Mr Dennis Mungo is currently the Executive Director of Youth Alive! Kenya (YAK). In his role, he steers YAK’s vision of a society where young people are empowered to realize their full potential. In particular, he works to break the self-perpetuating cycle of exclusion of young people so that they may actively chart and address issues affecting their well-being and development by empowering and providing a platform for them to amplify their voice in the development discourse and emerging realities that they face through robust youth engagement. 

He has over a decade’s experience and passion working on human rights programming, governance and access to justice having previously worked with the Kenyan Correctional Services. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Law from the University of London, and another Bachelor’s Degree in Information Systems and Technology from United States International University. He is currently pursuing his Master’s Degree in Public Policy and Administration. Dennis has a strong passion for his work as well as to share knowledge, skill and experience geared towards empowering the young people in Kenya and beyon

Mugure Gathecha is currently a Senior Associate with Kaplan & Stratton Advocates, responsible for joint ventures, mergers & acquisitions, privatizations, capital markets, intellectual property, international & cross-border transactions. She holds Kenya School of Law, bar qualifications, an LLB degree from the University of Nairobi and is a Certified Public Secretary. She is a member of the Law Society of Kenya, International Bar Association, Law Society of England & Wales and the International Trade Mark Association.

Nelson is a seasoned professional with eight years of post-qualification experience as a chartered accountant (ACCA). He previously worked at KPMG Kenya within the Audit and Tax functions.He is the Founder of Niall and King Consultants, a specialized tax and corporate finance firm based in Nairobi.
Nelson also serves on the Board of Youth Alive! Kenya, a youth-led organization that promotes the wellbeing and inclusion of Kenyan youth in development through partnerships, capacity building and advocacy.

You can reach him by email at nelson.gacheru@nk.co.ke

Henry Isura is a seasoned strategic leader with over a decade of experience in program operations, governance, and business support within international development organizations. Currently serving as Interim Strategic Lead – Program Operations Support, Integration and Accountability at Oxfam International, Henry provides global oversight to harmonize operational frameworks, strengthen accountability, and enhance risk management across regions. His expertise spans financial management, audits, procurement, human resources, and safeguarding, enabling him to drive operational excellence and sustainability in complex, multicultural environments.

Previously, Henry served as Interim Executive Director at Oxfam Kenya, where he led the organization’s transition to affiliate status, spearheading institutional development, stakeholder engagement, and resource mobilization. A Certified Public Accountant and member of ICPAK, Henry holds an MBA in Finance and is pursuing a Doctorate in Business Administration with a specialization in Leadership and Organizational Change. His leadership is grounded in a commitment to impact, accountability, and social justice, making him a valuable asset to boards and governance structures.

Vallery is a grants management expert with over 13 years of experience in operations, grants management and donor compliance, organizational development, and building and managing partnerships in the development sector. She has experience managing multi-million-dollar award portfolios globally, with experience spanning Africa, Asia and Latin America. She has a proven track record in capacity building of CSOs, as well as colleagues. Vallery is also adept in organizational development, proven by her experience designing policy for awards functions as well as partner organizations.

Vallery also has experience in private sector development, managing Enterprise development and Climate Change programs in East Africa and Asia.Vallery is currently pursuing her Masters in Development Studies, and holds a Bachelor’s degree in Economics. She is also a Project Management professional.

Nekesa Stephanie Wamalwa is an accomplished leader with over eight years of experience in youth empowerment and policy advocacy across Africa. She currently leads the Africa Youth Panel Initiative at TrustAfrica, where she spearheads participatory action research across ten countries to drive meaningful youth engagement and dignified work. Her extensive track record includes scaling the Billi Now Now! movement at Planned Parenthood Global to reach 1.3 million young people across 15+ countries and designing multi-tiered program strategies as a Specialist at Girl Effect.

Nekesa holds a Bachelor of Laws (LLB) from Strathmore University and serves as a Youth Advisor for the World Bank’s Solutions for Youth Employment (S4YE) program. Her diverse background includes strategic advisory roles with USAID and UN SDSN Youth, alongside fellowships with KECTIL and Leap Africa. A passionate advocate for systemic change, she leverages her legal foundation and extensive field experience to bridge the gap between policy-making and community impact for the continent’s youth.

Solomon Irungu is a Kenyan communication and development professional with over ten years of experience working across government,  international development, and private sector advisory. He joins the Board of Youth Alive Kenya with a strong background in youth engagement, strategic communication, and institutional development. Solomon is currently pursuing a PhD in Communication and Information Studies at the University of Nairobi, holds a Master’s degree in International Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in Journalism and Media Studies.

