Summary
Overview
Work History
Education
Skills
Interests
Software
References
Timeline
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Susan Nakami Walunywa

Program Management And Business Advisory
Nairobi

Summary

An innovation enthusiast with excellence in business advisory, adept in design, implementation and monitoring of programs and projects in the African context. For over 12 years, I have played key roles in the building of enterprises from the ground up. I have a clear and proven track record accelerating business growth through revenue growth, driving partnerships, fundraising, fund management and setting up systems; this, while ensuring long term sustainability.

Overview

11
11
years of professional experience

Work History

Regional Lead- EU Funded Agribiz Program

Kenya Climate Innovation Center
01.2023 - Current
  • Engaging and managing various stakeholders for the agribiz program i.e county governments, donors, other entrepreneur support organizations and a client portfolio of 300+ agribusiness enterprises.
  • Identifying and pursuing grant and result based funding, technical support and access to market and information opportunities for agribusiness clients in the program.
  • Resource mobilization through identifying and pursuing partnership and collaborative opportunities within the agribusiness space for the organization as a whole.
  • Managing a team of business analysts, mentors, consultants, interns and administrative staff to ensure all aspects of the program are implemented smoothly while measuring impact generated by program activities.
  • Developing and onitoring program budgets and ensuring all targets are met while motivating staff to achieve objectives.
  • Preparing regional monthly program reports for review by the chief program manager, CEO and the board..
  • Developing and implementing service procedures in relation to the agribiz program.
  • Analyzing staff performance, identifying trends and making appropriate recommendations and adjustments to current working methods and systems.
  • Overseeing virtual and physical business advisory and technical assistance to clients in 6 counties within the Western region in to promote business growth and sustainability.

Head of Business Growth Services

Ongoza Institute
01.2021 - 03.2022
  • Supported agricultural and technology driven SMEs' business growth through process improvement and project implementation
  • Managed a team of 3 business growth partners offering project implementation support across areas of finance, operations, sales and marketing, fundraising and investor readiness, market research and strategy
  • Conducted monthly project reporting per business to various stakeholders i.e funders, partners and entrepreneurs
  • Matched potential funders and entrepreneurs and managed said relationships at all fronts, promoting access to finance through business grants and loans.
  • Provided pre, post investment readiness and transaction support to early and growth stage entrepreneurs
  • Aligned the business development service and fundraising strategy with overall company goals, targets and objectives
  • Organized partner and funder led events to encourage regular stakeholder engagement e.g investor demo days where more than 1M USD worth of funding was closed
  • Prepared monthly board and management reports
  • Performed monthly and quarterly monitoring and evaluation and reporting to different donors, funders and partners

Business Development Advisor

Ongoza Institute
10.2019 - 12.2020
  • Worked closely 30 SMEs in my portfolio to articulate growth plans to scale their businesses.
  • Provided practical, strategic advisory and technical assistance across the areas of finance, sales & marketing, operations, and HR to help clients harness opportunities, structure their businesses more effectively, and catalyze growth.
  • Advised and assisted clients in financial management, product development, sales and marketing strategies, and customer acquisition.
  • Connected clients to market opportunities locally and internationally.
  • Advised clients on investment needs and connected them to financial services through partnership with Raise.
  • Facilitated trainings, workshops, and other events for Ongoza clients and the wider community as required.
  • Liaised with the rest of the network of Business Development Advisors on a regular basis to learn and share best practices.
  • Provided and implemented recommendations that can improve the effectiveness of myself and my colleagues on the business advisory team.
  • Supported client recruitment efforts through gap analysis in liaison with the Entrepreneur Relationship Officer. This included identifying potential partners, conducting due diligence site visits to screen the applicants and inducting the new cohorts.

Financial Consultant/Advisor

Good Times Entertainment Limited (Blankets And Wine)
02.2018 - 03.2019
  • Provided overall strategic and business advisory to the company co-founders.
  • Scouted for financing and partnership opportunities for the organization and its quarterly events.
  • Maintained and manages Gig Budgets of up to USD 1,000,000.
  • Prepared and presented monthly and quarterly management reports for the founders and board of directors.
  • Assisted in making beneficial and strategic decisions regarding investments, low-cash financing and overseas partners.
  • Provided timely actuals, forecast and budget data.
  • Filed tax returns and prepared governmental reports in compliance with strict standards.
  • Worked with management at project level to achieve all project plans.

