Naomi is the Lead, Brand & Executive Communications at Ideologie Ltd., a boutique digital and creative agency in Nairobi.

As Communications Expert and Account Manager with experience in Integrated Agency Communications, and specialization in Public Relations and Digital Communications she has over 10 years’ experience in Advertising, PR & Influence.

Naomi has worked within renown agencies in Kenya and sub-Saharan Africa (SCANGROUP: Mediacom, Scanad, Ogilvy Africa, and Ideologie), and has been instrumental in driving brands to delivering impact for their consumers.

She has delivered award-winning campaigns for clients and for the agencies to receive accolades such as the prestigious Cannes Lions (3 Awards in 2017/18), Loeries, Clios, Dubai Lynx and Africa Crystal, and PRSK Awards.

She is an alumnus of the Professional Fellows On-Demand Program (2018), Kenyan Exchange on Disinformation and Fact Checking, supported by World Learning and the U.S. State Department.

She also tutors on Digital Communications for the CIPR Program at the University of Nairobi.

Away from work, she spends her time rescuing cats and advocating for better animal welfare in Kenya.

Connect with Naomi online on X or LinkedIn: @AKenyanGirl

Dr. James Oranga is a lecturer of Journalism and Communication Studies at the University of Nairobi having served in that position since 2009. His areas of specialization include Development Journalism, Organizational and Corporate Communication, Storytelling and Propaganda. Before moving to academia, he served as an international news reporter for the Sub Saharan Informer (SSI) in Addis Ababa Ethiopia.

He is a certified professional trainer, mentor and Trainer of Trainers for the Media Council of Kenya (MCK), the Kenya School of Government (KSG) and the Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK). He has a rich experience in Media and Communication training having trained for PRSK, MCK, KSG, the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development (IGAD), the Africa Union Mission in Somalia (ATMIS) , the World Governance Center (WGC) and Internews.

Dr. Oranga Holds a PhD in Communication and Information Studies, an MA in Communication Studies, a Post Graduate (professional) diploma in Journalism and a BA in English and History. He is a member of the East African Communication Association (EACA) and an official of the Universities Academic Staff Union (UASU).

Dr. Kinya Mwithia holds a PhD in Communication from the University of Technology Sydney, Australia, and a B.A in Communication from Daystar University. She serves as a Senior Faculty member and the Associate Dean of the School of Communication at Daystar University.

She is a 2021 Research Fellow of the African Peacebuilding Network. An initiative supported by the Social Science Research Council and funded by Carnegie Corporation of New York. During her tenure as the Chair of the Strategic and Organizational Communication department at Daystar University, Dr. Mwithia initiated and steered the development of a new Bachelor of Arts Curriculum in Public Relations. This process involved extensive consultations with public relations professionals, communication scholars, and researchers. The curriculum has since been approved for implementation by the Commission for University Education in Kenya.

Dr. Mwithia has previously served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Technology Sydney. There, she focused on research for Public Relations Professionals, and the Media, Mediation, and Power units. In this capacity, Dr. Mwithia oversaw an industry engagement program for 25 senior public relations students across 25 start-up organizations in Sydney. This program involved reviewing reports on the participating organization's communication strategies, communication campaigns, and public participation

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Dr. Mwithia has consulted for various organizations. Her expertise and experience in the field have seen her offer invaluable insights to organizations seeking to improve their communication strategies.

Joseph Bonyo is an accomplished journalist, media trainer and editorial consultant in East Africa.

Bonyo has over 17 years of experience as a journalist working with leading media houses in the region. He started off as a news correspondent, reporter, editor and now serves as managing editor.

He has worked with the Nation Media Group (2007-2011), Standard GroupPlc (2011-2014), Africa Business News- CNBC Africa, Forbes Africa (2014-2016) and Royal Media Services (2016- present)

As a media trainer, Bonyo has coached a number of private and public officers across different sectors of the economy since 2010. This includes Cabinet Secretaries, C-Suite officers of Safaricom PlC, Airtel Kenya, Family Bank, Ecobank Kenya, Energy and Regulatory Authority (EPRA), Kenya Bureau of Standards (KEBS), Nation Media Group PLC, Lake Turkana Wind Power (LTWP), SGA Security, Strathmore University, Kenya Bankers Association among others.

Bonyo also consults for a number of media and public relations agencies in Kenya in the areas of media relations, spokesperson training and content strategy development. Some of the agencies he has worked with on this includes Hill & Knowlton Strategies EA, P&L East Africa, Apex Porter Novelli, Redhouse Group, Oxygene MLC, Ogilvy Africa among others.

Bonyo is a graduate of Maseno University in Kisumu Kenya and is currently pursuing an Executive Masters in Media, Leadership and Innovation at The AgaKhan University in Nairobi, Kenya.

Barasa Paul Sachida (PB) is a seasoned Public Relations professional with a remarkable 16-year career marked by the design and implementation of comprehensive communication strategies. His diverse background encompasses roles in the media, a transition to consultancy, and noteworthy tenures in the corporate sphere, where he assumed leadership positions within communication teams in the telecommunications and healthcare sectors.

PB prides himself as a versatile 360° communication expert, proficient in both strategic formulation and multi-faceted tactical execution. Throughout his career, he has consistently demonstrated effective strategic leadership and a remarkable ability to collaborate with stakeholders from various backgrounds.

