Irene Muinde Executive Director Impact Africa Network
Impact Africa Network has appointed Irene Muinde as its new Executive Director, effective April 2025.
The Nairobi-based innovation hub announced the leadership change as part of its commitment to fostering inclusive entrepreneurship and innovation across Africa.
With 16 years of experience in development and youth empowerment, Muinde will lead efforts to expand opportunities and strengthen innovation ecosystems for young Africans across the continent.
“Africa’s future is being written by its youth—creative, resilient, and ready to shape a new narrative,” Muinde wrote in a LinkedIn post following the announcement.
“Our mission is bold and clear: to build inclusive ecosystems, forge transformative partnerships, and scale initiatives that empower the next generation of African visionaries and leaders.”
Academic Background
Muinde earned a Bachelor of Arts in Social Sciences (Social Work) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in 2007.
She later completed a Master of Business Administration (MBA) in Human Resources Management at Kenyatta University in 2015.
Career in Development and Youth Empowerment
She began her development career in 2008 as a Social Worker at GIZ, where she worked on the Urban Refugees Assistance Program until 2011.
From 2012 to 2015, she served as Social Behaviour Change Communications Coordinator at Population Services Kenya under the Tunza Family Health Network, leading health-focused programs for underserved communities.
In 2016, Muinde joined One Girl Can (OGC) in Kenya as Program Manager, a role she held until August 2019.
She later returned as Executive Director, Kenya, from May 2021 to April 2024, overseeing programs that provided scholarships, mentorship, and life skills to young women.
During her tenure, she supported numerous girls in transitioning into leadership roles.
In 2024, she worked as a Program Management Consultant at SDGs Kenya Forum, supporting the implementation of the Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment project funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation.
Her contributions spanned operational delivery and strategic development of gender-focused programs and SDG initiatives.
Governance and Advisory Roles
Outside her formal roles, Muinde has served on the Board of Mbooni Girls’ High School since January 2019 and as Secretary to the Board of One Girl Can since September 2019.
These roles reflect her ongoing commitment to girl-focused education and leadership development.
Leading Impact Africa Network
As Executive Director at Impact Africa, Muinde will lead a team focused on building inclusive innovation ecosystems, scaling high-impact programs, and strengthening partnerships that enable youth to thrive in emerging sectors.
About Impact Africa Network
Impact Africa Network is a Nairobi-based non-profit startup studio founded in 2019.
The organization supports recent college graduates through a 12-month fellowship program that equips them with professional skills and innovation experience.
By enabling young people to join and build startups, the network aims to foster a new generation of African entrepreneurs participating actively in the continent’s digital transformation.
Since its inception, the organization has supported over 100 fellows and helped launch several startups, contributing to job creation and economic empowerment in Africa.
