Mr. Geoffrey Monari joined the Fund as the Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Board of Trustee on 1st December,2020. Before his appointment he was the Chief Operations Officer at Higher Education Loans Board. Mr. Monari has been the team leader of the Operations Division which oversees the Documentation, Lending, Institutional Relations and Debt Management departments since March 2016. He holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Commerce and a Master’s degree in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. Mr. Monari has over 20 years working experience in various positions at the Higher Education Loans Board. He is a member of the Institute of Directors of Kenya and a Non-Executive Director at the Institute of economic Affairs.
Diana Mutheu is a seasoned professional with a wealth of experience in strategic planning, policy development, and resource mobilization. Currently serving as the Acting Deputy Director of Resource Mobilization and Head of Planning & Strategy at the Universities Fund, her role is pivotal in offering strategic counsel to the management team on a wide range of corporate matters. Diana has been instrumental in aligning the organization’s strategic objectives with national plans, overseeing performance contracting, and managing fundraising efforts. Her diverse skill set and commitment to organizational excellence are evident in her impressive career history.
Before her current position, Diana held the position of Head of Corporate Strategy and Planning at the Universities Fund, where she played a key role in formulating strategic plans, supervising performance management, and fostering collaborations with various stakeholders. Her leadership and strategic thinking have consistently contributed to enhancing the organization’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Diana’s was also at the National Transport and Safety Authority, for 7 years, where she streamlined license processes, engaged in policy formulation, and coordinated operations to improve road safety. Her dedication to quality assurance, compliance with government regulations, and cost optimization demonstrated her capability to drive positive change within public institutions. Overall, Diana Mutheu’s career trajectory showcases a strong commitment to strategic leadership, policy development, and quality management, making her a valuable asset in both the public and academic sectors.
Diana holds a Master of Social Science (Policy and Development Studies) from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa), a Bachelor of Social Science Honors (Policy and Development Studies) from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa), and a Bachelor of Social Science (Political Science and Sociology) from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Additionally, she has peer-reviewed publication on exploring the perceptions on leadership and governance in Kenya, which was published by the Journal of Youth Studies.
Mr. Sillas Otieno Owiti joined the Fund as an Assistant Director for Grants Management Department.Prior to his appointment, Sillas Otieno Owiti carried out the following roles at KCB foundation for a period of 2 years: Ag. Contracts & Partnership Manager and Senior Program Grant Accountant. Sillas worked as a program budget analyst with KCB group for over 2 years. He also worked as an accountant across different international bodies. He worked as a Project Accountant (Dadaab Refugee services Project)-National Council Churches of Kenya (Dadaab) for a period of two years as well as at the National Council Churches of Kenya (Head office Nairobi). He became the Country Accountant at Plan International Kenya for four (4) years and International Programs Accountant at the Fred Hollows Foundation Kenya for 2 years.
Sillas has Masters in Business Administration (Finance Option) from the University of Nairobi, Bachelor of Business Administration (Accounting & Finance Option) from Kenya Methodist University, Diploma in Project Management from Kenya Institute of Management. He is a Certified Public Accountant {Kenya} and ICPAK Member.
Mrs. Leah Miano spearheads and aligns technology with strategic goals at Universities Fund as the Assistant Director, Information Communication & Technology Division. Prior to joining the Universities Fund, she was the Strategy and Technology Consultant and the Head of ICT at International Peace Support Training Centre since 2014. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration in Strategic Management and Finance. Leah has over 13 years of extensive experience in technology services and operations, project management, strategy alignment and ICT governance and leadership. She is a member of the Computer Society of Kenya.
