WFWIA BOARD MEMBERS
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As the Chairperson and founding member of Women for Women in Africa, Mary Campbell brings an innate passion to lead and advocate for equity. Mary drives the mission, and is responsible for overseeing all facets of the Charity, fundraising, operations, and engagement with the board of directors. aligning the day-to-day work with the organisational values.
Mary’s professional life has expanded over 40 years as a leader in the fields of education and social work, working predominantly in the areas of disability and disadvantage. Mary began her involvement in East Africa in 1999 through the Christian Brothers Foundation, believes education is the pathway out of poverty and demonstrates a deep commitment to social justice.
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I have a background in Construction, Business and Aged Care. Born in Australia, I am first generation with Polish heritage and helping others in need has always been part of my life.
I first learnt of WFWIA in 2008 at a small presentation I attended. That was very early days for the charity, but the small wholesome nature and intent drew me in. I have been associated ever since being both a Board Member and now also hold the roles of Chief Financial Officer and Treasurer.
I am married with three adult children, with my whole family somehow associated within the charity, have a Degree in Building Engineering, Postgraduate in Project Management, and together with my wife Anette, we have owned and operated various businesses both in Building Engineering, Aged Care and Finance.
Over the years, I have travelled to Nairobi and Kibera many times. I assisted in the design and construction of the WkW Centre, and continue to witness the empowerment of women and children, and the opportunities that being involved with WFWIA brings.
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I am the owner and Managing Director of African Travel Specialists, a tour operator based in Australia and in Kenya & Tanzania, with over 20 guides who work for the company in Kenya and a similar number in Tanzania. I have been travelling and working in Africa for over 40 years. I am also a professional safari guide and train not only our guides, but also many other companies’ guides. We send thousands of clients to Africa every year, it gives me an opportunity to tell clients about the amazing work Women for Women in Africa is involved in, as well as seeking sponsorship for the many needy children seeking education for a better life, out of the slum.
I have been involved with Women for Women in Africa since 2010 and been on the Board for over 10 years. What got me involved with Women for Women in Africa was that it had enormous potential to make a real difference to the families in Kibera, a place I knew well from a previous charity. As I spend many months every year in Kenya, and given my knowledge and contacts in Africa, particularly in Kenya, I felt I would be of assistance in expanding and growing the charity. I am Deputy Chair of Women for Women in Africa. In my business, I am in communication every day with Kenya and as well as on the ground frequently throughout the year. It means that if there are local issues, I will be able to advise the Board immediately and report back to the Board of what the actual situation is and what needs to be done.
During years of my involvement with Women for Women in Africa, we have 2 new Centres, a Safe House and land in Nairobi. What is exciting is that we have a new Board here in Melbourne, full of committed, passionate and clever people – ones that will carry on with the work started back in 2004, into the future. To be involved in this charity is a joy, especially when you see the changes to the children and women in Kibera – giving them a real chance to change their lives.
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Anny is the Director of Mind Body Industries, a health and wellbeing company she co-founded with her husband, Judd. Her dedication to making a positive impact is deeply rooted in her family's legacy. Anny’s mother, Marguerite Ryan, founded Women for Women in Africa, and Anny has been a committed volunteer throughout her life.
In 2023, Anny joined the board of Women for Women in Africa and is the Administration and Functions Committee Coordinator. Her work with WFWIA has included multiple visits to Nairobi, which has fuelled her strong passion for supporting families in Kibera. Anny's ongoing efforts are driven by a deep commitment to improving lives and fostering community well-being.
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On St, Valentine’s Day February 14, 2000 I arrived in Kenya to close a mission and return home. Like many people who come to Kenya for a short term project I ended up staying close to 24 years. As an Australian Brigidine sister I answered an invitation from the Irish Provincial to assist in the closure of their mission. While there I was invited to take the position of Director of Institute of Spirituality and Religious Formation in Tangaza University. After some years, I began a Centre for Leadership and Management which offers undergraduate and graduate degrees.
