Co-Chairs & Trustees

Memory is the Executive Director, The African Women's Development and Communication Network (FEMNET).

Memory is an intersectional feminist, a women’s rights activist with over 18 years of experience working on issues of gender and development, women’s empowerment and human rights at national, regional (Africa) and international levels.

As a dynamic pan-African feminist, thought-leader and strategist, Memory is passionate about making a difference in the lives of women and girls using diverse approaches grounded in social justice, feminism and gender equality analysis and practice. She holds a Masters of Philosophy in Management, Integrated Water Resources with a focus on women in leadership and is currently pursuing a second Masters degree in Peace, Human Rights, Gender and Development. 

Memory joined FEMNET in April 2016 as Head of Programmes, leading and strategically coordinating the programmatic conceptualization, implementation, monitoring and evaluation of FEMNET’s advocacy, communication and capacity building approaches. 

Prior to joining FEMNET, Memory worked a Gender and Economic Empowerment specialist at International Youth Foundation. She also served as the Executive Director of The Women’s Trust in Zimbabwe, following an accomplished 8 years in the UN in various capacities at UN Women, UNIFEM and UNFPA at both regional and national level. Memory values deep relations that are empowering and timeless.

Patience Nyange serves as the Spokesperson for the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), working directly under the leadership of Executive Secretary His Excellency Dr. Workneh Gebeyehu. Based in Djibouti, Republic of Djibouti, Patience is a seasoned media, communications, and advocacy specialist with extensive experience and travel throughout the IGAD region.

With 18 years in various communications fields, Patience brings a wealth of expertise in broadcast journalism, international public relations, communications, and social media management. She is a dedicated mentor for young journalists and PR practitioners. She is strongly committed to human rights, particularly the rights and empowerment of women and girls. Her advocacy for gender-sensitive reporting in Africa has placed her at the forefront of this crucial movement.

Patience is the founder of #KenyaWomenSeries, a platform that showcases inspiring profiles of Kenyan women making significant contributions to society. This initiative amplifies women's voices, helping them gain recognition for their impactful work. Before joining IGAD, Patience served as the Executive Director at the Association of Media Women in Kenya, Assistant Director in the Chairperson's Office at the Kenya National Commission on Human Rights (KNCHR) as well and the Communications Advisor to the Cabinet Secretary of the Ministry of Devolution and Planning (MoDP)

Patience also holds other leadership positions, including being a Board Member of the Sustainable Development Goals Forum in Kenya, Communications and Multimedia Appeals Tribunal Member, and a Mentor and Board Member of the Emerging Leaders Foundation -Africa.

Through these roles, she plays a pivotal role in empowering and supporting young women and men, equipping them for meaningful participation in governance, the economy, and public affairs at all societal levels. Patience's dedication to nurturing the next generation instils hope for a brighter future. Patience is an alumnus of Daystar University, the University of Nairobi, and Cardiff University in the United Kingdom (as a Chevening Scholar)

George Awalla leads VSO’s partnerships and fundraising in Horn of Africa, covering Ethiopia, Somalia, Kenya and South Sudan, and is a Co-Chair of SDGs Kenya Forum. George has over 20 years work experience in programme development and management, fundraising, and civil society leadership. George has MBA degree specialising in strategic management, is finalising a Masters degree in Development Studies. His first degree was in Agriculture Education and Extension. George serves as Executive Liaison for the Mandela Washington Fellowship Programme/Young African Leadership Initiative in East and Central Africa under IREX.

George has also worked in West Africa as project coordinator for Development in Nigeria. George has wide experience in management of donor funded international development programmes in Education, Livelihoods, Governance, Gender and Social Inclusion. placements, George provides technical advise to Viwango a CSO standards mechanism in Kenya; and was involved in the development of Women Economic Empowerment Strategy for Kenya. He has also been a writer on development issues for The Governor a monthly magazine on governance and development issues