Summit Speakers 2025

Birju Sanghrajka is an accomplished banking executive with over 25 years of progressive experience, currently serving as Managing Director & Head of Corporate, Commercial & Institutional Banking for Kenya & East Africa at Standard Chartered.

Appointed to the Board of Standard Chartered Bank Kenya in July 2021, he kickstarted his career at Standard Chartered Kenya in 1999 and has since held key leadership roles across corporate banking, corporate finance and transaction banking in Kenya, the UK, South Africa and the UAE.

In his current capacity, Birju leads client coverage for global subsidiaries, local corporates, financial institutions, public sector and development organizations across East Africa. He is known for delivering tailored solutions backed by deep product expertise and a strong commitment to risk discipline. Under his stewardship, Standard Chartered Kenya has earned multiple regional accolades, including “Corporate Banker of the Year” in 2023.

Birju holds a BSc (Hons) in Business Economics and Finance from Loughborough University, UK. He is respected for his broad industry insight and leadership in trade, treasury and transaction banking in the region.

Rita Kavashe is the Chair of the Board and Managing Director of Isuzu East Africa Ltd (formerly General Motors East Africa, GMEA). Her career in GM began in 1995 in its East African operations where she has worked for the last thirty years. Rita became the company’s first Kenyan Managing Director in 2011 and successfully transitioned the company to Isuzu East Africa in 2017.

Prior to her current position, Rita held several key roles in Sales and Marketing functions both in Kenya and South Africa and participated in GM sponsored leadership programs including the Harvard Business School Leadership Program.

Rita holds a bachelor’s degree in education from Moi University and a master’s degree in business administration (MBA) from the University of Nairobi. She is also an Executive Coach certified by the Academy of Executive Coaches (AoEC) UK.

Rita is currently a member of the Advisory Council of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and Advisory Board Member of the Palmhouse Foundation. She also serves as a member of the University of Eldoret Endowment Trust Board of Trustees. Rita is a non-executive director on the board of Safaricom Plc and Chairperson of the board of BAT Kenya Plc, all being listed firms on the Nairobi Securities Exchange.

In 2017, Rita was awarded a state honor, the Moran of the Order of the Burning Spear (MBS) in recognition of her exemplary service to the country as a business leader.

Mr. Kilavuka is the Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Kenya Airways Plc. He’s also a Non-Executive Board Member of two Kenya Airways subsidiaries, the regional operator Jambojet and the Tanzanian operator Precision Air. He was recently appointed as Chairperson of Africa's Airlines Association (AFRAA).

Allan took over the role of Group Managing Director & CEO at Kenya Airways right at the beginning of a very difficult time for the airline and the aviation industry in general. He has managed to navigate the airline through turbulent times and kept the planes flying through a string of measures and initiatives.

He is the former Managing Director of Jambojet Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of Kenya Airways Plc. With over 23 years’ experience in leadership and management and extensive knowledge and experience in the Africa business environment, Allan has proven success in new organization setups, change management, financial planning, integrations, process improvement, company compliance, and responsible strategic leadership. He was also integral to the turnaround of two GE Africa businesses: GE Power Services Africa and GE Industrial Solutions, both based in South Africa.

Allan started his career at Deloitte East Africa in Nairobi, where he specialized in Audit, Accounting, Outsourcing, and Custodianship. He later joined GE as the Africa share service leader and held various senior leadership roles in GE businesses and in GE Corporate both in Kenya and South Africa.

Allan has a Bachelor of Commerce Degree from the University of Nairobi and holds a Postgraduate Certificate in Psychology from the University of Liverpool. He has trained at GE’s world-class Crotonville Leadership Institute in New York, USA in Executive Leadership, Advanced Management, and Financial Planning. He is also a member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK).

In 2024, Allan received the African Aviation Leadership Award from the African Aviation Magazine for his significant contribution to the development of aviation in Africa.

Navalayo Osembo is an award-winning entrepreneur and executive, widely recognized for redefining Africa’s presence in the global sportswear industry. She currently serves as Director of Africa at On, the Swiss-based performance running brand, where she is leading the company’s strategy and operations on the continent, and shaping how it authentically engages African athletes and communities.

Navalayo is the founder and former CEO of Enda Athletic, Africa’s first performance footwear brand. Under her leadership, Enda gained international recognition and supplied footwear to Olympic teams, while allocating a portion of its profits to community development through the Enda Foundation.

Navalayo holds a Master’s degree in International Development and Humanitarian Emergencies from the London School of Economics, and has completed further leadership and entrepreneurship training at the Stanford Graduate School of Business, Amani Institute, and the LSE Programme for African Leadership. She is also a certified project manager and a recognized alumna of global innovation fellowships.

