Professor Patrick Loch Otieno Lumumba, commonly known as PLO Lumumba, is a distinguished Kenyan lawyer, academic, and staunch advocate for Pan-Africanism and social justice. Born on July 17, 1962, he has dedicated his career to promoting good governance, the rule of law, and the fight against corruption across Africa. Prof. Lumumba earned his Bachelor of Laws (LL.B) and Master of Laws (LL.M) degrees from the University of Nairobi, where his LL.M thesis focused on "National Security and Fundamental Rights." He furthered his studies at the University of Ghent in Belgium, obtaining a Doctor of Laws (LL.D) with a thesis on the "Law of the Sea."

Throughout his illustrious career, Prof. Lumumba has held several significant positions. He served as the Director of the Kenya Anti-Corruption Commission from September 2010 to August 2011, where he was instrumental in initiating high-profile investigations aimed at curbing corruption. Following this, he was appointed Director of the Kenya School of Law in March 2014, contributing to the advancement of legal education in the country.

In academia, Prof. Lumumba has been a lecturer at the University of Nairobi, the United States International University (USIU Africa), and Widener University in the USA. He also served as the Founding Dean of the Kabarak University School of Law, demonstrating his commitment to nurturing future legal professionals.

A prolific author, Prof. Lumumba has written several books on law and governance, contributing significantly to legal scholarship. He is the founder of the PLO Lumumba Foundation, a charitable organization established in 1990, focusing on mentorship and empowerment of young Africans.

Prof. PLO Lumumba's electrifying speaking engagements, marked by his unparalleled eloquence and thought-provoking insights, have resonated with audiences across Africa and the diaspora, cementing his reputation as one of the continent's most impactful voices. His steadfast commitment to Pan-Africanism and his call for unity, integrity, and good governance continue to inspire transformative action and shape the discourse on Africa's renaissance on the global stage.

Susan is Chief People Officer for Mastercard, leading the company’s human resources strategy and function globally to enable the growth and success of the business. She serves as a member of the company’s Executive Leadership Team and Management Committee. 

With deep expertise in building a dynamic, global workforce, Susan oversees all aspects of the human resources function, from culture to learning and development to talent acquisition and engagement to compensation and benefits. Her team is focused on ensuring Mastercard is the place where the best people choose to be, growing their careers as they help the company achieve its bold vision to power economies and empower people around the world.

Prior to joining Mastercard in 2025, Susan served as Executive Vice President, Chief Human Resources Officer for TransUnion. She was responsible for leading TransUnion’s human resource strategy, as well as the global communications function, and nurturing an inclusive, high-performance culture.

Susan has an extensive track record in talent strategy with a background in global HR, human capital management, organizational leadership, legal and compliance, business transformation and more. She previously spent 16 years at Walmart, where she supported 550,000 employees across 23 countries, and was based in the U.S., Canada and India.

Susan earned her Bachelor of Law from the University of Windsor in Canada, and her Master of Law in International Business from the University of London. She serves on the board of directors of Coursera, Inc. and the Breakfast Club of Canada.

Dr. Laila Macharia is a lawyer, entrepreneur, and corporate leader with over two decades of experience spanning law, finance, innovation, and governance. She is the Founding Director of Aspen Initiative Africa, a platform that brings together leaders from business, government, and civil society to address Africa’s most pressing challenges through values-based leadership and cross-sector dialogue.

A serial entrepreneur, Dr. Macharia also co-founded and chairs the Africa Digital Media Institute (ADMI) in Nairobi, one of East Africa’s leading creative-tech institutions, which has trained over 5,000 students from more than 30 countries.

She serves on several corporate boards, including Centum Investments and Absa Life Assurance Kenya, and has held executive and advisory roles in both public and private sectors. Recognized for her leadership across Africa, Dr. Macharia has been named among The Times’ “Top 20 Women to Watch in Africa” and Kenya’s “Top 100 Women.”

