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
Victor has vast experience in procurement and supply chain management, having previously worked with International Citizen Service and Save the Children Intl. He holds a Commerce degree from the University of Nairobi.
Victor Baraza
Procurement Officer
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
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
Beatrice has more than 5 years of experience as an Accountant in the construction, retail and manufacturing sectors. She is a CPA finalist and holds a B. A degree in Economics from Kenyatta University.
Beatrice Kamau
Assistant Finance Manager
Mtamu has 5+ years of experience as an architect and has also developed a mushroom-based sustainable building material. He is a graduate of the African Design Centre in Rwanda, and of Architecture at University of Nairobi.
Mtamu kililo
Designer
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
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
Alex has 20+ years of audit, accountancy and financial experience in the public service, non-profit, manufacturing and service industries. He holds a Master in Business Administration from Jomo Kenyatta University, and is CPA(K).
Alex Ndirangu
Finance Manager
Etienne is a construction professional with over 23 years of experience in commercial construction, airports, hospitals, high-rise office blocks and housing developments in South Africa, United Kingdom, East and Central Africa.
Etienne Nell
Senior Construction Manager
Grace is a seasoned Executive support professional with over 6 years’ experience. She holds a Diploma in Public Relations and Customer Care from St. Paul's University and is pursuing her degree in Business Administration.
Grace Ngugi
Executive Assistant
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
Martin is a graduate from University of Nairobi and member of the Institute of Quantity Surveyors of Kenya. He has successfully run the budget controls of our projects for One Acre Fund, the German School and Yarumal Missionaries.
Martin Njoroge
Quantity Surveyor
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
Shivani is an EDGE Expert® and leads our Affordable Housing Innovation Project. She holds a Master of Architecture from University of Texas and has international experience in design and project management.
Shivani Patel
Innovation Lead
Paul is an architect with 14 years’ experience in the housing sector and holds a Master in Architecture from Delft University of Technology, Netherlands. A handy carpenter, he has also tutored at design-build workshops across Italy.
Paul Schrijen
Senior Architect
Khilna holds a B.Arch degree at Pratt Institute (NY) and an M.Sc in Sustainable Architecture and Landscape Design completed at Politecnico di Milano. She has since gained vast experience in the commercial, housing and hospitality sectors.
Khilna Shah
Designer
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
Nehal is at BuildX Studio in the capacity of a change management consultant. She is also the Founder and CEO of ProChange Africa, an advisory firm focused on African SMEs, bringing to them her experience within the global financial services and non-profit sectors.
Nehal started her career working for Credit Suisse's Investment Banking Operations group. She holds a double major in Finance and Operations Management and a minor in Chinese language from Georgetown University. In her free-time, Nehal enjoys working out, reading, and traveling.
Nehal Shukla
Finance Director
Liz is an architect from University of Nairobi and a keen researcher, having worked with
the World Bank and Architectural Association of Kenya. She leads our innovation
project which looks at healing spaces for human trafficking survivors.
Elizabeth Sitati
Architectural Researcher
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
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
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
Denise is a highly experienced leader in innovative technologies and entrepreneurship. Founder and CEO of ETOILEglobal, a consultancy that advises social enterprises on structures, governance and innovation.
Denise Sinclair
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
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.
