Amanda GicharuAmanda Gicharu-Kemoli


Kenya

Occupational Information


Occupation: Social entrepreneur

Occupational PositionCo-Founder of Tech Republic Africa. Co-founder of Amanda's Kitchen

Professional History


Amanda is the co-founder of Tech Republic Africa (TRA), a social impact startup that develops premier technology-driven education experiences and game-based tools for African youth to validate student learning of core Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Math (STEAM) skills, ultimately driving Africa’s development while meeting the demands of the globally competitive knowledge economy. Amanda is dedicated to increasing Africa’s technology capacity and innovation, while improving gender diversity within the STEAM fields.
 
At 25, Amanda was Head of Consumer & Brand Marketing at Google Kenya, where she developed several award winning campaigns spanning 35 countries. Amanda joined Google from the United Nations Development Programme, where she led content development of critical donor relations publications, securing funding of over $100 million. Prior to that, at the UN World Food Programme in Italy, she was part of the core team behind WFP's social media edu-tainment video game - Food Force.
 
Amanda is an UNLEASH SDG Innovation Global Talent, TechWomen Emerging Leader, Change Agent ABIE Award Winner, American Express Ashoka Emerging Innovator, and Tony Elumelu Entrepreneurship Fellow. Amanda is also a two-time recipient of the Young Communicator of the Year award bestowed by the Public Relations Society of Kenya.  A respected thought leader on STEAM education, entrepreneurship and innovation, Amanda regularly contributes to a number of national media outlets and speaks regularly at entrepreneurial and tech events across the region.

Amanda has also scaled the Alps, Mount Kenya and Snowdonia mountains.

Qualifications


Degree in journalism and psychology - United States International University - Africa
Master's degree - Leeds Business School, UK
Post-graduate diploma in Global Social and Sustainable Enterprise - Colorado State University

Programs


2016 Archbishop Desmond Tutu Leadership Fellow

 

About AFLI

 

AFLIICONCROPPED

 

The African Leadership Institute (AFLI) focuses on building the capacity and capability of visionary and strategic leadership across the continent. Developing exceptional leaders representing all spheres of society, the Institute’s flagship programme is the prestigious Archbishop Tutu Leadership Fellowship. Offering a multifaceted learning experience and run in partnership with Oxford University, it is awarded annually to 20-25 carefully chosen candidates, nominated from across Africa. Alumni of the African Leadership Institute form a dynamic network of Fellows passionately committed to the continent’s transformation, bridging the divide between nations and ensuring that Africa is set centre-stage in global affairs.