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Kosala Hewamadduma
Global Marketing Head and CMO for Asia Pacific, NAMET and Africa at UpfieldKosala currently serves as a Global Marketing Head and CMO for Asia Pacific, NAMET and Africa for Upfield (the number one plant-based company globally, in 90 countries, and is famous for brands like Flora, BlueBand, Proactive and Rama).
He has over 22 years of rich and diverse experiences in multinationals (Unilever & Upfield) across different geographies from Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, South Africa, Ivory Coast, Turkey, and the Netherlands. He has fortunate to have worked in Europe, Asia, Africa, Middle East and LATAM, and in different categories, namely home care, personal care and foods, global, regional, and local roles. Before moving to consumer-packaged goods, he was an investment banker and specialized in mega infrastructure projects.
Kosala carries extensive experience in strategy and execution, coupled with business transformation, turnaround, market development and building purpose-driven brands. His passion is to make winning elite high-performance teams with inclusivity and diversity. Before his current role, Kosala was the chief marketing officer for Asia, Africa and the Middle East in Unilever’s Spreading, Cooking and Baking business. He has successfully spearheaded a business transformation in each of his roles while unlocking sustainable growth and brand purpose. He has a strong track record of insightful breakthrough innovations and rolling out across globally.
Kosala is a Chartered Management Accountant (ACMA & GCMA) and Chartered Marketer (FCIM-UK). He also holds a Commonwealth Executive MBA, MSc in Digital Leadership (UK), Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing (UK), and a Postgraduate in Digital Marketing (UK). He was an active member at CIMA (Sri Lanka), served as an education board member for UNISA (South Africa) and has over ten years of lecturing experience at the CIMA & CIM strategic level. Kosala is a Sri Lankan based in Amsterdam. He enjoys reading, martial arts, cross-fit and mentoring start-up founders and emerging young leaders across geographies outside of work.
Karen Hamilton
Former Global Vice President Sustainability, Unilever & Business Sustainability AdvisorA commercially-focused sustainability leader, Karen has over 30 years’ experience in a leading FMCG organisation, driving impact, sales and market share across global brands and areas such as climate change, plastics, the circular economy and sustainably sourced agricultural materials.
Karen spearheaded the creation of Unilever’s ground-breaking Sustainable Living Plan. During her time at Unilever, the company topped the Globescan Sustainability Leader Survey for over a decade, and its ‘sustainable living brands’, e.g. Dove, ‘Dirt is Good’, Lifebuoy, Ben & Jerry’s, grew twice as fast as the rest of the portfolio.
Prior to her career in sustainability, Karen held senior business, strategic as well as marketing positions at Unilever, leading brands including Rexona deodorant and Axe/Lynx body spray.
Mike Otieno
Co-Founder & President of WowziMike Otieno is an innovative executive with over 10 years of proven visionary leadership and execution experience. Mike is currently Co-Founder & President of Wowzi, an end-to-end influencer marketing platform connecting influencers and brands.
In the past he has been a trusted advisor to major corporations in Kenya. Some of his notable projects include supporting Credit Bank to set up eHub, an SME support program designed to offer access to capital, strategic advice, capacity building and ignite the growth of SMEs in Kenya. He has also helped build a culture of bottom-up innovation for Britam, the largest insurance company in East and Central Africa, where he supported the set up of the Britam Innovation Hub and developed the Idea portal.
Mike has also worked at GrowthAfrica. Africa’s largest accelerator program with a presence in Kenya, Uganda, Ethiopia, Malawi and Zambia. He spent his time in GrowthAfrica accelerating startups through making them investor-ready, strengthening their leadership capabilities and helping them refine their business models.
Before this Mike gained solid experience working with renowned global consulting firms, Mckinsey & Company, and the Palladium Group. At Palladium he worked on major transformation projects for major financial institutions and parastatals in East Africa. At McKinsey he was part of the team that designed and implemented the Generation Program, which has now grown to be the largest youth unemployment program in the world active in nine countries, 98 cities and 250 sites.
Mike leads the largest expatriate business and networking forum in Nairobi with 991 members from 95 countries. As a positive disruptor, his focus is on how to amplify impact, improve or reinvent existing business models and revolutionize markets. His innovative Fellows programme supports Young Kenyans who studied in Harvard, Yale, Columbia, Stanford, MIT and Oxford by connecting them with opportunities back home. Bridging vision with real-world execution, he has successfully implemented market innovations in public, private and social sectors- unleashing exponential growth. Since 2008, the projects and ventures he had the privilege to lead, have impacted millions of people and created over $20 million in economic value to the stakeholders.
Muthoni Laibuta
South East Asia and Taiwan Business Unit Director, Board Member and Executive CoachAward-winning Marketing Commercial Leader with a consistent history of driving insight-led multi-million pound growth, across multiple geographies (Southeast Asia Taiwan & Subsaharan Africa), multiple industries (FMCG & Healthcare), and at various levels of the organisation (Regional & Local OPCO). She currently serves at Haleon as the Business Unit Director for Southeast Asia and Taiwan.
