Keynote Speakers

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.

Deborah Exell is a distinguished expert in Organizational Transformation, Leadership Development, and Human Capital Management, with a career spanning over three decades across multiple geographies and sectors. She is a Partner at MontaRosa, a leadership search firm that supports boards, executives, investors, and founders worldwide. In this role, Deborah has been instrumental in catalysing strategic growth, enhancing leadership effectiveness, and building robust governance systems for organizations seeking transformative impact.

As the Founder and CEO of Exell Intelligence, Deborah leads a consultancy specializing in business transformation, strategy development, and vision execution. Her extensive experience includes working with companies ranging from start-ups to blue-chip organizations, including Coca-Cola and other global giants. She has innovated across business models and investment strategies, notably serving as Head of Human Capital and Business Transformation for private equity firms, where she drove success across their portfolio companies.

Deborah's academic credentials include a Master’s degree in Industrial and Organizational Psychology and a Bachelor’s degree in Political Economics. She is also an accredited coach with the Tavistock Institute and holds a Master’s in Psychoanalysis, applying her expertise in organizational psychology and behavioural science to advisory and coaching practices.

Her career has been defined by leadership roles in world-renowned organizations, where she contributed to driving cultural transformation and talent optimization. Deborah's contributions extend to her role as a faculty member of RIKA, a premier leadership development program dedicated to building the next generation of human capital leaders in and from Africa.

Deborah’s blend of strategic acumen, behavioural insights, and a commitment to fostering leadership excellence continues to empower organizations and leaders across the globe.

Daniel Wanjira is a distinguished professional in strategic initiatives and impact investing, currently serving as the Director of Strategic Initiatives at Blue Haven Initiative. In this role, he manages the Initiatives Portfolio, deploying impact-prioritizing capital to build the impact investing practice and address transient market challenges. Daniel collaborates closely with market-rate teams to provide strategic advisory on capital allocation across the returns continuum, leveraging innovative capital to empower entrepreneurs, managers, and ecosystem builders.

Before joining Blue Haven Initiative, Daniel amassed significant experience as a Strategy Consultant at the World Bank Group and as a Senior Advisor at EY. These roles showcased his expertise in driving sustainable development, combining academic rigor with practical insights to navigate complex challenges and deliver positive social and environmental impact.

Daniel holds a Master of Science in International Relations from Georgetown University and a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science from Strathmore University. His strategic leadership and innovative thinking continue to shape Blue Haven Initiative's mission of creating lasting change through impact investing, playing a vital role in shaping the future of impact investing, driving inclusive growth, and fostering a more sustainable world.

Dr. Frank Njenga is a preeminent psychiatrist from Kenya, whose career spans over four decades dedicated to advancing mental health care in Africa. He earned his medical degree from the University of Nairobi in 1975 and subsequently trained at the Maudsley Hospital in London, obtaining Membership of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in 1980. He was later elected as a Fellow of the College, reflecting his significant contributions to the field.

In 1983, Dr. Njenga transitioned to full-time private practice, becoming one of Kenya's first full-time psychiatrists in the private sector. He founded the Chiromo Hospital Group, a leading mental health institution in Nairobi, committed to providing comprehensive psychiatric care and promoting the dignity of patients.

Beyond clinical practice, Dr. Njenga has been instrumental in shaping mental health policy and awareness in Kenya and across Africa. He served as the founding President of the African Association of Psychiatrists and Allied Professions (AAPAP) and chaired Kenya's National Authority for the Campaign Against Alcohol and Drug Abuse (NACADA). In 2019, he was appointed by President Uhuru Kenyatta to chair the National Taskforce on Mental Health, which recommended declaring mental health a national health emergency.

A prolific author and educator, Dr. Njenga has published extensively on mental health topics and has been a regular columnist for the Business Daily. His recent book, Healing the Mind, compiles his insights and experiences, aiming to demystify mental health issues and promote understanding.

Dr. Njenga's unwavering commitment to mental health advocacy, education, and policy development has significantly impacted the perception and treatment of mental health in Kenya and the broader African context.

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.

