Yvette is an African feminist leader and social justice advocate with nearly two decades of experience shaping philanthropy, advancing gender equity, and strengthening movements for social change across Africa and globally. Based in Nairobi, she brings deep expertise in strategic grantmaking, advocacy, resource mobilization, partnership development, and network leadership.

Most recently, Yvette served as Director of Girl Capital, Africa at the Children’s Investment Fund Foundation (CIFF), where she co-led a flagship investment and partnership initiative focused on accelerating efforts to end child marriage across multiple countries. Prior to this, she was a member of CIFF’s Equity, Gender & Youth team, where she helped advance the foundation’s approach to equitable philanthropy, fostered collaboration across the funding ecosystem, and championed the integration of equity principles and diverse perspectives into organizational strategy, programming, and partnerships.

Earlier in her career, Yvette held leadership and advisory roles with the Hopewell Fund, Girls Not Brides, FEMNET, and the International Planned Parenthood Federation Africa Region, contributing to policy advocacy, movement building, and the advancement of gender justice across the continent.

Yvette holds a Master’s degree in Development Studies with a specialization in Women, Gender and Development from the International Institute of Social Studies in The Hague, and a Bachelor’s degree in International Relations from United States International University (USIU-Africa). She is deeply committed to shifting power and resources to historically excluded communities and strengthening systems that advance equitable, sustainable, and locally led social change.

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