Meet the Team That Drives Change
Achieving social change that leads to systems-level change requires a team with the right mix of skills, experience, and local knowledge. BBINC’s consortium of over 40 experts and partners brings together cross-disciplinary skills and deep regional expertise. With teams located across Latin America, the Caribbean, West Africa, East Africa, and Southern Africa, we provide the knowledge and support needed to advance partners’ and clients’ missions.
Our experts specialize in health, climate, and gender-transformative programs, offering advisory services in organizational development, capacity strengthening, policy advocacy and influencing, monitoring, evaluation, accountability, and learning (MEAL), grant management, research, impact evaluations, project assessments, facilitation services, and strategic communications. With BBINC, you’ll have a trusted partner who understands your challenges and works with you to create meaningful change.
Our Experts
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Renee Olende
FOUNDER CEO, BBINC
Renee Olende is a global leader and visionary with over 18 years of experience in the philanthropic sector, global and regional program management, policy advocacy and strategic communications. Based in Nairobi, Renee is fluent in English and also speaks Kiswahili and Luo. She brings a wealth of expertise in supporting funder collaboratives, leading global, regional, and local policy advocacy efforts, and facilitating capacity-strengthening workshops across multiple jurisdictions.
As the founder and CEO of BBINC, Renee has built a pioneering, women-led consultancy that bridges the gap between philanthropy, INGOs, and grassroots organizations. Her leadership is rooted in fostering equitable partnerships, convening networking and learning spaces, and driving systems change through innovative, community-centered solutions.
Renee’s career spans leading multidisciplinary teams and initiatives focused on gender, health, climate, and food systems globally. Having led and supported teams working across the following geographies Latin America and the Caribbean, Middle East and Northern Africa, Asia, West Africa, East Africa southern Africa. She is a skilled facilitator and strategist, adept at mobilizing resources, shaping impactful campaigns, and advancing collaborative approaches to address complex global challenges.
With a proven track record in people centered leadership, research, advocacy, and strategic engagement, Renee’s leadership at BBINC enables organizations to achieve transformative change, leveraging local expertise and global connections to create sustainable, inclusive solutions.
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Dr Irene Amoke
EXPERT IN RESEARCH, CONSERVATION, & CLIMATE PROGRAMS
Dr. Irene Amoke is a seasoned landscape ecologist and conservation leader based in Kenya, bringing over 20 years of experience in research, evaluation, and climate-focused programs. Fluent in English and Kiswahili, she is the founder and Director of Conserveability Pathways Ltd, where she drives innovative approaches for biodiversity conservation and sustainable development. Dr. Amoke has a proven track record in designing and implementing evidence-based conservation strategies and programs, advocating for impactful policies, and building capacity with expertise in wildlife conservation, climate resilience, and gender-sensitive approaches to sustainability. A recipient of prestigious fellowships and grants, she is a thought leader whose work has shaped conservation policies and fostered partnerships across Africa and beyond.
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Reshma Aziz Khan
EXPERT IN EXECUTIVE CONSULTATION, FACILITATION, & CAREER COACHING
Reshma is the founder and CEO of K’enso Consulting Limited, based in Kenya, with over 15 years of experience in executive consultation, peer mentoring, and career coaching. Bilingual in English and Kiswahili, Reshma is a certified executive coach and an accredited global facilitator, specializing in convening transformative networking and learning spaces. She has worked with senior and emerging leaders globally, helping them unlock their authentic leadership potential and navigate career transitions. Reshma’s expertise lies in leadership development, diversity and inclusion dialogue, and team effectiveness coaching, leveraging tools like the Herrmann Whole Brain Dominance Instrument. Passionate about social impact, she brings a unique blend of cross-cultural awareness, mindfulness, and strategic insight to BBINC, fostering growth and transformation.
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Roopa Mistry
STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, CHANGE MANAGEMENT, & DIGITAL MARKETING SPECIALIST
Roopa is a South African professional, with over 15 years of experience in strategic communications, change management, and digital and integrated marketing. Being a Johannesburg native, Roopa brings a unique multicultural perspective to her work, excelling in designing and implementing transformative strategies that align people, brands, and business objectives.
Roopa has led large-scale change initiatives for multinational organizations, including digital transformation projects impacting thousands of employees. She is skilled in experience design, stakeholder engagement, and crafting integrated marketing campaigns that drive measurable results.
A natural collaborator and creative problem-solver, Roopa thrives in dynamic, impact-driven environments. Her expertise makes her an invaluable contributor to BBINC’s mission of delivering innovative, people-centered solutions.
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Rachel Kwizera
EXPERT IN RESEARCH, MEAL, & GENDER PROGRAMS
Rachel is a Rwandan professional based in Kigali, with over 13 years of experience in research and evaluation, Monitoring, Evaluation, Accountability, and Learning (MEAL), and gender program expertise. Fluent in Kinyarwanda, English, and Kiswahili, Rachel is passionate about driving impactful development initiatives through strategic planning and evidence-based decision-making.
Rachel has led numerous evaluations and impact measurement projects, specializing in gender mainstreaming, GBV prevention, and capacity strengthening for organizations. Her expertise includes designing M&E systems, developing tools to measure social change, and advancing gender equity through transformative programming. With a strong background in strategic development planning and organizational development, Rachel’s dedication to fostering sustainable change makes her an invaluable contributor to BBINC’s mission of creating equitable and impactful solutions.
