SUSTAINABLE FINANCING
Universities Fund Management
Dr. Edwin Wanyonyi is the Acting Chief Executive Officer/Director General at the Universities Fund, where he excels in cultivating impactful partnerships, driving enterprise initiatives, and implementing effective resource mobilisation strategies. With extensive experience in both public and private sectors, he brings a wealth of knowledge in resource mobilisation, partnership development, and strategic planning.
An alumnus of the United States International Visitor Leadership Programme, Dr. Wanyonyi previously served as the Head of Directorate, Strategy, Planning, and Resource Mobilisation at the Kenya Institute of Supplies Management. He has also worked with prominent organizations such as Adept CN, Kenya Wildlife Service (KWS), Kenya Alliance of Resident Associations (KARA), and Ernst & Young.
Dr. Wanyonyi holds a Doctorate in Business Administration, an MBA in Strategic Management, and a Bachelor of Business Administration. He is a trained ISO Quality Management System Auditor, a Certified Fundraiser, and a member of the Kenya Institute of Management and the Association of Fundraising Professionals. Beyond his professional roles, he has significantly contributed to national and international development efforts, serving on the National Steering Committee of the UNDP Small Grants Programme and the Executive Committee of the Alliance of Conservation Funds in Africa (CAFE). He is also a published author and speaker on leadership, strategy, and resource mobilisation.
Dr. Richard Ngali is the Deputy Director of Grants Management at the Universities Fund, where he plays a pivotal role in developing and implementing policies and strategies for equitable resource allocation to Kenyan universities. With over 16 years of experience in corporate planning, performance management, and research, he ensures that the Fund’s objectives align with national development priorities, promoting accountability and excellence in higher education financing.
Before joining the Universities Fund, Dr. Ngali served as the Acting Assistant Manager for Research, Strategy, and Planning at the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). He was instrumental in strategic formulation, corporate performance enhancement, performance contracts, research, quality management systems, and enterprise risk management. Earlier, he worked as a Senior Business Analyst in the Operations Directorate, leveraging business intelligence and big data analytics to improve operational efficiency. Dr. Ngali began his career in the banking sector, excelling in credit management, compliance, and enforcement.
Dr. Ngali holds a doctorate of Philosophy in Business Administration and Management and is a Certified Fraud Examiner (CFE), affiliated with both local and international chapters of the ACFE. Beyond his professional duties, he is a prolific scholar with numerous publications in international peer-reviewed journals, offering critical insights into education financing, financial inclusion, governance, and economic policy. Known for his visionary leadership, Dr. Ngali builds high-performing teams, fosters collaboration, and drives results through innovative approaches.
Dr. Leah Miano is the Head of Information & Communication Technology at Universities Fund where she leads organizational transformation through technology, innovation, and governance excellence. With over 17 years of leadership experience across public and private sectors, she brings a wealth of knowledge and a track record of success in managing complex IT infrastructures
and driving digital transformation.
Leveraging a background in software engineering, Dr. Leah Miano has successfully aligned technology with corporate strategy to deliver measurable business outcomes and operational resilience. She is a published author in leadership, governance, and policy reform and has had global exposure from the Chief Information Officer (CIO) Leadership Program at Kozminski University, Warsaw. She has previously worked at International Peace Support Training Centre, Britam Holdings Limited, Benchmark Distributors Limited and Shelter Afrique.
Dr. Leah Miano holds a Doctor of Philosophy degree in Business Administration and Management (Strategic Management), an MBA in Strategic Management and Finance and a Bachelor of Science Degree in Software Engineering. Beyond her professional achievements, she is passionate about mentoring the next generation
of leaders.