Meet Our Team
Profiles of our field staff and our trustees in Kenya and in the UK:
Tushinde Kenya
Anne Njine | Chair of Board, Tushinde Kenya
Anne has worked within the Education space in Kenya for the last 15+ years. Currently an Education Specialist with Opportunity International EduFinance. Anne successfully implemented Quality Education by designing a play-based approach aligned to the Kenya Basic Curriculum Framework, 2008, and through mentoring and coaching school leaders to run sustainable businesses and their teachers in best practice, teaching strategies, to provide quality education in the schools. Anne passionately empowers school leaders and advocates for holistic development in children for their strong growth and development.
Mary Gitau | Secretary, Tushinde Kenya
Mary Gitau is a counselling psychologist with a particular interest in the recovery of teenagers, youths and young adults from suicide risk and non-suicidal self-harm (NSSI) and Trauma. She has previously worked in the community, education, and health sectors as a psychologist, human resources specialist and most recently as a trainer and programmes coordinator at the Centre for Suicide Research & Intervention.
Ben Boxer | Treasurer, Tushinde Kenya
Ben has worked in international non-governmental finance with large organisations such as Save the Children and the World Agroforestry Centre since 2000. He has lived in Kenya since 2010. A qualified accountant, Ben is instrumental in the financial oversight of Tushinde and offers coaching and mentorship to Tushinde’s finance team.
.Emma Wilcox | Board Member, Tushinde Kenya
Emma has lived in Kenya for most of her life and has always had some involvement in charitable work. When her children started school full time she wanted to give a little bit more and is now the chair of the board. ‘It may be true that no one person can solve all the world’s problems. But, what you can do is make that little corner of the world where you live just that little bit better.’
Neelum Vora | Board Member, Tushinde Kenya
Neelum is a trained accountant and business owner. She has worked in Kenya for many years. She has her own craft and branding business, which is a real success. She has been on Tushinde’s Kenya board since 2013.
George Audi | Board Member, Tushinde Kenya
George is the Team Leader at German Doctors Nairobi. Not only is he experienced in running a medium sized charitable organisation, but the main clinic he manages – Baraka Clinic – is in the heart of Tushinde’s catchment area, so he is familiar with the strengths and challenges of the community.
Adrian Wilcox | Board Member, Tushinde Kenya
Adrian is the managing director of an aviation company based in Nairobi. He comes to Tushinde with a wealth of knowledge in risk and operational management, as well as up to date knowledge on company law and human resources issues.
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Wanjiru Kariuki | Executive Director
Wanjiru came to Tushinde from the Salvation Army in 2021. She previously worked with the Red Cross too. A qualified accountant with a Masters in Commerce and forensic accounting, she brings to Tushinde dedication and integrity. A great team leader who loves seeing first hand the positive outcomes of all her number crunching.
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Beth Muna | Social Work Manager
Beth has been working with Tushinde since 2012. She started practicing social work before joining college. Beth graduated with a diploma in social work and community development from Nairobi Institute of Business Studies in 2014. Beth enjoys working with the most vulnerable families in the slums. She believes that “There is no better fulfilment than touching and making a positive difference in the life of a vulnerable child.”
Maureen Karanja | Programme & Development Manager 
Maureen has been with Tushinde since 2019. She previously worked with the Kenyan Education Trust. She is driven by her work with the youth and parents and seeing the fantastic impact this has on families.
Tushinde UK
Megan Wright | Founder & Director, Tushinde UK
Megan has a degree in nursing and a concern for the rights of every child. She lived in Africa for over seven years; initially working for larger international charities before founding Tushinde in 2010. She is now based in the UK, where she is still very involved in all aspects of Tushinde’s work.
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Ian Stanlake | Chair of Board, Tushinde UK 
Ian is a qualified chartered accountant with over 20 years experience working in large multinational financial services businesses in London, UK. Ian has travelled extensively throughout Africa and has a real affinity for its peoples and culture, thereby making Tushinde a natural choice for his first Trustee position. Ian joined the board in June 2021 becoming Treasurer shortly afterwards.
Caroline Jordan | Secretary, Tushinde UK
James Caddy | Treasurer, Tushinde UK
Simon Pennington | Trustee, Tushinde UK
Florence Koenderink | Trustee, Tushinde UK
Matt Oakman | Trustee, Tushinde UK
Anita Etheridge | Bookkeeper, Tushinde UK
Caroline Jordan | Secretary, Tushinde UK
Caroline has lived in Kenya for five years and has experience in education and development across Africa. Caroline holds a Master’s in Education and International Development from Institute of Education in the UK. Caroline currently works as an Education Adviser on donor projects in developing country contexts. She has been involved with Tushinde since its inception in 2010 and has worked closely with our schools and Early Childhood Development programme in Mathare.
James Caddy | Treasurer, Tushinde UK
James is a qualified chartered accountant and currently a Director in Investor Relations at education company, Pearson. Prior to his current role, he spent 10 years working in financial services for large global businesses in London. James is a keen sportsman, having previously played rugby competitively for many years. He now enjoys golf, running and cycling. James is passionate about the Tushinde mission and was thrilled to be asked to join the board as Treasurer in May 2023.
Simon Pennington | Trustee, Tushinde UK
Simon is a Partner with More Partnership, a strategy consultancy that helps non-profits advance their great ambitions by maximising their fundraising success. Among his clients are King’s College London, Oxford and Melbourne Universities. Charities such as Alzheimer’s Research UK and Cancer Research UK, and NGOs such as Mercy Ships and the International Committee of the Red Cross. Previously Simon was Director of Development at University College London. Simon is a keen runner, skier and cyclist and wants to see all young people have the chance to shine, which is why he is so pleased to have been asked to join the Tushinde Board.
Florence Koenderink | Trustee, Tushinde UK
Florence is an independent consultant in child protection and alternative care reform. This involves ensuring that children are moved out of institutional care into families, but also strengthening families and communities to prevent separation. She has been involved in alternative care for over 15 years, working in various countries, including Kenya. She has brought out 14 publications to date, ranging from awareness raising and research reports to manuals to do with transition of care, dealing with traumatised children and avoiding unintentionally harming children. Florence joined the board in 2022.
Matt Oakman | Trustee, Tushinde UK
Matt joined Wellington College in September 1998 as a teacher. He has been a member of the Executive Leadership Team since 2013 as Deputy Head. Matt is a trained School Inspector and delighted to be on the board of Tushinde Children’s Trust. Matt still teaches History, leads on inspection, and runs Rugby and Cricket teams. Outside of his time at Wellington College, Matt is an avid Tottenham fan and a voracious reader of political literature.
Anita Etheridge | Bookkeeper, Tushinde UK
Anita is a qualified tax adviser with over 30 years experience working in both industry and practice in London.UK. She is already a Trustee of Multi-Academy Trust and therefore taking on a second Trustee role at Tushinde complements her beliefs that all children should have the best possible start to life.