Magdalene Kariuki

Biography

Magdalene Kariuki is a seasoned governance specialist with two decades’ experience advancing reform through policy influence, regulatory strategy, and coalition building. Through her work, she has spearheaded mandates that position governments, development partners, the private sector, and communities to co-create frameworks for inclusive growth and resilient systems.

Magdalene’s career is defined by her ability to bridge technical policy analysis with persuasive advocacy and stakeholder engagement. She has led reform programs in health, energy, mobility, climate change, ICT, trade, gender, and finance, consistently ensuring that solutions are both technically sound and socially equitable. She is recognized for translating complex institutional challenges into clear, actionable policy pathways that can move through legislative, executive, and community processes.

Before joining TBI, Magdalene advised government and private sector actors on policy and legislative reform focused on creating investment-friendly frameworks and aligning incentives with sustainable development goals. Her cross-sectoral work has included designing enabling environments for inclusive growth, coordinating government relations and making sure dialogue outcomes did not remain at the table but informed decision-making.

Magdalene is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and a member of the East Africa Law Society. She holds professional certifications in climate change and sustainability, migration policy, mediation and arbitration, ICT law and policy, regional trade, gender studies, and finance. She also serves on a number of boards including the Lwala Community Alliance board, where she contributes to strengthening health-system advocacy and governance for community-led development; Tanir International where she provides advisory support towards expanded financial inclusion; a Co-Chair to the Africa Chapter of 50/50 Women on Boards where she advocates for gender balance and diversity on corporate boards; and serves as an Advisor and Ambassador to Endeavour Kenya which supports entrepreneurs and companies in the scale-up phase who demonstrate potential for rapid expansion.

Her professional focus is anchored in the belief that advocacy is not only about influencing policy but also about forging trust, building coalitions, and creating the political and institutional will to embed reforms in practice.