Doreen Irungu

Focus Areas

Doreen Irungu is the Founder and CEO of Ustawi Afrika, a transformative organization dedicated to empowering rural women in semi-arid regions through sustainability-smart agriculture, water harvesting, and economic resilience programs. Under her leadership, Ustawi Afrika has trained countless women in regenerative farming techniques and provided access to markets and financial support, enabling them to overcome food insecurity and hidden hunger in their communities.

Doreen is a recognized leader in food security and gender empowerment. She was awarded the prestigious 2023 Stop Hunger Award in France for her work in combating malnutrition and hidden hunger in marginalized areas. In 2024, she was named a World Food Prize Foundation TAP Pioneer and selected as an Emerging Leader for the Tech-Women program, a U.S. government initiative designed to empower women in STEM.

A passionate advocate for gender equality and sustainable agriculture, Doreen believes in creating opportunities for women to lead and thrive in their communities. Her efforts focus on providing women with the tools to build sustainability resilience while fostering economic growth. She is committed to breaking barriers and planting the seeds of empowerment for women to realize their full potential and create lasting change in their communities.

“As a visionary leader, I strive to create inclusive spaces where rural women can harness their power, embrace innovation in agriculture, and lead the way toward sustainable and resilient communities.”