Raised in a context where her mother’s dreams were disrupted by early pregnancy and limited access to education, Kellen’s path has been shaped by a deep sense of purpose: to create a different future for the next generation of girls. She founded Empowered Girls in 2011 with the belief that girls are not just beneficiaries — they are leaders, innovators, and change agents.

 

Under her leadership, Empowered Girls has grown from a local initiative to a movement that has reached over 15,000 girls, implemented programs in 12 government schools, and launched initiatives in mentorship, menstrual health, life skills, entrepreneurship, climate change adaptation and resilience and gender equality. Kellen’s approach is rooted in community-led development, nonviolent communication, and systems change.

 

She is a Skoll Foundation Fellow (2025) an African Visionary Fellow for Segal Family Foundation, a Perennial Fellow and an alumna of numerous leadership and changemaker networks including Opportunity Collaboration. Kellen is also a trainer in Nonviolent Communication (NVC), and regularly facilitates learning spaces on leadership, emotional intelligence, Girls & women empowerment and gender justice.

 

Kellen’s work continues to inspire a generation of girls to believe not only in education — but in themselves. Her motto and the heartbeat of the organization: Live your dream. Ishi ndoto yako.