LEADERSHIP TEAM

They are a twenty-four-member team of adolescent girls (ages 8-20) who provide organizational and program leadership to Msichana Empowerment Kuria. Headed by the council president, Florence, the girls' council membership draws girls from all the regions we work in and spans key age groups (8-20 years). Since 2015, our girls' council, previously an advisory committee, has grown substantially in both number and mandate. They are currently in primary, secondary, and tertiary institutions across the country. Through their leadership, they play a crucial role in guiding our programs and ensuring that the voices of young girls are at the forefront of our initiatives. The council's growth reflects our commitment to empowering young women and fostering leadership skills that will benefit their communities for years to come.

Founder

Natalie is the Founder of Msichana Empowerment Kuria, a fast-growing girl-centered grassroots organization in Kenya. Driven by her experience of being a survivor of childhood sexual violence, she established Msichana Empowerment Kuria in 2011, fully blossoming into action in July 2015. Through our grassroots movement of girls and young women, Msichana Empowerment has worked with thousands of girls to prevent violence against girls in rural and cross-border communities in Kenya. Natalie has a master's degree in Development Studies from the University of Sussex, Institute of Development Studies in the UK. In 2018 she was awarded the Changemaker Goalkeeper award by the Gates Foundation and named a Chevening Scholar in 2021.

Executive Director

Magdaline is a Sociologist and a community development practitioner with more than 12 years of experience in community development. A believer in giving power to young women to tell their stories and speak up for themselves, Magdaline has been active in the field of training and capacity building on SRHR, human rights, and GBV for six years, focusing on girl-led and girl-centered approaches. As the Executive Director of Msichana Empowerment Kuria, she has been instrumental in guiding the organization's strategic direction and programs. Magdaline holds a Bachelor's degree in Community Development from Daystar University. Her extensive experience and dedication to empowering young women have made her a vital leader in the fight against gender-based violence and in promoting human rights within rural communities.

Head of Programs

Cynthia leads our programs team. She began her career as a teacher and soon became keen to work with marginalized communities directly. This passion led her to switch to the nonprofit sector and join Msichana Empowerment Kuria, where she set up our Monitoring & Evaluation models on girl-centered programming. Cynthia has risen to serve as the Head of Programs, leading our team to achieve our mission of preventing violence against girls. With her strong background in education and commitment to empowering vulnerable communities, Cynthia has been instrumental in designing and implementing effective programs that address the unique challenges faced by girls. Her leadership ensures that our initiatives are impactful and that we continue to make strides in safeguarding the rights and well-being of girls in rural and cross-border communities.

Head of Finance

Joyce holds a Bachelor’s degree in Commerce from Rongo University and has been our Head of Finance since 2019. She oversees the financial and accounting work, playing a pivotal role in operations, grants management, and compliance. Joyce's expertise ensures the financial health and sustainability of Msichana Empowerment Kuria. In her free time, she volunteers to support community schools' finance departments in the region, reflecting her commitment to education and community development. Her dedication and proficiency in financial management have been essential in driving our mission forward and ensuring the effective allocation of resources to our programs.

Director of Learning

Alice holds a Bachelor’s degree in Gender and Development from Machakos University and leads our Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning work. She is a passionate girls' rights activist, dedicated to ensuring equal opportunities for every girl. Alice works tirelessly to dismantle societal barriers and empower girls to reach their full potential. Her commitment to advancing girl-centered learning outcomes is evident in her proactive efforts to support the initiatives of Msichana Empowerment Kuria. Through her leadership in Monitoring, Evaluation & Learning, Alice plays a crucial role in ensuring that our programs are effective and responsive to the needs of girls in rural and cross-border communities. Her advocacy and dedication inspire positive change and contribute to the empowerment of girls across Kenya.