Janet Mawiyoo - CEO, Galvanizing Africa Consult. photo courtesy
Janet Mawiyoo is a distinguished figure in African philanthropy, renowned for her leadership in building resilient, community-driven development institutions.
Her work emphasizes empowering local actors and fostering sustainable solutions through indigenous giving.
As the 9th East Africa Philanthropy Network (EAPN) Conference convenes in Kigali, Rwanda, from June 11 to 13, 2025, Janet’s insights come at a pivotal moment for the continent’s philanthropic landscape.
Educational Background
Janet holds a Bachelor of Arts in Social Work from the University of Nairobi (1978–1981).
She furthered her studies with a Master’s degree in Development Administration and Management (MA-Econ) from the University of Manchester, UK (1997–1998).
Additionally, she earned a Postgraduate Diploma in Organization Development Consultancy from the Swiss Institute of Applied Psychology.
Her academic foundation has been instrumental in shaping her approach to organizational development and community empowerment.
Professional Experience
Janet began her career in the public sector, serving in the Ministry of Culture and Social Services (1982–1988), where she led the Family Life Training Programme.
She then transitioned to the Norwegian Agency for Development Cooperation (NORAD) as a Programme Officer (1989–1990).
In 1991, she joined ActionAid Kenya, where she led the NGO Support Programme until 1997.
From 1998 to 2000, she played a pivotal role in establishing ActionAid Tanzania, serving as the Country Representative.
She was subsequently appointed as the first Country Director from 2000 to 2004, during which she developed the organization’s inaugural strategic plan, assembled its foundational team, and secured funding for early programmes.
Under her leadership, ActionAid Tanzania gained national recognition for its work in education, particularly in remote regions.
In August 2004, Janet took the helm of the Kenya Community Development Foundation (KCDF) as Executive Director, a position she held until June 2021. KCDF is the first community foundation in East and Central Africa.
Under her leadership, it evolved into a prominent African philanthropic institution.
She was instrumental in developing long-term funding strategies, establishing a perpetual Trust to oversee KCDF’s assets, constructing KCDF Plaza, a five-story commercial office building, and expanding the endowment fund, which is managed by professional fund managers.
These initiatives significantly increased the foundation’s assets and financial sustainability.
Current Role at Galvanizing Africa Consult
After her tenure at KCDF, Janet founded Galvanizing Africa Consult (GAC), where she serves as an Executive Leadership Coach and Organizational Development Consultant.
Since 2022, she has been supporting African organizations, corporate partners, and high-net-worth families in strategic philanthropy, governance, and institutional development.
Her work continues to focus on enabling local actors to lead their development agendas effectively.
Anticipated Contributions to the Kigali Conference
At the Kigali conference, themed “Systemic Philanthropy: Shifting Power, Building Resilience,” Janet is expected to share her extensive experience in building sustainable, community-rooted institutions and strategies for local resource mobilization.
Her insights align with the conference’s objectives to explore innovative financial models, strengthen multi-sectoral collaboration, and reimagine philanthropy’s governance structures in response to evolving challenges.
Janet’s approach to philanthropy emphasizes shifting power dynamics and building resilience within African communities.
She advocates for development approaches that are context-specific and community-driven.
Her presence at the conference is anticipated to inspire discussions on rethinking philanthropic models to reflect local agency, sustainability, and ownership.
As she addresses the 9th East Africa Philanthropy Conference in Kigali, her insights are expected to inspire continued efforts towards shifting power, building resilience, and anchoring philanthropy in African ownership.
