International
Women's Think Tank
Our mission is to build a think tank community, foster engagement and inspire action as we stimulate global awareness about concerns related to women and girls through research, critical thinking, and innovative solutions
Honorary Ambassadors
Ms. Joyce Kibet
Honorary Ambassador-African Women in Think Tanks
Ms. Joyce Kibet is an advisor in inclusive growth, gender economics, and gender governance. She is also the co-founder of Sheba Trust, a non-profit, non-partisan organization based in Nairobi-Kenya that aims to help societies in Kenya and Africa to own and participate in Africa's forward-looking, Nation Building efforts. Sheba Trust works through training, research, and peer-learning initiatives.
She is also the Founder and CEO of Business Advantage, a for-profit business and social innovation consultancy based in Nairobi -Kenya. Through Business Advantage, Joyce enjoys assisting for-profit and non-profit organizations indigenous to Africa, to demystify business strategy, adopt systemic thinking, and own sustainable impact by working collaboratively to tackle global challenges.
Joyce has over 15 years of experience as a trainer, consultant, and advisor in Inclusive Growth, Gender Economics, and Gender Governance. She has experience working with National & Regional organizations, as well as International Development Organizations- such as The United Nations Great Lakes Region (Gender Affairs Unit) where she was the National Consultant and part of a team assessing measurable outcomes of Women as Agents of Change for Social and Economic Transformation in the Great Lakes Region, within the evolving context of the COVID 19 pandemic. Joyce was previously the national vice chair and, the national head of the Economic Empowerment and Regional Integration Pillar of ICGLR-RWF Kenya Chapter (International Conference for the Great Lakes Region-Regional Women Forum). In 2022, Joyce was appointed for a two-year term as the National Chair of the ICGLR-RWF Kenya Chapter. Together with her team, she has the mandate of securing and promoting women's peace, security, and development within the political, social, and economic landscape of Kenya. She is also a member of the ICGLR-RWF Regional Steering Committee, which oversees the coordination of ICGLR-RWF's regional strategic goals. Joyce has experience in providing a gender lens to trade missions, stakeholder dialogues, capacity-building workshops, peace (solidarity) missions as well as elections observation missions within the continent of Africa. In July 2022. she was part of the delegation of the high-level Joint Solidarity Mission to the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Additionally, in August 2022, she trained a faith-leaders ecumenical elections observation team from 12 African countries on the indicators of monitoring the gender lens in Kenya's 2022 national elections. In addition to this, she was able to convene a multi-sectoral gender focus group to engage with the visiting ICGLR elections observation team, during the 2022 Kenyan elections.
Previously, Joyce was an International Partner of the World Business Angels Forum (WBAF), the Business Development Advisor for the East African Chamber of Commerce, Industry & Agriculture, and the CEO & Council Member of the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) which is an international diplomacy Kenyan think tank. She is also a conference speaker and has appeared in various local Television and Radio shows, and newspaper publications. In June 2020, her article - The Role of Africa's Health Practitioners In Commercial Diplomacy Discussions - was published by the IRSK Think Tank. She has also been a volunteer Mentor for the Cherie Blair Foundation, Xavier Project, and Lapid leaders Africa.
Joyce has a Bachelor of Science degree in International Business Administration from the United States International University, and professional development certificates which include Reading and Interpreting International Trade Agreements-The Case of AfCFTA including the Protocol on Women and Youth In Trade (Presented by Trade Law Center- TRALAC). Advanced Training on Mediation and Negotiation for the Great Lakes Region (Presented by AU Commission and UN Great Lakes). The Inclusive Business from World Bank Group open learning Campus. Negotiating Social Impact Investment from Strathmore University (Kenya). Certificate in Circular Economy and The 2030 Agenda from the United Nations Staff Systems College.
She is a stronger believer that, to harness Africa's indigenous and African diaspora multi-generational and transformational potential, Africans must innovate their partnership strategy, promote co-creation for change, and facilitate multi-stakeholder knowledge sharing and peer learning.
Madam Selamawit Zemene
Honorary Ambassador to Ethiopia
The International Women's Think Tank (IWTT) is pleased to announce the appointment of Madam Selamawit Zemene as its Ambassador in Ethiopia and Thought Leader in IWTT. Acknowledged for her remarkable contributions to fostering sustainable cross-cultural business collaborations in Africa, Madam Zemene has consistently demonstrated her adeptness in building professional bridges across diverse national and cultural landscapes. Her achievements, including the prestigious Pan-African American Leadership Award 2023 and the Women Entrepreneur of the
Year 2021 Award from the Asian-Africa Chamber of Commerce, attesting to her over 15 years of expertise in entrepreneurship, business development, and management.
