Our UK Board is responsible for the management of Amuka Foundation, leading on project management, fundraising, financial accountability and defining our strategic objectives. To ensure effective engagement with local communities and strengthening our understanding of traditional and cultural norms, we liaise regularly with a Karare Board of Trustees who act in an advisory capacity and ensure that as Amuka Foundation, we do no harm to our beneficiaries, their families and the community.
Elizabeth Owsley
Liz completed 30 years with the Metropolitan Police, with the latter part of her career as National Coordinator for the British Association for Women in Policing (BAWP). She has worked in central London most of her career. Through BAWP she met Ellie and worked with her closely for a few years. They maintained contact after her retirement, and this progressed to a visit to Kenya. When Ellie founded the Amuka Foundation she asked Liz to be a trustee, which she readily agreed to.
Liz likes to run, although her competitive days are over, she loves walking and has completed many long distance trails; golf is also her passion, which has led her to visit many countries.
She is delighted to be part of Amuka, to help spread the word in the UK, and to enable others to help too.
Jane has been visiting Kenya for the past 10 years with her 2 children Katie and Ben. It’s her 2nd home! Jane and her family have supported a number of projects through their schools and collecting in their local area.
Jane was overwhelmed by the warm welcome she received in Karare during Ellie’s wedding and resolved to do all she could to support the local community in thanks for this welcome.
Jane’s background lies in marketing and following a serious illness the life changing decision to work part time for a disability charity to allow her to spend more time with her family. She looks forward to using her experience to help Amuka Foundation grow and develop increasing its impact within Kenya.
Originally from Kazakhstan, Julia has background in actuarial science and has worked with major insurance companies across Russia, Singapore, and the UK. She is deeply committed to improving access to healthcare and education in remote areas and strongly believes in the power of community development projects. In her free time, Julia enjoys practicing martial arts, hiking, exploring art history, and learning new languages.
Julia has been appointed as Treasurer and Trustee for Amuka Foundation.
Retiring from a thirty-year career with the Metropolitan Police in 2018, Jackie relocated to Dorset later the same year, chance to focus on her personal interests and pick up several new hobbies.
In 2019 Jackie qualified as a Reiki Master and teacher and regularly delivers sessions from her home in Charmouth as well as volunteering as a therapist for a local cancer charity. She is interested in all things holistic and spiritual and initiated a fortnightly women’s development group.
Jackie is a keen runner and has completed several marathons and ultra marathons. She also keeps fit walking her two Vizsla dogs in the Dorset hills, and enjoys reading, watching all sports and holidays throughout the UK.
Following her first visit to Kenya in 2022 as a volunteer, Jackie was inspired to take on a formal Trustee role, supporting numerous fundraising initiatives, overseeing logistics and coordination for Girls Mentorship Camp in 2024 and chairing Partnership Working Group.
Philippa Marks – Secretary
Philippa is the newest member of Amuka Foundation; appointed as Secretary of the UK Board of Trustees.
Throughout the day, Philippa works as an assistant company secretary in a listed company. Keen to put her experience and skills to good use outside of work, Philippa hopes to help Amuka Foundation continue to build on the fantastic work that’s already being done. Her timely appointment will allow fellow trustees to focus their time on other critical areas of activity.
When conditions allow, Philippa loves to travel and is keen on yoga and Pilates. When not flying high or breathing deeply, you can usually find her in wellies exploring the countryside with her pet Labrador Penny!
Philippa is yet to visit Kenya but is excited to get stuck in and looks forward to learning more about the positive impact Amuka is having.
Elaine Grant
I am truly delighted to be appointed as trustee for Amuka foundation. My involvement with Amuka goes back to 2018 when I was part of a Scout Leader Team to Kenya with a group of young people from the Highlands and Islands of Scotland. Since visiting Kenya, hearing stories and seeing first-hand, the positive impact the Foundation is having on young people and communities, I continue to be inspired. As a trustee, I want to be a part of that team, making a difference.
At home, I am a Child Protection Social Worker within the remote and rural of Highlands, helping children and young people to feel safe and be safe. Worldwide, children and young people face difficulties through hardship, abuse, neglect, and endangerment.
As a Scout leader for more than 30 years, I have watched young people grow and develop. Scouting prepares them with the skills they need to succeed in life and make a positive impact on society. I hope that I can bring my skills and experience into making a difference for children and young people in Kenya with Amuka Foundation.
Christian Thurow
Christian brings over two decades of experience in risk management, internal audit, and governance within global financial institutions. Beyond his professional commitments, Christian contributes as a freelance business writer for a German accounting magazine and designs Continuous Professional Development courses on compliance, fraud, and risk management for professional organisations.
Christian is passionate about supporting Amuka Foundation’s mission to empower young people and communities in Kenya through education and skills development. He is eager to apply his expertise in risk and governance to strengthen the Foundation’s operations and strategic initiatives.
Christian has been appointed as Trustee and supports development of budgets within each of our specific working groups and project activities.
Adrienne Williams
As a mother of 3 daughters and a 5 year old granddaughter who has just begun her first footsteps in full time education, Adrienne is passionate about free education for children everywhere and equal rights for girls and all sentient beings.
Interested in holistic and spiritual wellness Adrienne has started to work with essential oils and their benefits on body and mind. Adrienne volunteers weekly in a local Oxfam shop and helps raise funds for an animal sanctuary. Her main interests are reading and writing about the First World War and visiting the battlefields and war graves in France and Belgium.
Adrienne has yet to visit Kenya but is motivated by the stories from others and keen to learn more about the challenges faced by our beneficiaries. Adrienne is currently developing her role in selling merchandise from the ladies groups in Karare and Ngando.
Ellie Bird Lenawarungu – Trustee
Ellie served for more than thirty years as a police officer across the UK. Her passion for protecting those who are vulnerable and mentoring young people to develop skills and confidence to protect themselves and achieve their goals suited her new life in Kenya after retirement in 2014.
Ellie believes that effective solutions require an understanding of the complexity of problems. Amuka Foundation is committed to develop leadership and resilience within communities; a broad range of activities each addressing elements of the problem. Ellie has seen how equipping a mother with the skills to make reusable sanitary towels ensures that she can protect and provide for her children, her daughter can attend school and that she has the confidence to make decisions for the safety and wellbeing of her family.
As a consultant, working across Africa, Ellie advises on gender based violence, women, peace and security. Ellie donates a percentage of her earnings each month into sustaining the Foundation’s administration and project activities.
As well as developing young people in Kenya, