Nena Sanderson
About Nena Sanderson
Nena Sanderson serves as the Chief Product Officer at M-KOPA, where she has worked since 2018, and has extensive experience in leadership roles across various organizations in East Africa.
Work at M-KOPA
Nena Sanderson has held multiple roles at M-KOPA since joining the company. She currently serves as Chief Product Officer, a position she has held since 2024. Prior to this role, she was the Chief Customer Officer for six years, starting in 2018. During her tenure, she focused on enhancing customer engagement and product offerings in Nairobi, Kenya. Additionally, she served as Managing Director for M-KOPA in Kenya from 2020 to 2022, overseeing operations and strategic initiatives.
Previous Experience
Before her time at M-KOPA, Nena Sanderson worked at Off.Grid:Electric in various capacities. She served as Director of Service from 2014 to 2016 and later as Managing Director for Tanzania from 2017 to 2018. She also held the position of Senior Director of Business Development at Off.Grid:Electric for 11 months in 2016. Earlier in her career, she worked as a Fellow at TechnoServe in Kigali, Rwanda, and as a Consultant at The Boston Consulting Group for four years.
Education and Expertise
Nena Sanderson holds an MBA from Stanford University Graduate School of Business, where she studied from 2011 to 2013. She also earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in Public Policy, Economics, and French from Duke University, completing her studies from 2003 to 2007. Her educational background supports her extensive experience in sales, customer service, and distribution operations in East Africa.
Regional Experience
Nena Sanderson has lived and worked in East Africa for nine years, gaining significant regional expertise. Her diverse background includes roles in for-profit, nonprofit, government, and investment organizations. This experience has equipped her with a comprehensive understanding of the regional market dynamics and the operational challenges faced by businesses in East Africa.
Leadership and Team Development
Nena Sanderson is committed to building high-performing teams and fostering leadership within those teams. Her leadership philosophy emphasizes the importance of developing talent and creating an environment where team members can thrive. This approach has been a key aspect of her roles at M-KOPA and Off.Grid:Electric.