Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Affiliations
Certification
Interests
Acknowledgements
Awards
Timeline
Teacher
Renee Ngamau

Renee Ngamau

Lawyer, Business Coach & Trainer
Nairobi,Kenya

Summary

Tactful, articulate, goal driven, proactive Board of Directors Member and Chairperson with strong diplomatic skills, credibility and passion for human rights and dignity, skillful in developing strategic plans, change management, enlisting active support of stakeholders, resource development and monitoring programs and services. Transparent and responsive professional comfortable managing evolving situations in politically charged environments. In-depth knowledge of financial planning and reporting practices. Proven history of forward-thinking, future proofing organizations while delivering on organizational vision in collaboration with others.

Overview

37
37
years of professional experience
7
7
years of post-secondary education
14
14
Certifications
4
4
Languages
4
4

Boards of Directors

2
2

International Committees

Work History

Board of Directors Member

CleanStart
Nairobi, Kenya
03.2021 - Current
  • CleanStart is an organization started by formerly incarcerated women [FIW] to support girls, women and children impacted by the criminal justice system, borstal, approved homes, jails and prisons, and those leaving the prison system to heal, reintegrate into society, start and grow income generating activities into viable businesses. It currently supports over 600 women and girls within and outside the prison system
  • Define and guide three-year organizational strategy to create and implement effective plans.
  • Monitor outcomes and metrics to evaluate performance, effectiveness and impact.
  • Offer expertise on employee and business development plans to enhance implementation and routine oversight.
  • Focus teams on developing innovative and cutting-edge fundraising and creative resourcefulness approaches at all levels with effective resource allocation and strategic planning.
  • Collaborated with 3 other members to seek involvement in policy decisions, fundraising and visibility of organization.
  • Determine and monitor organization's programs and services specifically the Circles of Healing - the post trauma counseling and coaching program, and the Tables of Support - the business generating model through oversight, guidance, curriculum co-development and role out.
  • Provide leadership coaching to staff [over 70% are FIW], to enable each to find self confidence, self definition beyond the prison experience, resilience, daily motivation, solve problems and make effective decisions.
  • Provide leadership coaching, support and oversight for the Founder and CEO, with a view to transitioning her to the global Coalition of Formerly Incarcerated Women and beyond
  • Strengthen, enforce and optimize internal policies to maintain efficiency and responsiveness to demands.
  • Collaborate with the Ministry of Interior, on humanization of correctional facilities in keeping with human rights and dignity for all
  • Work with the Department of Prisons in reforming the prison system as well as supporting the clients therein
  • Work with the Judicial Service Commission, the Judiciary and the Office of the Directorate of Public Prosecution in reducing court hearing processes [in Kenya, hearings in criminal matters can take more than 3 years], creating and enforcing proper and just sentencing guidelines and rules
  • Petitioning parliament for the repeal of laws that criminalize poverty, or target women eg the Liquor Act under which 70% of women are incarcerated, loitering, vagrancy
  • Provide best practice in corporate governance