In assuming her role with IWTT, Madam Selamawit Zemene will play a pivotal role in advancing the agenda of women's leadership and climate justice in Ethiopia under the esteemed leadership of Dr. Brenda Morant, IWTT's Founder and President. Madam Selamawit Zemene is excited about
fostering cross-border collaboration with Ms. Joyce Kibet, IWTT's Thought Leader and Honorary Ambassador for African Women in Think Tanks, based in Nairobi-Kenya. This collaborative effort is geared towards cultivating a synergistic approach to leadership, equity, and climate justice
across Sub-Saharan Africa, thereby aligning with the mutual geo-strategic goals envisioned by Madam Zemene, Ms. Kibet and IWTT.
Madam Zemene, holds key positions such as Ethiopian County Chair of the G100 Group of Global Women, the President of the Asian African Chamber of Commerce and Industry - Kenya Chapter, Founder and CEO of Signum Co. Ltd (Kenya), and Alkebulan Business Group PLC (Ethiopia), Madam Zemene is poised to make substantial contributions to the shared focus areas of IWTT’s initiatives, thereby promoting development, innovation, and equality in Ethiopia and beyond.
Owomugisha Blessing Immaculate
Honorary Ambassador to Uganda
The International Women's Think Tank (IWTT) proudly announces the appointment of Owomugisha Blessing Immaculate as their Honorary Ambassador in Uganda. In this role, Ms. Immaculate, an accomplished and award-winning trade facilitation lawyer, will play a pivotal role in advancing the International Women's Think Tank's mission as well as the agenda of women's leadership, equity, and climate justice in Uganda. Furthermore, Ms. Immaculate will leverage her extensive expertise in Africa's trade facilitation and trade diplomacy to bolster the influence and
effectiveness of the International Women's Think Tank, particularly within the evolving framework of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).
With a prominent role in Uganda's Fintech and insurance landscape, Ms. Immaculate is a certified Trade and Policy Trainer of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AFCFTA) by the International Trade Center. Her extensive experience includes serving as a Board member in organizations such as the Centre for Arbitration and Reconciliation, Free Zone Authority, Fintech International Limited, and Stallion Insurance Brokers Limited. She is also a member of the Private Sector Development Forum under the Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning and
the expanded Board of the National Planning Authority in Uganda.
Previously, Ms. Immaculate served as the Secretary General of the Uganda National Chamber of Commerce and Industry for five years. Currently, she is the Team Lead at Ayuda Legal Business Clinic, where she focuses on trade facilitation, business growth, and compliance for SMEs, especially women and youth in business in Uganda and Sub-Saharan Africa.
Ms. Immaculate's commitment to community service is reflected in her voluntary roles in Uganda, including Past President of the Rotaract Club of Kampala South, Paul Harris Fellow, Past Monitoring and Evaluation Chair of Rotaract Earth Initiative, Past District Rotaract Project Chair, Past Rotaract Ladies Initiative Chair, Past Project Chair for Rotary Roses, and Past Programs and Projects Chair for the Rotary Fellowship of Empowering Women. Additionally, she holds the position of Chair in Rotary International Fellowships in Uganda.
In assuming her role with IWTT, Ms. Immaculate will work seamlessly with the leadership of Dr. Brenda Morant, IWTT's Founder and President. She will also collaborate with IWTT's Honorary Ambassador from Kenya and thought leader, Joyce Kibet, to harness synergistic and collective gains in Uganda, Kenya, and Sub-Saharan Africa in the context of women's leadership, equity, and climate justice and trade diplomacy while remaining aligned to the IWTT's mission.
IWTT is confident that Ms. Immaculate's wealth of experience and dedication to empowering women will contribute significantly to the organization's mission. Her role as Honorary Ambassador exemplifies IWTT's commitment to fostering positive change and creating a lasting impact on the lives of women in the global north and south.
Dr. Phidel Adah Baraza
Honorary Ambassador for - Africa Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs)
International Women’s Think Tank is honored to Appoint Dr. Phidel Adah Baraza as The International Women’s Think Tank – Honorary Ambassador for -Africa Children and Youth with Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs).
Dr. Baraza is an Educator, Thought Leader, Certified Professional Mediator, Public Speaker, Research & Learning Expert on Disability and Inclusion. She is the Founder and President of Beauty Out Of Mire (BOOM) Trust a non-profit organization, based in Nairobi-Kenya, that she started with an objective of supporting children and youth in Africa affected by Neurodevelopmental Disorders (NDDs). She also serves on the Board of Inclusion Champions Society representing parents of Children with disabilities.
Dr. Baraza maintains a continuous knowledge flow on developments in the area of NDDs through Research, Publications, Workshops, and Partnerships, as well as by creating initiatives that enable the people living with NDDs together with their ecosystem, to contribute to the flourishing of the society. Dr. Baraza is serves as the Deputy Head of Christian Education and Discipleship Department at Christ Is The Answer Ministries (CITAM), and also is an adjunct faculty member at Pan Africa Christian University in Kenya where she provides guidance to thesis writers and mentor students. She also teaches various courses on Career Guidance for Special Needs Population and Career Guidance for Socially Disadvantaged Members of the Community at the College of Career Guidance & Development in Kenya. Her scientific research projects have been featured in prestigious journals including the International Journal of Christianity & Education, Consortium Journal of Psychology, Guidance, and Counseling, Journal of Transformation, International Journal of Scientific Research and Innovative Technology, and International Journal of Contemporary Research and Review. Furthermore, she has featured as a subject matter contributor in various stakeholder roundtable discussions organized by international development organizations and faith based organizations.
