Faustina-Fynn-Nyame-Executive-Director-Childrens-Investment-Fund-Foundation
As the 9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference takes place in Kigali, Rwanda, from June 11–13, 2025, Faustina Fynn-Nyame’s participation as a keynote speaker brings critical insight into advancing health and development through strategic philanthropy.
She currently serves as Executive Director, Africa, at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF).
At CIFF, she is overseeing major investment portfolios in adolescent health, nutrition, climate resilience, and clean water access.
With over 20 years of experience in public health and development, Fynn-Nyame brings a sharp focus to conversations about power, proximity, and African leadership in philanthropy.
From Nursing to Global Strategy
Fynn-Nyame’s career began in nursing before moving into management roles in London’s health sector.
Her academic journey includes a bachelor’s degree in social sciences from Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology in Ghana.
She also earned a master’s in demography and health from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine, earned in 1999.
Her transition into global public health began in the early 2000s, when she joined Marie Stopes International.
Between 2005 and 2010, she served as Country Director for both Ghana and Kenya, overseeing efforts to expand access to reproductive health services.
Her leadership emphasized strong partnerships with governments and communities, focusing on integrated, rights-based care for women and girls.
She later served as Global Director of Health Systems at MSI Reproductive Choices, helping embed reproductive health services into national delivery systems across Africa, Asia, and Latin America.
A Strategic Shift into Philanthropy
In 2017, Fynn-Nyame joined CIFF and brought with her the practical experience of frontline healthcare leadership.
She was appointed Executive Director for Africa in 2023, becoming one of the few African women leading continental portfolios in a major global philanthropic foundation.
Her role at CIFF involves overseeing wide-ranging programs from child nutrition and neglected tropical diseases to water, sanitation, hygiene, and adolescent reproductive health.
Her approach focuses on aligning funding with local realities, strengthening public systems, and ensuring that African-led solutions are prioritized at every level.
She has also supported efforts to make funding cycles more responsive to on-the-ground timelines and local capacities, rather than externally imposed frameworks.
Supporting Systems, Not Just Projects
Throughout her career, Fynn-Nyame has been involved in building systems that can serve communities sustainably.
Whether managing service delivery programs or shaping investment strategies, her focus has remained on long-term impact over short-term fixes.
She has been involved in various advisory roles in health and development, particularly in advancing reproductive justice, youth well-being, and women’s leadership.
Her consistent interest in data, systems-building, and leadership development reflects a broader shift within philanthropy toward deeper, more meaningful partnerships with African institutions.
A Timely Presence in Kigali
Her presence at the East Africa Philanthropy Conference comes at a moment when global funders are being asked to re-examine their roles not only as donors, but as long-term partners.
The conference, which focuses on rethinking models of giving through the lens of equity and African agency, mirrors the themes that have defined Fynn-Nyame’s career.
Her leadership at CIFF adds weight to ongoing discussions around funding reform, decolonising aid, and investing in local capacity.
She brings both policy knowledge and frontline experience, making her a vital contributor to this year’s agenda.
Recognition and Influence
Fynn-Nyame’s influence has been recognized beyond her program work.
In 2021, she was listed among the 100 Most Influential African Women for her leadership in health and rights across the continent.
Her career reflects a clear path from clinical care to continental strategy, rounded in the belief that African countries should not only benefit from funding but help define how it is used.
Her work continues to shape how philanthropy operates in Africa, not just as a support system, but as a space for African-led change.