Muthoni is a Board Member to the largest Design Thinking Practice in SEA (Human Inc); and Asia’s first economic think tank that drives both education and consultancy for Governments and Corporates across Southeast Asia (CME). Her passion for purpose-driven businesses is the reason why she is an Executive Coach to SME and Start-Up Executives working on ESG initiatives.
Peter Waweru
Head of Brand & Marketing at Absa Bank KenyaPeter is an ardent Marketing & Communications practitioner with over 15 years of experience across different sectors, including Information Technology, Hospitality, and Financial Services, part of which were roles in Senior Leadership. He has extensive experience in Strategy, Business Development, and Integrated Marketing Communication, with the ability to effectively drive meaningful connections between brands and their stakeholders.
He is currently the Head of Marketing at Absa Bank Kenya PLC. Prior to joining Absa, Peter worked at Sarova Hotels as a Group Head of Marketing.
He has a proven track record of identifying marketing needs within businesses and formulating relevant campaigns to bridge the gap between a brand/product and the intended audience. As an expert in delivering brand and commercial value, Peter has horned the art of leveraging innovative sponsorship opportunities to advance the business agenda, including through global sports properties like the popular English Premier League (EPL) and the world-class Magical Kenya Open Golf Tournament.
In addition to his responsibilities at Absa, Peter is passionate about sustainable value creation for organisations and their stakeholders, ultimately impacting lives.
Beatrice Njiraini
Regional Sales Manager in Ad Tech at EskimiBeatrice is a seasoned Ad Tech Regional Manager with over 12 years of experience in digital and programmatic advertising for leading brands in East and Sub-Saharan Africa. She brings a proven track record of driving revenue growth through strategic sales initiatives and effective leadership in the digital advertising ecosystem. She is a passionate and strategic leader who delivers innovative solutions to drive revenue and customer success in various markets.
Stanley Mwangi
Chief Executive Officer at Adbud Tech LimitedUnlocking Success in E-Commerce and Data Analytics: Meet a Seasoned Marketing and Commercial Leader.
With a wealth of experience, I specialize in cultivating and expanding e-commerce ventures and harnessing the power of data and audience analytics. My expertise spans strategic man and woman management, fostering team cohesion and motivation. Proficient in digital business modeling, I excel in crafting effective B2C strategies, mastering customer acquisition and retention, and implementing innovative pricing approaches.
My journey has traversed the dynamic business landscapes of Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, Rwanda, Ethiopia, UK, and Norway enriching my understanding of diverse markets and consumer behaviors. Join me in shaping the future of digital commerce and data-driven strategies."
Emily Kinuthia, MBA
Marketing Manager at CFAO Motors KenyaEmily Kinuthia is responsible for growth-led marketing strategy development and execution, focusing on intuitive marketing and communication solutions through insight-led customer engagements. In her marketing strategic lead position, she emphasizes identifying and telling authentic brand stories that demonstrate tangible value for differentiated mobility solutions to valued customers.
Passionate about transforming and empowering businesses and lives, Emily is an intuitive leader and coach who unlocks team potential and delivers results through others. Her leadership fosters an environment where creativity and excellence thrive.
As the Marketing Manager at CFAO Motors Kenya, Emily leads the development and execution of marketing strategies and campaigns for the automotive division, overseeing a portfolio of 11 brands. She leverages her MBA in Leadership and Entrepreneurship, her BA in Communication and Business Administration, and her extensive knowledge of the African market to deliver impactful and innovative solutions that drive growth, customer satisfaction, and brand loyalty.
With over 18 years of experience in marketing, brand building, and communication, Emily has collaborated with leading organizations in the advertising, financial, and technology sectors, managing multinational brands and creating meaningful consumer engagements. Her expertise spans branding, communication, online marketing, new business development, and social media marketing. She is also an entrepreneur, speaker, brand consultant, and executive who values collaboration, creativity, and excellence.
Emily is committed to building a digital-first mobility solutions brand that will generate shareholder value and transform the automotive industry on the continent. Her passion for growing brands and tackling complex business issues drives her to continually seek innovative approaches that lead to sustainable success.
Dr. Gamaliel Hassan, Phd
CEO of STIMA DT SACCO SOCIETY LIMITEDGamaliel Hassan is a holder of a Ph. D and MBA in Strategic Management, BA (Economics), CPA (K) and CPS (K) in good standing. Hassan holds certifications in Financial Coaching, Advanced Management Program (AMP), Senior Management Leadership Program (SMLP), Credit Union Development Educator (CUDE), Advanced Africa Development Educator (AADE), African Development Educator (ADE). He is also a Certified Islamic Finance Executive (CIFE) and Advanced CIFE in Accounting and Financial Analysis.
