The people you came to meet

Susan Ndungu is Head of SME Banking at NCBA Bank Kenya, bringing over 20 years of banking experience with a focus on solutioning for micro, small, medium, and corporate businesses.

She leads the development and execution of strategies to empower small and medium-sized enterprises across Kenya, with an approach centered on sustainable growth, tailored financial solutions, and a deep understanding of local market dynamics to drive resilience within the SME sector. Susan currently oversees 100 branches and more than 100 branch relationship managers who champion the SME banking agenda across the network.

Michael Maddy is Chief Executive Officer and Co-Founder of Fleet Planner, a Kenya-based logistics technology company using AI to transform fleet management and supply chain operations across East Africa. The platform improves fleet efficiency, real-time logistics visibility, and operational optimization. In his role, Michael leads revenue growth, market expansion, and customer adoption across a diverse portfolio of logistics and transport clients.

He brings cross-industry experience spanning fintech, healthtech, mortgage banking, and logistics, and has driven business development, strategic partnerships, and market-entry initiatives with global organizations including Wells Fargo, Boeing, and Warner Bros. Discovery, with a focus on systems integration and operational efficiency.

Michael is recognized for his expertise in technology commercialization, revenue strategy, and logistics innovation. He holds a Master's degree and a Bachelor of Science in Education, and serves as a lecturer at Africa International University (AIU).

Dr. Henry Yatich is a senior research fellow and the Principal, College of Graduate Studies and Research at Mount Kenya University specializing in research governance and innovation management. He is a Certified Innovation Manager with over 15 years of experience in leading high-impact donor-funded projects, with focus on university-business linkages, employability, and SME growth. He has been recognized for Improving the quality of business education by Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and awarded the Leading EU-AU Research and Innovation Success Story-2024 by Strengthening the Europe-Africa Digital Ecosystem (SEADE) under the ACCESS project 2020-2029.

Victor Sila is a Kenyan-born, San Francisco-based product builder and Founder of JuaPath, a voice-first, kid-safe AI learning platform for K–12 students. He has helped deploy AI shopping assistance at scale — at Amazon, he worked on Rufus, an AI shopping assistant that reached over 300 million customers and drove nearly $12 billion in incremental annualized sales. He currently leads AI-powered search experiences at Walmart, including the Sparky assistant.

In Kenya, JuaPath is running a live pilot across six schools with 600 Grade 12 students, focused on math, reading, and science exam readiness, built to function in low-connectivity environments. Victor believes the fastest path to AI-powered jobs is AI-powered skills, and brings a practical, on-the-ground perspective to help MSMEs and Kenya build the talent, trust, and economic value a strong national AI framework makes possible.

Dr. Hilda Muteshi is an expert in design and inclusive business modeling, holding a PhD in Business Administration (Marketing) and an MBA in Marketing. With more than 15 years of experience across the private sector and development, including 10 years in cross-sector research and consultancy, she focuses on human-centered and behavioral design, creating inclusive business models and scalable solutions that improve livelihoods, create jobs, and increase income for the Base of the Pyramid, while empowering youth and women economically.

Dr. Muteshi has led projects funded by GIZ, UNHCR, the EU, FCDO, FAO, BMZ, and GFFO, building the capacity of local structures to improve community resilience. She currently serves as lead consultant for lean innovation and entrepreneurship on the Somali Women Market Access Challenge, and previously worked as a public innovation consultant for the GovTech Kenya Innovation Challenge. She is committed to applied research, using co-creation and evidence-based, user-centric design thinking to build sustainable, shared-prosperity models across Africa.

Salome Ayugi serves as Associate Director of Special Projects and Kenya Operations at Sinapis, where she leads strategic partnerships, manages multi-country initiatives, and oversees operations across Kenya. She brings over 9 years of experience supporting startup growth, investment readiness, and business acceleration programs, including her prior role as Sinapis's Kenya Country Manager, where she managed large-scale entrepreneurship programs and drove regional strategy.

Salome holds a Bachelor's degree in Communication and Media Technology from Maseno University, with project management and leadership training from the Kenya Institute of Project Management and Strathmore Business School. She contributes to the startup ecosystem through mentorship, governance, and leadership, currently serving as Board Vice Chairperson of the Association of Startup and SME Enablers of Kenya (ASSEK).

Mercyline Binsari is Finance Manager at I Choose Life – Africa.

Thomas Ondigi is Managing Partner at Nolands Kenya.

Wanjau Nduba is Chairperson of Child's Mission Africa.

Nils Lindh is Founder of Naventure Nordic.

Jonathan Asena is Marketing Manager at Kimisitu DT Sacco.

Daniel Huba is Head of Markets and Partnership Execution for Growth Segments at Mastercard.

Duncan Levisohn is Associate Professor in Sustainable Enterprise at Jönköping International Business School, Jönköping University, Sweden.

Eric Nyamwaro is Partnerships Advisor at STEM Impact Center.

Ruth Mawia is CEO of Koola Waters.

Kelvin Karobio is Director of Biztimam Ventures Limited.

Jacqueline Tsuma is Chief Innovation Officer at Timbuktoo Foundation (UNDP).

Dr. Njeri Ngaruiya is a Lecturer in the School of Computing and Engineering Science at Strathmore University.

Esther Mwangi is Director of Research & Innovation at Zetech University.