Chairperson Board of Directors

Amnesty International Kenya
Nairobi, Kenya
10.2018 - Current
  • Joined board with objectives for Amnesty Kenya to *be known * be relevant * be approachable * be effective * be "leaderful" * be youthful * be impactful * be collaborative *be inclusive * be outspoken * be grassroots and global movement builders * be more locally driven * be more financially diverse * be recognized as a Section within the Amnesty Global body
  • Oversaw establishment of a members' handbook, code of ethics and conduct;
  • Led board in review and commitment of members' code of ethics, rules of engagement and deliverables
  • INCLUSIVITY: Diversified board from seven members [including chair] to include special interest and underrepresented/unrepresented persons including LGBTQI+ member, PWD member, Medical Doctor, Coroner, member from the grassroots human rights movement [already present], young person [already present] as well as existing competencies represented.
  • Bringing the voice of Amnesty to the grassroots through the arts, using networks to bring members of the bench, public prosecutors, and young persons in the low income and informal settlements to debate and discussion panels on thematic issues of poverty and crime, young men in the criminal justice system.
  • Soliciting participation of professionals and Kenyan middle class within the contexts of professional associations, welfare clubs eg Rotary International, religious institutions and social media to be active citizens, high value professionals, to make ethics based professional choices in leadership and engage within their communities
  • Multiple media engagements via TV, radio and digital print vocalizing areas where state organs are performing sub-optimally or participating in Extra Judicial Killings [EJKs] and working with them to find common solutions to security, safety, dignity and human rights for all especially with the rise in EJKs and what appeared to be punitive forcible inadequately provisioned quarantines at the beginning of COVID-19 pandemic
  • STRUCTURAL CHANGES FOR OPTIMAL PERFORMANCE & GREATER IMPACT: Commissioned the drafting of a new updated constitution to include membership, delegates, circles of conscience which is the active citizen participation platforms and updated governance structures for greater participation and wider inclusion.
  • Included provision in new constitution for provision of seats for leaders from within the membership, representation of traditionally underrepresented groups and minorities, and a board that reflects membership and aspiration
  • Review of committees to align with oversight needs; committees include Human Resources and Organizational Development; Fundraising and Finance; Core Standards, Risk and Audit; Programs strategy
  • Continuous monitoring and support for financial resilience including diversification of fundraising efforts to raise funds; framework for resilience financing and prudential investments with the expectation that RAM will be used to support salaries and recurrent expenditures/overheads while programs are increasingly supported to fundraise for implementation
  • Continuously engage with professional bodies including Law Society of Kenya, Kenya Institute of Supplies Managers, Architects Association of Kenya in framing collaborations for training on human rights, professional ethics and whistleblower protection, to stem corruption and sub-optimal professional practices
  • STAFF OVERSIGHT AND SUPPORT: Coaching, oversight and works closely with Executive Director in delivering radical new changes within the strategic plan, while recognizing the importance of maintaining professional independence [our ED was one of less than 50% on the continent that reported little-no experience of Board micromanagment during recently concluded survey on wellbeing conducted by Amnesty International]
  • Close monitoring and evaluation of the health and wellbeing of ED, staff and community human rights defenders health, including institution and formalization of psychological and counseling support with competent professional third parties during the pandemic
  • Serve on the newly revised internal dispute resolution committee for internal disputes arising from staff complaints.
  • Oversight of new organigram with better, clearer and more transparent opportunities for promotion and career advancement.
  • Available and often called upon to engage, support or coach team members on various situations including awareness programs such as members' bookclubs, personal interests and pursuits, non-work related coaching
  • NATIONAL IMPACT: Moving towards a collaborative solution focused engagement with National Government, county government, governmental bodies charged with the securing, upholding and defending of human rights, while campaigning for the prosecution of those officers suspected of breaking the law
  • Participated in various fora with the Cabinet Secretary Interior, senior Police Leadership, Independent Policing Oversight Authority and others including the National Policing Consultative Forum in finding structural and policy reforms
  • REGIONAL IMPACT: Engaging with the team in support of asylum seekers from neighboring countries who flee their countries of origin. Support includes engaging with ministry of interior officials to cease and desist arrest and possible repatriation of asylum seekers to country of origin, collaboration with other agencies, and international diplomatic corps to provide safe haven and countries of refuge for particularly high profile figures and their families. This work complements that of the regional offices.
  • Working with regional office in connecting, liaising with witnesses of atrocities and other persons of interest in research, understanding of the regional conflicts within neighboring countries eg Ethiopia and Eritrea
  • Coaching and supporting ED in levels, limits and impact of leadership at global and regional levels
  • Presided over statutory board meetings of organization's board of directors each quarter, inviting trainers for orientation of new board members and for best board governance practice in order to ensure high quality participation and critical input by board members, keeping in mind their diverse backgrounds.

