Madleine is the CEO of ADAPTA Climate Facility and a Halcyon Global Climate Fellow, with 28+ years in banking, SME finance, and impact-driven investments across Africa. Formerly Country Head of Business Banking at Standard Chartered Bank Kenya and Africa Regional SME Head, she drove SME growth strategies across 10 markets, delivering strong turnaround and scale. Today, she now champions climate adaptation and agribusiness linking finance, technology, and sustainable enterprise growth to transform African economies.

Elizabeth is an experienced investment professional with deep expertise in fintech, impact investing, and SME and agribusiness financing across Africa. She has a strong background in debt fundraising, wealth management, and sustainability-focused finance. A Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) and MBA graduate in Strategic Management, Elizabeth brings proven skills in investment advisory, valuation, credit and financial analysis, and product development.

Lilian is an Agriculture Technology and Policy Advisor at the Tony Blair Institute for Global Change, with 8+ years supporting African governments. She spearheaded the development of a satellite-based tool that transformed Kenya’s crop insurance scheme, cutting costs by 70% and scaling nationwide. Her work has earned global recognition, including a NASA award and being named among the world’s top 50 geospatial rising stars.

A senior private sector investment leader with deep experience mobilizing capital into high-growth SMEs across East Africa. Provides strategic guidance on investor engagement, enterprise scaling, and public–private partnerships, with sector exposure spanning agriculture, health, clean energy, and manufacturing.

Judith is a distinguished Advocate of the High Court of Kenya and Managing Partner at Kamoing’ & Company Advocates. Recognized among Kenya’s Top 100 Commercial Lawyers, she specializes in banking and finance law, corporate finance, insolvency, PPPs, and construction law, backed by advanced certifications from Strathmore University, Georgetown Law, and EALS. She also serves as National Director (Legal & Economic Affairs) at the Chamber of Business Sector Kenya shaping policy and legal frameworks that drive business growth.

Paul is an experienced investment advisor with expertise in business valuation, due diligence, and financial structuring. He is an MBA holder in Finance and Financial Management. As team leader at Finaltus in Nairobi, he has supported enterprises across Africa to access capital and scale. At ADAPTA, Paul brings his knowledge of investment readiness and impact-focused financing to help agribusinesses grow sustainably.

Ashley Ngina is a dynamic business professional with a Bachelor’s degree in Business Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship from Middlesex University Mauritius. With over five years of experience as at Hyssop Properties, she has honed her skills in marketing strategy, client engagement, and brand development. Passionate about innovation and leadership, Ashley has served as Co-President of CAS and actively participated in global citizenship initiatives, demonstrating her commitment to creativity and impact.

Simon Kanyutu Kimani is a strategic technology professional with expertise in IT, business transformation, and organizational development. He leverages data-driven insights to enhance decision-making, optimize processes, and deliver impactful results. With a degree in Business and Information Technology from Strathmore University, Simon has led cross-functional teams, driven strategic planning initiatives, and implemented digital solutions that boost efficiency and growth.

Damaris Kikwai is a multidisciplinary professional working at the intersection of climate-smart agriculture, nature-based systems, and tech-enabled solutions for sustainable development. She has led programs that strengthen food systems, build resilience, and empower smallholder farmers, with experience spanning climate-smart dairy, donor-funded projects (EU, USAID), digital tool development, stakeholder engagement, and research with ILRI and SNV.

Lilian Kamau is a dedicated Nature-Based Systems Agronomist passionate about promoting sustainable agricultural practices that restore ecosystems and build farmer resilience. She focuses on integrating climate-smart and regenerative approaches to improve soil health, productivity, and biodiversity.
Lilian works closely with farming communities to design and implement practical, nature-led solutions that strengthen food systems and support long-term environmental sustainability.