Brandy is trained in carpentry, joinery and technical drawing and she joined BuildX Studio as an intern in construction and design. She is now using the gained skills in helping determine the best materials to use in our construction sites and their price accuracy in her role as the Procurement Officer.
She is a cohort one graduate of Buildher.
Brandy Achar
Procurement Assistant
Naveeta is a registered architect with 20+ years of experience in the affordable housing, healthcare and education sectors in the UK and Sub Saharan Africa. She is also an EDGE Expert®, focused on climatically responsive design.
Naveeta Brar
Senior Architect
Safiatu has over 18 years’ experience within the construction industry working in conjunction with government agencies both in the US and in Kenya. She has extensive knowledge and experience in construction estimating and project management.
Safiatu Diallo
Special Projects Lead
Angela is a graduate architect with experience working in Europe and Kenya and specialised in international cooperation projects. At BuildX she is the main designer for our Affordable Housing Innovation Project.
Angela Dominguez
Designer
Brenda is a Procurement and Accounting professional with over 7 years of experience in the Construction, Oil & Gas and Telecoms sectors within Eastern Africa. She is currently pursuing her MSc. Procurement & Logistics from JKUAT.
Brenda Gititu
Head of Procurement
Carolina co-founded BuildX in 2016 and leads our design and innovation development. She has worked in South America, Europe and Africa, with particular experience in urban regeneration and educational design.
Carolina Larrazábal
Co-Founder & Design Director
Purity has extensive experience in inventory management, administration and procurement of supplies. Both her experience, proficiency and knowledge of procurement, supplies and purchasing software has been instrumental in her role as a Site Administrator. She holds a Diploma in Procurement and Supply chain Management Strategies from the University of Nairobi.
Purity Lubira
Site Administrator
Etta is a 2020 Aspen New Voices Fellow. A trained architect and passionate about sustainable building technology and materials, she is also a part-time researcher and lecturer at the University of Nairobi.
Etta Madete
Designer
Stephanie
Stephanie Mbeke
Carpenter
James co-founded BuildX’s predecessor Orkidstudio in 2008. A trained architect, in 2016 he was named in Impact Design Hub’s “40 under 40” and in 2018 was selected as an Aspen Institute Spotlight Health Fellow.
James Mitchell
Co-Founder & CEO
Kimani has 5 years experience in the field of Quantity Surveying & Construction Project Management having worked on various construction & interior fit-out projects. He is a graduate of the University of Nairobi and is registered with BORAQS.
Kimani Muiru
Quantity Surveyor
Sophie is a communications strategist with 10 years’ experience in the media and public
relations industries. A writer and journalist by background, she crafts stories and
connects people to what we do and why we do it.
Sophie Muthoni
Marketing & Comms Manager
Johnpaul is a Civil and Structural Engineer with extensive experience in construction management in the housing, educational and retail sectors, having managed our projects for One Acre Fund and the German School.
Johnpaul Muwanika
Civil & Structural Engineer
Godfrey has 5+ years’ experience in Accounting in the construction and Fintech sectors. He holds a BCom degree in Finance from Strathmore University and ACCA. He is passionate about education, sustainable development and serving humanity.
Godfrey Ndegwa
Finance Manager
Ben is an astute real estate professional with over 13 years of experience in banking, commercial & retail real estate with emphasis on affordable housing and business development. He holds a diploma in Business Management and Sales & Marketing Management and is currently pursuing his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration at Daystar University.
Ben Ndichu
Affordable Housing Development Lead
Mugure is the current president of the Architectural Association of Kenya and past director at the Board of Registration of Architects and Quantity Surveyors. A trained
architect, in 2014 she was named Kenya’s Top 40 Under 40 Women.
Mugure Njendu
Head of Business Development
Rachel is an highly driven manager with vast experience in business management, communications, research and public health. She holds a bachelor's degree in Public Health and a diploma in Human Resources.
Rachel Njeri
Head of People & Workplace
Julius has over 20 years of experience working in construction across Kenya. He has worked with various projects both in the public and private sector and is passionate about driving the highest quality in local craftmanship.
Julius Ogada
Site Supervisor
William is a graduate architect from the Mackintosh School of Architecture and leads
our draft representation work at BuildX, looking at innovative ways of communicating our design ideas to our clients.
William Otuke
Architectural Technician
Lilian is an investment professional with over 10 years of investment experience in various sectors across sub-Saharan Africa. She holds a BA from the University of South Africa and an MSc from Oxford University.
Lilian Oyando
Finance Director
Esther has 6+ years in the field of Civil & Structural Engineering working on diverse projects in East Africa. She is graduate of the Young African Leadership Initiative and holds a degree in Civil & Structural Engineering from Moi University.
Esther Segero
Civil & Structural Engineer
Maryanne is a highly motivated, dedicated and experienced architectural engineer with thirteen years’ experience in the construction industry in East Africa
and the UK. Specializing predominantly in structural analysis and design of building structures in development of new projects. She has extensive
knowledge of engineering principles, theories, specifications and
standards. Substantial experience with environmentally sustainable
construction. She leads all of BuildX's design-build operations, ensuring high
quality performance, efficient systems management and client project relations.
Maryanne Tana
Operations Director
Jaime has vast experience as an architect in the educational and healthcare sectors, with emphasis on participatory design approaches. He has also lectured at the NSPA Architecture Department and at the University of Rwanda.
Jaime Velasco
Senior Designer
Dan is a seasoned self- taught landscaper specializing in planting beds, lawns, walkways and flowering trees. He is a lover of nature and enjoys designing beautiful gardens. He believes that everyone has a right to a beautiful and healthy environment.
Dan Wafula
Landscaper
George holds an architectural degree from the University of Nairobi with an interest in the design of both buildings and urban space. He believes in creating vibrant, authentic, and sustainable communities and spaces.
George Wekesa
Designer
Fara
Fara
Chief Morale Officer
OUR BOARD
Charlene co-founded AZA Finance (formerly Bit-Pesa) and has a broad spectrum of experience ranging from strategic planning, building and scaling global teams, new product development, marketing, sales, and partnership development.
Charlene Chen
Board Member
Tom is Managing Director at Pangea Capital, a boutique advisory and investment management firm. Previously, he has held investment roles at Centum Investments, Malachite Group and Aros Capital and strategy roles at Jaguar Land Rover, Climate Care and BusinessEdge Solutions, now Dell EMC.
Tom Kabuga
Board Member
James co-founded BuildX’s predecessor Orkidstudio in 2008. A trained architect, in 2016 he was named in Impact Design Hub’s “40 under 40” and in 2018 was selected as an Aspen Institute Spotlight Health Fellow.
James Mitchell
Co-Founder & CEO
OUR ADVISORS
Mark is a record-breaking athlete, broadcaster and ambassador with over a decade of world firsts in ultra endurance. Along the way, Mark has shared inspiring journeys and helps businesses perform better.
Mark Beaumont
Advisor
Keith has worked for 3 of Scotland's leading businesses over the last 20 years: Stagecoach, Scottish Power, The Weir Group and is now CEO of Schenck Process. He was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2016.
Keith Cochrane
Advisor
Sajju has been a COO, CFO, Serial Entrepreneur, Mentor and Board Member and has an outstanding track record in growing social impact startups all over the world to deliver large-scale social impact.
