| CEO and Founder, Funkidz and FunHomes | | http://www.zwc.ca/archive/2020/speakers/Wanjiru Waweru Waithaka | CEO and Founder, Funkidz and FunHomes | | | | <div class="ExternalClass050C3B38FAEE4154AEE64B3003E49295"><p>Wanjiru Waweru Waithaka is a creative entrepreneur, innovator and manufacturer from Kenya, and a graduate of Interior Architecture from the University of Glasgow’s School of Art. She founded and successfully ran the interior architecture consultancy Amber Africa, where clients ranged from individuals to hotels and multinationals within East Africa.</p><p>After running Amber Africa for 10 years, Wanjiru’s passion for design and manufacturing led her to create the first global children's brand from Africa - Funkidz Limited. Funkidz is an innovative children's brand that designs and manufactures products for children age 0-16 years. But it is a brand with a big story, multiple goals and exemplifies Wanjiru’s commitment to creating change for entrepreneurs, especially women and youth, through experiential education and mentoring. Within the company exists several brands, including Kidz Go Tech which focuses on transforming and leap-frogging education on the African continent by using storytelling, tech sensory learning and animation. The lack of homegrown technical skills in manufacturing in Kenya led Wanjiru to launch in 2016 an in-house Funkidz training program, designed to build the capacity of Kenyan carpenters and joiners to deliver on global manufacturing and design standards. </p><p>Wanjiru is a sought-after speaker, and award-winning entrepreneur. She has been asked to present her work by UNESCO, Facebook, and the World Economic Forum, has received awards from Goldmansachs, GSMA, and special mention and commendation by Former US First Lady Michelle Obama. In a recent COVID-19 pivot, Wanjiru has also now founded, and acts as the CEO, of a new company called FunHomes.
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</p></div> | http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/SpeakersPhotos/CiiruWaweruWaithaka.jpg, http://www.zwc.ca/speakers/SpeakersPhotos/CiiruWaweruWaithaka.jpg | GP0|#6e5c434a-7559-43c8-92c2-40a99712b55b;L0|#06e5c434a-7559-43c8-92c2-40a99712b55b|Wanjiru Waweru Waithaka;GTSet|#c31bcefc-bba8-4775-8a91-82f54b19d6e1;GPP|#d4606ea2-a17f-44c9-8c88-c038bb814434 | | Wanjiru | Waweru Waithaka |
