Kenya: Carole Wamuyu Wainaina joins Mastercard Foundation Board of Directors

The Mastercard Foundation has appointed Carole Wamuyu Wainaina to its Board of Directors. With 35 years of global experience in strategy, organizational transformation, and human resources across multinationals and multilateral organizations, Carole Wainaina brings extensive expertise to the board.

“I am delighted to welcome Carole Wainaina to our Board of Directors. The Mastercard Foundation is executing a bold strategy to create economic opportunities for young people in Africa and Indigenous youth in Canada. Carole’s experience in the public and private sectors, global networks, and knowledge of the African continent will be invaluable,” said Zein Abdalla, Chair of the Board of Directors of the Mastercard Foundation.

“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, buildstronger 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,” said Carole Wainaina, Senior Advisor to the CEO at Africa50 and Non-Executive Director at various organizations.

Carole Wainaina has worked for several years at Africa50, the Morocco-based Pan-African infrastructure investment platform capitalized by African countries and the African Development Bank. She was previously COO, responsible for establishing Africa50 and leading a multi-disciplinary team including Strategy, Investor Relations & Fundraising, Communications, HR & Administration, and Environmental & Social Governance (ESG). She has served as the Assistant Secretary-General for Human Resources at the United Nations, leading transformational initiatives for the Secretary-General and member states. Carole Wainaina’s experience in the philanthropic sector includes serving on the non-profit boards Impact (Ed) International, and Harvard Business School Africa Research Board. She is an angel investor and mentor to several founders.