Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Certification
Leadership & Scholarships
Accomplishments
Work Availability
Work Preference
Affiliations
Quote
Software
Languages
Websites
Timeline
Hi, I’m

Lillian Kariuki

Regional Partnerships Lead
Lillian Kariuki

Summary

Strategic and results-driven Regional Partnerships Lead with over 7 years of experience spearheading partnership development, project management, and sustainability initiatives across Africa. Demonstrated success in forging high-impact alliances with nonprofits, governments, and local communities to drive climate action and maximize environmental outcomes. Proven track record of enhancing stakeholder engagement, crafting persuasive proposals, and optimizing performance metrics. Passionate about leveraging innovative solutions within the green economy to create lasting positive change.

Overview

9
years of professional experience
6
years of post-secondary education
7
Certifications

Work History

Open Forest Protocol

Regional Partnerships Lead, Africa & Europe
08.2022 - Current

Job overview

  • Spearhead blockchain integration to create transparent systems for carbon credit generation and trading, facilitating new revenue streams for local communities while ensuring climate integrity.
  • Lead community-based monitoring and blockchain adoption across 7+ African countries, empowering Indigenous peoples and local communities to actively monitor and protect biodiversity.
  • Research carbon regulatory frameworks across Africa and leverage insights to engage with governments at the national level, supporting them in achieving Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs) in alignment with the UNFCCC.
  • Monitor and analyze partnership performance, delivering data-driven insights to optimize collaboration and maximize impact.
  • Support 7,000+ hectares of community-driven restoration initiatives by forging 20+ strategic partnerships with grassroots movements, nonprofits, and forest-based communities to advance conservation and sustainability through strategic onboarding and collaboration.
  • Drive community ownership and leadership in forest restoration, promoting the stewardship role of Indigenous peoples in environmental conservation.

DLR Group Africa

Project Management Associate
09.2019 - 02.2022

Job overview

  • Designed and managed an Odoo financial database to streamline project operations.
  • Authored 20+ successful proposals and pitches for RFPs/RFIs, supporting project delivery across Africa, the Middle East, and the U.S.
  • Facilitated workshops and cultivated partnerships in the built environment sector.
  • Collaborated with the Project Manager and Director to oversee projects, ensuring contract compliance and on-time delivery.

DLR Group MA

Executive Associate
08.2018 - 09.2019

Job overview

  • Engineered integrated workflow processes to optimize information management and streamline operations.
  • Delivered strategic support to 3 C-level executives across Nairobi, Dubai, and Minneapolis, enhancing decision-making efficiency.
  • Directed and oversaw all complex office operations for the Africa region, ensuring seamless functionality.
  • Streamlined executive travel schedules and implemented solutions to facilitate remote decision-making.

365 Clean Eats & Encore Planners

Business Development Manager
04.2018 - 08.2018

Job overview

  • Leveraged CRM and social media platforms to drive a 36% increase in webpage traffic and sales.
  • Identified and secured a B2B opportunity, resulting in a merchant affiliate partnership with Sodexo.
  • Collaborated with a developer to design and launch a high-performing company website.
  • Established a robust financial records management system to enhance operational efficiency.
  • Managed client relationships and proactively pursued new business opportunities to fuel growth.

Bhundia Associates Consultant Engineers

Project Engineer - Intern
02.2017 - 04.2017

Job overview

  • Partnered with a team of senior engineers to design a water and irrigation system for the Mbita community in Kisumu, optimizing resource delivery.
  • Analyzed and interpreted surveyor data to develop precise water pipeline profiles, ensuring operational accuracy.
  • Engineered water treatment plant units, from coagulation to clear water storage, enhancing system efficiency and compliance.

Mama Africa Pendo

Project Manager in Education
07.2016 - 02.2017

Job overview

  • Directed the organization’s educational and training strategy, aligning initiatives with mission objectives.
  • Oversaw a diverse pool of local and international education trainers, optimizing resource allocation and performance.
  • Established an exchange program partnership with AIESEC at the American University in Cairo, driving a 75.7% increase in Egyptian interns during peak winter season.
  • Designed and implemented a goal-oriented performance plan, boosting intern participation in education projects by 90.5% within the first month.
  • Led a team of five in the education portfolio, spearheading planning and recruitment of international volunteers for the exchange program.
  • Conducted quarterly audits of trainee nominees, ensuring quality and compliance in education projects.

