WOMEN OF PURPOSE SUMMIT 2026
BeyondRepresentation
What will women’s leadership build?
A curated one-day gathering for women carrying responsibility across institutions, enterprises and society—and asking what their leadership will make stronger, more capable and more enduring.
A curated room designed for 150+ women leaders.
Different sectors. Different sightlines. One consequential room.
THE GATHERING
09
OCTOBER2026
VENUE
Emara Ole-Sereni, Nairobi, Kenya
INVESTMENT
KES 15,000
FORMAT
One curated day
WHY THIS ROOM, WHY NOW
Women are gaining influence.What will that influence build?
Representation is an important starting point. It is not the final measure of leadership.
Under the Baobab, women across sectors and generations will examine what we have inherited, what remains unbuilt and what our leadership can now make possible.
SHAPING THE CONVERSATION
Perspective grounded in consequential work.
Leaders bringing experience from institutions, capital, public systems and social change.
Build Institutions
Dr Vongai Nyahunzvi
Founder & CEO, Equinexus Partners · Founder & Co-CEO, Alliance
for Women and Girls
Leadership expert, organisational diagnostician and institution-builder with more than two decades across the UN system, executive coaching and systemic advocacy.
Build Futures · Capital
Elizabeth Gathai
Regional Head of Africa, Women’s World Banking
Bringing more than 20 years of experience in banking, enterprise and financial systems to the question of who capital enables.
Build Institutions
Dr Sheila Macharia
Managing Director, FP2030 East and Southern Africa Regional Hub
A regional health and development leader working across policy, strategy and institutional collaboration.
Build Futures · Human Capital
Evelyne Munyoki
Director, Human Resources, Britam Holdings Plc
A senior human-capital leader with more than 15 years’ experience shaping organisational culture, leadership and transformation across major African institutions.
“What becomes possible when African leaders stop measuring themselves through borrowed mirrors?”DR VONGAI NYAHUNZVI
WHO’S ALREADY IN THE ROOM?
Different sectors.
Different sectors.
Different sightlines.One room.
The calibre of Women of Purpose is not confined to the stage. Meet some of the women already confirmed for the room.
- Winnie Mwongera · Group Head of Procurement, d.light
- Valerie Irungu · Landscape Architect & Project Manager
- Jayne Nia · Senior Finance Manager, Malaria No More UK
- Dr Ann Rita Njageh · Senior Researcher & Education Leader
- Mary Kiguru · Systems Architect & Founder, SELDI Africa
And this is only part of the room.
Because the future will not be built from one sector, one institution or one point of view.
BE IN THE ROOM
THE RETURN ON THE DAY
What you will leave with.
-
Cross-sector relationships
Connections beyond your usual professional circle.
-
Sharper systems insight
A clearer reading of the institutions your leadership is trying to change.
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Practical conversations
Grounded work around building self, institutions and futures.
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A defined commitment
Clarity on what your leadership will build next.
THE JOURNEY OF OUR DAY
Not a conference to consume.A room designed to move.
Each part of the day advances one question into practical responsibility.
- 09:00OPENING
Beyond Representation
- 10:15BUILD SELF
The inner work of consequential leadership
- 11:30BUILD INSTITUTIONS
What survives the leader?
- 12:30PROVOCATION
Can today’s institutions carry tomorrow’s future?
- 14:30BUILD FUTURES
What does our influence make possible?
- 15:30WORKING ROOMS
The Unbuilt Future
- 16:30COMMITMENT STUDIO
From insight to practical commitment
- 17:30CLOSING
What will exist because we were here?
WATCH · 1 MINUTE 31 SECONDS
Why purpose-driven leadership is the only way forward.
Esther Mwaniki sets out the conviction beneath Women of Purpose: influence must become responsibility, and purpose must become what we build.
YOUR HOSTS
The women holding the room.
These are not simply event hosts. They bring the vision, institutional stewardship and intergenerational wisdom that shape how the room is convened and held.
Esther Mwaniki
Founder & CEO, Lapid Leaders Africa
Summit Convener
An institution-builder and leadership strategist, Esther has spent more than two decades building leaders, organisations and movements across Africa and globally.
Carol Ndirangu
Group CFO & Head of Administration, Southbridge Group
Advisory Board Chair
A finance and governance executive with pan-African leadership experience across Rwanda, Zambia and other African markets, Carol brings institutional discipline, strategic stewardship and the long view to shaping the Summit.
Mama Wahu Kaara
Educator and Global Campaigner for Justice
Summit Host
A lifelong educator and justice campaigner, Mama Wahu brings intergenerational wisdom and an African lens to the questions the room must confront.
Beyond the day. Women of Purpose is part of Under the Baobab’s long-term commitment to create one million meaningful opportunities for Africa’s next generation by 2036.
9 OCTOBER 2026 · EMARA OLE-SERENI, NAIROBI