the Board
Great Minds
one goal
JJF Advisory Board
The Advisory Board of the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF) brings together accomplished professionals from both the non-profit and private sectors. Their collective expertise in strategic philanthropy, impact investing, and sustainable development ensures JJF’s programs effectively address the needs of marginalized communities.
Jonathan Jackson
Jonathan Jackson is the visionary behind both Lordship Group—where he led over 35 years of successful property development across Central and Eastern Europe and Kenya—and the Jonathan Jackson Foundation. Under his leadership, Lordship Group has amassed a portfolio valued at over USD 1 billion, encompassing more than 600,000 m^2 of mixed-use space. Raised in Kenya and educated in the United Kingdom, Jonathan returned home in 2010, bringing world-class property development expertise to Nairobi and Naivasha.
In 2019, he founded the Jonathan Jackson Foundation, driven by a desire to serve as a “custodian of community change.” His passion for social impact led him to acquire and invest in Nairobi City Stars Football Club, leveraging sports and community-driven initiatives as catalysts for youth empowerment. Jonathan’s philanthropic leadership anchors JJF’s Advisory Board, steering investment strategies that foster sustainable livelihood solutions in Kenya’s informal settlements.
Graham Wood
Graham Wood is a seasoned leader in global development, having served as Regional Chief Executive Officer of the Aga Khan Foundation East Africa, where he oversaw quality programming for Kenya, Uganda, and Tanzania, in addition to managing a substantial property portfolio. Prior to this, Graham served as Senior Vice-President and Chief Global Programs Officer at Pact Inc. in the United States, overseeing operations that managed budgets as large as USD 1.6 billion.
With over 25 years of experience working with vulnerable populations across 20 countries, Graham is also a certified Executive Coach, well-versed in emotional intelligence and mindfulness. His partnership with the Jonathan Jackson Foundation began during Kenya’s first virtual fundraising initiative—the Jenga Jirani Charity Festival—where his strategic insights helped elevate the event’s impact. Today, he serves as a Non-Executive Director on the Advisory Board, advising on program development and collaborative partnerships that amplify JJF’s reach.
Ali Mohamed
Ali Mohamed brings two decades of expertise in banking, investment banking, and both conventional and Islamic finance. He currently serves as the Chief Executive Officer and a member of the Incorporation Committee at Power Bank, a financial institution with authorized capital of USD 10 billion. In addition, Ali consults for Kasada Group—part of the Qatar Investment Authority and ACCOR—drawing on his global experience to design and execute high-level financial strategies.
Ali’s philanthropic ethos is evident in his work ensuring that foreign investments in Kenya allocate resources for social impact. A humanitarian at heart, Ali joined the Jonathan Jackson Foundation as a Non-Executive Director, offering financial and operational insights that help optimize sustainable ventures in underserved communities.
Diana Sifuna
As Chief Executive Officer of the Jonathan Jackson Foundation (JJF), Diana Sifuna brings a dynamic blend of strategic leadership, public policy acumen, and deep commitment to economic empowerment. In her 14 years of experience across private and development sectors, Diana has conducted extensive research on workforce diversity—insights she leverages to strengthen inclusive policies and practices within JJF’s community programs.
Diana is the founder of the Diversity With Diana Podcast, a platform where she champions thoughtful dialogue on inclusive governance and social equity in Kenya. She also serves on the Board of Directors for Uamuzi App Limited, a forward-looking digital platform linking citizens with their elected leaders, and she sits on the Advisory Youth Sounding Board of the Danish Embassy in Kenya. Her dedication to enhancing civic engagement and good governance earned her a 2020 Ford Foundation Grant on Leadership and Governance.
In leading JJF’s mission to uplift vulnerable communities, Diana focuses on nurturing small enterprises, driving youth-oriented job creation, and spurring sustainable local economies. She volunteers in community-based organizations across the country, strengthening her understanding of on-the-ground realities and ensuring JJF’s initiatives remain both relevant and impactful. As Board Secretary on JJF’s Advisory Board, she helps shape the Foundation’s overall direction—aligning sound policy insights, innovative partnerships, and inclusive strategies to transform lives in Nairobi’s informal settlements and beyond.
