Over 15 years ago, Lillian Ngala started her professional journey, one that would take her across diverse industries and finally land her on her favourite of them all. Now a renowned Human Resource professional with considerable contribution in Policy Formulation, Talent Management, Workforce Planning, Coaching and Mentoring, Culture Management among other HR agenda in Kenya; Lillian lists passion, drive and quest for knowledge as what made her from scratch. She currently serves as the Group Head of Human Resources at Diamond Trust Bank; and sits on several boards including the Institute of Human Resources, Kenya Institute of Bankers, KENIC, National Industrial Training institute and Aga Khan Development Network. Ms. Ngala is also pursuing a PhD in Human Resource Management at JKUAT and is certified as a professional trainer by IHRM. She greatly values integrity, collaboration, communication and fairness; and is a champion for employee wellness, organization agility and the future of work. Outside of work, Lillian spends time hiking, reading, writing, and playing golf.

Malika is a seasoned executive with significant experience in the shipping industry, banking sector and education sector. Between 2017 and 2019, she served as the Presiding Board Chair of the Kenya Maritime Authority after previously serving in the board’s Finance and GP Committee, HR Committee, and the Governance and Integrity Committee – which she chaired. She has also served as a Council Member of the Kenya Coast National Polytechnic in recent years. Ms. Ali is revered as an expert in Operations Management, Strategy and Policy Development, Relationship and Partnerships Management, Human Resource Management, Conflict Management, Corporate Strategy Planning Management, and Leadership. She has also served as Operations Manager and Trade Finance Officer for an international bank.

Stephine Ogutu is a Communications and Development Specialist with over 8 years professional experience in the development sector, having worked with local and international development institutions across different countries in Sub-Saharan Africa. He is proficient in developing and implementing strategies around Communications, Partnerships, Government Relations, Knowledge Management Systems, Research and Capacity Building. He has managed and successfully played key roles in supporting projects that cut across: Youth Workforce, Financial Inclusion, Entrepreneurship, Agribusiness, Public Health, Policy Advocacy, Governance and Accountability, Peace Building and Countering Violent Extremism (CVE). Mr. Ogutu has served as the Communication and Public Relations (PR) Specialist (Consultant) with Global Communities under the USAID-funded Cooperatives Leadership Engagement Advocacy & Research (CLEAR) program. Between 2016 and 2019, he worked as the Regional Communications Officer at Global Communities in charge of Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania where he led the design and execution of communications and knowledge management strategies for various programs. These include Agribusiness Investment for Market Stimulation (AIMS) funded by US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to support agribusinesses to access market and finance in Kenya, Malawi and Tanzania; USAID’s Enabling Market Integration through Rural Group Empowerment (EMIRGE) program; DREAMS initiative funded by PEPFAR to reduce new HIV infections in Sub-Saharan Africa among adolescent girls and young women; Kenya Tuna Uwezo (KTU) Program, conflict mitigation and Countering Violent Extremism program funded by the US Agency for International Development (USAID). Additionally, he served as the Communications and PR Advisor at the Kenya Co-operative Coronavirus Response Committee (CCRC) established by the State Department of Cooperatives. He has also worked as the Communications Coordinator under the USAID’s ALL-IN research project which is implemented by the International Centre for Evaluation and Development (ICED) in Kenya, Malawi, Uganda, Ethiopia, Nigeria and Ghana. Stephine writes for leading print media in Kenya and Ghana. He has been interviewed many times by the Voice of America (VOA), BBC and mainstream local media in Kenya on various development issues. Stephine is currently with The Hunger Project leading the Movement of Community-led Development (MCLD) in Kenya.