The Mastercard Foundation has announced the appointment of Carole Wamuyu Wainaina to its Board of Directors. With a distinguished career spanning 35 years in multinational and multilateral organizations, Wainaina’s expertise in strategy, organizational transformation, and human resources is set to bolster the Foundation’s ambitious goals.
Wainaina’s appointment was welcomed by Zein Abdalla, Chair of the Board of Directors at the Mastercard Foundation, who highlighted her extensive experience in the public and private sectors, her global networks, and her deep knowledge of the African continent. Abdalla emphasized that Wainaina’s contributions would be pivotal as the Foundation executes its bold strategy to create economic opportunities for young people in Africa and indigenous youth in Canada.
Carole Wainaina expressed her excitement about joining the Board, stating, “I am honoured to join the Mastercard Foundation’s Board of Directors. I look forward to working with a dynamic team advancing education and financial inclusion to create opportunities for young people, build stronger communities, and contribute to more inclusive economies. This important work benefits all of us, and I am pleased to contribute to the Foundation’s impact in Africa and Canada.”
Wainaina’s career is marked by significant leadership roles. At Africa50, a Morocco-based Pan-African infrastructure investment platform, she served as COO, overseeing a multidisciplinary team responsible for strategy, investor relations, fundraising, communications, HR, administration, and environmental and social governance (ESG). Her tenure at Africa50 was characterized by transformative initiatives that established the organization as a key player in infrastructure development across Africa.
Her experience at the United Nations as Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources further underscores her capacity for leading large-scale transformational initiatives. In this role, Wainaina spearheaded numerous projects that drove significant changes for the Secretary-General and member states.
Beyond her roles in major organizations, Wainaina has made impactful contributions to the philanthropic sector. She serves on the non-profit boards of Impact(Ed) International and the Harvard Business School Africa Research Board. As an angel investor and mentor, she supports several founders, fostering innovation and entrepreneurship.
The Mastercard Foundation’s Board of Directors is composed of prominent leaders from various sectors. Alongside Carole Wainaina, the Board includes Zein Abdalla (Board Chair), Baroness Valerie Amos, Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Louise Arbour, Jay Ireland, Jennifer Fonstad, Michael Sabia, Robin Washington, Sewit Ahderom, and Tsega Gebreyes. This diverse and accomplished group is dedicated to driving the Foundation’s mission forward.
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