Dr. Hassan has the ability to balance processes and structures with creativity and intuitive judgment and believes in the unseen potential for people that brings unity to diversity. Hassan was recognized as among the 50 most influential and inspirational CEOs in Kenya
Kai Ibrahim
Digital, Marketing, and Communications Strategist at JambojetKai Khalid is a seasoned marketing professional with over 8 years of experience crafting and implementing digital strategies that drive results. As a key member of the Jambojet marketing team, Kai is responsible for developing and executing the airline's digital marketing strategy, contributing to the company's growth and success in the competitive East African aviation market. A passionate advocate for the transformative power of AI in marketing, Kai believes that embracing technology is essential for achieving success in today's dynamic business landscape.
Eric Schmidt
CEO of GlueUpAs the CEO of Glue Up, Eric’s primary focus is on delivering innovative cloud solutions that help Glue Up customers transform their professional communities and enhance relationships. With a remarkable track record spanning over two decades, Eric has a history of founding and nurturing several successful companies from their inception. His extensive expertise also includes significant involvement in venture capital and private equity investments.
Eric Schmidt has been at the helm of Glue Up as its CEO since 2013. Under his visionary leadership, the company not only navigated the challenges of global expansion and the impact of the COVID pandemic but also successfully embraced the recent AI revolution. Thanks to his guidance, the Glue Up platform now incorporates cutting-edge AI features, further enhancing its value to Glue Up customers. Eric orchestrated the evolution of Glue Up from a fledgling technology startup into a prominent player in the realm of engagement management software. This platform caters to associations, chambers, and corporations across more than 60 countries, positioning Glue Up as a global leader.
Beyond his role at Glue Up, Eric is deeply engaged in his local community. He has served as a valued member of AmCham China's Board of Governors in both 2017 and 2018. His profound knowledge of digital technologies and business practices has earned him recognition as an authority in the field. His insights and accomplishments have been featured in prominent media outlets, including The Wall Street Journal, Financial Times, Baron's, BBC, CCTV, China Daily, and various other reputable sources.
Eric's adventurous spirit extends beyond the boardroom. Notably, he embarked on a unique journey, tracing Marco Polo's historic route from Beijing, China to Venice, Italy, all by bicycle. This remarkable feat was made possible through sponsorship from esteemed companies like Nike and Phillips.
Brian Njagi
Creative Director of Ogilvy AfricaBrian Njagi is currently a Creative Director at Ogilvy Africa and formerly at Dentsu playing the same role. He is also the current chairperson of the Digital Marketing Awards Committee and a coach at the London International Awards. He has won multiple awards from the Loeries, MSK, Pitcher Awards, Cristal Awards and more. He has also judged at The Loeries, MSK, Next Creative Leaders and Pitcher Awards. He is the winner of the inaugural Kenya Creative Hackathon, been named in the Top 50 Young Loeries Creatives 2020, Top 100 Young Guns 2020 and was Kenya’s representative to the the inaugural Loeries Youth Committee. He enjoys coaching, mentoring, gardening and nurturing animals.
Timothy Oriedo
Founder and CEO of Predictive Analytics LabTimothy Oriedo, Founder and CEO of Predictive Analytics Lab, is a seasoned entrepreneur, certified executive coach, and data scientist with a diverse background in leadership roles within the Financial, Media, and Marketing industries. Operating in Kenya, Tanzania, and the UK, his company specializes in developing data strategies, creating predictive models, and designing algorithms for various sectors. Beyond his entrepreneurial pursuits, Oriedo is a certified Executive and Business Coach, leveraging his expertise in coaching programs at Strathmore Business School, including those focused on COVID-19 accelerated Digital Transformation and Data Transformation. His extensive coaching experience spans diverse industries, covering clients from banking, telecommunications, retail, manufacturing, government, and SMEs.
With a rich educational background, including certifications from MIT, a Master's in Organizational Leadership, and ongoing pursuit of a Ph.D. in Corporate Governance, Oriedo is also a Certified Chartered Marketer with postgraduate diplomas in Marketing and Public Relations. As a lecturer and executive trainer, he imparts knowledge at postgraduate levels on Digital Strategy, Effective Website Design Strategy, and Data Analytics for Healthcare System Management. Additionally, Oriedo is a certified Lean IIOT Developer, contributing to the promotion of Smart factory and robotics automation in the manufacturing industry. Recognized as a subject matter expert and influencer, he is a seasoned keynote speaker on Blockchain and Big Data, addressing diverse audiences, including marketers.
In his role as CEO of Predictive Analytics Lab, Oriedo has achieved significant milestones, including company registration with regulatory bodies like NITA and TVET, obtaining professional accreditations and strategic partnerships in multiple African countries, raising capital through various means, and crafting a comprehensive business strategy. His leadership has led to the expansion of the company through joint ventures and the establishment of new offices in Tanzania. Notably, Oriedo spearheaded the development of location intelligence software launched in seven African countries through the subsidiary company Xavana Ltd, demonstrating his commitment to innovation and technological advancements in the 4th Industrial Revolution.