Dr. Bright Gameli Mawudor is a trailblazing leader in the field of Cyber Security, renowned for his dedication to shaping Africa's cyber resilience landscape. As the visionary Founder of Africahackon, a pioneering Cyber Security collective, he has been instrumental in fostering a vibrant community of experts and driving capacity-building initiatives across the continent. A distinguished academic, Dr. Mawudor holds a PhD in IT Convergence and Application Engineering, specializing in Information Security, from Pukyong National University in South Korea.

His extensive expertise in Cyber Security Strategy, resilience, and system penetration testing is backed by over a decade of industry experience. Dr. Mawudor's exceptional professionalism has earned him prestigious roles on Advisory Boards, including the EC-Council Global Advisory Board for CTIA, Cybersafe Foundation, and Moringa School.

Recognition for his contributions includes being featured in Tribe of Hackers: Blue Team 2020 and being named one of Kenya's Top 40 Under 40 young entrepreneurs. A seasoned speaker, Dr. Mawudor has delivered captivating presentations at over 260 Cyber Security conferences globally and shared his expertise through numerous academic and professional publications. His commitment to knowledge sharing extends to universities, where he has inspired the next generation of Cyber Security professionals.

Throughout his career, Dr. Mawudor has worked with leading organizations such as Dimension Data/NTT, Cellulant, and Ushahidi. In these roles, he has conducted extensive evaluations of Cyber Security tools and successfully implemented advanced IT security systems to protect critical business environments and mitigate risks effectively. Dr. Mawudor's pioneering contributions and unwavering commitment to excellence continue to elevate Africa's Cyber Security landscape, positioning him as a key architect of the continent's digital future.

Kaye is a dynamic entrepreneur and business strategist whose career reflects ambition, a dedication to knowledge acquisition, and a passion for driving impactful ventures. Currently, he serves as the Senior Partner at Tactive Consulting, where he leads initiatives focused on scaling business operations, fostering innovation, and driving sustainable growth. As a serial entrepreneur, Kaye has co-founded multiple businesses and contributed to various founding teams. His expertise spans stakeholder management, crafting comprehensive business strategies, team development, and fundraising. His fundraising acumen includes navigating Seed and Series A capital rounds, preparing for Series B, and leveraging Structured Debt instruments.

With a global perspective, he has mastered the intricacies of sourcing from Asia, manufacturing in Africa, and exporting to international markets, including the EU, Asia, the US, and Africa. Kaye's professional contributions have had a significant impact in sectors such as Telecommunications, ICT Infrastructure, Manufacturing, Agribusiness, Financial Services, and the Creative Economy. Known for optimizing supply chains and fostering international business expansion, Kaye has built strong partnerships with esteemed organizations such as Stanford University (SEED Alum), GIZ, FCDO, Mastercard, Essence Ventures, KEPSA, Growth Africa, FSD, and B Lab.

Kaye has excelled as a Business Coach, Management Consultant, and Board Advisor, working closely with over 200 SMEs to enhance their growth and operational effectiveness. His commitment to empowering underrepresented groups is evident in his support for women-owned businesses (40%) and youth-owned enterprises (70%). By engaging with diverse sectors, he has helped businesses deliver exceptional value to their customers while fostering sustainable development.

Kaye's holistic approach to entrepreneurship and his dedication to fostering impactful collaborations have positioned him as a key player in driving innovation and growth across global markets.

Jean-François Cousin is a globally celebrated executive and team coach, renowned for his expertise in leadership, organizational transformation, and coaching. With a career that spans continents and industries, he has established himself as a sought-after speaker, delivering dynamic and impactful keynote addresses to audiences on six continents. His engaging presentations are a masterful blend of compelling storytelling, actionable insights, and energizing activities, leaving audiences inspired and empowered to take meaningful action.

In 2019, Jean-François served as the Chairman of the Global Board of the International Coaching Federation (ICF), further cementing his influence in the global coaching community. He continues to contribute thought leadership through regular columns in Forbes, sharing insights on leadership, transformation, and personal development.

Jean-François is known for his thought-provoking and entertaining approach, drawing on his extensive corporate and coaching experiences to provide audiences with practical strategies that create an immediate positive impact on their lives and careers. His presentations combine research-backed ideas with inspiring anecdotes and irresistible calls to action, making him a favourite among leaders and organizations worldwide.

A true pioneer in his field, Jean-François continues to inspire and empower individuals and teams to unlock their full potential and drive meaningful transformation in their organizations.