Women of Purpose · Nairobi 2026
Beyond
Representation.
What will women’s leadership build?
We gathered around a question.
The work continues beyond the room.
On 9 October 2026, women across business, finance, technology, health, education and civil society gathered in Nairobi to examine what becomes possible when women use their influence to strengthen institutions and expand opportunity.
Across generations and sectors, we explored what leadership requires of us, what must outlast us and what we owe the generation coming behind us.
Build Self · Build Institutions · Build FuturesOle Sereni · Nairobi,
Kenya
Before the Summit, there was a question at Karura.Discover
where Women of Purpose began →
The gathering in photographs.
The day unfolded on stage, around tables and through exchanges between women bringing different experiences to shared questions. From collective organising to the passing of the baton, we connected what we have inherited with what we carry forward.
Three connected responsibilities
Build Self. Build Institutions.
Build
Futures.
01 /
Build Self
Who must you become for what you want to build?
Develop the clarity, judgment and courage your next chapter requires.
Read more →
Crossroads alumni shared the personal work behind consequential transitions. Sarah Nderitu described discovering that working harder was insufficient: leadership also required influencing decisions, advocating for her team and bringing others along. Michelle Wanjiku explored extending her contribution into institutions and communities. Mary Kiguru reflected on pursuing a vision before every step was clear.
What must change in how you lead for the responsibility you are ready to carry?
02 /
Build Institutions
What will enable your institution to deliver at scale?
Build the systems, structures and capabilities that turn purpose into lasting impact.
Read more →
Institutions drive change at scale when purpose is translated into how they operate: how authority is exercised, resources are allocated, people are developed and results are measured.
Elizabeth Gathai described purpose embedded in everyday management—from staff responsibilities to questions about whose lives their work improved. Dr. Sheila Macharia explored developing colleagues, sharing authority and planning around local capabilities as external funding changes. Dr. Vongai Nyahunzvi challenged the frameworks through which institutions recognise potential and judge success.
Are our systems and structures enabling the change we seek—and can they carry it at greater scale?
03 /
Build Futures
What must we build for the next generation?
Shape the institutions, industries and opportunities tomorrow will require.
Read more →
If AI removes entry-level tasks, where will young people gain the experience and judgment tomorrow’s institutions need? Evelyne Munyoki brought this tension into focus. Catherine Muraga connected technological possibility with local talent, university partnerships, useful data and reliable infrastructure. Cherrelle Druppers explored strengthening community-built institutions and leaving people better equipped for the future.
What must we build now so the next generation can learn, contribute and shape what comes next?
The Unbuilt Future
From conversation
to commitment.
The Unbuilt Future working rooms turned attention towards questions of work and public service: what needs to change, what capabilities already exist and who needs to be involved.
Participants were invited to consider how knowledge, relationships, resources and institutional influence could be connected differently around a problem worth solving.
The closing reflection asked each person to write down one takeaway to carry forward. The next test is what those insights change in practice.
What will you do differently—and who could help you begin?
Voices across sectors
and generations.
The gathering brought together women from institutional leadership, financial inclusion, technology, human development and entrepreneurship.
Dr. Vongai Nyahunzvi
Founder & CEO, Equinecue Partners · Author, Borrowed Mirrors
Elizabeth Gathai
Regional Head of Africa, Women’s World Banking
Dr. Sheila Macharia
Managing Director, FP2030 East and Southern Africa Regional Hub
Evelyne Munyoki
Director, Human Resources, Britam Holdings Plc
Catherine Muraga
Managing Director, Microsoft Africa Development Centre
Cherrelle Droppers
Co-founder, ChezaCheza
Carolyne Kendi
Brand and Marketing Leader · Author
Nancy Matimu
Business Leader and Entrepreneur
The Crossroads
alumni conversation
Michelle Wanjiku · Sarah Nderitu · Mary Kiguru
Facilitated by Ivy Wainaina
The women who
held the room
Esther Mwaniki
Founder & CEO, Lapid Leaders Africa
Summit Convener
Carol Ndirangu
Group CFO & Head of Administration, Southbridge Group
Advisory Board Chair and Co-host
Mama Wahu Kaara
Educator and Justice Campaigner Co-host
With appreciation to Dr. Ann Rita Njageh, Ivy Wainaina, Michelle Wanjiku, Julia Sishia and Dr. Anne Muendi Musuva, our moderators and working-room facilitators, for helping participants examine the questions together.
A reflection from the convener
What we
carry forward.
When we asked, “What will exist because we were here?”, I hoped the answer would emerge over time—in the choices we make and the work we carry forward.
I keep thinking about the experience gathered in that room, and the honesty with which women shared what they were still learning.
One distinction stayed with me: we can become indispensable in keeping an organisation running without helping shape what it should become. Building asks us to develop our judgment, bring others into responsibility and work with people whose capabilities complement our own.
Alongside Carol and Mama Wahu, I was grateful to hold this gathering. My hope is that something from the day changes what we choose to do next—how we lead, whom we develop, what we challenge and what we commit ourselves to building.
Read the full reflection →Esther Mwaniki
Founder & CEO, Lapid Leaders Africa
Convener, Women of
Purpose
Under the Baobab
Building beyond
ourselves.
Women of Purpose is part of Under the Baobab, bringing leaders across sectors and generations together around a shared responsibility: what will we make possible with what we have received?
Explore Under the Baobab →1,000,000
Meaningful opportunities · Our ambition for 2030
Through leadership development, partnerships and work with institutions, we aim to help turn expertise and influence into practical pathways for others to learn, work and lead.
The Summit is one place we gather. The work continues through what we build afterwards.
The work continues
Where we go from here.
12-week leadership experience
Crossroads
Your experience has grown.
What does the next chapter require?
You may be taking on greater responsibility, considering a new direction or building work that depends too heavily on your effort.
Crossroads is for professionals, entrepreneurs and organisational leaders ready to work deliberately on that next chapter.
Through structured learning, coaching, peer challenge and practical project work, you examine your approach, develop a strategy and begin testing it through a real leadership challenge, institutional initiative or opportunity.
APPLICATIONS CLOSE 24 OCTOBER 2026
Explore Crossroads and apply ↗An executive retreat planned for senior leaders examining consequential questions about their institutions and Africa’s future.
Expressions of interest are welcome. Participation is by invitation following a review of fit, expressing interest does not confirm a place.
With generous support from
With the generous support of
Amos Gachuiri
Summit supporter & Dialogue contributor
Thank you to our speakers, facilitators, volunteers, alumni and organising team for the care and contribution that made the gathering possible.
The conversations leading here
The Unbuilt Future Dialogues
Meet the contributors and explore the questions on capital, institutions, education and partnerships that preceded the Summit.
Explore the Dialogues and contributors →Stay part of what comes next.
Recognise a woman
who builds.
Help us recognise leadership that strengthens institutions, expands opportunity and creates value beyond individual achievement.
Nominate a Woman Who Builds →What are you
carrying forward?
What question or commitment stayed with you—and what will you do differently because of it?
Share your reflection →