Education

University of Nairobi
Nairobi

Bachelor of Science from Environmental & Biosystems Engineering
04.2013 - 12.2018

University Overview

Skills

Blockchain Integration for Sustainability

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Certification

Certified Project Manager (CPM), International Association of Project Managers

Leadership & Scholarships

Leadership & Scholarships
  • Wildlife Ambassador, WildlifeDirect Inc. | 2016 – Present
  • Academic Delegate, University of Nairobi | 2013 – 2014
  • Diversity & Inclusion Scholarship, O’Reilly Media | 2021
  • Africa Live Scholarship, Harvard University | 2020

Accomplishments

Accomplishments
  • Scaled Climate Impact Portfolio:Strategically expanded partnership development across Africa and Europe, managing a diverse portfolio of 30+ climate impact projects in collaboration with nonprofits, philanthropic organizations, and community-led initiatives. Amplified regional climate impact through coordinated efforts and high-impact alliances.
  • Forged High-Impact Alliances: Represented OFP at high-profile industry events, cultivating strategic alliances with key stakeholders to accelerate climate initiatives and amplify organizational influence across two continents.
  • Enhanced Collaboration Through Data Insights: Assessed partnership performance and delivered actionable, data-driven insights to optimize collaboration frameworks, driving measurable improvements in project outcomes and climate impact.
  • Pioneered Regional Carbon Market Access: Led the onboarding of diverse partners onto OFP’s blockchain-based protocol, democratizing access to voluntary carbon markets for projects spanning Africa and Europe.
  • Strengthened Community Engagement: Built and maintained strong relationships with local communities and government bodies, incorporating grassroots perspectives into climate strategies to boost project scalability and inclusivity.
Availability
See my work availability
Not Available
Available
monday
tuesday
wednesday
thursday
friday
saturday
sunday
morning
afternoon
evening
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Work Preference

Work Location

Hybrid

Important To Me

Company CultureHealthcare benefitsPersonal development programsCareer advancementTeam Building / Company RetreatsWork from home option

Affiliations

Affiliations
  • International Association of Project Managers (IAPM)

Quote

As we age, the desire for meaningful work can descend on us almost as strongly as romantic love. The soul reveals the desire for significance, for heft, for some psychic resonance over and over, and will crash our lives against rocks until we take notice -
Martin Shaw

Software

Partnership and Project Management: Hubspot, Asana, Salesforce

Data Analysis and Reporting: Microsoft Excel, Google Sheets, Tableau, Power BI

Sustainability and Carbon Management: ArcGIS, QGIS, Restor

Blockchain and Decentralized Platforms: NEAR protocol (DeFi)

Communication and Collaboration: Slack, Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Google Meet

Design and Documentation: AutoCAD, Adobe InDesign, Canva, Google Workspace

Languages

English
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
Swahili
Bilingual or Proficient (C2)
French
Elementary (A2)

Websites

Timeline

Regional Partnerships Lead, Africa & Europe
Open Forest Protocol
08.2022 - Current

Certified Project Manager (CPM), International Association of Project Managers

08-2021

SAP on Hyperscalers - Strategy, Architecture and Deployment

05-2021

Inclusive Green Economy & Green Fiscal Policy, UNITAR

04-2021

Entrepreneurship in Emerging Economies, Harvard University

03-2021

Open Source Leader, Common Purpose

11-2020
Project Management Associate
DLR Group Africa
09.2019 - 02.2022
Executive Associate
DLR Group MA
08.2018 - 09.2019

Certificate of Online Marketing Proficiency, Google

05-2018
Business Development Manager
365 Clean Eats & Encore Planners
04.2018 - 08.2018
Project Engineer - Intern
Bhundia Associates Consultant Engineers
02.2017 - 04.2017
Project Manager in Education
Mama Africa Pendo
07.2016 - 02.2017

Mastery in Diplomatic Skills in the Role of Youth in Security, Governance and Development

03-2016
University of Nairobi
Bachelor of Science from Environmental & Biosystems Engineering
04.2013 - 12.2018

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Lillian KariukiRegional Partnerships Lead