About Us

Michael has lived full time in Uganda for more than nine years. He began his career as a Journalist and first fell in love with Uganda and motorcycle taxis during his internships at Uganda’s Daily Monitor newspaper and Independent magazine.

Michael holds a Master of Philosophy degree from Oxford University (UK), and a Bachelor of Arts degree from Stanford University (USA). He is a Fulbright and Marshall Scholar, an Echoing Green Global Fellow, and a proud Alumnus of the Unreasonable Institute and Global Social Benefit Incubator (GSBI).

Marisa specialises in operations, start-ups, and scaling-up businesses. She is a multicultural and multilingual senior professional passionate about business processes, people empowerment through tools, and applicability across cultures, and has worked in the USA, Ghana, and Uganda. 

She previously worked with Groupe Nduom, and United Technologies Corporation (Sikorsky, Pratt & Whitney, Hamilton Sundstrand).

Marisa has a Master of Business Administration degree from New York University (USA), a Bachelor of Science (Honours) degree in Management and a Bachelor of Science degree in German with minors in French and Economics – both from The Pennsylvania State University (USA). 

Paul specialises in strategy, product development, and marketing and PR. He is a multicultural and multilingual senior professional skilled in building businesses and brand equity in the automotive, industrials, and professional services sectors across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, and Asia.

He previously worked with Simba Corporation, Volkswagen Group (Audi, Skoda, VW), Baker McKenzie, Linklaters, and PwC Consulting.

Paul has a Master of Business Administration degree from the University of Warwick (UK), and a Bachelor of Engineering & Commerce (Joint Honours) degree in Manufacturing Engineering and Business Studies with German from the University of Birmingham (UK).

Rodney is a commercial microfinance advisor and entrepreneur, and specialises in risk, regulation, credit, and product development. He previously established an MFI in each of Uganda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, and Sudan, and held different positions at Board, Shareholder, and Management level. Rodney currently serves on different Boards in the insurance, entertainment, and retail sectors.

He previously worked as a technical advisor to several MFIs and SME lenders including USAID, Pact, UNDP, and the International Network of Alternative Financial Institutions (INAFI).

Rodney has a Master of Arts degree in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University (USA), and a Bachelor of Arts degree in Geography from the University of California, Berkeley (USA).

Sylvia specialises in HR management. She is an HR strategic partner, employee champion, change agent, and a strong advocate of creating a positive environment that encourages self expression, talent development, and a highly engaged workforce to implement company strategies. Her sector experience spans NGOs, Education, Manufacturing, and Public Service.

She previously worked with the Uganda Law Society, Movit Products, and Taibah Schools.

Sylvia has a Master of Science degree in Human Resource Management, and a Bachelor of Science degree in Education Science (Honours) – both from Makerere University (Uganda), and Certifications in Organisational Development from the Global Academy of Finance and Management (USA), and The American Academy of Financial Management (USA).

Daniel specialises in public and private financial markets, encompassing equity, mezzanine and debt transactions in both principal and advisory roles. He leads Tugende’s financial strategy, financial analysis and forecasting, capital raising, and investor relations.

He previously worked with BroadReach, PG Impact Investments, 8 Miles, and Citibank.

Daniel has a Master of Business Administration degree from INSEAD (France), and a Bachelor of Arts degree from the University of Cambridge (UK).

Frederick specialises in data analytics, credit risk management, and scaling business processes using analytics. He is passionate about financial inclusion and building sustainable lending businesses and has worked as an analytics expert in Africa, the Middle East and Eastern Europe.

He previously worked with Finca International, JUMO and Lewis Stores.

Frederick has a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Statistics with a major in Economics from the University of Pretoria (South Africa).

Patrick specialises in project management, systems analysis and design, database management, and systems maintenance and networks. His strength lies in setting up IT teams and infrastructure to support the achievement of short and long-term company goals and managing the change required. His experience spans financial services, agriculture, and health – both in the public and private sectors, across Uganda, Kenya, Tanzania, South Sudan, and Rwanda.

He previously worked with Data Care, and SMS2BET.

Patrick has a Bachelor of Science degree in Computer Science from Makerere University (Uganda).

Solomon specialises in credit risk management, client relationship management, project management, cross product derivatives collateral management, funding, and liquidity management.

He previously worked with Goldman Sachs and UBS.

Solomon has a Master of Engineering degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering from Imperial College London (UK).