Enterprise Support Master Trainer & Business Coach

ReneeSense Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
03.2016 - Current
  • Objective is to support 1 million women to confidently start, build and establish high net value businesses across the African continent in manufacturing, trading and service industries
  • Have trained over 1,800 women in specific masterclasses, curated information exchange sessions and served over 3500 within our ecosystem which includes a women's business hub, cottage industry expo, workspace
  • Work with 14 trainers, 6 coaches, 3 support staff members, 3 lawyers, tax advisor, within an ecosystem that supports women from stand-alone skills and expertise training, to business evaluation, to business support services, to immersion training and business overhaul, to individualized coaching
  • Partner and recommend our graduates to appropriate mentorship, coaching, onward or specialized training, financing and business support opportunities based on needs assessment
  • Moderate and curate the flagship 15-week business start-up and growth accelerator course, SuperCircles For Women In Business training and establishing the following; market research, minimum viable product or service creation; market entry; iteration; branding and, where applicable, packaging; business registration, IP protection, tax and accounting systems; sales and marketing; supply chain creation; financing; partnership agreements and criteria; pitching for business finance; technology for business; resilience; business strategy and execution; pricing; business adaptability.
  • Work closely with government tax and business support services to formalize women led businesses
  • Advise business owners and executives on best practices for employee growth and productivity goals, consistently helping companies achieve over 17% growth on average in a period of 3 years.
  • Cognizant of the very unique challenges experienced by women in business, coach women business owners in overcoming internal limiting beliefs, external challenges in balance and time optimization, goal setting and accomplishment and income generating networks
  • Develop curricula, instructions, documentation and practical work loads for business training courses to monitor and ensure business owners apply business skills acquired within existing businesses and new ones.
  • Support businesses to obtain standards certification in order to go into markets.
  • Devise, deploy and oversee monitoring of processes to boost long-term business success and increase profit levels.
  • Help business owners to set, enforce and optimize internal policies to maintain efficiency and responsiveness to demands.
  • Support and train women business owners to streamline operational efficiencies by delivering recommendations for knowledge-base processes and procedures.
  • Train clients on financial best practices and customer relationships while ensuring optimal debt collection, credit repayment plans.
  • Engage clients in development and deployment of new products/services within their offering while minimizing business interruption and enhancing lean, effective, agile operations.
  • Co-create standards for women entrepreneurs to evaluate suppliers by assessing quality, timeliness and compliance of deliveries to maintain tight cost controls and maximize business operational efficiency.
  • Assist business owners with identifying, interviewing and testing top talent at rates affordable to businesses in order to optimize productivity.
  • Monitor and evaluate businesses post training and deliver targeted solutions, where required, using various tools and resources.
  • Provide personalized business consulting and business overhaul services to strengthen client success.
  • Direct business owners on how to identify key products, services and customers and use data to help business owners devise innovative sales and marketing plans enabling dramatic growth.
  • Support business owners to achieve mutually set and agreed upon KPIs within their businesses, by effectively managing portfolios with one to thirty employees, and/or three or more collaborative partnerships and rectifying discrepancies through self diagnostic tools.
  • Strengthen sales and marketing functions and funnels by reviewing process data, developing solutions and providing tools for monitoring implementation.
  • Propel domestic companies into regional and international markets through strategic business planning, curated conversations with local and international trade organizations, diplomatic attaches and national export processing support bodies.
  • Aid senior leadership during executive decision-making process by coaching and through the generation of timely reports to recommend corrective actions and improvements.
  • Training, monitoring and evaluating pitch decks, pitch plans and investment strategies presented by business owners to potential partners to raise capital.
  • Leverage referral network to promote business development.
  • Provide networking opportunities among local business and business support organizations to develop leads and generate business.
  • Maintain extensive knowledge of company products and services to provide top-notch expertise to customers.
  • Develop business pipeline using cold and warm techniques.
  • Arrange potential client meetings, recommend synergistic relationships, and business opportunities for business owners within our ecosystem.

