We are thrilled to introduce the exceptional 2023 Fellows hailing from East Africa! With a diverse group of  21 Fellows, this year's cohort is joining our global community of social innovators who are dedicated to finding solutions to the complex problems of poverty and establishing a world built on respect and equality.

These Fellows are making waves in various sectors, including healthcare, disability inclusion, and refugee empowerment, bringing fresh perspectives and boundless energy to confront the challenges facing their communities. Whether it's combating injustice through the legal system or tackling climate change, these extraordinary individuals are up for the task.

Join us in welcoming the 2023 East Africa Fellows and read their bios to discover the remarkable work they do.

Ann-Elise Francis

Ann-Elise Francis is the Head of Growth at Turaco, an inclusive insurtech operating in East Africa and Nigeria. Turaco designs and sells affordable insurance to lower-income earners to cushion the unexpected financial shocks caused by health emergencies. Ann-Elise is also a Co-Founder and Partner of LendHer Capital, a venture debt fund for Kenyan women entrepreneurs. Prior to this, Ann-Elise worked at AZA Finance, KadAfrica, SHONA, and the Business Council for Peace. Ann-Elise holds a Bachelor's Degree in Global Studies from Loyola University Maryland.

Benjamin W. Wachira

Benjamin W. Wachira is an Assistant Professor of Emergency Medicine and the Founder of the Emergency Medicine Kenya Foundation, an NGO supporting emergency healthcare providers across Kenya to save lives by strengthening the emergency healthcare system through capacity building, knowledge development, advocacy, and research. Dr Wachira's work has been widely published and he continues to lead emergency medical care development and research across Kenya.

Bradley Heslop

Bradley Heslop is a social entrepreneur, mentor and speaker committed to proving business as a force for positive change. In 2014, he was ranked 5th in the Top 100 Future Leaders publication. Bradley co-founded WSV; a micro-franchisor and consultancy, Action Accelerator; connecting innovators to brain power and networks, and is now Chief Commercial Officer of DOT Glasses International.

Boniface Okari

Boniface Okari is the director at Pendekezo Letu, an organization supporting vulnerable children, youth, and families in marginalized urban communities in Kenya. Pendekezo Letu helps them access essential resources and rights, including the juvenile justice system, sustainable livelihoods, child protection systems, rehabilitation, and education. Okari has previous experience as a context researcher and M&E specialist, focusing on poverty, wealth disparity, and safeguarding.

David Mbitu

David Mbitu is the Program Coordinator of the Kenya Prisons Service Mental Health and Addiction program, a program that creates awareness, advocates, and implements evidence-based programs on prevention, intervention and treatment of addiction disorders and mental health services. The scope of the program includes the rehabilitation of prisoners, their reintegration upon release, empowerment of prison staff, and other disciplined forces and community outreach mental health services. David is an internationally certified addiction professional and a trained mental health practitioner.

Elijah Omagor

Elijah Omagor is the Founder and Managing Director of Konnect Initiatives, a financial organization based in Uganda that empowers young entrepreneurs to access financial capital and scale up their micro and small businesses. Elijah holds a Bachelor of Laws Degree from Makerere University and an Executive MBA from ESAMI. He served as a Legal Manager at Stanbic Bank Uganda and Nile Breweries Limited prior to starting Konnect Initiatives. He is passionate about business, finance, and community development.

Emery Bahati

Emery Bahati works for Inkomoko as the Kenya Senior Investment Manager. Inkomoko offers full-service business consulting in Kenya, Rwanda, and Ethiopia focused specifically on developing the skills, abilities, and networks for entrepreneurs to successfully develop, operate, and expand their enterprises for increased profit and job creation in the region. Prior to joining Inkomoko, Emery worked for two banks in Rwanda and a research firm. Emery holds a Master of Science in Economics from the University of Rwanda.

Eugene Kolah

Eugene Kolah is the Founder of the Bloom Maternity project, an organization tackling maternal and neonatal mortality through effective collaboration and the use of technology. Bloom Maternity partners with stakeholders at the community level to facilitate safe labour and delivery through the use of a cloud-based clinical support system. Before founding Bloom Maternity, Kolah was and remains a practicing medic at the community level. Kolah holds a Bachelor's Degree in Clinical Medicine and Community Health from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology.

