Staff

Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg, Founder/Executive Director | Belmont, California & Nairobi, Kenya

Dr. Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg is Founder and Executive Director of Akili Dada, Wanjiru is also an Assistant Professor in the Politics department at the University of San Francisco, where her research and teaching interests center on the politics of philanthropy, gender, Africa, ethnicity, and democratization, and on the role of technology in social activism. Originally from Kenya, she earned a B.A. in Politics from Whitman College and Masters and Ph.D. degrees in Political Science with concentrations in African Studies and Gender Studies from the University of Minnesota. In her dual roles, Wanjiru divides her time between the U.S. and Kenya, where Akili Dada is based. Working at the intersection of academia and social entrepreneurship, Wanjiru is passionate about the synergy between rigorous academic analysis and committed social activism.

Purity Kagwiria, Program Coordinator & Head of Office | Nairobi, Kenya

‘A journalist by profession,Purity has worked on the rights of women since 2004. She has expertise in leadership development, policy engagement and young women’s empowerment. As an active member of the feminist/women rights movement, she is committed to analyzing the private and personal spaces and developing strategies that lead to the emancipation of women. Having overcome challenges in her own life, Purity believes that education and hope for a better tomorrow are the keys to the actual transformational empowerment in anyone’s life. As such, Purity brings to Akili Dada a passion for girls’ education, documenting oral herstories, love for photography and excellent organizing skills. Purity holds a degree in Gender and Development from the University of Nairobi and a Diploma in Journalism from Kenya Institute of Mass Communication. She holds various certificates on Gender, Human Rights and Leadership. She is currently an advisory committee member of the Young Feminist Fund, an initiative of the Association of Women’s Rights in Development (AWID)

Allison Domicone, Director of Development | San Francisco, California

Allison has worked and volunteered extensively in the nonprofit sector for the past 8 years, doing everything from fundraising to construction to working with kids. From 2008 to 2011 she was with Creative Commons, an international nonprofit organization, where she worked in the development and fundraising department. While still at university, Allison interned for Akili Dada in the spring of 2008 and has since remained passionate about working with such a wonderful and diverse team to further the Akili Dada mission. From July to October of 2011 Allison joined the Akili Dada team at our Nairobi office to head our fundraising and communications efforts while supporting our programs as well. Allison graduated from the University of San Francisco in May of 2008, with a double major in International Studies and French. She finds great joy in reading everything, traveling anywhere, baking pie, and spending time outdoors.

Lynn West, Communications and Outreach Director | Tiburon, CA

Lynn brings to Akili Dada a wealth of experience in scholarship, mentoring, and leadership training programs benefiting young African women, and shares with Wanjiru Kamau-Rutenberg a passionate commitment to young women’s education and empowerment. As the founder and US Director of a girls’ scholarship and mentoring program in an impoverished area of rural KwaZulu-Natal, Lynn works closely with the South Africa Director and her team. Previous roles included Vice President for Development & Advocacy at the Campaign for Female Education (Camfed) and Strategic Adviser for Program Development at the Institute of International Education (IIE)’s West Coast Center. She is currently a member of the Alliance of Advisors for IDEX, where she previously served on the board of directors.

Prior to her work in the non-profit arena, Lynn started her career as an international trade lawyer, served as Deputy General Counsel at the US Department of Commerce, and later worked in a research and corporate leadership advisory firm in both Washington, D.C. and London. She holds a law degree from Georgetown University and BBA from the University of Georgia.

Tinna Johannsdottir, Development Associate | San Francisco, CA

Tinna is originally from Iceland and came to California to play golf at the University of San Francisco. What she did not expect was to become involved in the non-profit industry here in the U.S. However, her classes with Professor Wanjiru inspired her to expand her horizon and she is now graduating in May with a Bachelor’s degree in International Studies with an African Studies minor from the University of San Francisco. Tinna joined Akili Dada in September 2010 and has enjoyed watching the organization grow beyond expectations during that short time. She has become very inspired by Akili Dada’s work and hopes to be a part of the team for some time to come.

Andressa Miguez, Development Intern | San Francisco, California

Andressa was born in Brazil into a family which has dedicated their work, time and love to a noble mission. In 1940, in Sao Paulo, her family founded an organization named “Lar da Irma Celeste – LIC”, where thousands of poor orphan multiracial children could be well nurtured, educated and parented by the local community. After 6 years running the Development Department and participating as member of the Political Action committee for Abrinq Foundation, she became a Board Member at LIC to enhance the strategic leadership of the governing body. Andressa holds a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Communication, but always knew that her creative potential was going to be in social work. Currently, she is a graduate student of the Nonprofit Administration program at the University of San Francisco where she hones her skills in fundraising and financial management. Andressa is serving as a development intern to Akili Dada because she believes in the enormous potential of Africa and its people and also because she wants to build a model career as an international non-profit manager.

Mckenzie Mullen, Communications and Media Intern | San Francisco, California

Mckenzie is a student at the University of San Francisco. She is majoring in Peace & Conflict Studies as well as minoring in African Studies and Gender & Sexuality Studies. Mckenzie enjoys knitting, blogging, and reading. Mckenzie began her internship with Akili Dada in the fall of 2010 and is excited to watch Akili Dada grow and expand.