I went to Kenya with undergraduate degrees in Theology and Education and a Masters in Theology from Leeds University, UK. I had taught all levels of students in primary and secondary education as well as undergraduate students of education and theology. I had also worked in Retreat Centres in Australia and the UK as a Spiritual director and facilitator of programmes in spirituality.
As a child I learned piano and later achieved my AMusA in Singing. I have spent many happy times in Choirs in Melbourne, York (UK) and Nairobi (Kenya). African music has been a delightful discovery for me especially the drumming and syncopated rhythms.
I first met Leonida and WKWIA in 2003. Over the years I have been part of the development of the project under the wise direction of Leonida and the Australian Board. I am privileged to have spent many years on the WKW Board and now back in Australia as a member of WKWIA.
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Allison is an Australian with Indian heritage and has lovingly raised 3 boys in Melbourne and spends time with her partner travelling to many near and far destinations.
When not travelling and supporting important causes, Allison with over 25 years experience in Human Resources and IT, fills her days leading large regional IT delivery teams, actively supporting sales growth and customer success in the IT sector. With qualifications in Accounting, Information Systems, International Development and a Masters in Human Resources, Allison understands many facets of business and the community and how to get the best out of people. Her personal passions are girls education and supporting communities in need having spent time in Nepal, India and Japan supporting local causes as well as virtually with Vietnamese school kids and locally in Australia.
Joining WFWIA as a board member is a perfect opportunity to share her experience and skills for a wonderful cause and give back to a community in need. She is excited to be a part of the WFWIA family.
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With a career spanning over 35 years, I’ve dedicated myself to empowering individuals and creating positive change. My journey began in in the disability field and transitioned to working with children and teens at-risk, where I gained a deep understanding of the challenges faced by marginalised communities.
Over the years, I've held senior leadership roles in global organisations, honing my skills in strategic planning, business acumen, customer service, and conscious leadership. Today, as a co-owner of two successful businesses, I leverage my experience to drive sustainable impact and support Women for Women in Africa.
I'm passionate about education and empowerment, believing they are the keys to unlocking potential. As a board member of Women for Women in Africa, I'm committed to creating opportunities that set the stage for the success of the families we serve.
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Bridget has over 18 year’s international experience working with a range of different businesses as an executive coach and organisational development consultant. She has extensive experience in designing and delivering strategic change, performance improvement and leadership development programmes in complex and challenging environments for clients in various industries including professional services, community services, health enterprise development, and arts and media.
Given her interest in global civil society and the role they play in influencing and navigating the impacts of global political, social and technological changes, Bridget is passionate about working with values-driven organisations and leaders to build capability and develop resiliency in the face of ever-changing and increasingly complex organisational and societal challenges.
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Angela is an accomplished professional with over 15 years of international experience in business transformation across sectors like mining, oil & gas, utilities, and not-for-profit. With a bachelor’s degree in computer information systems, an MBA, she brings technical and strategic expertise to her work. Her ability to drive impactful initiatives aligns with the mission of Women for Women in Africa.
Born and raised in Kenya, Angela has firsthand knowledge of the challenges faced by communities in the region. She is the founder of Miriam Bella, a social enterprise that creates sustainable jobs and promotes African craftsmanship through vibrant, handcrafted footwear. Her work demonstrates her commitment to alleviating poverty and empowering women in rural Kenya.
Angela has also dedicated two years to community service as a member of the Rotary Club. Her values of integrity, diversity, and social responsibility are central to her approach to creating meaningful change. She is passionate about initiatives that uplift communities and provide access to education and opportunity. -
Steph has over 15 years of experience in financial markets, commencing her career with JBWere in 2010. Steph is currently an investment adviser at JBWere advising her clients on all matters of investments across all asset classes. Many of Steph’s clients include Not for Profit organisations where she understands the various challenges faced by these groups and hopes to assist WFWIA in navigating these issues. Steph and her husband Josh have two daughters, Chloe and Molly.
WkW TEAM
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I was working as the Principal of a women’s college, seeing how the power of education transformed the lives of girls from a poor background. Kenyan born and bred, I didn’t experience city life until I was studying for my bachelor’s degree, and I then worked for many years in various educational roles before becoming a Principal.
