Kenya

Ashraf Kamwithi Munyi is a graduate of the University of Nairobi, where he studied journalism and mass communication, specializing in development communication. He is a development practitioner who has worked across the Great Lakes region, including Rwanda and Burundi, and is passionate about finding practical ways to address conflict and support post-conflict communities.

Ashraf currently works with Tujenge Africa Foundation in Burundi as a College Counselor, Communication Instructor, and fundraising executive assistant. He currently enjoys playing badminton.

Betty Avude is currently a Procurement Assistant at Jamii Telecommunications in Nairobi, Kenya. Since 2018, she has been active in youth leadership, beginning as a Community Volunteer with Girl Up, and later serving as Regional Leader for Kenya. In that capacity, she coordinated and supported girl‑led advocacy, onboarded new high‑school clubs, facilitated leadership and community‑service trainings, and mentored young leaders to design projects addressing period poverty, sex-based violence, and equal access to education. She currently serves as a youth mentor with Girls Lead Network, which sponsors Girl Up Kenya initiatives across the region.  

Elsie is a powerhouse African changemaker who seamlessly blends corporate excellence with deep-rooted social impact. As a co-founder of Bariki Foundation, she leads vital initiatives among street children and those in care homes while driving community cleanups to foster sustainable environments. This commitment to transformation extends to her professional role as an Associate Product Marketing Manager (APMM) and AI Champion at Google, where she spearheads major regional AI projects Sub Saharan market. 

Currently an MBA candidate at the University of Nairobi, Elsie balances her expertise in AI and technical marketing with a vision for global leadership. Whether navigating the African tech ecosystem or championing grassroots philanthropy, Elsie is defined by her ability to bridge complex product innovation with impactful, human-centered narratives.

Cynthia Nekesa is a passionate young leader focused on social impact, entrepreneurship, and technology. She holds an honors degree in software engineering, specializing in machine learning, and possesses additional expertise in telecommunication and information engineering. Her skills span robotics, networking, technical support, automation, climate education, and mentorship.

Cynthia has worked as a student consultant for IOM and TotalEnergies Marketing Kenya and has mentored students in STEM and community development. She founded Revitalize-Waste Solutions, a circular economy venture, and Innoyoungins, a social enterprise. Her sustainability efforts earned her the UNGAA Green Ambassador Award and Youth in Conservation Award. She is an alumna of YALI, BeVisioneers, Student Energy, WIC, Millennium Campus Network, FXB Climate Advocates, and Power Africa Design programs.

Passionate about civic leadership and youth engagement, Cynthia has attended summits and consultations for policy advocacy and is a member of the European Business Chamber of Rwanda. She enjoys nature and remains committed to driving change across education, climate, and women’s empowerment.

Felicea Kate Oballa is a community development graduate from Africa Nazarene University in Nairobi, Kenya, dedicated to advancing social justice, equality, and community empowerment. She currently volunteers with Kituo Cha Haki as a Projects and Research Officer, contributing to human rights advocacy and legal empowerment.

Felicea has experience working with the Nubian Rights Forum, where she supported initiatives to address sex-based violence and strengthen community-based justice systems. She has also led and participated in youth mentorship and outreach programs in the Kibera settlement.

Felicea brings a global perspective to her work, combining leadership, cross-cultural exchange, and grassroots engagement to drive meaningful impact.

Samuel is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, characterized by ambition and a strong commitment to both personal and professional development. He is dedicated to creating a positive impact through the practice of law and aspires to contribute to societal transformation through future engagement in politics.

Sherry Karimi Karithi is a dedicated mental health advocate and social entrepreneur committed to fostering resilience and self-sufficiency within Kenyan communities. She is currently advancing her clinical expertise as a Counseling Intern at The Nairobi West Hospital, where she provides vital psychological support, bedside interventions, and specialized trauma and grief counseling. Her work in the clinical space is defined by deep-seated empathy and a belief in the transformative power of professional mental health care.

Driven by a lifelong passion for volunteering and service, Sherry is also the Founder of The Smiles Impact Organization (TSIO), a registered Community-Based Organization (CBO) in Kenya. Under her leadership, TSIO works to bridge the gap between mental wellness and socio-economic stability. Sherry’s primary mission is to evolve this organization into a premier hub for poverty alleviation.

Her vision focuses on empowering vulnerable individuals through targeted skills training and educational classes, moving beyond temporary aid toward long-term self-sufficiency. By combining her background in counseling psychology with her passion for community development, Sherry is building a sustainable model where mental health support and economic empowerment go hand in hand, ensuring that every individual she reaches has the tools to thrive independently.