated own support for four years
Self-Sustainability
- Managed The Sterling Bride (TSB), creating a profit-making bridal rental and sales business in Nairobi, enhancing success through finding a vendor of gowns in Dubai and Turkey
- Recipient of 85 Broads’ “Angels Abroad” grant for innovation in social enterprise
- Created 6 business plans over 3 years; developing 5 into businesses (TSB, water kiosk, bakery, language school, guest house) with a goal of 60% self-sustainability for HCI’s operations
- Grew volunteer base from 30 college students a year to over 120 professionals performing stated responsibilities using their expertise and personal talents, thereby reducing internal costs
iSay, Incorporated |
April 2000 – December 2000 |
Technology licensing company, founded April 1999, also launching a B2C product in the travel sector.
Associate Product Manager
- Participated in strategic planning to determine company direction and timely product delivery, significantly increasing company production and morale
- Managed timely delivery of web site for Jan. ’01 launch, to target estimated revenue goals of 28M
- Researched, analyzed, and proposed recommendations to enable on-line European credit card processing to substantially increase revenue and market share
- Developed quality assurance tests on web site for in-house developers and outsourced firm translating site in European languages, in order to achieve successful market penetration
Creative Director
- Collaborated in documenting product specification to clearly communicate expectations and deadlines to all employees, resulting in clear, consistent mission, roles, and responsibilities
- Project managed external design firm to create branded B2C site, establishing a unique online purchasing experience and a strong visual corporate identity
- Generated, conducted, and evaluated usability studies for US and German customers – supervised in-house redesign of the web site based on results
- Traveled to Europe to articulate value of the iSay service to potential airline partners, successfully securing unique pricing schedules from airlines holding 20% of market share
- Translated product concepts into customer language for investors, partners, and clients, thereby assisting in securing 2.0M of funding and strengthening key relationships
Business Analyst
- Wrote FAQ, performed market research, and assisted with financial portfolio and projections
- Initially hired on part-time basis and promoted due to quality of performance
Virtuous Capital |
August 1999-April 2000 |
Technology consulting and software development company focused on leveraging Internet resources for urban US non-profits.
Business Development Analyst
- Team leader to determine company vision and assess progress
- Conducted research and needs-assessment on existing market environment, identifying next steps and establishing contacts with key organizations
Harvard Radcliffe Christian Fellowship |
February 1997-June 2001 |
Multicultural interdenominational undergraduate student group, with 120 members, active in community service worldwide.
Volunteer Campus Minister
- Established ethnic-specific ministry to black students on Harvard’s campus in the context of a multi-ethnic fellowship resulting in black students leading in every aspect of the Fellowship
- Team leader for 2-week mission trip to Guatemala and 1-week “Urban Plunge” in Harlem
- Mentored intensively for 2 years by men and women from diverse backgrounds
EDUCATION
Harvard University, A.B. Psychology with Honors, 1999.
Greenwich Academy, High School Degree, Cum Laude 1995.
BOARD MEMBERSHIPS
Sojourner, a non-profit consortium of young Kenyan independent filmmakers
- Helping to source funds for two documentaries and three short films
- Planning a Kenyan Film Festival
Milele Family Homes, a non-profit building low-cost homes for families adopting AIDS orphans
Rotary Club of Nairobi South, part of Rotary International, whose motto is “service above self”
- Club Administration Chair 2010-2012 ensuring smooth flow of operations including speaker scheduling, attendance, and reporting to Rotary International
- Membership Chair 2007-2010, growing membership by 18%
- President 2006-2007. Cultivated mentorship by Rotaract (University students) of Interact (High School) clubs; emphasized fellowship as basis of membership growth, established calendar of weekly speakers to enhance quality of lunch meetings, grew membership by 15%.
- Secretary 2005-2006. Launched the National Sanitary Pads Campaign February 2006
- International Services Chairperson 2004-2005. Responsible for over $150,000 in grants written and/or disbursed including 40 wells in Kitui; developed protocol to streamline committee so as to enhance membership participation and responsibility in projects
- Community Service Committee Member 2002-2004
Council of Alumni for Social Enterprise (Undergraduate Advisory Chair), a Harvard-affiliated non-profit, 2005-2007
- Designed an arts and videography program for street children, empowering people to document their own lives through the lens of hero mythology
- Developed video program into a source for public policy pieces targeting key global leadership conferences with an aim to educate policy makers to pass better policy
- Consulted on motion picture opportunities on AIDS orphans in Africa with Hollywood producer Lawrence Bender
AFFILIATIONS & AWARDS
Winner, Wharton Africa Business Forum Business Plan Competition 2009
Member, National Sanitary Towels Campaign Coordinating Committee, May 2008-present
Mavuno Church: ZanaA given status of Frontline Ministry, 2007
Recipient, 2005 Angel’s Abroad Award from 85 Broads for Social Enterprise
Distinguished Alumna of the Year, Greenwich Academy, 2005 (youngest recipient in history).
Researcher, UN Millennium Project Task Force on Science, Technology & Innovation, 2004
Warden, US Embassy, Nairobi, October 2001-present
All American Lacrosse Goalkeeper 1994
ACTIVITIES
Tae Kwan Do Association of Kenya (Red Belt #3)
Limuru Gun Club (Female Champion in Skeet, Trap and Open 2004, 2005)
Korean Tennis Association (Honorary Member)
Languages: French (5 years), Swahili (conversational)
For Fun: photography, ceramics, reading, snowboarding, sailing
Volunteer Trainings and presentations (2006-2008)
- Kenya YMCA: trained Kenya’s 33 branch managers on local resource mobilization
- Ufadhili Trust: Spoke on partnerships through Rotary; on cultivating corporate-NGO partnerships; on NGO self-sustainability opportunities.
- Rotoract VCT – rated best VCT in Kenya 2006: trained 40 Rotoract members in fundraising