Her work has earned widespread recognition, including honors as a Skoll World Forum Emerging Leader, Africa Business Heroes Top Finalist, and one of the Top 40 Under 40 Women in Kenya. She was also named among the 28 Most Outstanding People of Color Transforming the Sneaker Industry.

George Owuor is a seasoned public policy and international trade expert with over 17 years of experience advising governments across Africa on business-enabling policies in technology, trade, and FMCG. At Mastercard, he leads Government Affairs and Policy across North, East, and Francophone Africa, focusing on emerging technology policy—including AI, real-time payments, and virtual assets.

Prior to Mastercard, George held senior policy roles at Meta and Procter & Gamble. He also worked at TradeMark East Africa, supporting regional private sector development. He holds a law degree from the University of Warwick and a Master’s in International Trade from the University of Bern.

Outside work, George founded the Meet the Artist initiative, supporting African artists through exhibitions and sales, and the Justice Effie Owuor Foundation, which provides scholarships for vulnerable female students in partnership with the University of Nairobi. He is a former Vice Chair of the AmCham Digital Economy Taskforce and a past Governing Council member of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA).

George lives in Nairobi with his wife and their three sons.

Mugwe Manga is a seasoned green finance expert with over 15 years of experience in renewable energy, carbon markets, and enterprise development. At FSD Kenya, he serves as Senior Green Finance Advisor, supporting the design and delivery of catalytic financing mechanisms for Kenya’s green transition.

Prior to this, Mugwe was Special Advisor on Power and Climate at The Rockefeller Foundation and has held roles in investment and advisory across Africa and the UK, including at Goldman Sachs International. He is the founder of Olsuswa Energy, a leading geothermal company in Kenya, and sits on the board of ICEA Lion Insurance Group.

Mugwe holds degrees from the University of Nottingham and Grenoble Ecole de Management, and executive education from Harvard Business School and the Swedish Institute. He is a Tutu Fellow (2023) and a Business Daily Top 40 Under 40 honoree (2022).

Fareed Khimani is a versatile media personality, award-winning producer, and accomplished master of ceremonies with a career spanning multiple industries and formats. Born in Exeter, United Kingdom, to a Kenyan mother and Tanzanian father, Fareed's early years were shaped by a multicultural upbringing across the UK, Kenya, and the USA. After attending junior high and high school in Florida, Fareed majored in Journalism with a minor in Religion and Marketing at the University of North Florida, graduating with honours.

An avid basketball and American football player during his university years, Fareed began his career in Atlanta as a head bartender at The Rock-Bottom Brewery before returning to Kenya in 2000. He joined Capital FM as a sports presenter and quickly became a household name as one half of the Capital Breakfast morning duo. In 2003, Fareed made his television breakthrough as the Kenyan presenter for Big Brother Africa, followed by a seven-season tenure as the Kenyan host of M-Net’s Studio 53.

To deepen his craft, Fareed pursued an Associate’s Degree at Brighton Film School in the UK before
returning to Kenya to co-found Nusu-Nusu Productions with Mark Moss. As an award-winning director and producer, he has worked across travel, lifestyle, food, digital, and television productions. His contributions to the media landscape extend to radio, where he continues to host morning shows, staying deeply connected to his roots in broadcasting.

Fareed’s versatility extends to live events, where he is a sought-after Master of Ceremonies, hosting high-profile ceremonies and occasions. With media in his blood, Fareed Khimani remains a prominent figure in Kenya’s entertainment and broadcasting industry, consistently innovating and inspiring.

Fareed Khimani is a versatile media personality, award-winning producer, and accomplished master of ceremonies with a career spanning multiple industries and formats. Born in Exeter, United Kingdom, to a Kenyan mother and Tanzanian father, Fareed's early years were shaped by a multicultural upbringing across the UK, Kenya, and the USA. After attending junior high and high school in Florida, Fareed majored in Journalism with a minor in Religion and Marketing at the University of North Florida, graduating with honours.

An avid basketball and American football player during his university years, Fareed began his career in Atlanta as a head bartender at The Rock-Bottom Brewery before returning to Kenya in 2000. He joined Capital FM as a sports presenter and quickly became a household name as one half of the Capital Breakfast morning duo. In 2003, Fareed made his television breakthrough as the Kenyan presenter for Big Brother Africa, followed by a seven-season tenure as the Kenyan host of M-Net’s Studio 53.