When I first took on the role for Women For Women In Africa I didn’t know how long it might last, but my previous experience with educating those from poor backgrounds was the driving force behind my decision. The joy and happiness education brought the children of Kibera, and the difference this brought to their lives, has literally got me hooked into doing everything in my power to provide this opportunity to as many children as possible.
I’m a Loreto nun and am fortunate enough to have an excellent education. I won a presidential scholarship and hold a Master of Business Administration through the College for Professional Studies at Regis University in Colorado, USA, and a Master’s degree from the London Metropolitan University.
An education such as mine is something that the children of Kibera can only dream of. Anything I can do to assist as many as possible gain the advantage of at least some education is the passion that drives me. Education truly does change lives for the better, and providing this opportunity helps not only the child involved, but others in their network as well.
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I am a member of the Congregation of Christian Brothers from Kenya. I grew up in Nairobi as the eldest of three siblings. My passion lies in witnessing and contributing to improving people’s lives, especially those who start from disadvantaged positions. I find great fulfillment in community development efforts that lead to social transformation and better living standards for individuals and families.
I graduated with a Bachelor’s Degree in Sustainable Human Development Studies from Tangaza University in 2023. My interest in social transformation guided me to pursue this field of study, aiming to better understand how to positively impact marginalized communities with the resources available.
I came to know about WKW in 2014 through Br. Russel Peters when I joined the Congregation. In 2023, after completing my coursework and waiting for my graduation, I was eager to volunteer at WKW to apply my academic knowledge in a practical setting while waiting for my graduation. During my volunteer period, I dedicated myself to the tasks at hand and learned a great deal about poverty alleviation and professional development. I had the opportunity to work closely with the former assistant director, who provided valuable guidance on how to effectively contribute to the organization’s goals.
Today, I am fortunate to serve as the Assistant Director at WKW. I am deeply grateful for the chance to be part of this incredible Centre of transformation. Working with the dedicated staff, I am committed to alleviating poverty and helping WKW achieve its mission and vision. What truly inspires me is seeing families transform their lives through our programs and watching students from underprivileged backgrounds in Kibra become champions of change through education.
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Born and raised in Kibera, I grew up amidst poverty and the challenges of accessing education. I have always been determined to assist others in overcoming these obstacles through mentorship and guidance, helping them alleviate themselves from poverty through education.
As the Education Support Officer in charge of tertiary education at WKW, I am dedicated to empowering tertiary students to pursue higher education and achieve their dreams. My role involves providing support and resources to students, ensuring they have the tools and opportunities needed to succeed.
Before joining WKW, I worked with several organizations focused on empowering communities through education. At AVSI Kenya, I contributed to projects aimed at improving educational outcomes for children from underprivileged backgrounds. With Edmund Rice Karibu Group, I was involved in initiatives that supported underprivileged youths in accessing skills that will support them in life. Additionally, my work with the G-United Education Program allowed me to engage in community development efforts, promoting education as a means of social transformation in the village of Taita Taveta.
I hold a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy from Catholic University of Eastern Africa, which has equipped me with critical thinking skills and a deep understanding of the social issues affecting my community. This educational background has been instrumental in shaping my approach to mentorship and community support. Additionally, I have a certificate in child protection from Gregorian University which has equipped me with knowledge of understanding children rights, policies and responsibilities.
My passion lies in making a positive impact on others' lives through education. I am committed to supporting students in their educational pursuits and helping them unlock their potential, believing that education is the key to breaking the cycle of poverty and fostering a brighter future for all. Through my work at WKW, I strive to inspire and uplift those in my community, showing them that with determination and the right educational support, they have great potential for succeeding.
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My journey began in a serene rural setting, and it was in university that I transitioned to city life. This move marked the start of an exciting new chapter in my personal and professional development. I joined Tangaza University to pursue a Bachelor of Education. Immediately after I graduated in 2017, I learned about WKW and applied for a teaching position at the Br. Frank Chappell Informal School.
