Dr. Julie Gichuru

Dr. Julie Gichuru is the founder and President and CEO of the Africa Leadership and Dialogue Institute (ALADI), a pan African organisation that drives progress and influence through African storytelling, knowledge building, agenda setting and leadership development. 

Prior to this, Julie was the Chief Public Affairs and Communications Officer at the Mastercard Foundation where she led corporate and programmatic communications, policy & thought leadership and public affairs. Working alongside a dynamic leadership team, she helped develop capacity across Africa and Canada, ensuring a consistent focus on African and Indigenous voices, supporting the shift of development approaches to enable communities to lead in driving solutions. 

Before joining the Foundation in 2019, Julie had a two decade career in media that cut across radio, tv, print and digital media. Following the contested 2007 elections in Kenya, Julie’s compelling news coverage and peace special Voices of Reason resonated strongly with viewers. Her bold calls for non-violent action won her accolades and a number of awards, including the Martin Luther King Salute to Greatness in 2008. 

Following this pivotal period, Julie established the Great Debaters Contest, a high school debate platform focused on elevating debate and dialogue to counter violent and extreme responses to political disagreement. This contributed to the development of a new wave of engaged and enlightened Kenyan youth. Her career evolved with a sustained focus on African leadership, growth and development and she established the celebrated Africa Leadership Dialogues platform. 

Julie has worked closely with numerous global and regional institutions to drive agenda setting and impactful dialogue. She is a fellow of the Aspen Global Leadership Network/Africa Leadership Initiative and is a Tutu Fellow under the Africa Leadership Institute. She is also an alum of the Young Global Leaders under the World Economic Forum. 

She has received numerous awards and recognitions, and in 2022 received a doctorate from Concordia University for her pioneering journalism, peace advocacy and championing of African leadership. 

Julie attended university in the United Kingdom where she earned her LLB Law from the University of Wales Cardiff Law School in 1996, and an MBA with a focus on World Trade Law and International Business from Cardiff University’s Business School in 1998. 

Julie is Kenyan and was born and brought up in Nairobi. She is a dedicated wife and mother and a passionate afro-optimist.