Sebule Nambohe Solomon is a professional teacher educator and social worker by practice based in Mbale City, Uganda. He holds a master’s degree in education planning and management from TEAM University, a bachelor’s degree in education from Islamic University in Uganda, as well as a Post Graduate Diploma and Diploma in Education.

With over 6 years of professional experience, Solomon has developed expertise in program management skills, strong leadership, team supervision, stakeholder engagement, report writing, Budget management, capacity building, facilitation and coordination skills. He is a resourceful professional who excels at building and strengthening management teams to maximize organizational performance and efficiency. His ability to plan, implement, and monitor projects has contributed to the successful delivery of dynamic and impactful programs including serving as a Teaching Methodology Advisor with VSO in Rwanda, where he led in Coaching and mentoring teachers. He also worked as a Program Officer for Education and Child Protection with Save the Children International in Uganda, where he provided technical support and Coordination of the education project in Bidibidi Refugee settlement leading to the overall improvement in Education interventions.

His career also includes a role of Learning Support Coordinator with Mott MacDonald-SESIL project in Uganda, where he focused on ensuring inclusive education for all children and strengthening community structures. Throughout his career, he has been recognized for his ability to coordinate complex projects, manage resources, and maintain effective communication among teams and stakeholders to ensure timely and successful project completion.

He remains committed to leveraging his expertise in education and social work to drive positive change and improve the lives of communities, particularly in the areas of education and child protection.

Aside from his professional pursuits, Solomon finds joy in contributing and supporting his community where his abilities can afford. His interests are making new friends and watching football.

 

Catherine Ngatia is an expert in higher education administration and a visionary employee with a keen sense for strategy and forward-thinking. With 12 years of extensive experience in leading, designing, developing, and implementing processes and policies in both corporate and non-profit organizations, Catherine has consistently demonstrated her expertise and dedication to improving organizational efficiency and effectiveness.

In her previous role, she served as the Executive Assistant to the CEO at Securex Agencies, where she was instrumental in streamlining executive functions and supporting strategic initiatives. Her strong background in administrative leadership has paved the way for her current position as the Regional Admin Officer at the Regional Education Learning Initiative (RELI). In this role, she oversees administrative operations within different organizations, ensuring that all processes align with the organization's mission and goals.

Catherine holds a degree in Business Administration and Management with a specialization in Procurement and Supply Chain Management from St. Paul’s University in Nairobi. To further enhance her professional capabilities, she is currently pursuing a professional certification in Project Management at Computer Pride. Her continuous commitment to professional development underscores her dedication to maintaining high standards of excellence in her

Dr. Irene Nyamu is an experienced Southern Childhood Studies scholar, social policy analyst, and child protection expert. With a deep commitment to advancing children’s rights, welfare, and protection, she has held key leadership roles, including as inaugural CEO of Childline Kenya. Under her leadership, Childline Kenya transitioned into an independent national organization, successfully managing the challenges of growth, governance, and resource mobilization. Irene has a solid understanding of education issues having worked as an academic and taught in public universities (Kenyatta University and University of the Western Cape) as well as private ones (Strathmore University). She is also the current chairperson of Women Educational Researchers of Kenya (WERK) a research and advocacy organisation focusing on gender and education concerns in Kenya and beyond Irene’s research interests in young people’s rights, passion for improving public education, and advocating for children’s rights, combined with her vast experience in leadership and governance, uniquely position her to lead RELI Africa in its next phase of growth.

Gaudence who holds bachelor’s and master’s degrees in Community Economic Development from Sokoine University of Agriculture in Tanzania works as the Country Coordinator, Tanzania Chapter with the responsibility of coordinating the RELI work in the thematic groups, facilitating communication with stakeholders, development partners, and within the network between members and leadership. He is also responsible for representing the network in various occasions and platforms, developing, and managing linkages with the government. In program implementation, he oversees the implementation of the country chapter strategy and the growth of the network.

