RefuSHE Names Doris Nelima as Interim CEO

Dear RefuSHE Supporters,

The Kenyan and US Board of Directors have named RefuSHE’s Chief Financial Officer (CFO), Doris Nelima, as interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO), effective September 7, 2021. This announcement comes as part of a detailed leadership transition plan by the Boards in response to the sudden and tragic loss of RefuSHE’s late CEO, Geoffrey Thige.

Doris joined RefuSHE in January 2021 as the CFO and member of the executive leadership team. Doris was handpicked by Geoffrey for her outstanding performance, professional experience, and sincere commitment to RefuSHE’s mission and values. A Certified Public Accountant of Kenya (CPA-K), with more than ten years of experience in grant and financial management, Doris has served as the financial lead for several Kenyan non-profits and has managed a multi-million-dollar grants portfolio from a diverse donor base, including USAID, CDC, FCDO, EU, UN agencies, and various foundations. Throughout her career, Doris has been instrumental in instituting quality management, setting internal controls, liaising with donors, and managing grant compliance. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce in Finance from Strathmore University and is currently pursuing a Master of Commerce in Forensic Accounting, also at Strathmore University.

The Boards thank Doris for agreeing to serve as CEO at this time; her professionalism, financial acumen, and integrity are essential to RefuSHE’s stability and continuity. Meanwhile, Doris will be ably supported by RefuSHE’s first-rate executive leadership team: Chief Programs Officer, Rose Kanana; Jessi Wolz, Chief Investment and Resource Officer, and; Dina Dukhqan, Managing Director.

The Board of Directors will launch a search for a new CEO in early 2022 and expect to announce the appointment of a new chief executive by Spring of 2022. The Kenyan and US Boards wish to extend their gratitude to RefuSHE’s community for the overwhelming support we have received over the last two weeks. The words of comfort shared by each of you have meant the world to Geoffrey’s family and have given us the strength to move forward in serving our mission.

Sincerely,