New Leadership Takes the Helm: Aiducation International Kenya Announces CEO Transition and Introduces Board Members
Aiducation International is proud to announce a successful leadership transition in our Kenya Chapter with the official appointment of Harriet Were by the Kenya Board of Directors as the new Chief Executive Officer & Board Secretary effective 01.01.2023.
Harriet will be responsible for the day-to-day running of the organization in Kenya, taking over the mantle from our outgoing CEO and AiduTalent, George Jilani. Harriet’s appointment marks the end of a successful transition phase that started in early 2022 where she was properly onboarded and trained along the main operational focus of Aiducation in Kenya.
We would like to thank our outgoing CEO, George Jilani, for his hard work and dedication; being the chief custodian of our operations in Kenya for the last 4 years, through a very challenging transition of our headquarter offices from Watamu to Nairobi and steering the organization in Kenya through a global pandemic that threw the entire world into an unexpected new normal. His noticeable achievement in rebuilding a vibrant core team in Kenya, revamping our organizational processes, solidifying partnerships with key stakeholders, and eventually overseeing a successful leadership transition will continue to be appreciated at Aiducation. We wish you all the best in your new endeavours George!
STATEMENT BY GEORGE JILANI
“The time has come for me to continue with my journey outside an operational role at Aiducation. Effective 01.01.2023, I have retired officially as the CEO of Aiducation International Kenya with the appointment of Harriet Were as the new CEO by the Kenya Board of Directors. Moving forward, I will hold an Honorary Non-Executive Board President role for the Kenyan Chapter & will support Harriet and the Kenya Board in steering our mission of developing talents through scholarships for formal and informal learning to bright and needy students in Kenya. I would like to thank Aiducation for giving me the excellent opportunity to learn and grow within such a challenging leadership position since 2019. This role has had a big positive impact on my leadership style and the key lessons I learnt here will continue to shape the person I am becoming as I take on bigger challenges in the future.
My story would not be complete without the big hearts and incredible support of the passionate teams in Kenya and Switzerland. Thank you for leading me and for giving me the opportunity to lead you – Harriet, Michelle, Ednah, Boniface, Victor, Sheila, Lazarus, Matthias, Cynthia, Martin, Marc, Andrea, Maya, Florian, Jeremy – just to mention a few. We shared many high and low moments together. Your drive and energy continue to make the Aiducation dream a reality since our inception in 2007. I will keep in my heart all the cheerful memories we enjoyed at work and in the field. I hope our paths shall cross again and we will have many chances to engage and remain connected in the future.
For my next chapter, I am taking up a new role as Kenya's Country Director at Aiducation’s newest project partner, SchoolTry – a Swedish IT startup in the #EdTech space. SchoolTry started in Nigeria in 2018 and is now partnering with Aiducation to expand into Kenya within a for-impact cause; to provide digital school system management solutions to Aiducation’s partner schools and further to multiply positive impact in society through additional funding for scholarships & training programs for young high potentials. As the Kenya Country Director, I will be responsible initially for developing business for SchoolTry in Kenya and will support further within a strategic expansion plan for the rest of the continent of Africa in the next 5 to 10 years.
I will remain courageous and will continue to fly the Aiducation flag high wherever I go. My warmest regards, George.”
MEET OUR NEW AIK CEO – HARRIET WERE
"Thank you, George, for the role you have played at Aiducation. Your diligence and industry have taken the organization to new levels and left me with very big shoes to fill up. You have exhibited exemplary leadership and demonstrated the true mark of a leader by leaving the place better than you found it. We are deeply indebted to you, and I will endeavour to sustain that momentum. I have interacted with Aiducation for the past year and I am both challenged and motivated to take on the responsibilities as the Chief Executive Officer and steer the organization to the next level. As a passionate Social Justice practitioner, I am committed to transforming lives; and this opportunity enables me to do just that, especially for those who are vulnerable in society due to lack of access to education. Together with the Kenya team, we have already embarked on strategic partnerships which will develop our local Networks and support our initiative to ensure that our Talents get to finish well and potentially become Nation-builders.
MEET THE REST OF OUR AIK BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Odwuor Philip Odete
Mr Odete is a seasoned corporate commercial lawyer, he serves the Aiducation International Kenya organization as a member of the Board of Directors and advises on all matters Legal. In addition to his role on the board, Mr Odete advises the umbrella body, through the start-up fund and is dedicated to building resilient enterprises in Kenya and across Africa.
From time to time, Mr Odete makes his contribution to both the AIK board and the AI start-up fund entrepreneurs through training on corporate governance as well as policy and statutory compliance.
Mr Odete is a firm believer that the surest way to build a nation is to start by building its people.
“The surest way to transform/build the world is to start with the individual, by transforming the mind through education and creation of opportunities through entrepreneurship. I am convinced and excited about the opportunities Aiducation International Kenya will be creating in the days to come through investment in the education of some of our bright and needy children. It fills me with great joy and pride to be part of the Aiducation team and to have the space to contribute towards a better world and to really make an impact."
Anzazi Kiti
Anzazi Kiti is a seasoned entrepreneur; the brain behind the Chibundiro natural food seasoning product and a Business Mentor in Aiducation Start–up Entrepreneurs. She serves the Aiducation International Kenya organization as a member of the Board of Directors and advises on all matters Financial. In addition to coordinating financial activities, she ensures all operations are efficient, goals achieved and oversees the distribution of the nonprofit's scholarship funds to underserved students.
‘’ The most important thing is to know how to think, to be intrigued by mistakes, to enjoy effort, to serve and to keep on learning. We can all be great if we seek and find how to serve.’’
We are also pleased to introduce Matthias Meier and Marc Blumenfeld as part of our Board at Aiducation International Kenya. Matthias is the CEO of Aiducation International (Umbrella), our parent organization. He has been instrumental in driving the growth and success of our organization. Marc, on the other hand, is a legal expert with extensive experience in corporate and commercial law. He has been providing legal support to Aiducation International for several years and will be a valuable addition to our Board, providing guidance and support on legal matters.
We are thrilled to welcome our new CEO and the board members, and we look forward to the fresh perspectives and ideas they will bring to our organization. We are excited about the future of Aiducation International Kenya under this new leadership, and we remain committed to empowering and supporting bright and talented students across the country.
Published by Boniface