Carole Kariuki is the Chief Executive Officer of the Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) holds a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Economics and Sociology from the University of Nairobi, and a Masters Degree in Public Administration and International Affairs from Bowling Green State University, Ohio, USA. She has also pursued several professional courses on Public-Private Sector Dialogue, Global Leadership and Private Sector Development among others.

Ms. Kariuki has a wealth of experience in leadership having worked for Barclays Bank of Kenya, Nairobi Chapel and Sagamore Institute for Public Policy Research, Indianapolis – Indiana, where she acted as a liaison between Kenya Private Sector Alliance (KEPSA) and the institute before formally joining KEPSA.

She worked for several years at KEPSA before being appointed KEPSA CEO. Ms. Kariuki is credited for transforming KEPSA from a little known Business Institution to one of the most influential institutions in Kenya and Globally. KEPSA is the Apex body of the private sector in Kenya, galvanizing the private sector through public-private dialogue and influencing the economic and development agenda of the country and Africa.

She currently serves in several boards including:

• Board Member, Harvard University Center for African Studies, Africa Advisory Board
• University Council Member, Daystar University, Kenya
• Board of Trustees member, United States International University-Africa , Kenya
• Board Member, Business Advocacy Fund, Danish Embassy Kenya
• Board Member, Nairobi Centre for International Arbitration Board
• Board Member, The Center for Corporate Governance Board
• Council Member, The National Council of Administrative Justice (NCAJ)
• Board Member, Nairobi Innovation Lab (NAILAB) Board

She serves and has served in several task forces including the Presidential Task Force on Parastatals Sector Reforms in 2013.
She is a member of several professional bodies including, The Rotary Club of Langata, Kenya Institute of Management and Institute of Directors.

Ms. Kariuki has been recognized with several awards for her leadership and role in the development of the Private Sector including;

• Women Super Achiever Award, by World Women Leadership Congress and Awards 2017, India
• Ranked 14th and first Kenyan on the list of 100 Africans by Institut Choi- seul in the ‘Choiseul 100 Africa : Economic Leaders for Tomorrow 2015’
• Women Leadership Achievement Award 2015 by World Women Leadership Congress and Awards, India
• The International Advocacy Award 2014 by Institut Amadeus, Morocco
• The Moran of the Burning Spear (MBS) 2012 and Heads of State Commendation (HSC) 2011 by President H.E Mwai Kibaki
• Top 40 Under 40 Women in Business Awards Kenya, 2011 and 2012 consecutively by The Business Daily, Kenya
• Contribution to Society Award by Nairobi Chapel 2011, Kenya
• Outstanding Role in Creating Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) for Business Growth by ILO Kenya Women Entrepreneurship Development 2011
• Role in Growing Sustainable Business Initiative 2006 by UNDP Kenya
• Role in the Development of the UN Global Compact 2006 by UNDP Kenya

In 2012 she was voted ‘Extraordinary Personality to Inspire the Future’ by 80% of the 20,000 students of the Entrepreneurship Clubs of Kenyan Universities. She is also the first Senior Fellow at ISOKO, which is an institute based in Indianapolis that promotes private enterprise in Africa.