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Lydia Assefa
EXPERT IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, POLICY ADVOCACY, & PROPOSAL WRITING
Lydia is a seasoned communications professional based in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, with over 11 years of experience spanning NGOs, public, and private sectors. Bilingual in English and Amharic, she specializes in policy advocacy, proposal writing, and strategic communications and engagement. Lydia has successfully developed and implemented insight-driven communication strategies, led high-impact campaigns, and managed stakeholder engagement at regional and global levels. Her expertise includes crafting compelling proposals, fostering donor relationships, and driving advocacy initiatives to influence policy change.
Lydia has worked with organizations like Roche, IRC, and IFES, where she led impactful campaigns, enhanced donor visibility, and strengthened internal and external communications. Known for her project management skills and ability to build meaningful partnerships, Lydia brings a results-oriented approach to BBINC, delivering sustainable impact.
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Hedaya Odhiambo
SAFEGUARDING, ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT & GENDER PROGRAMS EXPERT
Hedaya is a highly skilled professional based in Kenya with over 12 years of experience in safeguarding, organizational development, and gender programs. Bilingual in English and Kiswahili, she has worked extensively across Kenya and the region, leading initiatives to strengthen safeguarding systems, build organizational capacity, and promote gender equality. Hedaya has a proven track record in developing and implementing safeguarding policies, conducting risk assessments, investigations and delivering capacity-building programs for diverse teams. Her expertise spans GBV prevention, child protection, and SRHR initiatives, with a focus on creating safe spaces and empowering vulnerable populations. Known for her strategic leadership and technical expertise, Hedaya brings a results-driven approach to BBINC, ensuring impactful and sustainable program outcomes.
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Judy Bolanle Ogunyemi
EXPERT IN POLICY ADVOCACY, HEALTH PROGRAMS, & STRATEGIC ENGAGEMENT
Judy Bolanle Ogunyemi is an accomplished Kenyan professional with over 15 years of expertise in policy advocacy, health programs, and strategic engagement. Fluent in English, Kiswahili, and proficient in French, she has advanced health and human rights initiatives, including child protection, torture prevention, sexual and reproductive health, and neglected tropical diseases (NTDs). Judy contributed to the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation-funded CIDRZ HIV clinical trial fostering national policy change for HIV care.
She has led transformative policy advocacy initiatives across Africa, engaging in high-level forums such as the African Union and WHO Regional Committee for Africa. With her expertise in policy advocacy, capacity building, stakeholder engagement, and program development, Judy brings a strategic, results-driven approach to advancing sustainable health solutions.
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Benhard Nyagaya
FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT & GRANTS MANAGEMENT EXPERT
Fluent in English and Kiswahili, Benhard Juma Nyagaya has supported programs across multiple African countries, excelling in compliance, financial reporting, and capacity-building initiatives for civil society organizations. Based in Kenya, he brings over 10 years of experience in Executive Consultation, Grants Management, and Peer Mentoring.
Benhard has successfully led the management of complex financial, administrative, and procurement processes for international donors such as USAID, FCDO, the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, and the World Bank. His ability to manage diverse teams and foster collaboration demonstrates his strong leadership skills. A strategic thinker, Benhard plays a key role in advancing BBINC’s mission of fostering impactful and sustainable development initiatives.
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Carol Watheka
GRANTS MANAGEMENT, MEAL, & ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT EXPERT
Carol is a strategic and experienced compliance and grants management professional with over 18 years of diverse and progressive experience, particularly in USAID and other donor-funded projects. Based in Kenya and bilingual in English and Kiswahili, she has demonstrated expertise in facilitating investment, trade, and peace initiatives across East and Central Africa.
Proficient in designing and administering grants, procurement processes, human resource mobilization, and ensuring contract compliance, Carol has overseen complex projects with adherence to both USAID and organizational rules. Her leadership and capacity-building skills make her a valuable asset to any organization seeking effective organizational development and impactful solutions.
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Dr Fatma Zennou
EXPERT IN ORGANIZATIONAL DEVELOPMENT, & GENDER PROGRAMS
Dr. Fatma Zennou, based in Niger, brings over 26 years of experience in facilitating networking and learning spaces, organizational development, and advancing gender programs, including Women’s Economic Empowerment (WEE), GBV, and SRHR initiatives. Fluent in Fluent in French, and also speaks English, Tamashek and Hausa. She has worked across West and Central Africa, supporting feminist organizations, conducting gender audits, and designing national strategies. Dr. Zennou has led impactful initiatives with international organizations like CARE, UNICEF, and Plan International, excelling in program design, qualitative research, and capacity building. Her expertise in promoting women’s leadership, collective voice, and gender equality has driven transformative change. A skilled convener and strategist, Dr. Zennou is committed to fostering inclusive, sustainable development through innovative and collaborative approaches at BBINC.
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Janice Njoroge
EXPERT IN STRATEGIC COMMUNICATIONS, ADVOCACY, & PROPOSAL WRITING
Janice is a highly accomplished development communications professional based in Kenya, with over 15 years of experience in strategic communications and engagement, policy advocacy and proposal writing. She is bilingual in English and Kiswahili, with a proven track record of enhancing organizational influence and visibility, particularly in the not-for-profit sector. Janice excels in philanthropy and funder engagement, having secured funding for transformative policy advocacy initiatives and contributed to winning proposals for global donors like USAID and the Global Fund. Her expertise spans crafting and implementing impactful communication strategies, stakeholder engagement, and capacity building. Known for her strategic thinking, exceptional writing skills, and ability to foster partnerships, Janice brings a results-driven approach to BBINC, delivering measurable impact and sustainable growth.