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
Wesam is an architect and doctoral researcher at the University of Cambridge, he is experienced in innovation, natural material, and architectural design for low-carbon construction with projects in Europe, the Middle East, and South America.
Wesam Al Asali
Innovation Fellow
Axel is an urban development professional with over 13 years of experience in planning and delivering complex real estate projects. He has worked in France and in more than 15 countries in Africa.
Axel Decavele
Special Projects Lead
Janet holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree with a focus on Procurement & Supply Chain Management. At BuildX, she is responsible for transforming procurement processes to enhance efficiency & profitability. She is also a YALI-RLC-EA fellow.
Janet Kangethe
Procurement Officer
Innocent is a trained professional in construction costing with two years working experience in various contractor and consultancy-based firms. He has worked on numerous residential & institutional projects and holds a degree in Quantity Surveying from the University of Nairobi.
Innocent Kiriba
Assistant Quantity Surveyor
Josine has 10 years’ experience working on architecture and masterplanning projects in Europe, Asia, Africa & the Caribbean. She is passionate to develop innovative projects and strategies that contribute to a transition towards a more sustainable and circular economy.
Josine Lambert
Head of Design
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
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
Cristina is an architect and doctoral researcher at the University Polytechnic of Valencia, Spain in Neurosciences applied to Architecture. She has experience in master planning, retail and residential projects in USA, UK and Spain. She is passionate about developing projects “for people and with people” focusing on wellbeing, innovative design and new materials.
Cristina Marti
Project Architect
Tshepo is an interdisciplinary architect with a focus on high-social impact, community driven design and urbanism. He was a fellow with the African Design Centre and has over 7 years of experience in the profession.
Tshepo Mokholo
Associate Architect
Stephanie is a trained carpentry and joinery artisan with technical drawing skills and a cohort one graduate of Buildher. She joined BuildX as an intern in construction and design and is currently involved in data collection for our affordable housing project.
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
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
Viva is a graduate architect from the University of Nairobi with an interest in both art and architecture. She is passionate about social architecture and designing environmentally friendly spaces that cater for the needs of the society.
Viva Mugambi
Graduate Architect
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
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
Executive Assistant
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
David is a Structural & Architectural BIM Modeler with a background in Civil/Structural Engineering. He has 4+ years working experience in Civil/Structural and Architectural Projects and has an appreciation for Building Information Modeling.
David Owino
Draftsperson
Obi is an architect and trained engineer with experience at multiple UK firms, especially focused on residential architecture. He is passionate about the social impact that architecture can have and designing in the African context.
Obi Okoye
Project Architect
Ivy is a trained candidate architect with experience in both Kenya and South Africa. She is passionate about socially responsive and sustainable design approaches and believes in architecture that creates dialogue between the intervention, people, and context.
Ivy Onami
Graduate Architect
Maryem holds a Master degree in architecture with a focus on sociological studies. She is passionate about participative and human-centred design processes as well as promoting the use of natural materials in constructions.
Maryem Sadek
Graduate Architect
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
Joan holds an economics degree from JKUAT and is a CPA finalist with an interest in corporate strategy, investments and data science.
Joan Rungai
Accounts Assistant
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
Carolin is an impact management professional with over 15 years’ experience in monitoring, evaluation, research and learning. She has worked across a range of sectors and is passionate about harnessing commercial opportunities to create positive social and environmental impacts.
Carolin Schramm
Impact Lead
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
Fara
Fara
Chief Morale Officer
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
OUR BOARD
Elizabeth is the CEO and Co-Founder of WEB Limited, a sustainable development consultancy and the chairperson of the Kenya Green Building Society (KGBS). She was in 2017 nominated and appointed as the World Green Building Council Africa Regional Network Vice Chairperson.
Elizabeth W Chege
Board Member
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
Ciru is the Commercial Director at Garden City, a flagship project by Actis. She has 16 years of
experience in financial analytics, business development and project management across healthcare and
real estate combined.
Ciru Okobi
Board Member
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
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.