Commercial Lawyer

Macharia, Mwangi & Njeru Advocates
Nairobi, Kenya
07.2019 - 04.2020
  • Medium sized commercial transaction and litigation law firm of over 25 years based in Nairobi, Kenya with a reputation for integrity and high win ratio
  • Oversaw restructure of the law firm to create transparent, clear career pathway and remuneration structure for lawyers and support staff
  • Completed reviews of case files, employees and overall firm structures and introduced ideas and systems to remedy issues.
  • Provided legal advice to variety of small and mid-sized businesses involved in multiple types of commercial transactions.
  • Provided legal advice on commercial transactions for medium sized banks served by the firm
  • Handled 37 cases at time while managing team of three specialized commercial and conveyancing lawyers and average of 8 clients at one time.
  • Transaction advisor on the sale and purchase of three manufacturing going concerns valued at over USD8 million each in separate transactions
  • Developed strategies to resolve cases in client's best interest and with minimal turnaround time.
  • Minimized risk exposure through careful advice on business operations and strategic plans.
  • Analyzed probable outcomes of cases using knowledge of legal precedents.
  • Operated specialized legal software including Clio, Practical Law and Lexis Nexus.
  • Drafted settlement documents on clients' behalf by balancing objectives and legal requirements and prohibitions.
  • Advised clients on available courses of action and possible repercussions of cases to clients.
  • Addressed clients on employment concerns regarding demotion and termination.
  • Advised clients on legal matters such as debt restructuring and general banking advisory.
  • Apprised clients of potential risks and costs associated with each course of action.
  • Represented clients in registration of intellectual property and in dispute resolution on infringement.
  • Communicated with clients and collected information to research cases and prepare appropriate action.
  • Interpreted laws, rulings and regulations for individuals and businesses.
  • Researched and wrote contracts, agreements and proposals.
  • Prospected business on behalf of firm
  • Maintained client-firm relationships generating repeat business and greater client loyalty at corporate and individual levels

Morning Anchor & Media Personality

Capital Group Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
04.2013 - 06.2019
  • Award winning host of the critically acclaimed morning drive show - Capital in the Morning
  • Delivered exceptional programming to audience members by asking he awkward questions to Head of State, Deputy President, members of the cabinet, captains of business, heads of quasi government and statutory bodies
  • Gained reputation for "knowing more than my guests" by always researching events, guests and programs thoroughly.
  • Established relationships with potential sponsors to earn in excess of USD1.08 million from a previous income of USD300,000.00.Collected data from various sources to determine facts and opinions and fashioned into cohesive story for radio broadcast.
  • Created and curated the talent unveiling guest DJ segment which saw over 70 DJs make their breakthrough into the music industry as a result of being featured on the show.
  • Raised mental health awareness, featured anti-FGM stories and deliberately increased voices of women interviewed on the show from 3% to over 35%
  • Disseminated news content through social media for better engagement with audiences and faster reporting.
  • Delivered local and international news and feature reports in public radio style for intellectual rich news programs.
  • Collaborated with producers and management to develop newscasts, promotions and teases.
  • Increased show ratings by over 89%.
  • Fact-checked breaking news by performing background research, contacting experts or witnesses and conferring with lawyers to comply with legal boundaries for sensitive stories.
  • Maintained energy and enthusiasm in fast-paced environment.
  • Served as spokesperson and representative for station at assigned station events and other community forums.
  • Built broadcast storylines to interest listeners and grow station audience.
  • Developed reputation as tough interviewer, fearless broadcaster and spokesperson for news that powerful people would rather not be broadcast

Certified Life Coach, NLP Master Trainer

Jinaki Ltd
London, United Kingdom
04.2008 - 03.2013
  • Supported leaders to define leadership goals, understand leadership styles, articulate their vision and enroll their teams
  • Worked with teams to co-create unity of purpose, team synergy and focused action, while also establishing conflict resolution strategies.
  • Helped clients build life management and coping skills to handle daily needs and specific stressors.
  • Facilitated group sessions and learning opportunities to operationalize set goals.
  • Encouraged and provided accountability for clients to set and achieve strategic results on weekly basis.
  • Connected clients with available resources to improve plan success.
  • Led up to 14 individual sessions per week and 3 group coaching meetings.
  • Developed new training programs such as face to face and online modules, interactive programs and provided ongoing training to clients.
  • Assisted companies in creating goals, strategies and designing budgets to launch new products or services and become investor ready.
  • Analyzed company strategy execution methods and made adjustments to rectify issues, increase efficiency and exceed training goals, resulting in reported increase in sales of between 12% to 60% on established products or services, and in successful launches of new products or services.
  • Wrote contracts for company employees, working towards satisfactory agreement between executives, employees and personal goals.
  • Coordinated workshops for employees to better understand company mission, streamlining daily activities and aligning worker and company priorities.