At WKW, I trained in child safeguarding through the Gregorian Pontifical University, which has helped me implement child protection policies. I have been in charge of the Tertiary Department and later transitioned to the Secondary Section. It has been a great learning curve for me. At the beginning of 2024, I moved to the Women Department, where I take care of the four women’s groups, including their training. Working at WKW and with the families of Kibera has been very transformative and exciting for me. I have seen and attended many student beneficiaries' graduations, and their lives have improved.
Seeing the direct impact of education on individuals and their families motivates me to continue my work. I am passionate about empowering women and families, helping them overcome challenges, and achieving better livelihoods. I look forward to seeing more families achieve improved livelihoods through the power of education, and I want to see the lives of women improved.
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I am Yvonne Okwisa, born and raised in kibra by a single parent family. My mother, Joyce Mmbone took me and my siblings to Baraka Za Ibrahim primary school for our formal education. At the beginning of second grade in 2008, I had challenges in continuing with my education due to the unwanted guest by the name of poverty who came and took control over our family. I had faith and hope in God who gave me big dreams and would make me achieve them. Light of hope shone back again in my life when my mother joined the Wanawake Kwa Wanawake organisation in 2009 through women groups in Kibra.
I later joined WKWIA through their sponsorship programme of Kibera children. The organisation fully supported my education from third grade to higher learning at college. I went to Kibondeni college in 2018 where I got my certificate in hospitality management and my profession as a chef. Later on, I got a job at the organisation as an educational support officer in the catering department and that is what I am currently doing. I’m very grateful and happy for in spite of my profession I am able to mentor and encourage younger students in the programme to focus on achieving their dreams through education.
My desire in life has always been in creating a positive thinking in people's lives through skills, talents and not leaving education. I am very glad, for through my work I can socialize with women groups and inspire them that with catering skills one can do a variety of things even self-employing oneself. I will keep encouraging people that poverty is just an unwanted guest in our lives and we can get rid of it through education and hard work.
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My early life was a struggle right from primary to secondary school level. I can tell the amount of time I was in school as compared to the amount of time I was at home due to lack of fees. I started valuing education at a very tender age and this is the reason I would do any kind of job to pay for my tuition and national exams.
I joined WkW back in 2010 as a volunteer after my grade 12 national exams. During this time, I had no idea of what my future would be because going to university wasn’t part of it. Having come from a very humble and poor background, I would grab any job opportunity that came my way because I wanted to be useful to my family.
In July 2012, I got a sponsorship opportunity to go to university and through the support of Peter & Esther Dyer, I joined Strathmore University and graduated with a Bachelor of Commerce (Accounts). All the years I was in the university, during my free time, I’d come back to help at the Centre to meet and interact with students. After graduation, I committed to volunteering at the Centre as a way of giving back to the community. I’ve also done CPA (CPA 4) at Strathmore University. I’ve trained as a Child Protection Officer; Gregorian Pontifical University, Monitoring and Evaluation (Tangaza University) and Financial Management Systems, Budgeting and Financial Reporting by Asset Africa.
I’ve always believed that education is a golden chance of getting out of poverty. It’s a gift once given to anyone, and can't be taken away. I’m passionate about education and its direct impact on our children and their families. It’s in this spirit that I work to ensure that I help the organization to achieve its mission and vision.
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Benson Njoroge Mwaniki is a dedicated ICT Trainer, Photographer, and Social Media Manager at WKW, where he empowers youth and young children with essential digital skills. Through hands-on training, he equips learners with ICT knowledge, helping them navigate and thrive in an increasingly digital world.
Beyond training, Benson plays a crucial role in capturing impactful moments as a photographer, visually documenting WKW’s work to showcase its impact. As the social media manager, he ensures WKW’s online presence is engaging and effective, leveraging digital platforms to amplify the organization’s mission and reach a broader audience.
Through his work at WKW, Benson is committed to using technology and media to inspire, educate, and drive positive change, ensuring that digital literacy becomes a tool for empowerment.