She holds advanced law degrees from Cornell and Stanford, and is admitted to practice in Kenya, New York, and Maryland. Her work reflects a deep commitment to innovation, youth empowerment, and purpose-driven leadership.

Philip Odera is an accomplished banker and economist with over 30 years of executive leadership experience across Africa and Asia. He currently chairs Arise BV, a pan-African investment company headquartered in the Netherlands and Liberty Kenya Holdings, a major insurance group. He also serves as Managing Partner at Marr Consult, a strategic advisory firm supporting organizations in sectors such as health, energy, fintech, and FMCG.

A banker by profession, Philip has held top leadership roles with Stanbic Bank in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Malawi, and South Sudan, and with Citibank in Kenya and the Democratic Republic of Congo. His career has spanned varied cultures and geographies, including Nigeria, Pakistan, Malaysia, and Singapore - equipping him with deep cross-cultural leadership and strategic insight.

Philip also plays a mentorship and advisory role for emerging African enterprises. Leveraging his extensive regional experience, he advises organizations navigating complex long-term investment decisions and expansion strategies across the continent. He previously served as Executive Partner at Titans D’Afrique, a consortium of seasoned African leaders who volunteer their expertise to empower the next generation of business leaders.

He holds a bachelor’s degree in economics from St. Lawrence University and an MBA in Finance from Suffolk University in Boston. He is also an alumnus of the prestigious Senior Executive Programme at London Business School, and has completed additional leadership training at Harvard, Cambridge, and Duke University.

Bramuel Mwalo, a notable tech entrepreneur, with a flair for founding and scaling B2B technology enterprises. He is a big champion of Africa shaping its own technology future.

Passionate about AI and data science applications he had founded Syni.ai, an Al product design studio that is running extensive research on various use cases that could be of significant value to Africa's enterprises. His global experience includes leading roles in Kenya, Sweden and San Francisco.

Bramuel has degrees in Business Administration and Finance, and a specialization in Corporate Innovation from Stanford University. His achievements have earned him recognition as a World Economic Forum Uplink contributor, an MIT Solve Fellow, and a place in Kenya's “Top 40 Under 40", highlighting his influence in driving innovation and economic growth.

Susan Wakhungu-Githuku is a visionary leader, seasoned entrepreneur, and influential board member whose work spans multiple industries and continents. A trailblazer in human capital and publishing, she is the Founder of HPD Africa, a pioneering consultancy dedicated to advancing human capital management strategies across diverse sectors. She is also the Co-founder of RIKA, an impactful leadership development platform shaping the next generation of African leaders, and the Founder of Footprints Press, a publishing house celebrated for its rich, inspiring, and thought-provoking works that highlight African stories and perspectives.

With a career spanning several decades, Susan has established herself as a trusted advisor and leader, blending expertise in corporate governance, leadership development, and organizational transformation. She spent a decade at The Coca-Cola Company, where she held key roles in Nairobi, Johannesburg, and London. Rising from CHRO to Leadership and Talent Director, she oversaw talent management across more than 90 countries, leaving an enduring legacy of impactful leadership.

Susan is a recognized authority in leadership and human capital consulting, with a proven track record of driving transformational change. She was retained by the World Bank for five years, where she crafted and implemented enterprise-wide Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) strategies that aligned with global best practices. Her expertise was pivotal in supporting Safaricom's transformation by architecting strategic business units that enhanced agility and performance.

Additionally, she played a critical role in advancing the sustainability agenda of the Kenya Red Cross by helping to establish adjacent businesses such as Eplus, Boma International Hospitality College, Boma Hotels, and ICHA, ensuring long-term financial resilience and impact.

Currently, Susan serves on the boards of Circle Gas UK Limited, Kofisi, and Centum Investment Holdings. Her strategic insights and governance expertise continue to drive growth and innovation, while her commitment to empowering individuals and organizations leaves an indelible mark on industries and communities alike.