Plenary Speakers

Arif Neky is the Senior Advisor for UN Strategic Partnerships at United Nations and the National Coordinator of the SDG Partnership Platform in Kenya – co-created by the UN system and the Government of Kenya. He is also Chairman of the Task Force for the National Advisory Board (NAB) for Impact Finance – Kenya and a member of the Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance SAG (AVPA). He is Deputy Chairman of the Finance, Trade & Investment Network FINTRINET and a Trustee of the Agriculture Sector Network ASNET of Kenya, and an active Board member of the National Business Compact on Coronavirus NBCC.

He was the founding Coordinator of the first SDG Philanthropy Platform globally, Founding Co-Chair of the East Africa Philanthropy Network, Founding Vice Chairman of VIWANGO and helped co-create the Kenya Philanthropy Forum. Arif is currently active in broadening the SDG Partnership Platform in Kenya to unlock significant philanthropic, private intellectual and blended finance capital & collaborations to accelerate high priority SDG impacts.

His previous roles include Regional Director at Aga Khan Foundation and Regional Representative across Eastern Africa for the French & International Bank – Société Générale. Arif was also Founder and CEO of the Microsoft certified Academy of Learning in Vancouver, Canada.

Tendai Murisa is a development practitioner passionate about Africa. His work in philanthropy has focused on African High Net Worth Individuals (HNWIs) and their giving patterns, giving in Africa, and community foundations in Zimbabwe. His book, African Philanthropy: Evolution, Practice, and Change focuses on how philanthropy operates in Africa and the many forms of philanthropy across the continent. His other research in the development sector focus on citizens’ agency and solidarity, public policy, land and agrarian reforms in Zimbabwe and across the continent. He was educated at the University of Zimbabwe (ZW), Leeds (UK) and Rhodes University (SA).

James Gatere  has vast experience in managing corporate philanthropic networks and leading sustainable development projects in different organisations from various geographies in Africa.

As a strategic planner who clearly connects purpose to action with passion to shape and optimize opportunities, James has worked with not-for-profit organisations and led diverse teams in multiple-country projects. His experience includes program implementation, networking and collaboration, resource mobilization, knowledge management, and overseeing monitoring and evaluation systems. He holds a Bachelor of Science (Mathematics) degree from the University of Nairobi, has various qualifications in Project Management, People Management, and Accounting and is a Certified Mediator.

James is a man of faith who believes that God has a purpose for each and every one of us and our ultimate joy will come as we fulfil that purpose. He works to inspire hope, build trust and harness the collective skills of those he leads towards a common purpose.

“Would it matter to Africa that you were born and lived on this continent”?

Dr. Frank Aswani, is the CEO of Africa Venture Philanthropy Alliance (AVPA), a network of social investors who are collaborating to increase the flow of capital into social investments across Africa and ensure that the capital is deployed for maximum social impact. He’s Kenyan, living in Johannesburg, and holds a Veterinary Medicine degree from the University of Nairobi and an MBA from GIBS (Gordon Institute of Business Studies), University of Pretoria, South Africa. He presents extensive private and social sector experience. His previous roles include 14   years with Eli Lilly where he worked in Kenya, England, Switzerland, and South Africa. His last role at Lilly was Sales Director for South Africa and Regional Director for Sub-Sahara Africa where he managed over 25 countries in the region.  His other stints include; VP and Director of Strategic Relations at African Leadership Academy (ALA) in Johannesburg where he led ALA’s corporate partnerships, business development, and fundraising across Africa, Europe, Middle East, and the US. Frank is a passionate pan-African who believes that Africans should be at the forefront of solving our own problems.

Tiziano works as Senior Coordinator, Policy and Advocacy at WINGS, where he oversees the programs related to enabling environment for philanthropy. He is actively engaged in civil society and human rights promotion since 2004. Tiziano has developed and managed programs in the Middle East and the Balkans in partnership with the European Union and the UN. Back in Europe, he coordinated an advocacy network with Save the Children and the project design and the M&E in ActionAid.

Mosun Layode is a development professional with two decades of experience in international development and nonprofit leadership. She works extensively across Africa with established and emerging philanthropists who are committed to the sustainable and inclusive development of Africa.

Mosun was instrumental to the establishment of Africa Philanthropy Forum (APF) as an independent entity in Africa, increasing its reach and impact in the philanthropic community, as well as growing its brand and membership base. Prior to this, she served as the Executive Director of WIMBIZ and LEAP Africa, leading nonprofits in Nigeria.

She is passionate about the interplay of social issues and business.

Mosun founded Social Runway, a nonprofit organization that supports social innovators.