Road to Damascus Experience

My Most Transformational Life Experience
London, United Kingdom
05.2005 - 07.2011
  • Found out why I am on earth
  • And chose to live purposefully and gratefully

Lawyer & Team Leader Paralegals

Freshfields, Bruckhaus, Derringer
London, United Kingdom
05.2003 - 08.2005
  • Prepared and reviewed contracts and other legal documents following applicable regulations.
  • Analyzed and applied legal principles and performed legal research to support litigation strategy.
  • Drafted agreements, contracts and other legal documents for transaction support in various mergers and acquisitions.
  • Established and opened data rooms, conducted due diligence investigations and reporting to present legal opinions for listed corporate clients looking to sell or acquire other going concerns.
  • Represented and advised clients on legal areas such as transactions, IPOs and subsequent public offerings.
  • Supervised, trained, deployed and managed 21 paralegals within the corporate commercial department

Legal Counsel & Alternate Board Member

Total Kenya Ltd
Nairobi, Kenya
10.1998 - 12.2001
  • Senior management position overseeing and coordinating all legal and regulatory work for the listed subsidiary of TotalFina in Kenya including but not limited to commercial contracts, depot leases, service station leases and renewals, partnerships and subcontracting, environmental compliance, refinery allocation agreements, shipping, inland pipeline, overland truck and rail transportation and associated arrangements, exportation to neighbouring countries of Uganda, Tanzania, Burundi, Rwanda, Eastern Congo and Sudan
  • Outsourced, supervised and monitored all legal court matters including criminal matters from theft by servant to customer complaint
  • Supervised, coordinated and delivered the purchase of Elf Aquitaine in Kenya and Uganda including engagement and compliance with tax, anti-monopolies and competition regulatory authorities, Capital Markets Authority and Nairobi Securities Exchange
  • Prepared and delivered all requisite legal and regulatory documents for the IPO and floating of post acquisition shares working closely with stockbrokers and Nairobi Securities Exchange
  • Oversaw legal compliance on acquisition of new sites such as Lokichoghio depot, new Eldoret airport facility
  • Liaised with Kenya Revenue Authority and revenue authorities of Uganda and Tanzania on tax arrangement, remittances, disputes
  • Worked closely with Energy Regulatory Commission on pricing of fuel, LPG gas
  • Member of finance committee with specific mandate on debt recovery, credit arrangements and client categorization for credit purposes
  • Enhanced cross-functional organizational capacity by providing legal advice, collaborating across departments on priorities, functions and common goals.
  • Adjusted job assignments and schedules to keep pace with dynamic business needs, factoring in processes, employee knowledge and customer demands.
  • Reviewed performance data to monitor and minimize legal exposure, increase productivity, goal progress and activity levels.
  • Improved operational planning and business frameworks to enhance resource utilization and reduce waste.
  • Achieved or exceeded financial goals on regular basis by controlling expenses, optimizing schedules and regulating inventory usage.

Co-Founder

Civic Resource & Information Centre
Nairobi, Kenya
03.1992 - 12.1994
  • Established the Civic Resource and Information Centre while in university, to educate fellow Kenyans on civic rights, voting and human rights during the infamous Moi regime
  • Held over 5 workshops and trained over 100 persons on human rights and civic duties under very difficult political circumstances

