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
Who We Are
About ALADI
Dedicated toAfrican Stories
ALADI is a platform dedicated to African stories, perspectives, and conversations, focused on growing knowledge, and enhancing leadership and influence across the continent, and globally. ALADI is committed to the development of a prosperous Africa rooted in dignity for all, and shaping a more equitable world.
Our Pillars
The four pillars of ALADI are essential to its mission of advancing African progress through leadership, dialogue, and collaboration.
01
build a future of African leaders
Focuses on nurturing leadership skills and strategic thinking among African leaders, enhancing their local and global impact. Through training, mentorship, and engagement with key policymakers, ALADI empowers leaders to effectively advocate for their communities
02
Raise the African voice
We aim to amplify underrepresented voices in Africa by connecting individuals and showcasing their stories through media, public forums, and digital platforms, advancing the African narrative.
03
Collaborative Spaces
We create physical and virtual hubs that encourage innovation and problem-solving, enabling networking and idea exchange to tackle pressing challenges.
04
Knowledge Harvesting and Sharing
supports these pillars by collecting and disseminating valuable insights through research and educational programs, equipping leaders with the necessary information to influence and collaborate effectively. Each pillar is interconnected, driving initiatives that reinforce one another.
Our Mission
To elevate voices through empowerment, education, and leadership to enhance the impact of individuals and organizations across Africa.
Our Vision
To be the leading Pan-African institute for nurturing influential leaders, and fostering meaningful dialogue that propels African progress.
Our Values
Respectful Dialogue
Centering open, honest, and constructive conversations as a foundation for mutual understanding and progress.
Inclusivity
Embracing diversity to ensure every voice is heard, particularly the voices of the most marginalised.
Authenticity
Rooting on authentic African voices, experiences and aspirations to inform and educate through an African lens.
Empowerment
Harvesting and sharing knowledge and building collaborative networks to empower, foster unity and magnify influence.
Sustainability
We honor the dignity of every individual and safeguard the environment, aligning our actions with sustainability principles for future generations.
Raising the African Voice
ALADI Team

Julie Gichuru
President & CEO

Georgie Ndirangu
Programs & Partnerships

Georgie Ndirangu
Programs & Partnerships
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
Media & Editorial

Eugene Anangwe
Media & Editorial
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
PR & Communications

Jeff Mote
PR & Communications
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.

Margaret Maina
Legal, Finance & Compliance

Margaret Maina
Legal, Finance & Compliance
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.

Laura Atieno
Creative Storytelling

Laura Atieno
Creative Storytelling
Laura Atieno is a dynamic young African woman whose passion for storytelling shines through captivating visuals. With 10 years of experience in creative photography and a background in social media management for notable hotels like Mzima Beach Diani and the Sleeping Warrior Camp, Laura has honed her skills in crafting engaging narratives through captivating visual content. Her vision is to leverage her expertise in social media management, creative direction, and photography to reshape African narratives and build a vibrant community of young Africans through the power of social media engagement.

Boniface Baraza Omina
Digital & Community

Boniface Baraza Omina
Digital & Community
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
Research & Policy Lead

Kariuki Mwangi
Research & Policy Lead
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.
Positive Influence
Theory Of Change
ALADI’s theory of change is predicated on the idea that empowered and well-connected leaders can drive systemic change across sectors by engaging with a broad spectrum of stakeholders—including policymakers, educators, youth, governments, the private sector, development agencies, and multilateral organizations.
By equipping these leaders with knowledge, networks, and platforms, ALADI aims to influence policies and create impactful solutions at local, national, and international levels.