Professionally, Solomon serves as Communication and External Relations Lead at Impact Africa Consulting Ltd, where he supports sustainability advisory, climate action, enterprise development, and governance assignments across Africa. His previous roles include seniorcommunication positions at IDH, KCIC Consulting Ltd, the Kenya Climate Innovation Center,and the Kiambu County Government. Across these institutions, he has led communication functions, supported donor-funded youth and entrepreneurship programs, managed multi- country campaigns, and worked closely with innovators, MSMEs, and community Organizations.

Alongside his professional work, Solomon has contributed to mentorship, teaching, and community leadership, including part-time lecturing at the University of Nairobi and serving on boards of community-based institutions. His leadership is defined by a balance of technical expertise, public service orientation, and practical experience. His appointment to the Board of Youth Alive Kenya strengthens the organization’s capacity to engage young people through structured communication, partnerships, and programmatic leadership aligned to youth development priorities.

Esther is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and an experienced Human Resource practitioner with strong expertise in governance, policy development, organizational leadership and human rights advocacy. She holds a Bachelor of Laws from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology, a Postgraduate Diploma in Law from the Kenya School of Law and a Higher National Diploma in Human Resource Management. She currently serves as a Human Resources Practitioner and In-House Counsel in a leading manufacturing company where she provides strategic leadership in human capital management, legal compliance and organizational development.

Esther has contributed to corporate and public policy initiatives, including participation in the development of the first Anti-FGM Policy in Kajiado County, strengthening her engagement in gender justice and community-based advocacy. She is a member of the Pro Bono Institute of Kenya and has over ten years’ experience mentoring youth within her church and community. She is a values-driven leader committed to ethical governance, mentorship and sustainable social impact. She is intentional about long-term growth and impact in all her areas of influence.

Ms Donnah Macharia leads Resource Development at Habitat for Humanity Kenya as the Resource Development Manager. She has 8+ years’ experience leading multi-country resource mobilisation, donor compliance, and partnership growth across Eastern &Southern Africa. She combines strategic business development with strong programme,communications, and stakeholder engagement skills to secure and manage funding from bilateral, multilateral, foundation, corporate, and government sources. She has extensive expertise in youth empowerment and social innovation, supported the design and funding of youth-led programmes, built youth entrepreneurial capacity, and implemented climate-smart, rights-based initiatives. Ms Macharia has notable skills in writing winning proposals to donors from various sectors, for instance, renewable energy, WASH, education, climate change, including sustainable agriculture.

Previously, she worked as the Business Development Manager at Ripple Effect for the Eastern and Southern Africa region. She led business development and grants acquisition across Eastern and Southern Africa. She also coordinated high-quality proposals in collaboration with the regional technical and in-country teams, consortium development, ensuring high quality donor reports whilst strengthening in-country fundraising capacity. She managed donor relations and contracting processes and supported compliance with diverse institutional donor requirements (Global Affairs Canada/IDRC, FCDO, EU, Dutch Embassy, GiZ, UN Agencies, UK and US affiliated Foundations, among others). She also led visibility and positioning through strategic communications including media liaison with both national and regional media.

In her previous roles, she supported the securing of assignments and projects funded by World Bank, European Union, Mastercard Foundation, among others.Ms Macharia is currently pursuing a Master of Arts Degree in International Relations from United States International University – Africa. She holds a Bachelor of Arts Communication- Electronic Media & Business Administration and Management from Daystar university.

Antonia Musunga is an intersectional feminist, human rights practitioner, and a seasoned, people-centred,survivor-informed programmes expert and policymaker working at the intersection of governance,movement building, safeguarding, and intersectional feminist leadership. Her work is grounded in the belief that lasting social change is driven by and centres those most impacted, sustained through collective power, accountability, and imagination. She approaches her work with curiosity, creativity,and a deep commitment to joy as a practice of resistance and renewal.

Her academic background is in Gender and Sociology, and she holds a Master’s in Public Policy.She is the Co-Founder of Azadi Kenya, a survivor-led collective of people with lived experience of human trafficking, and advises organisations on strategy, programmes, and movement building, with a strong focus on centring survivor leadership and sharing and shifting power within systems and institutions.

Antonia currently serves as Programme Manager for the Movement Building Portfolio at the Freedom Fund, supporting grassroots and survivor-led organisations to strengthen leadership, collaboration, and long-term movement infrastructure across anti-trafficking efforts. Alongside her professional work, Antonia is an avid reader and traveller with a deep love for African literature from the global majority. She is actively engaged in feminist collectives across Kenya and the African region, contributing to bold, justice-led futures rooted in care and possibility.