Carolyne Njeri Gathinji
Carolyne Njeri Gathinji is a distinguished Kenyan leader whose journey spans elite global education and high-impact consultancy. A Nakuru native and a product of Alliance Girls High School, she pursued dual degrees in Mathematics and Management Science at MIT, graduating in 2011. Her academic pursuits continued with an MBA at Harvard Business School, where she further sharpened her strategic and leadership skills.
Professionally, Carolyne began her career at UBS in New York as an Investment Banking Analyst, engaging in capital markets and M&A advisory work. By 2013, she transitioned back to the U.S. to enroll at Harvard Business School, and subsequently joined McKinsey & Company, where she rose to the role of Partner in Nairobi, leading the Banking practice across East Africa. In this capacity, she has been instrumental in designing and implementing financial innovation and inclusion strategies, collaborating with banks, telecoms, fintech firms, donor organizations, and governments to advance digital financial access across the continent.
Carolyne attributes her success to a combination of diligence, unwavering optimism, and what she describes as “God’s fingerprints” – the meaningful support and connections she has received along her journey.