Dr. Baraza strongly believes that by embracing the societal model of disability and adopting a holistic approach to human development, we are able to offer a safe and supportive environment that enables accessibility and promote inclusivity in the society.
Her Excellency Dr. Justina Mutale
Honorary Ambassador for Gender Equality
Dr. Justina Mutale is a Leadership Expert and an Accredited and Certified Executive and Leadership Development Coach. She has been globally acclaimed as one of the most influential and inspirational African women and in 2012, was named African 'Woman of the Year'. She is author of “The Art of Iconic Leadership” and publisher of “The Iconic Leadership Magazine”. Justina also is co-author of the highly cerebral book titled: 'Women on Corporate Boards: An International Perspective'. In addition, she has contributed to several other publications and books on leadership, gender equality and women in leadership, and is an International Keynote Speaker, Public Speaker and Guest Lecturer.
She is Founder and President of the Justina Mutale Foundation, through which she advocates for gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls by providing leadership and entrepreneurship training, mentorship, and coaching. Her Foundation also advocates for the retention and completion of tertiary education for young women and girls from rural and disadvantaged communities in Africa by providing them with university scholarships to access higher education around the world.
Justina previously worked in the Gender Section of the Commonwealth Secretariat and has been a consistent delegate, speaker and parallel event convener at global forums that address political, economic, social, African and gender issues including the United Nations Commission on the Status of Women (UNCSW) and the African Union High Level Panel on Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment, in addition to being the Founder and Convener of the World Summit on Women and Girls.
Internationally acclaimed as a global Stateswoman, Justina leads and serves on various Boards of commercial, humanitarian and charitable organizations across the globe, and has been honored with numerous international awards, honors and accolades for her outstanding leadership qualities.
Lydia Kimani
Honorary Ambassador to Kenya
Lydia Kimani is on a mission to see the agriculture sector in Africa grow in productivity and competitiveness supported by a conducive business environment. Trained as an Agricultural Economist at the Moi University-Kenya, and certified as a Value Chain Analyst, she has a unique 12-years of experience in the sector spanning the subjects of policy advocacy, private sector development- SME competitiveness, value chain analysis and sustainable resource management. She is currently pursuing an Executive MBA in Global Business Sustainability from Tangaza University-Kenya.
Her passion and enthusiasm have launched her into the seldom charted waters of Agriculture in the context of international trade at regional, continental, and global levels. To this end, she has attained certified expertise in the WTO Agreement on the Application of SPS Measures and as the SPS Focal Point in the Agriculture Sector Board of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KPSA), represents the private sector in the National SPS Committee. In addition, she is a member of the Society of Crop Agribusiness Advisors (SOCAA) and is their Agribusiness Liaison. Also, as a subject matter expert, she is a member of Agriculture Sector Network (ASNET Council). Besides these roles, she is Co-Convener of the Climate Finance Thematic Working Group of the Kenya Platform for Climate Governance (KPCG). Ms. Kimani has also been a Board Vice Chair of African Women Agribusiness Network (AWAN) and is in-charge of the AWAN & ASNET sub-committee that handles Free-Trade Area matters regarding Kenya-USA, Kenya-UK EPA (Economic Partnership Agreement). Presently, she is also a member of the International Relations Society of Kenya (IRSK) where she is a Council Member and the Treasurer. Ms. Lydia Kimani also has experience as a speaker and moderator within the subject matters of Agribusiness, Entrepreneurship, Climate Change, Economics and Trade.
Rose Heffernan
Honorary Ambassador to Scotland
Rose Heffernan is from Edinburgh, Scotland and began her work in political research at the University of Glasgow where she undertook a variety of research projects that examined national identity in Eastern Europe, including in countries such as Estonia, Latvia, Ukraine, and Russia. She is learning Russian in her spare time to gain a better understanding of the region. Her studies were focused on international political issues, which informs her work.
Since graduating, Rose has been working at Women Engage for a Common Future (WECF), an ecofeminist organization based in Europe. She began by working on the Conference on the Status of Women 65, where she helped plan a parallel event which highlighted how gender equality is needed to achieve the sustainable development goals. From there she was on the coordinating team in a WECF project with the European Environmental Bureau “Why the European Green Deal needs Ecofeminism”. This project analyzed the European Green Deal from a gender perspective and highlighted how we can have gender transformative policy moving forward. Rose was pleased to have co-authored a chapter on the theory underpinning the project, which reflected her non-binary intersectional ecofeminist approach to politics.
Through WECF, Rose has also worked for the Economic Commission of Europe’s Regional Civil Society Engagement Mechanism, where she engaged in the High-Level Political Forum on Sustainable Development. This gave her a deeper understanding of how we can advance feminist and human rights-based messages at the international level related to the Sustainable Development Goals.