Sanda Ojiambo: Flying the Kenyan flag beyond our borders
The world should celebrate the accomplishments of women in all their diversity, who have dedicated their lives to promoting human rights, gender equity and equality, peace, justice, the rule of law, and accountability – often at great personal risk or sacrifice.
Today we celebrate Sanda Ojiambo, a Kenyan administrator who serves as the as assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Global Compact.
Sanda was born in Kenya and holds an undergraduate degree in Bachelors of Art Economics and International Development from McGill University in Canada and a Master’s Degree from the Public Policy University of Minnesota in Minneapolis. She attended her primary and secondary school in Kenya.
Sanda started working for CARE International in Somalia in 1997, after which she joined the United Nations Development Programme in the same country.
Later, Sanda relocated to the Africa Regional Office of the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) in Kenya where she served as an advisor on “service delivery, accreditation standards, financial management, governance and advocacy.
She is currently the – Executive Director of the UN Global Compact –and will be flying the Kenyan flag as the Secretary-General of the United Nations Global Compact.
Ojiambo currently manages the world’s largest corporate sustainability the initiative, an outfit that is key in strategic partnerships, impact, and advocacy across all corporate levels.
“She will advise the Secretary-General and the Deputy Secretary-General on the private sector’s contributions to the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, on the engagement of the United Nations with business and on key organisational partnerships with the private sector,” stated the UN in a statement during her appointment.
Previously, Ojiambo worked at Safaricom PLC as head of sustainable business and social impact before joining the organisation in 2008.
Before that, she had worked with civil society in various capacities.
Her vast experience with civil society saw Safaricom ink a deal with the UN agency she will be heading, which birthed the sustainable business reports annually released by the company.
Ojiambo is an example of an exemplary women leader who shows the world that aa woman can excel in whatever her capacity.
