Meet the Team
Sophie Otiende
Founder & Director
Sophie is our founder and all-round lexicon for NGO management and anti-trafficking work, given her vast experience in the sector, now being the CEO of the Global Fund to End Modern Slavery. Her support, which is mostly to programming, fundraising, and strategy, never fails to be value-based, in commitment to the vision, and with such incredible attention to detail. She is also a fabulous teacher who understands how to push each of us to grow and learn within our roles. She has a unique ability to make everyone around her feel seen and heard, and leads her relationships with care, thoughtfulness, and intentionality. She’s also funny, kind, passionate, and an incredible friend to all of us.
Claire Olendo
Community Liaison Officer
Claire is the one who’s been with Azadi the longest and has truly been among the most stable forces in our organisation. She handles all matters partnerships, economic justice and self-determination, and the Resource Centre, all with care and consideration. Her work with other organisations and survivor leaders are all characterised by her gentle and kind nature, and the way she makes others feel in her presence. Claire is the mother of the group caring deeply about the wellbeing and success of the people with whom she is working. We can always count on her for a long hug, good advice, and support.
Lizzy Omamo
Operations Manager
Lizzy is our admin and HR powerhouse, whose diligence, reliability, and attention to detail reads through everything she does. She truly does a lot to ensure that the foundation of Azadi functions effortlessly and in accordance with our values. Her gentleness and kindness have persevered and are true to her character, but in her time with Azadi we have really seen her push herself to use her voice and become the leader we always saw in her. This reflects as she spends her free time volunteering in schools and homes. She is passionate about children and marginalised communities, always supporting those she cares about with kindness, compassion, and loyalty.
Caroline Adhiambo
Membership and Research Coordinator
Caroline is in charge of all things membership and research. She therefore works directly with Azadi’s survivor leaders. Her approach is entirely empathy, respect, and care, and would walk great lengths to ensure that each of them will thrive and succeed. There is no ill-intentioned bone in her body and her sincerity and kindness emanate through her. She’s also a fabulous researcher and writer and always ensures that her work is imbued with the quality and right voice. She’s one of those people who say such meaningful and clever things that you can’t help but stop up and think. She’s an amazing friend to everyone at Azadi and she always permeates warmth, kindness, and sincerity.
Antonia Musunga
Co-Founder
Antonia is our co-founder and volunteer, who supports us with programming, advice, and safeguarding. She keeps Azadi and the entire team accountable for upholding our values and staying true to who we are as an organisation. She emanates passion and activism, and you can always tell that through her activism, there’s a genuine love for people and their wellbeing. Her desire for equality, inclusivity, and feminist ideals are values she keeps bringing to the team and making sure we all meet. She is beyond kind and cares deeply for the people around her and always manages to light up a room with her beautiful smile and affectionate laughter.
Emma Christensen
Learning and Development Officer
Emma is our Learning and development officer. She is intelligent, committed and loving. At Azadi she is working towards setting up Azadis data and tech environment, her creative nature and unique perspective ensures that we are always improving in this area. Apart from that she has worn many hats during her time with Azadi from project management, fundraising, comms, and more. She is reliable and always willing to help, when you are working on a project with Emma be sure that the output will be top notch quality.
Wanjiku Mwangi
Programme Manager
Faith is our Programme Manager, who oversees all of Azadi’s activities, programmes, and projects. She makes sure that they all adhere to our values and mission as an organisation. She maintains that bird’s eye view with dignity, warmth, and a smile, as she lends a supportive hand to everyone in the team, making sure we’re doing well. She is incredibly smart, passionate, and diligent in her work, and is such a reliable force at Azadi. Her support and willingness to help never goes unnoticed, and is truly a testament to her dedication to Azadi, our work, and every single person she engages at work. Her bubbly, charismatic, empathetic nature always shines through to anyone lucky enough to be in a room with her.
Agnes Akinyi
Finance Manager
Agnes is in charge of all of our financial needs making sure that all of us stay within the budget and that all of our finances are handled with care and focus on what matters most. Her work highlights her attention to detail, diligence, and experience with financial matters. She is a major reliable character with Azadi, who we can always count on to produce quality results with all the details in order. Despite the occasional antics and craziness of the team, Agnes is always level-headed, calm, and with her head firmly set on her values and beliefs. Her warmth, reliability, and dedication are never missed, and she provides such steadiness and comfort to the rest of the team. Her favourite quote is “in a world where you can be anything, be kind”, which she always lives to the fullest.
Michelle Mashonganyika
Michelle is our wellbeing and wellness expert whose steady and empathetic hand makes sure that the safeguarding and wellbeing activities all centre community, rest, and self-love, both for the members and the team. A psychotherapist with over 15 years work experience, listening to her talk about the importance of our wellbeing will always inspire your own practices; her suggestions and caring nature will set you up for success on your journey. Her incredible ability to see people, be present, listen, and understand them permeates all of our activities. She truly cares about the wellbeing of everyone around her and her warm, fun, and genuine nature always shines through.
