ELIAS KOMBO WAIGURU
Creative Director, Geospatial Engineer
Nairobi,Kenya
Summary
I am a young highly driven, focused, creative, apt individual who prides myself in my discipline and commitment, as well as zeal in whatever I undertake. I combine critical thinking skills and communication to deliver timely results for the organization, clients and I always aim at making everyone around me better.
Overview
7
7
years of professional experience
3
3
Languages
Work History
Business Development Consultant
USTADI Foundation
07.2025 - Current
- Led strategic positioning efforts by analysing socio-economic and funding landscapes to align project concepts with donor priorities.
- Developed 20+ competitive proposals, concept notes, and EOIs aligned to institutional donor frameworks and funding trends.
- Conducted donor mapping and maintained a structured pipeline of funding opportunities across local and international partners.
- Collaborated with programme teams to design project frameworks, budgets, log frames, and measurable impact indicators.
- Designed and implemented a charge-out rate policy to standardise pricing for services and improve revenue sustainability.
- Monitored shifts in funding priorities, including private-sector and development finance engagement, to inform strategic direction.
- Collaborated with programme teams to translate field evidence, impact data, and lessons learned into compelling value propositions and funding narratives.
- Contributed to organisational strategy by aligning business development efforts with long-term sustainability goals.
- Identified and pursued emerging partnership opportunities to expand institutional and strategic collaborations.
Creative Director
USTADI Foundation
07.2025 - Current
- Led the organization’s social media strategy, including content planning, messaging alignment, and platform growth.
- Developed and implemented a structured 12-month content calendar to ensure consistency and audience engagement.
- Directed a full brand revamp, including new logo development and establishment of brand identity guidelines for visual and communication uniformity.
- Oversaw creative production across digital platforms to ensure alignment with organizational mission and tone.
- Provided strategic oversight on marketing, communications, and stakeholder visibility initiatives.
Freelance Creative Director
Nairobi
05.2019 - Current
- Lead the creative vision and direction of projects from concept to execution, ensuring alignment with brand strategy and objectives.
- Developed and executed over 50 visual campaigns, combining design, photography, and videography for maximum audience impact.
- Directed and produced content for 30+ weddings, 20+ conferences, and 40+ product shoots, ensuring each event or brand captured its unique essence.
- Collaborated with cross-functional teams—designers, writers, photographers, videographers, and marketers—to bring ideas to life and meet tight deadlines.
- Provided on-set direction and post-production oversight for photo and video content, maintaining a consistent brand voice across all platforms.
- Translated abstract concepts into engaging visual content, helping clients increase engagement by up to 40% on digital platforms.
- Ensured cohesive brand representation across print, digital, video, and social media by delivering high-quality, strategically aligned creative assets.
- Graphic design for clients (logos, brochures, web design, posters)
Audit Associate
KPMG EAST Africa
09.2023 - 04.2024
- Obtained sufficient and appropriate audit evidence through verifying support documents and contacting third parties.
- Assessed and evaluate risks associated with internal controls of firm operations.
- Ensured compliance and adherence by verifying against applicable laws, standards and policies.
- Prepared organized work papers as well as other necessary documentation.
- Formed an audit opinion after determining integrity of financial statements.
- Prepared audit reports for presentation to respective shareholders.
Creative Director
Rubik’s Digital
12.2021 - 12.2022
- Directed all video and photo content shoots to market our product, a gaming app.
- Organised 2 mega expos to showcase our app and the games.
- Developed a quiz show and scripted its episodes.
- Oversaw increased downloads of the app, upto 10,000.
- Carried out research on the growing world of gaming and social media, and tailored our content to the findings.
- Managed the department and organized trainings for the junior staff.
- Held one-on-one meetings with the C.E.O on research I had done, and proposed strategies to be implemented in the creative department.
Digital Media, Field Survey Intern
Optiven Limited
07.2022 - 10.2022
- Produced daily Instagram reels that grew our social media following by 60%.
- Offered technical advice and consultation to clients buying or selling land.
- Assisted the project team in carrying out field surveys.
- Took photos and videos to be used that helped drive sales.
- Developed scripts for T.V commercials and social media ads to market the company’s products.
- Conducted research on developing trends and market needs.
Education
CPA -
KASNEB
Bachelor of Science - Geospatial Engineering
University of Nairobi
Nairobi09-2023
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined
Nairobi School
01-2017
Skills
- Design: created hundreds of graphic elements like posters, brochures, logos
- Adobe Creative Suite: Highly skilled in Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, Lightroom, Premiere Pro
- Instagram SEO & Discoverability Optimization – Keyword strategy, profile optimization, hashtag research, algorithm-informed content structuring
- Short-form Video Production – Reels strategy, scripting, and editing using CapCut
- Interpersonal Skills: I excel in building professional relations with colleagues to boost morale and collaboration
- Microsoft Office: Excel, PowerPoint, Word, Access
- Research: Able to evaluate data in a particular topic to come to logical conclusions
- GIS Skills: Spatial analysis, data modelling, automation and scripting, Google Earth Engine
Communication Skills: Proficient in 3 languages, oral and written
Interests
Physical exercise, Table Tennis, Playing guitar, Graphic Design, Nature and adventure, Board games
Timeline
Business Development Consultant
USTADI Foundation
07.2025 - Current
Creative Director
USTADI Foundation
07.2025 - Current
Audit Associate
KPMG EAST Africa
09.2023 - 04.2024
Digital Media, Field Survey Intern
Optiven Limited
07.2022 - 10.2022
Creative Director
Rubik’s Digital
12.2021 - 12.2022
Freelance Creative Director
05.2019 - Current
Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education - undefined
Nairobi School
CPA -
KASNEB
Bachelor of Science - Geospatial Engineering
University of Nairobi