Cynthia holds a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Nairobi, and a Bachelor’s degree in Environmental studies (Community Development) from Kenyatta University. She is also a Certified Public Accountant.

Prior to joining icipe, Cynthia worked for Pathfinder International as a Grant Management Specialist, where she provided leadership on grant management to sub-award project partners for a multi-million-dollar grant funded by USAID.

She also worked as a Finance & Grants Coordinator at the project coordinating unit of a regional education project implemented by Aga Khan Development Agencies, where she spearheaded the setting up of key grants management systems to support the implementation of research sub-award grants to reputable international universities across East Africa and Canada in addition to providing grant administration oversight for the project.

Her focus in this role has been coordinating sub-award financial and program reporting, ensuring sub-award compliance with prime award terms and conditions and capacity strengthening of award partnerships.

Her experience also includes related roles for a national HIV/AIDS prevention project funded by World Bank with the National AIDS Control Council and PricewaterhouseCoopers Ltd.

Cynthia has more than nine (9) years’ experience in providing support to various international NGOs and coordinating sub-award financial & program reporting, donor compliance with award terms and conditions, capacity strengthening of award partners and sub-award grant management roles.