From a young age, my curiosity about how the world works fuelled my passion for STEM. Driven by a desire to understand what makes things tick, I set my sights on becoming a chemical engineer at the age of 16. Ten years later, I achieved that goal, graduating with a Bachelors in Chemical Engineering from Aston University and a Masters in Advanced Chemical Engineering from Cranfield University, where I received a full-ride scholarship and was honoured as valedictorian, winning The Dr Xu Tang prize for the best overall student.
My career path led me to Rolls-Royce PLC, where I excelled as a graduate trainee, leading the Apprentice & Graduate association and early careers professional network. My dedication and leadership were recognized with a shortlist nomination for engineering graduate of the year at the UK Engineering Talent Awards 2021.
Recently, I was also honoured to be shortlisted as #1 in Business Daily Kenya Women's Top 40U40 2024. But my passion for STEM definitely extends beyond my own career. I believe in giving back and empowering the next generation of innovators. That's why I serve on the board of the UK's largest nationwide educational charity focused on STEM engagement - The Engineering Development Trust (EDT).
I also contributed my expertise as an executive board member of the Association for Black and Minority Ethnic Engineers UK (AFBE-UK). Having moved to the UK at a young age, I've called it home for most of my life. However, I've always held a deep-rooted desire to apply my knowledge and experiences to make a positive impact in Kenya.
Connection to Jasiri Network
I stumbled upon Jasiri on LinkedIn and was immediately hooked. A professional community of Kenyans in the UK? It was exactly what I had been looking for, a place to connect with fellow Kenyans navigating similar paths. Attending Jasiri Network events has been an incredible experience. The sense of community is truly overwhelming, making you feel instantly at home. It's a place where you can connect with amazing people, learn from their journeys, and build lasting relationships.
I wholeheartedly recommend Jasiri to any professional from the African diaspora. Get involved, attend events, and soak in the wealth of knowledge and connections waiting for you. It's a brilliant opportunity to expand your network, gain valuable insights, and find a sense of belonging within your community.
Hobbies and Interests
I consider myself to be quite boring contra to popular belief - my main hobbies are hiking, organizing things, reading and I'm an avid gym girlie!
A Fun Fact about me is after going to the gym for 18 months, I can now successfully do 1 pull-up and 10 *consecutive* push-ups.
My second biggest accomplishment of 2024 after winning 40U40 lol.
Having lived in the UK from when you were young and being so far away from your home country (Kenya), how did you ensure you stayed connected to your Kenyan heritage all these years and did you find it challenging to do so?
I grew up in a small town called Luton which was basically a mini version of Murang'a growing up. I didn't really struggle to stay connected to my heritage - I was raised in the Kenya Catholic Community of Luton plus I have a lot of family that live in the same city.
I do consider myself to be lucky to have been in such an environment as when I moved away to Derby for work, I missed it quite a lot!