Head Of Business Development

Food For Education Foundation - Double Portion
06.2018 - 12.2018
  • Drove team revenue totals by trippling sales within 4 months.
  • Collaborated with digital marketing group to ensure uniformity between advertising messages and incentives.
  • Created lists of potential customers based on regional markets and assigned sales tasks to team of employees.
  • Reduced spending by improving timing and quality of operational and production processes.
  • Monitored sales performance, analyzed sales data and reported information to CEO and board.
  • Marketed great, affordable food and it's delivery to targeted audience at trade shows and events.
  • Achieved sales goals and service targets by leveraging interpersonal communication skills and product knowledge to cultivate and secure new customer relationships.
  • Built relationships with external partners, government entities, other NGOs and customers to establish long-term business growth.

Co-Founder And Managing Director

Ki.chen
11.2014 - 11.2017
  • Aligned organizational objectives with company's mission, increased revenue 3-fold within 3 years and promoted business growth by collaboratively developing integrated strategies.
  • Established a financial strategy for the profitable long term growth of the business.
  • Worked with the senior teams to grow the business by formulating strategies and plans.
  • Established high level of credibility and managed strong working relationships with external parties including customers, investors and advisors.
  • Maintained agile, responsible organization with sustained revenue growth by monitoring industry forecasts, honing budgets and adjusting marketing strategies.
  • Conducted target market research to scope out industry competition and identify advantageous trends.
  • Built and strengthened productive and valuable industry partnerships to drive collaboration, engagement and revenue stream development.
  • Established and administered annual budget with effective controls to prevent overages, minimize burn rate and support sustainability objectives.
  • Drove implementation of new market expansion to propel business forward and adapt to market changes.
  • Drove industry-leading profit increase by transforming production process and aligning sales targets to meet dynamic industry conditions.
  • Participated in high-level hiring decisions for key leadership positions, conducted senior hire interviews and nominated new board members.
  • Investigated and addressed business development challenges to proactively mitigate problems.
  • Developed key operational initiatives to drive and maintain substantial business growth.
  • Spearheaded expansion strategies to increase business market share, drive growth and bring in more than 1000 new customers in a year, this included the set up and build of coffee shops in three co-working spaces in Nairobi, Kenya.
  • Managed all the finance functions for the business.
  • Managed partnerships and new market opportunities

Finance Associate

Tristar Global Logistics
03.2014 - 11.2014
  • Worked with the finance team to provide analysis for integral business decisions to be made.
  • Implemented financial and HR procedures to improve on the business processes
  • Provided support to the board of directors to help reach both long term and short term goals.
  • Oversaw the accounting process through quick books
  • Prepared management and financial reports

Finance Associate

Schutter Energy Limited - Takamoto Biogas
12.2012 - 03.2014
  • Accounting and record keeping
  • Payroll management
  • Statutory and tax management
  • Cash and bank payments
  • Monthly reconciliations
  • Management reporting to company directors
  • Managed the company's ongoing audit process
  • Oversaw the Inventory management of biogas equipment and appliances
  • General HR and Office Management
  • Handled all customer, vendor and partner enquiries by phone and in person
  • Worked with the co-founders and Managing director to ensure a smooth flow in the shipping of biogas appliances from China to Kenya.

Education

Bachelor of Economics -

University of Nairobi
Nairobi

CPA IV

Pulp College of Accountancy

Skills

Partnership Development

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Interests

Travel
Charity
Business

Software

Microsoft Excel
Powerpoint
Quickbooks
Xero
Salesforce
SAP ERP

Zoho

References

Available on request

Timeline

Regional Lead- EU Funded Agribiz Program

Kenya Climate Innovation Center
01.2023 - Current

Head of Business Growth Services

Ongoza Institute
01.2021 - 03.2022

Business Development Advisor

Ongoza Institute
10.2019 - 12.2020

Head Of Business Development

Food For Education Foundation - Double Portion
06.2018 - 12.2018

Financial Consultant/Advisor

Good Times Entertainment Limited (Blankets And Wine)
02.2018 - 03.2019

Co-Founder And Managing Director

Ki.chen
11.2014 - 11.2017

Finance Associate

Tristar Global Logistics
03.2014 - 11.2014

Finance Associate

Schutter Energy Limited - Takamoto Biogas
12.2012 - 03.2014

Bachelor of Economics -

University of Nairobi

CPA IV

Pulp College of Accountancy

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Susan Nakami WalunywaProgram Management And Business Advisory