The Ford Foundation has appointed Kenyan Margaret Mliwa as its new Regional Director for East Africa.
The foundation's regional office is based in Nairobi.
The Ford Foundation is an independent organization that works to reduce poverty and injustice, strengthen democratic values, promote international cooperation, and advance human achievement.
Martin Abregu, the Vice President for International Programs at the foundation, lauded Mliwa's appointment and praised her exceptional skills and leadership.
“We are thrilled to recognize and celebrate Margaret Mliwa’s leadership as the regional director for the Ford Foundation’s East Africa office,” Abregu said.
He noted that her experience in storytelling, mentorship, and relationship-building would help strengthen the foundation’s work in East Africa.
Ms Mliwa expressed her excitement about the new role, terming it an honour for her to lead the Ford Foundation's East Africa regional office and continue it's legacy of impact in Kenya, Tanzania, and Uganda.
"Since 1963, our work has been exemplified by collaboration with East Africa's changemakers and institutions. I look forward to advancing this history in partnership with grantees and partners we serve and the values of dignity, justice, and equity that we hold dear," she said.
Mliwa has over 20 years of experience in social justice, working with government, civil society, and philanthropy to support community-driven youth programs. These programs focus on amplifying voices of youth, promoting rights-based approaches, and building leadership skills among youth-led organizations.
Before joining Ford Foundation in 2017, Mliwa served as the Country Director of Restless Development Tanzania, a global youth-led development agency.
She also worked as the head of the Youth Social Mobilization Unit in the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports in Kenya. Additionally, she led the creation of the National Youth Service framework for the government of Sierra Leone as the lead consultant.
Mliwa is a recipient of a Commonwealth Scholarship and holds a bachelor’s degree in education.
