Monday is a seasoned Chief Risk Officer with over 16 years of experience in risk management, compliance, and insurance. He holds a Master of Science in Risk Management & Insurance and an MBA with a specialization in Financial Management, along with certifications in Quantitative Risk Management (CQRM), Risk Management, Real Options Analysis, Forecasting & Predictive Modeling, Data Science, and Monte Carlo Simulation. Additionally, he is a Certified Anti-Money Laundering Specialist and a Chartered Insurer. Monday has successfully developed and implemented risk management and compliance programs in both private and public sectors, with a proven track record of providing key risk indicators (KRIs), mitigating risks, and supporting senior management in decision-making processes.

Currently, Monday serves as the Chief Risk Officer at WAICA Reinsurance Corporation Plc, overseeing operations in six African countries and the United Kingdom. He has previously served in similar roles at three organizations, where he has excelled at embedding risk management practices within corporate cultures. Monday is also a skilled Risk Trainer and is passionate about delivering insightful risk information. Additionally, he is a co-chair of the ESG Taxonomy Working Group under the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance.

Rose Wanda is a highly accomplished professional with extensive experience in Sustainability, ESG, and the Insurance sector. Currently, she serves as the Secretary-General of the Organisation of Eastern and Southern Africa Insurers (OESAI), where she is responsible for implementing the organization’s strategies, fostering research, and promoting leadership and technical skills across the industry. Rose plays a key role in developing products and services that meet the needs of OESAI’s members, while also encouraging collaboration and knowledge-sharing in the region.

Rose is the Co-Chair of the Learning and Development Subcommittee under the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI), where she helps shape the alignment of Africa’s insurance sector with global sustainability standards. She is deeply committed to advancing ESG principles and fostering sustainable finance practices within the region.

Rose is a Founding Member and General Secretary of Kenya Women in Insurance, an organization dedicated to empowering and supporting women in the insurance industry. She also serves as Patron of Young Insurance Professionals (YIPs) Africa, where she mentors emerging professionals across the continent.

Rose previously worked at Jubilee Life Insurance, where she managed corporate life insurance portfolios, focusing on customer relations, business retention, strategic goal setting, and compliance. She played a key role in developing and launching new products, driving growth within the company’s portfolio.

Wakesho Sonje is an experienced and highly accomplished professional with expertise in Sustainability, Environmental & Social Governance (ESG), Audit & Risk, and Public Affairs Management. Currently serving as an ESG Specialist for ICEA LION Group, Wakesho is responsible for integrating ESG principles into the company’s operations and developing sustainable solutions. She also plays a pivotal role as the Co-Chair of the ESG Taxonomy Working Group under the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI), where she shapes the development of a common ESG taxonomy, aligning the insurance sector in Africa with global sustainability and responsible finance standards.

As a member of the Global Reporting Initiative’s Due Process Oversight Committee (DPOC), Wakesho ensures that the GRI’s standards remain responsive to public interests. Additionally, she has contributed to the development of Tanzania’s National Sustainable Finance Principles and has led multiple pan-African sustainable finance initiatives during her tenure with the United Nations Environment Programme Finance Initiative (UNEP-FI).

Previously, Wakesho served as a Board Member at the National Environment Management Authority (NEMA) in Kenya, where she chaired the Audit, Governance & Risk Committee and contributed to key environmental policy decisions. With a deep commitment to sustainability and corporate responsibility, Wakesho continues to advocate for green finance and the adoption of ESG principles across Africa’s financial sectors.

Mia Thom is a seasoned professional with extensive experience in regulating innovation and business models aimed at fostering financial and economic inclusion. She has been a key member of Cenfri since 2012, where she leads the insights team and collaborates with thematic and programme leads to implement impactful agendas. Mia’s work primarily focuses on private sector innovation, insurance market development, green finance, and digital transformation, with a strong emphasis on addressing challenges within payment systems, inclusive integrity, and market development.

Over the years, Mia has spearheaded several multi-year programmes and diagnostic initiatives, helping to build roadmaps for partners interested in unlocking developmental outcomes. Notable achievements include leading the Risk, Remittances, and Integrity (RRI) programme on behalf of FSD Africa, as well as designing and implementing the Making Access Possible (MAP) financial inclusion diagnostics in partnership with UNCDF and FinMark Trust. She has also worked extensively on insurance market diagnostics with organizations like DFID and the World Bank, focusing on countries such as Ghana, Kenya, Nigeria, and Rwanda. Additionally, Mia is actively involved in global initiatives, serving as a member of the UNEP Principles for Sustainable Insurance initiative, the Insurance Development Forum, and the Microinsurance Network.

Mia is also the Co-Chair of the ESG Roadmap & Reporting Working Group under the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI), where she plays a critical role in shaping and advancing ESG practices and reporting frameworks for the insurance sector. Mia holds a Master of Development Finance (cum laude) from the University of Stellenbosch Business School in South Africa and is a Chartered Accountant registered with the South African Institute of Chartered Accountants (SAICA). She also passed all levels of the CFA exams and holds Honours degrees in Economics and Accounting from the University of Stellenbosch.