Georgine Auma

Georgine Auma is the Director of Studio KSL (Kenyan Sign Language), an ekitabu innovation that develops accessible reading and learning materials for learners who are deaf and hard of hearing. Studio KSL makes content accessible by incorporating local sign language videos into early-grade readers producing accessible digital storybooks that support language acquisition and builds communication skills on a path to literacy. Since its inception, Studio KSL has expanded to include other local signed languages in Rwanda, Malawi, Tanzania, and Ethiopia.

Gloria Acan

Gloria Acan is a budding social worker from Makerere University now working with Vijana Corps, a leading youth organization in Uganda. She is part of an exciting team that is extending safe spaces, tools, and platforms to youth in hard-to-reach areas in Uganda. Gloria exposes youth and youth groups to information and opportunities for them to participate in decision-making processes and development at all levels.

Lydia Byogero

Lydia Byogero is the Co-Founder of Life Imprints, an organization that supports children from low-income families and refugees in Kampala, Kaliro, and refugee settlements to acquire quality education in private schools. She is developing an education model which is life-based to solve unemployment. In her part-time job, she coordinates young people to become social entrepreneurs. Lydia holds a Postgraduate Diploma in project planning and management from Uganda Management Institute and a Bachelor's Degree in Education from Makerere University.

Lydia Moyo

Nessri Abdela

Prosper Ahimbisibwe

Prosper Ahimbisibwe is the Co-Founder of Mobile Scan Solutions Uganda (MSCAN), an organization that develops low-cost and portable ultrasound scans to detect risk factors of maternal mortality among pregnant mothers in resource-limited settings. Prosper ensures that the most vulnerable mothers like those in remote areas and refugee settings receive an antenatal scan to rule out any risk factors of maternal mortality. He holds a Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery Degree from Makerere University, Uganda.

Ravina Pattni

Ravina Pattni is a Research Associate and leading the Laterite Tanzania office. She works with clients in various sectors to rigorously evaluate their programs to inform their decision-making. Ravina works in the application of evidence to inform public policy, with expertise in the agriculture sector. She has an undergraduate degree in Economics from UC Berkeley and a Masters of Public Administration in Development Practice (MPA-DP) from Columbia University.

Racheal Ainembabazi

Racheal Ainembabazi is the Co-Founder of Qraft Academy, an Edutech startup that is focused on mentoring young people in digital careers, such as software development, through their apprenticeship program. With a strong belief in the power of collaboration, Qraft Academy also provides a community for its students, where they can grow together and contribute to inner source projects. Racheal holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Social Science, and in addition to her work at Qraft Academy, she is also a Career Coach and Human Centered Design trainer. Racheal and Qraft Academy are committed to empowering young people to achieve their full potential and to making a positive impact on the tech industry.

Rehema Mutoni

Rehema Mutoni is the Operations Manager and nurse at KCDC, which works to improve the quality of life for children with disabilities and their families in western Uganda, offering holistic, affordable, and accessible therapy services. Prior to joining KCDC, Rehema worked as a nurse at the Fort Portal Regional Hospital. Rehema holds a Diploma in Nursing from Mountains of the Moon University.

Sisty Basil

Sisty Basil is an environmental and renewable energy specialist, who, in the past 10 years, had played a leading role in the promotion of renewable energy and energy-efficient technologies across Tanzania. Sisty founded E-LICO Foundation, an NGO whose main goal is tackling energy vulnerability and energy injustice. Guided by the principle of the 4Ds (Decarbonization, Democratization, Digitalization, Decentralization), E-LICO provides rural communities with affordable, reliable, modern and sustainable energy products and services, coupled with financial inclusion and literacy.

Stephanie Atika

Stephanie Atika is a sustainability enthusiast with 11 years in impact-driven manufacturing in East Africa. She holds a BSc in Environmental Science from The University of Nottingham and is passionate about environmental responsibility within the East African Agri-Manufacturing framework. She is the Expansion-General Manager at Regen Organics, East Africa’s leading organic waste manufacturer. She is passionate about ensuring that Kenya is an example and at the forefront of circular economy, waste eradication and sustainable farm inputs globally.

Zeituna Abdulahi

Zeituna Abdulahi is Program Officer at Merti Integrated Development Programme, implementing ‘Girls Improving Resilience Through Livelihood and Health’ (GIRL-H). GIRL-H seeks to improve the well-being of adolescents and young people aged 10 to 24 years by increasing their access to skills and knowledge, health resources, formal education, and economic opportunities by fostering an enabling environment. Zeituna is the Founder of Dress for Change Initiative, a youth-led key focus on Menstrual Health and Hygiene, Leadership Skills and ending FGM.