Gaudence has over 10 years in the civil society space within East Africa in different capacities in National and International NGOs including coordinating a country-level research project in Tanzania with the World University Service of Canada (WUSC) in 2016, Sector Program Specialist with WUSC from 2017 to 2020 where he a five-year project in technical and employability skills development for youth and women in Tanzania. He specializes predominantly in the development of new projects, delivering projects effectively, monitoring and evaluation of projects and to the highest possible standards, facilitating and catalyzing learning in program implementation, evidence generation, and policy influencing.

Having worked in RELI for over three years, he believes that education is a powerful tool to address diverse forms of marginalization and poverty in developing countries, and as such his interest in working in civil societies focusing on developing and implementing education projects that emphasize skills development, data-driven assessment, and building competencies to enable young people to thrive in life.

As a CPA(K), Irene is a registered Member of the Institute of Certified Public Accountants of Kenya (ICPAK) and holds a Master of Business Administration (Finance) Degree from the University of Nairobi as well as a Bachelor of Education Degree from Egerton University. She has extensive experience in both Practice and Industry; having worked across various industries as head of finance. She has a proven track record of accomplishing challenging goals and creating value by setting a vision and focus to succeed. These positions have given her extensive hands-on experience in senior management and finance. Irene has interacted and coordinated with various stakeholders including bankers, auditors, consultants, and business partners. As a member of executive teams, her responsibilities have diversified from assisting in formulating the entities’ future direction to developing financial strategies and monitoring the implementation of strategic plans.

Irene is the Senior Finance Officer at RELI Africa, overseeing the financial and administrative functions to ensure the development and implementation of up-to-date appropriate administrative, financial policies and procedures. She is also in charge of establishing and implementing internal controls, policies, and systems that align with approved strategic initiatives. Irene’s work revolves around the financial management and reporting activities for RELI Africa including budget planning as well as supporting the executive management team in offering insights and financial advice for decision-making for the RELI network.

Nyambura brings a decade of valuable experience to the field of education as a Country Coordinator, Kenya Chapter. Prior to her role at the Regional Education Learning Initiative Africa (RELI Africa), she served as a Research Officer at the African Population and Health Research Center for five years. During this time, she held the responsibility of managing the urban education project.

One of her key strengths is her proven track record in project management. Nyambura has successfully executed various projects across East Africa, showcasing her ability to navigate the intricate landscape of education in the region with efficiency and efficacy. This experience has honed her skills in project planning, execution, and monitoring, ensuring that initiatives are carried out smoothly and achieve their intended goals.

Nyambura possesses a keen insight into the education policies and political dynamics of Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania. This knowledge allows her to adeptly synthesize complex educational issues within the context of these countries.

She has also authored articles, blogs, op-eds and contributed to scientific writing on relevant educational topics. This commitment to sharing knowledge and insights reflects her passion for the sector and a desire to contribute to meaningful discourse and solutions.

Nyambura holds a bachelor’s degree in environmental studies and Community Development and is currently pursuing a Master of Science in Environmental Health at Kenyatta University, which enhances her ability to address the broader context of health and well-being within the education sector.

Philip Makori is a seasoned communication and public relations specialist with a diverse background in journalism and strategic communication. With writing skills, Philip has effectively crafted communication strategies for various public and private entities, non-governmental organizations, and individuals. Currently serving as the Senior Officer-Communications for the Regional Education Learning Initiative (RELI), Philip develops and implements communication strategies aligned with organizational goals, manages social media platforms, and produces quality advocacy materials. He brings a wealth of experience in media relations, branding, and event management.

Prior to his current role, Philip worked as a Senior Communications Consultant at Shillavy Communications, where he managed web and social media platforms, curated, and executed strategic campaigns for clients, and contributed to business development efforts. He also served as a Communications Consultant for the Conservation Alliance of Kenya, where he updated membership databases, drafted media invites, and assisted in event management and stakeholder mobilization. With a passion for storytelling and a commitment to excellence, Philip has consistently enhanced brand visibility across various platforms.

As we work towards establishing RELI Africa as a thought leader in education, Philip will enhance communication within RELI, taking it to the next level and showcasing its impact.