Shyleen Momanyi

Executive Director

Shyleen is a feminist activist and a champion in Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR) for women and girls in all diversities. She is in charge of YWLI’s strategic thinking, planning, resource mobilization and overseeing the successful implementation of YWLI’s mission. She has a wealth of experience in young feminist organizing, movement building, and campaign and policy advocacy on Sexual and Reproductive Health and Rights (SRHR), she is a driving force in the pursuit of gender equality. Her motivation is to foster communities where women and girls of all diversities are respected and treated with dignity. Shyleen’s expertise has been instrumental in empowering the next generation of young feminist leaders. During her leisure hours, she enjoys collecting plants and nurturing her plant collection, making her a passionate plant enthusiast.

Twitter: @Shyleen_Momanyi

Facebook: Shyleen Momanyi

Teresia Meshack 

Cyber Security Intern

Teresia Meshack (Judy) serves as the Cyber Security Intern at YWLI. She is driven by a profound commitment to safeguarding digital landscapes against evolving threats. Her work involves meticulously assessing vulnerabilities, enhancing defenses, and contributing to the organization’s comprehensive security strategy. Inspired by YWLI’s spirit of innovation, Teresia actively engages in research, continuous learning, and staying at the forefront of cyber threats and their solutions. Her journey at YWLI exemplifies her passion for securing the online world, one byte at a time.

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Zawede Nzisa

Arts and Communications Assistant

Zawede is a multifaceted artist and dedicated activist passionate about creating meaningful change for women and girls in Kenya. Her artistry as a poet, singer, and songwriter allows her to amplify voices and shed light. .As a proud YWLI (Young Women’s Leadership Institute) member,  she serves as an Arts and Communications Assistant. In this role, she blends her  artistic talents with her passion for social justice by creating compelling social media content that sparks conversations and drives awareness.  She also plays a pivotal role in supporting YWLI’s programs and projects, ensuring they have a lasting impact on the lives of women and girls in our community.

Twitter: @zawede3

Facebook: Nzisa Zawede

Grace Muraguri

Finance Officer

Grace Muraguri is a certified accountant with 7+ years of dynamic career progression in leading financial and accounts strategies for established organizations. Her expertise lies in business planning, growth strategy, financial analysis, and strategic budgeting. Grace excels in driving efficiency through process enhancements and supports the development of financial systems and accounting procedures. Her ultimate aim is to be a valuable mutual asset, leveraging her financial acumen to effectively contribute to organizational success.

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Wanjiku Kabuta

M&E Lead

Ciiku serves as the M&E Volunteer at YWLI, where her passion is deeply rooted in sustainable development through innovative and socially-conscious initiatives. Each day, she takes on the vital task of tracking program progress, ensuring alignment with objectives, and exploring avenues for enhanced impact. Beyond her role, Ciiku envisions YWLI as a feminist powerhouse, actively challenging societal norms and spearheading the journey toward a more equitable future for all, guided by the feminist principles of inclusivity *. When not at work, she can be found in the kitchen, experimenting with exciting new recipes, indulging in a good film, or engrossed in a captivating book. She is wholeheartedly committed to contributing to an organization that places great value on inclusivity, collaboration, and personal growth, all in the pursuit of empowering young women and girls to become the leaders of tomorrow.

Twitter: @ciikuMirimi

Facebook: Ciiku Kabuta

Saida Ali

Saida Ali is an International Policy Analyst and a seasoned advocacy strategist. She provides strategic guidance and leadership to YWLI staff and the Board of Trustees. Saida has served in various senior-level positions. She is a senior fellow at the Atlantic Fellows Programme for Social and Economic Equity (AFSEE) hosted by the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE).

FaceBook: Saida Aaliyah

Twitter: @SaidaAaliyah

Nellie Kamau

Strategic Advisor

Nellie is a founding member of the Young Women’s Leadership Institute and has been a Trustee of YWLI since its inception. She has been practising mental health for over 20 years.  There has been a community emphasis on her practice over the years and especially during the last 11 years.  An increased understanding of the important link between mental health and offending behaviour has guided her professional activities.  Nellie is a qualified mental health nurse having gained her qualification in 2003. Nellie has a passion for young women’s leadership, empowerment and mental health and continues to bring this to YWLI.

Amisa Rashid

Amisa is a counselling psychologist and a mediator specializing in peacebuilding and Trauma Healing centring her work on Trauma-informed resilience for community building. She is the Founder and Executive Director of Nivishe Foundation. She is a YALI alumni and participated in Ms President Reality TV show.

Tweeter: @AmisaRashid

Facebook: Amisa Rashid Kiligah

Florence Otieno Achieng’

Florence is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a feminist, a fellow of the East Africa Emerging Advocates Programme and a member of the International Commission of Jurists-Kenya Section She currently works at the Centre for Rights Education and Awareness Kenya (CREAW).

FaceBook: Florence Claire

Twitter: @florenceclaire

Vilda Atieno

Vilda Atieno is a young woman with disability from Kisumu County. She has been in the advocacy space championing for the health rights of girls and women with disabilities for two years. She has participated in both regional and national conferences as a youth speaker. She is currently serving as a Regional and Global youth panel member in a consortium program called Make Way embracing an intersectionality approach to echo the voices of youth with compounding identities. As a survivor of Sexual Gender violence, she is keen to echo the voices of youth with disabilities in regard to autonomy and rights. Vilda is a graduate of BSc social Work from Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology where she also served as the female representative for persons with disability. She is also a member of the Kenya Network of Women and Girls with Disabilities.

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Rock Freaq

Rock Freaq is feminist and social justice activist who is passionate about the intersections of finance, human rights and its impact on communities and movements.  A dynamic finance professional with expertise that spans of over a decade in finance, audit, grant management and human rights. Nanjala brings a potent blend of financial prowess and a fierce commitment to driving change. Currently serving as the Senior Finance Controller at Mama Cash International Women Fund, they are on a mission to revolutionize financing models in philanthropic spaces to ensure that financial resources reach feminist movements. A champion for inclusive and decolonized funding systems, ensuring that resources are allocated where they are needed most. From grassroots activism to boardroom strategies, their influence extends far and wide across civil society organizations, where they advocate for gender equity and human rights. Nanjala has contributed as a consultant and in other affiliations with esteemed organizations. They are a recognized leader committed to creating a more equitable world.

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Cherie Oyier

Cherie Adhiambo Oyier is an advocate of the High Court of Kenya. She earned her law degree
from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa in October 2012, and a postgraduate diploma in law from the Kenya School of Law in March 2015.
Ms. Oyier is currently the Programs Officer- Women’s Digital Rights at Kenya ICT Action
Network (KICTANet). Her work here revolves around advocating for equal rights for women in
the digital space. Based on research on access to and impact of technology on women in Kenya she has been able to spearhead efforts towards advocating for the recognition of different forms of online gender-based violence in the existing laws and the inclusion of adequate remedies for victims and survivors of online gender-based violence.
Cherie has also been at the forefront of training women politicians, human rights defenders, and journalists on cyber-hygiene and digital resilience measures to ensure online safety.
Cherie is a former fellow of the Kenya School of Internet Governance and the Center for
Artificial Intelligence and Digital Policy.

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