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Titus Masila is a seasoned Monitoring and Evaluation (M&E) professional with over 8 years of progressive experience in project management, report writing, proposal development, and impact assessment. With a strong background in designing and implementing M&E systems, Titus has contributed significantly to the success of various community-based and development projects across diverse sectors.
He holds a Bachelor of Arts in Leadership and Management from Tangaza University and a Master’s Degree in Project Planning and Management from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. His academic training and hands-on field experience have equipped him with strategic planning, stakeholder engagement, and analytical skills essential for data-driven decision-making and sustainable development.
Titus is passionate about driving change through evidence-based programming and is committed to fostering accountability, learning, and continuous improvement in project implementation. His goal is to support organizations in achieving impactful, measurable results through effective planning, execution, and evaluation of programs
WkW BOARD MEMBERS
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Sr. Jane Gikonyo is a Loreto Sister, educator, and clinical psychologist with a deep passion for teacher training. She has over 10 years of experience teaching in secondary schools and more than 15 years in higher education. Combining her expertise in education and psychology, Sr. Jane is committed to nurturing compassionate, well-equipped educators who can positively impact their communities.
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Noella is a Partner at Oraro & Company Advocates and a recognised Dispute Resolution and Arbitration expert. With 17 years of experience, she specialises in the tracing and recovery of assets, banking disputes, commercial litigation, and shareholder disputes, but is well regarded for her international arbitration and insolvency & restructuring expertise.
Her outstanding work has been consistently recognised by leading legal directories, including Legal 500 and Chambers Global. In 2024, Chambers Global quoted clients who described her as "a terrific lawyer who impresses with her practical and solution-oriented advice." Additionally, she is featured in The Legal 500 ‘Arbitration Powerlist: Africa 2023’ and was named one of ‘Africa’s 30 Most Promising Arbitrators 2022’ by the Association of Young Arbitrators and recently recognized as a Future Leader under the prestigious 'Arbitration Future Leaders - Partners' category by Lexology. A sought-after speaker, Noella has delivered talks on international arbitration across multiple jurisdictions, including Kenya, Rwanda, Ethiopia, the United Kingdom, and Austria.
Noella holds an LLM from the University of Cape Town, a Post-graduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law, and an LLB from the University of Nairobi. She is a member of the Law Society of Kenya, the East Africa Law Society, and the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators.
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John Sifa Keah is a Finance and Management professional with 20 years experience in the Kenyan Pension and Insurance Regulatory Sectors. He has also served in various capacities in community engagements as a member, Board of Management in Maandani Secondary School, Kilifi, member of the Parish Pastoral Council, St. Paul’s Parish & University Chaplaincy, Nairobi and member & official of several community based socio-economic development advocacy associations in Nairobi & Kilifi.
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Ms. Rosemary Sakaja, aged 72, joined the Wanawake kwa Wanawake Board in 2024. She holds a Master of Social Science degree in Development Finance from the University of Birmingham, U.K. and a Bachelor of Arts Degree from the University of Nairobi. In addition, Ms. Sakaja holds other qualifications in accounts and taxation. She has also undertaken various courses in corporate governance, human resource and pensions management, information technology, international trade and marketing. Ms. Sakaja is a member of the Institute of Directors Kenya and the Women on Boards Network. She has experience spanning over 34 years, having held senior positions at various institutions both in the public and private sectors. Her passion for the welfare of children and women has found expression in this assignment at the WkW Board.
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Pascal is a multilingual localisation creative, with a wealth of operational and project management experience in the entertainment industry across Sub - Saharan Africa. His career spans over a decade specialising in capacity building, creating localisation workflows for African languages. He currently manages operations for Kenya and Nigeria.
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A seasoned banking professional with over 15 years of experience in relationship management, leasing, business development, and branch leadership. Currently a Branch Manager at I&M Bank Kenya, leading high-performing teams and managing diverse client portfolios across corporate and retail banking. He is also actively involved in community outreach, supporting financial literacy and youth empowerment programs. A passionate sports enthusiast, he champions grassroots basketball development through the Nairobi Basketball Association.