Who We Are

Julie is the founder of the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI), A Pan African organization that drives progress and influence through African storytelling, knowledge building, agenda setting and leadership development. Prior to this, Julie was the Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer at the Mastercard Foundation and before this she had a two-decade career in mainstream media. Julie is a thought leader in Africa and globally and is regarded as a champion for African leadership and development

Achieng Butler is the Managing Director at the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI), bringing over two decades of strategic leadership and marketing expertise to the role. Previously, she served as Global Vice President of Marketing at Sun King, where she led a team of 100+ marketers across 12 countries in Africa and Asia, propelling the largest off-grid renewable energy company through innovation and collaboration. Her career spans impactful senior positions: Chief Marketing Officer at African Leadership University in Mauritius, Chief Marketing Officer—Africa at Danone Group in Paris, Senior Vice President for Brand and Media and for Airtel Money at Airtel Africa, and 14 years at The Coca-Cola Company, including as Head of Marketing for East & Central Africa.

Georgie is a seasoned communicator with over a decade of experience in media and strategic communication, a trained broadcaster and global moderator – having previously worked with the BBC, CNBC and Forbes Africa. He has a background in Actuarial Science, and expertise in the development world, which he executed at Portland Communications for the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, Evercare, and other organizations across Africa, Asia, Middle East, and the UK. He is the former Head of Pan-African Program Communications at the Mastercard Foundation. He currently heads Programs and Partnerships at the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI), and serves on the board of the Doris Mollel Foundation, focused on neonatal care in East Africa, plus as a Now Generation Member at the Mo Ibrahim Foundation.

Eugene Anangwe is a seasoned editorial and strategic communications expert with nearly 20 years of experience in the Eastern and Central African media landscape. As a media executive, communication strategist, and mentor, he has become a thought leader in the region, renowned for his ability to craft powerful narratives that address critical social, political, and economic issues. Throughout his diverse career, Eugene has taken on multiple roles, from television production and media training to executive leadership in communication strategy. His deep expertise in public speaking and strategic communication has seen him mentor and train a broad spectrum of professionals, including corporate executives, government leaders, and public figures. His ability to navigate diverse communication landscapes, from corporate branding to public sector strategy, has firmly established him as a key player in shaping the future of media and communication across East and Central Africa.

Jeff Mote is an accomplished communications professional with extensive experience working across radio, television, and digital platforms for international outlets such as Deutsche Welle Africa, Reuters Africa and Dubai Eye FM. Additionally, he served as Head of Media Partnerships at Sandin Consulting, where he collaborated with clients like the Mastercard Foundation. He currently heads Content and Production at ALADI. He currently serves as the Associate Director of Content and Production at ALADI.

Margaret Maina is the Founder of Corplaw Consultancy Limited, offering specialized in-house corporate law and operations support services, including people management, compliance and finance. She is a dedicated Pan Africanist, passionate about empowering and skilling MSMEs for growth and global market competitiveness. She has worked on a variety of projects, including farmers’ training and management, cottage industries brand training, and enabled linkages to private sector and development partnerships, & government relations. She has provided advisory oversight for projects in agriculture, climate action, fintech and health sectors, and most recently in edtech. Margaret is an Advocate in Kenya with a Masters of Law in International Trade and Investment Law and she sits on several Boards.

Omina brings a wealth of experience in building platforms and convening young people for impactful dialogues. As the producer and co-host of Boardroom Banter Podcast, he has successfully led the development and execution of over 100 episodes, reaching audiences across the African continent and beyond. The podcast serves as a platform for in-depth discussions that amplify the stories of leading global figures while unpacking critical professional and personal issues affecting young people today. Through this project, Omina has brought together a diverse range of voices, from top organizations like Google, LinkedIn, World Health Organization and institutions such as Stanford University and M.I.T., to global influencers like Forbes 30 Under 30 awardees and CNN Heroes. His ability to curate and guide these intergenerational conversations offers young professionals essential tools, skills, and knowledge to navigate the complexities of the modern world of work. Additionally, Omina’s expertise extends to hosting corporate events and moderating high-profile panels, creating spaces for dialogue between young leaders and industry experts. This blend of project leadership and convening diverse voices has positioned him as a key player in facilitating youth-led discussions on important issues.

Kariuki Mwangi is a strategic thinker and policy innovator with expertise in research, policy development, governance, and youth empowerment. As the Research and Policy Lead at the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI), a pan-African organisation, he drives data- driven policy solutions that enhance African leadership and influence globally. His work focuses on bridging research and practice, shaping transformative policies through human- centered and evidence-based approaches. Previously, he played a key role in Research, Policy development, and legislative drafting for the Malindi Constituency Member of Parliament, based at the Parliament of Kenya and provided technical support for Kenya’s 2023 National (bipartisan) Dialogue talks. A summa-cum-laude graduate in Political Science, Kariuki has worked with leading organizations such as the Kenya National Chambers of Commerce and Industry as the Economic Diplomacy chairperson of the Youth sub-committee; Kenya Model United Nations as the 21 st President of the General Assembly and the Mastercard Foundation in the design process for the Thought Leadership Series on Dignified and Fulfilling work. Passionate about economic diplomacy and civic awareness, he is committed to fostering policies that drive socio-economic development and position Africa as a global leader.