Sanda Ojiambo
| Sanda Ojiambo | |
|---|---|
| |
| Born | Kenya |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Occupation | Administrator, sustainability leader |
| Known for | Assistant Secretary-General, UN Global Compact |
| Alma mater | McGill University University of Minnesota |
Sanda Ojiambo is a Kenyan administrator and global sustainability leader who serves as the Assistant Secretary-General of the United Nations Global Compact. She assumed this role in April 2022 after previously serving as the Executive Director of the organization.
She is known for her leadership in advancing corporate sustainability, public-private partnerships, and the integration of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) into business practices worldwide.
Early Life and Education
Sanda Ojiambo was born and raised in Kenya.
She pursued higher education internationally:
- Bachelor of Arts in Economics and International Development from McGill University, Canada
- Master of Arts in Public Policy from the University of Minnesota, United States
Her academic background reflects her strong focus on development, policy, and global economics.
Career
Early Career in Development Sector
Sanda Ojiambo began her career in 1997 with CARE International in Somalia. She later joined the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Somalia.
During this period, she worked on:
- Education programs
- Safe motherhood initiatives
- Environmental conservation
- Governance and capacity building
- Landmine demining efforts
Her work contributed to major development initiatives, including early UN Human Development Reports for Somalia.
International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF)
Ojiambo later joined the International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) – Africa Region in Nairobi.
Her responsibilities included:
- Technical advisory across 40 African countries
- Governance and financial management
- Advocacy for health and rights
She eventually rose to a leadership role overseeing regional programs.
Safaricom Plc
In 2008, Sanda Ojiambo joined Safaricom Plc, Kenya’s leading telecommunications company.
She served as:
- Senior Manager of Safaricom and M-Pesa Foundations
- Head of Sustainable Business and Social Impact
At Safaricom, she:
- Led integration of SDGs into business strategy
- Developed public-private partnerships with UN agencies
- Oversaw corporate responsibility and sustainability initiatives
United Nations Global Compact
Sanda Ojiambo joined the United Nations Global Compact as Executive Director in 2020.
In this role, she led:
- Development of global sustainability strategies
- Expansion of partnerships with businesses
- Initiatives to align corporate practices with UN principles
In April 2022, she was appointed Assistant Secretary-General and head of the UN Global Compact by UN Secretary-General António Guterres.
Leadership Role
As Assistant Secretary-General, she:
- Leads the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative
- Advises UN leadership on private sector contributions to the SDGs
- Builds global partnerships between businesses and the UN
- Promotes responsible business practices worldwide
The UN Global Compact includes:
- 20,000+ participating companies
- Networks across more than 60 countries
- Focus on human rights, labour, environment, and anti-corruption
Boards and Affiliations
Sanda Ojiambo has served on several boards, including:
- Kenya Investment Authority
- Gender Violence Recovery Centre
- Global Development Incubator
- CarePay Limited
- M-Pesa Foundation Academy
Her work spans public, private, and non-profit sectors.
Achievements
- Assistant Secretary-General, United Nations (2022)
- Executive Director, UN Global Compact (2020–2022)
- Recognized global leader in sustainability and development
- Key advocate for corporate responsibility and SDGs
Personal Life
Sanda Ojiambo maintains a professional public profile focused on global development, sustainability, and leadership.
Legacy
Sanda Ojiambo is regarded as a leading voice in sustainable business and global development. Her work has helped strengthen collaboration between the United Nations and the private sector, promoting responsible business practices and advancing the global development agenda.