Loise Maina
About Loise Maina
Loise Maina is the Co-Founder and Board Chair of Exotic EPZ Ltd, with extensive experience in gender advocacy and development. She holds multiple degrees, including an M.A. in Gender and Development and is currently the Head of the Gender Centre of Excellence at Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors.
Work at Exotic EPZ Ltd
Loise Maina serves as Co-Founder and Board Chair at Exotic EPZ Ltd, a position she has held since 2017. In this role, she contributes to the strategic direction and governance of the company. Her leadership focuses on fostering an inclusive environment that promotes gender equity within the organization.
Education and Expertise
Loise Maina has an extensive academic background. She studied at the University of Nairobi, where she earned a Master of Arts in Gender and Development, and is currently a PhD candidate in Public Policy. Additionally, she holds a Master of Science in Organizational Development from the United States International University - Africa, and a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from the University of Nairobi.
Background in Gender Advocacy
Loise Maina has a strong background in gender advocacy, having worked in various capacities to promote gender equity. She served as Global Gender Advisor at Practical Action from 2017 to 2020, where she played a key role in advocating for gender equity in thematic areas such as Agriculture, Climate Resilience, Energy, and WASH.
Professional Experience at Practical Action
During her tenure at Practical Action, Loise Maina supported the organization in enhancing gender-sensitive program design and delivery across multiple regions, including Eastern, Southern, and Western Africa, Latin America, and South Asia. She was involved in improving gender analysis and reporting for Practical Action's regional offices in various countries.
Leadership Roles in Gender Organizations
Loise Maina has held several leadership roles in organizations focused on gender issues. She worked as Regional Programme Manager at UN Women from 2014 to 2017 and as Associate Director for Women's Economic Power at Women for Women International from 2020 to 2021. Additionally, she is a Board Member at RefuSHE since 2021.