His educational background includes a Master's degree in Public Policy and Administration, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Communication & Public Relations. He has also recently obtained certification from the prestigious Global Chartered Institute of Public Relations in the UK.

PB takes pride in his ability to effectively lead strategic initiatives, forge valuable relationships with various stakeholders, and orchestrate high-level stakeholder engagement strategies. He has a proven track record in creating and implementing internal and external communication strategies, among various other accomplishments.

Nashipae Orumoy is a PR and Corporate Communication expert with over 14 years’ hands-on experience in all aspects of brand management, public relations and media engagement, advocacy, events management, corporate social investment, crisis communications and digital communications. She has worked in the private sector; 2 years as communication officer at Imperial Bank and then 7 years as Head of Corporate Communications at a top tier insurance company; APA Apollo Insurance Group. In 2015 she joined Worldwide Fund for Nature ( WWF) Kenya office where she was head of communications. At WWF Kenya, she set up a communications department and she worked closely with management and board to develop a 3 years of strategic communications plan to grow the brand locally and steered the organization through a change process of being registered as a local NGO. Successful implementation of the plan led to impactful brand and messaging campaigns, increase donor confidence and launch of in- country private sector fundraising. In January 2020, she moved to African Wildlife Foundation as Director of Public Relations and Corporate Communications where she is building the brand across Africa as well globally in line with implementing a 10 year strategy of representing Africa wildlife and wildlands.

Nashipae has experience in project management experience from conception to implementation through team development and leadership. A strategist, she influencing thinking, forges strategic alliances, and build consensus for impact.

Paul Wafula is the News Editor of the Business Daily, a publication of the Nation Media Group. He is a Certified Public Account (CPA-K), Strathmore University, and a financial investigative journalist who has worked across Kenya’s mainstream media for over a decade.

Mr Wafula has also previously served as a Business Editor for the Daily Nation and as a senior reporter for the Standard Group. He has been a contributor to the Mail and Guardian of South Africa, and The Times in the Uk. He has worked on several joint projects with international news outlets published across the world.

An award-winning financial journalist, Mr Wafula is known for in-depth data journalism projects that aim to set the public agenda, raise public awareness, and promote action by policymakers. He is an all-round journalist who also deeply reports on health, environment, devolution and other sectors.

His David Astor Award program in 2014 involved six-week attachments with The Times in London, and with amaBhungane, the Mail & Guardian Centre for Investigative Journalism, in Johannesburg and Cape Town.

Wafula graduated from Maseno University in 2009 with a Bachelor’s degree in Communication and Media Technology. He undertook specialist training in data journalism in 2013.

He has won several awards among them, the Financial Journalist of the year 2021, Environment journalist of the year 2021, and best print reporter on Good Governance 2015, organised by the Media Council of Kenya (MCK). He has also won the Energy Journalist of the Year 2017, was a finalist at the World Media Summit Global Awards for Excellence in 2014 and was named the Reporter of the Year for Neglected Tropical Diseases in 2013, and Best Tourism Print Reporter in 2011.

His immediate career goal is to lead a bureau of investigative journalists in East Africa.

Twitter: @paulwaf

Director of Communications and Knowledge Management, at The Pharo Foundation. Juliet is a communications practitioner with over 15 years of experience. She supports organisations to achieve their goals, leverage partnerships, and drive sustainability through strategic communications. Her leadership expertise, work experience, diverse and rich multicultural background are accredited to the different roles held in international non-governmental organisations, regional intergovernmental organisations, private sector/profit-making organisations, and government. Juliet has regional experience having worked with various East and Horn of Africa countries leading and mentoring teams. Juliet holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Media Technology and an MBA in Project Management. Her professional qualifications include the global PR/Communication certification, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR UK) and a Google Digital Marketing certification. s

LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/juliet-ratemo-okumu-mcipr-mprsk-273b299/

Patterson Siema, a distinguished Communications and Policy Engagement Specialist, boasts an impressive two-decade career in the field of communications and public engagement. His journey has spanned across various sectors, including the private sector, non-profit organizations, government bodies, and multilateral development agencies. Patterson's expertise lies in devising and executing compelling communication and social change campaigns that resonate across Africa. Known for his exemplary communication abilities and a robust network in regional media, his work consistently emphasizes sustainability, equal rights, human rights advocacy, and the protection of diverse communities.

Patterson's illustrious career includes high-level positions at internationally recognized organizations such as UNFPA, APHRC, UN Women, UNDP, Kenya Airways, Bidco, and World Vision International. His educational background is equally remarkable, holding an executive degree in social impact strategies from the University of Pennsylvania and a master’s degree in business management from Jomo Kenyatta University. Additionally, he has acquired a Communications degree from Daystar University, studied diplomacy at the University of Nairobi, and is currently advancing his knowledge with an MA in Transformational Development.

He is the founder of Kusi Communications, a Pan-African communications and policy think tank. This organization is at the forefront of utilizing strategic communication approaches to enhance the effectiveness and impact of organizations aiming to drive transformation across the continent. Patterson’s leadership in Kusi Communications draws from his commitment to leveraging communication as a powerful tool for policy influence and societal advancement in Africa.