Board of Directors

Dr. John Mugo is the Executive Director of the Zizi Afrique Foundation, based in Nairobi, Kenya. His research and programs address key themes connected to Foundational Learning, Whole-youth Development, Parental Engagement and Empowerment, and Assessment of Core competencies and Values. He leads the Action for Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE)and collaborates with the Ministry of Education in using evidence to support 100% transition to Secondary School.

Previously, John headed the Uwezo learning assessments in East Africa and chaired the Department of Special Needs Education at Kenyatta University. An accomplished and well-published scholar, John holds a Doctorate and master’s degree in special needs education from the University of Hannover (Germany), and a Bachelor of Education (Music) from Kenyatta University. He supports the development of Africa’s and global education on many fronts.

Faith Muisyo is a dynamic leader specializing in Strategy Development, Operations, and Organizational Development. With her extensive experience across Africa in multimillion-dollar organizations, Faith has a proven track record in driving operational excellence, scaling impact, and strengthening institutional systems and teams. She is adept at working within board and executive teams to foster a collaborative culture and instill a strong sense of ownership among leaders and their teams. Faith’s accomplishments include significantly scaling beneficiaries through the LeadNow App, an innovative digital platform for professional development. She has successfully managed governance and risk, leading to substantial savings in potential fines and donor clawbacks. Faith has also increased funding through collaborative proposal development and led the development of a 5-Year Strategic Plan for Africa, which resulted in significant growth. Her core competencies lie in strategic program design and development, operational management, change strategy, corporate and board governance, organizational development strategy, legal risk and regulatory compliance, network building, training facilitation and coaching, stakeholder engagement and management, and program management.

Faith’s key appointments include Program Director at Dignitas Ltd., Kenya, and various leadership roles in organizations like Fairtrade Africa Ltd., South Africa, and World Vision International. Her experience in these roles has equipped her with critical insights into operational support, strategic oversight, advocacy, partnership development, and strategic growth.

Her educational background includes a Master of Science in Leadership and Change Management from Leeds Beckett University, UK, and a Bachelor of Science in Environmental Studies from Kenyatta University.

In board positions, Faith brings a wealth of experience and expertise, particularly in driving high standards, unique approaches to systemic challenges, and her extensive experience in donor relations. Her leadership is marked by a commitment to transformative change, operational excellence, and fostering a culture of collaboration and innovation.

Dr. Mauro Giacomazzi, an accomplished professional with a master’s degree in economics and a PhD in Education, currently holds the position of Technical Advisor for the Luigi Giussani Foundation (LGF). With a career spanning over 20 years, Dr. Giacomazzi has dedicated himself to fostering educational development in various local institutions across East Africa most especially in Uganda.

Presently, Dr. Giacomazzi plays a pivotal role as the Co-Principal Investigator of the Assessment of Life Skills and Values in East Africa (ALiVE) project. This initiative is a vital component of the Regional Education and Learning Initiative (RELI), aimed at transforming the educational landscape in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda. ALiVE’s primary focus is to bring about a significant transformation in the education systems of Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda by enhancing the nurturing of life skills and values using assessment tools that are customized to suit local settings. These tools evaluate essential skills and values such as self-awareness, collaboration, problem-solving, critical thinking, curiosity, creativity, and respect all with the ultimate objective to improve students’ overall quality of life and learning outcomes.

Beyond his involvement in assessment endeavors, Dr. Giacomazzi boasts extensive experience in designing professional development programs tailored to enhance teachers’ instructional skills. These programs specifically target the cultivation of higher-order thinking skills within the classroom. Collaborating closely with the Ministry of Education and Sports in Uganda, Dr. Giacomazzi actively contributes to the development of strategies for systemic improvements within the education sector.

Dr. Giacomazzi’s contributions are not limited to East Africa alone. He has extended his expertise to a diverse array of countries, including South Sudan, Kenya, Burundi, Rwanda, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Republic of Congo, Sierra Leone, Nigeria, Mozambique, Jordan, Lebanon, and Myanmar. In these regions, he has successfully developed and implemented programs aimed at continually enhancing the skills and expertise of teachers and education.

Beyond his professional commitments, Dr. Giacomazzi finds solace in reading and relishes the opportunity to connect with passionate educators from all corners of the world.