Organizing Committee Member, Africa

Jeanne Sauve Youth Foundation
Montreal, Canada
02.1991 - 06.1994
  • Voted by an assembly of over 180 young persons from around the world to represent Africa and the Middle East on the inaugural youth board of the Jeanne Sauve Youth Foundation in support of the UN Declaration of the Rights of the Child
  • Served alongside 6 other members to disseminate information and organize sensitivity and awareness campaigns on the then newly passed UN Declaration on the Rights Of The Child
  • Initiated, facilitated and moderated discussions amongst youth from different countries.
  • Oversaw work of contextualizing the Declaration within the African context and identifying strategic allies in and outside of national governments to support translation and dissemination of the declaration
  • Organized a summit of over 150 young persons to deliberate on rollout of the awareness program

Education

Ll. M Masters of Laws, Banking And Finance - Banking And Financial Law

University Of London, Queen Mary College
London, UK
09.2002 - 07.2003

Dip. Law - Admission To The Roll of Advocates of Kenya

Kenya School Of Law
Nairobi, Kenya
06.1996 - 02.1997

Ll. B. Bachelor in Laws -

University Of Nairobi
Nairobi, Kenya
09.1990 - 07.1996

Skills

    Policy evaluation

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Affiliations

  • Rotary International
  • Amnesty International Kenya
  • International Commission of Jurists, Kenya
  • United Succes Global
  • Graca Machel Trust

Certification

Certified Life, Business, Team and Executive Coach, Results Training System, London, UK

Interests

Meditation

Reading

Wine tasting

Neuroplasticity and the Brain

How Humans React

Acknowledgements

Everyone traces their success to an individual or two. Mine is to a 25-year old widow who had spent 3 years of her childhood between the ages of 9 to 12, in a notorious British concentration camp in Molo, and who chose not to be defined by that, nor by her limited education, not even by the reduced circumstances that she chose, by not remarrying, but rather, by the idea that through her, could come greatness, and that life has to be more than the sum total of the pains and setbacks experienced; that we are here to learn, evolve, impact and graduate. And to all the people, places, things, times and events, that have consistently reminded me that this is why I showed up.

Awards

Graca Machel Trust, Women in Media Champion 2015 to date

AMREF Flying Doctors Service Award, 2017

Graca Machel Trust, Women Advancing Africa Award, 2018

United Succes Global Business Women Moving Mountains Award, 2020

Featured in numerous TV, radio, magazine and print newspapers as a "Woman to Watch"

Timeline

Board of Directors Member

CleanStart
03.2021 - Current

Commercial Lawyer

Macharia, Mwangi & Njeru Advocates
07.2019 - 04.2020

Chairperson Board of Directors

Amnesty International Kenya
10.2018 - Current

Enterprise Support Master Trainer & Business Coach

ReneeSense Ltd
03.2016 - Current

Morning Anchor & Media Personality

Capital Group Ltd
04.2013 - 06.2019

Certified Hypnotherapist, One West Training, London UK

12-2012

Certified NLP Trainer, One West Training, Scotland, UK

09-2012

Certified NLP Master Practitioner, One West Training, Scotland, UK

11-2011

Strategic Intervention Coach, Robbins Madanes Institute, USA

04-2011

Certified Life, Business, Team and Executive Coach, Results Training System, London, UK

05-2009

Certified Life Coach, NLP Master Trainer

Jinaki Ltd
04.2008 - 03.2013

Road to Damascus Experience

My Most Transformational Life Experience
05.2005 - 07.2011

Lawyer & Team Leader Paralegals

Freshfields, Bruckhaus, Derringer
05.2003 - 08.2005

Ll. M Masters of Laws, Banking And Finance - Banking And Financial Law

University Of London, Queen Mary College
09.2002 - 07.2003

Legal Counsel & Alternate Board Member

Total Kenya Ltd
10.1998 - 12.2001

Dip. Law - Admission To The Roll of Advocates of Kenya

Kenya School Of Law
06.1996 - 02.1997

Co-Founder

Civic Resource & Information Centre
03.1992 - 12.1994

Organizing Committee Member, Africa

Jeanne Sauve Youth Foundation
02.1991 - 06.1994

Ll. B. Bachelor in Laws -

University Of Nairobi
09.1990 - 07.1996

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Renee NgamauLawyer, Business Coach & Trainer