Liz Booth is a seasoned editorial professional and a key figure in the insurance and finance sectors. Currently serving as the Managing Director at AFAH Publishing since 2019, Liz has a wealth of experience in business strategy, management, and editorial leadership. Prior to this, she was the Editor at Commercial Risk Africa for over eight years, playing a significant role in the publication’s growth and in shaping industry discussions on risk management and insurance.

In addition to her editorial responsibilities, Liz is a pivotal member of the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI), where she serves as the Co-Chair of the Engagement & Advocacy Sub-Committee. In this role, she leads efforts to promote sustainability within the insurance sector, advancing critical discussions and initiatives around responsible finance and sustainable practices. Liz’s strategic expertise in public policy, engagement, and advocacy is instrumental in shaping the future of sustainable finance and insurance.

With her deep industry knowledge and commitment to fostering positive change, Liz continues to be a highly influential voice in both the editorial and sustainable insurance communities.

Elsie Mbera is a Group Head of Corporate Communications & Marketing at Continental Reinsurance, a composite reinsurer with operations in over 50 countries across Africa. She has been instrumental in shaping the brand positioning of Continental Reinsurance in Africa and has led various projects and campaigns in more than 20 countries.
Mbera’s work includes corporate communications strategy, branding, reputation management, stakeholder engagement, and crisis communication. Her approach is grounded in connecting people, telling stories that matter, and ensuring the brand voice is authentic and impactful. Mbera holds a Bachelor’s degree in Communications and Sociology from the University of Nairobi, along with Diplomas in Public Relations and Tourism, and a French language proficiency certificate. She is currently at the thesis stage of her Master’s in Corporate Communications at Daystar University.

Zillah Malia is a Senior Manager at FSD Africa, specializing in Climate Finance, Adaptation, and Resilience. With over a decade of experience in the development sector, she leads Sustainable Insurance Programmes and has a strong background in Financial Sector Development, Sustainable Finance, and Development Impact Assessment. Zillah is a Certified Expert in Sustainable Finance, Climate Adaptation Finance, and Renewable Energy Finance, and holds a Diploma in Green Finance from the Frankfurt School of Finance & Management. Her work focuses on creating inclusive, climate resilient solutions that leave a lasting legacy for communities across Africa.

Titus Kisenga is a Programme Assistant specializing in Adaptation & Resilience at FSD Africa, with over two years’ experience supporting project management, research, and data analysis within the Risk & Resilience team.He has worked at FSD Africa both as an intern and as a project assistant consultant, providing comprehensive support to the Risk & Resilience team across multiple projects.

His responsibilities have included contributing to the preparation of concept notes, project proposals, and Terms of Reference (ToRs), coordinating with external consultants, and assisting in project implementation. He has also been involved in analyzing pillar portfolio information, preparing research outputs, managing data, reporting on project impacts, and providing essential administrative support.
Titus holds a Bachelor of Science in Statistics from the University of Nairobi (2017–2022). He has also completed professional certifications in Financial Modelling and Valuation Analysis and Business Intelligence and Data Analysis from the Corporate Finance Institute.

Maria is an experienced development professional with over 12 years’ experience in the trade and transport sectors and skilled in programme and project management. Maria is passionate about promoting sustainable development and her experience has centered around enhancing environmental and social sustainability in development programmes.

Prior to joining FSD Africa, Maria worked with TradeMark Africa (formerly TradeMark East Africa) where she provided overall oversight, management and integration of critical activities spanning climate change, environment and social safeguards, and project risk in TMAs programmes. Within the transport sector, she has also worked with Rift Valley Railways in managing the delivery of various CAPEX rail operations projects to promote a shift to use of cleaner rail transport. She has significant experience working collaboratively with both the private and public sector in Africa in the implementation of critical trade and climate change programmes.

She holds an MSC. in Process Business Management from the University of Warwick and BEng degree in Chemical Engineering and Business Management from the University of Birmingham. She is also certified in Environmental Impact Assessment and Environmental Audit from the Africa Nazarene University. In her free time, Maria enjoys travelling and exploring nature, reading great books and spending time with family and friends.

Iara Sousa is a professional with over ten years of experience in the African insurance industry. Throughout her career, Iara has been a fierce advocate for gender mainstreaming, financial inclusion, addressing social inequalities, sustainability, innovation, and tackling climate-related issues in vulnerable countries. Iara serves as the Co-Chair of the Learning & Development Sub-Committee under the Nairobi Declaration on Sustainable Insurance (NDSI), where she contributes to shaping initiatives that enhance skills and capacity-building within the insurance industry, with a focus on sustainability and inclusivity.

She was the Country Director for the Young Insurance Professionals, an organisation dedicated to advancing the development of the next generation of insurance professionals in Africa. Additionally, Iara serves as the Regional Director for Women’s Leadership in Insurance in Africa, where she promoted the advancement of women in leadership positions across the financial industry. Iara’s passion for gender mainstreaming led her to establish Mozambique Women for Inclusive Insurance, an organisation dedicated to providing tailored support to address the specific needs of women and girls affected by social inequalities and climate-related shocks. Iara is committed to driving change across various sectors and building resilient and equitable communities.