Anne Drane

Focus Areas

Anne Drane is the Founder and CEO of SAWA SAWA, a U.S.-based nonprofit social enterprise that empowers artisan women in Kenya through ethical trade and market access. SAWA SAWA partners with 1125 artisans, transforming traditional craftsmanship into economic opportunity while advancing conservation and improving community well-being through partnerships that provide renewable energy and menstrual resources.

Born and raised in Kenya, Drane earned a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance before immigrating to the US, where she founded SAWA SAWA. She has built partnerships with Amazon’s Black Business Accelerator, Workshop at Macy’s, Google for Nonprofits, Microsoft, Nest Guild, among others. Drane is an Austin Woman Way Maker Award recipient, a KXAN Remarkable Woman honoree, and led SAWA SAWA to earn Candid’s Platinum Seal of Transparency.

“As a visionary leader, I believe lasting change happens when communities, businesses, and changemakers work together to create shared responsibility for people and the planet.”