Mr. Geoffrey Monari assumed the role of Chief Executive Officer and Secretary to the Board of Trustees at the Fund on 1st December 2020. Prior to his appointment, he served as the Chief Operations Officer at the Higher Education Loans Board (HELB). Mr. Monari had led the Operations Division, overseeing 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. With over 20 years of working experience in various positions at the HELB, Mr. Monari is also a member of the Institute of Directors (Kenya) and serves as a Non-Executive Director at the Institute of Economic Affairs.
Diana Mutheu is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in strategic planning, policy development, and resource mobilisation. Currently serving as the Acting Deputy Director of Resource Mobilisation and Head of Planning & Strategy at the Universities Fund, her role is pivotal in providing strategic counsel to the management team on a wide range of corporate matters. Ms. Mutheu has played an instrumental role in aligning the organisation’s strategic objectives with national plans, overseeing performance contracting, and managing fundraising efforts. Her diverse skill set and dedication to organisational excellence are evident in her impressive career history.
Prior to her current position, Ms. Mutheu served as the Head of Corporate Strategy and Planning at the Universities Fund, where she played a crucial role in formulating strategic plans, supervising performance management, and fostering collaborations with various stakeholders. Her leadership and strategic thinking consistently contributed to enhancing the organisation’s efficiency and effectiveness.
Before joining the Universities Fund, Ms. Mutheu spent seven years at the National Transport and Safety Authority(NTSA), where she streamlined licensing processes, engaged in policy formulation, and coordinated operations to improve road safety. Her commitment to quality assurance, compliance with government regulations, and cost optimisation demonstrated her ability to drive positive change within public institutions. Overall, Ms. 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.
She holds a Master of Social Science in Policy and Development Studies from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa), a Bachelor of Social Science Honors in Policy and Development Studies from the University of Kwa-Zulu Natal (South Africa), and a Bachelor of Social Science in Political Science and Sociology from the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Additionally, she has a peer-reviewed publication on exploring perceptions of leadership and governance in Kenya, 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 leads and integrates technology with strategic objectives at the Universities Fund in her role as Assistant Director of the Information Communication & Technology Division. Before joining the Universities Fund, she served as a Strategy and Technology Consultant and Head of ICT at the International Peace Support Training Centre from 2014. Mrs. Miano holds a Bachelor’s degree in Software Engineering and a Master’s in Business Administration in Strategic Management and Finance. With over 13 years of extensive experience in technology services and operations, project management, strategy alignment, and ICT governance and leadership, she brings a wealth of expertise to her current position. Additionally, Mrs. Miano is a member of the Computer Society of Kenya.
