DIRECTORS

“Professor Calestous Juma had a profound and positive impact on the course of my career, and I am incredibly honored to serve in this role to further his legacy in Africa.” 

"Acting locally to protect the health of people and the environment is what I have spent my life doing. Having lived in Kenya for a decade and spending time in Port Victoria I can’t think of a better place to work with the community to do some truly innovative things that can help people and the ecosystems they depend on."

"Calestous Juma's legacy is in the human beings and institutions he developed to find solutions to pressing local and global societal challenges. I serve on the CJLF Board to help further that legacy."

"Serving on the CJLF Board is a full circle moment for me. After following his work for years, I met Calestous in December 2017 as one of the members of the last class he would teach at Harvard. He was a generous, and compassionate teacher, and his deep commitment to innovation and development radiated in the enthusiasm he showed until the very last class. Being able to translate his life's work to community development in his home, Port Victoria, is a great honor."

"Calestous and I met in 1969 at Port Victoria Secondary School when he was a Form II student and I was a young Peace Corps teacher. From his humble beginnings, Calestous used his considerable intellectual gifts to champion innovation and sustainable development across the African continent. We honor his memory by continuing the work to which he devoted his life."

“My goal is to continue the work I set out to do when I initially took a job with Calestous at Harvard Kennedy School: to harness the power of science for the betterment of all species. I believe that this planet has the human capital and environmental resources it needs to thrive; we just have a distribution and utilization problem. My work here aims to help Calestous’ home region claim its development potential.”

"For innovation to happen and flourish, people, land, education, technology, and environment must be at the centre. Environment and culture are paramount and that must always be taken into account in development projects. And the dynamic nature of technology means that innovation will accelerate this change."

​"Thank you for honoring the great African STI guru, Prof. Calestous Juma. We are very delighted that we are continuing with his legacy that he bestowed on us over 36 years ago.''

“Professor Juma was a beacon for those seeking to make a meaningful impact in the world. He not only ignited a shared dream of globalization but also inspired a growth mindset—encouraging the creation of pathways that connect local communities to the global village. I am honored to serve on the CJLF board and carry forward his spirit, working to empower more people to make a lasting difference together.”

“As a policy scientist[ who has worked at the highest levels of government and international development], I appreciate the temptation to give in to despair and entertain all manner of negative stereotypes about why prosperity eludes Africa and Africans. The world-class research and ideas of Prof. Juma encourage us that we can chart pathways that enable current and future generations to maximise their potential. [I was Prof. Juma’s student, and I also considered him a dear friend and mentor.]”

“I’m deeply honored to serve on the board of this extraordinary organization, which is driving lasting, grassroots change. Our vision is that those empowered by our work will one day return to uplift others, completing a powerful cycle of giving that multiplies impact and ignites systemic transformation.”