To deepen his craft, Fareed pursued an Associate’s Degree at Brighton Film School in the UK before
returning to Kenya to co-found Nusu-Nusu Productions with Mark Moss. As an award-winning director and producer, he has worked across travel, lifestyle, food, digital, and television productions. His contributions to the media landscape extend to radio, where he continues to host morning shows, staying deeply connected to his roots in broadcasting.

Fareed’s versatility extends to live events, where he is a sought-after Master of Ceremonies, hosting high-profile ceremonies and occasions. With media in his blood, Fareed Khimani remains a prominent figure in Kenya’s entertainment and broadcasting industry, consistently innovating and inspiring.

Natalie is an accomplished strategic human capital leader with over 14 years of distinguished experience in driving organizational success. She has a rich background in Leadership Development, Organizational Culture Transformation, Talent Acquisition, Talent Management, Change Management, Organizational Design and Effectiveness, Learning and Development, and Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging.

Natalie holds a Master’s degree in Local Economic Development from the London School of Economics and a Bachelor of Science in Economics from the University of Nottingham. She has further honed her executive capabilities through advanced programs at Oxford’s Saïd Business School and Yale School of Management. A global member of the Society for Human Resource Management (SHRM) and certified Leadership facilitator with Development Dimensions International (DDI), Natalie has demonstrated her leadership in various prestigious roles.

Currently, as the Programme Director at RIKA Africa, Natalie oversees the RIKA Leadership Programme for human capital leaders across Africa, achieving significant growth and expanded geographical participation. Her previous roles include Global Lead Culture and Leadership Development at Mastercard Foundation and Global Senior Manager Talent and Capability at Living Goods, where she led numerous strategic initiatives across multiple countries.

Natalie is recognized for her contributions as a speaker and conference moderator with repeated engagements at the African Management Institute, facilitation with Deloitte East Africa and as the Executive Producer and Host of 'The Edition Interviews.' She is a published co-author of the international double volume book “NAIROBI: The City That Calls Your Name,” and a contributing writer for “Seeking Destiny – Conversations with High Achieving Women of Kenya” and The Edition Magazine.

Her leadership extends beyond her professional roles as the Founding Chair of Ampersand Investment Group, Non-Executive Director at Footprints Press, and as a Global Shaper for the World Economic Forum’s Nairobi Hub. Natalie’s dedication to advancing human capital and fostering inclusive organizational cultures makes her a transformative leader in her field.

Carol Musyoka has several years of financial leadership experience. She has extensive deal origination, negotiation, structuring and execution experience, having been involved in several landmark corporate finance transactions in Kenya. Her executive management and board experience includes her role as the Corporate Director, Barclays Bank of Kenya, as well as the Executive Director and Chief Operating Officer of K- Rep Bank, Kenya's first micro finance institution.

Carol has had considerable credit risk and corporate banking experience at both Barclays and Citibank. She has previously served on, and retired from the Boards of at least 16 private, public and Not for Profit organizations including BOC Gases, British American Tobacco Ltd, Competition Authority of Kenya where she chaired the Board Human Resources Committee, ICDC, Institute of Economic Affairs, the national carrier Kenya Airways, Opportunity Kenya, SOS Children’s Villages and the African Legal Support Facility of the African Development Bank.

Carol previously chaired two state-owned agencies namely the Business Registration Services and the Kenya Deposit Insurance Corporation, as well as the Board Numeration and Remuneration Committee and Board
Investment Committees of the NSE Listed Diageo subsidiary East Africa Breweries Ltd, where she was an independent non executive director. She also chaired the EABL Foundation and sat on the EABL subsidiaries,
Kenya Breweries Ltd and UDV Ltd.

Carol currently provides bespoke training solutions to multinational and locally owned companies in the region on Leadership and Corporate Governance. She is also a co-facilitator on Fast Forward, a local leadership development program that provides “Leadership Unusual” insights to Chief Executive Officers and C-Suite Management of leading Kenyan companies (www.sunwords.com). For the last eleven years, Carol has also been the Academic Director for the corporate governance programs at Strathmore University Business School.

On an international level, Carol is part of the Durham, North Carolina-based Duke Corporate Education (www.dukece.com) faculty and is involved in providing leadership deliveries for some of their global clients. Her skills in breaking down complex financial events and contextualizing the same to local situations have been well received and are a constant feature of her weekly Monday column The Nitpicker, in Kenya’s leading business newspaper, the Business Daily.

Carol is a holder of a Bachelor of Law degree from the University of Nairobi and a Master of Law degree from Cornell University, USA. Carol, a recipient of the 2010 Eisenhower Fellowship for International Leadership, lives in Nairobi, Kenya.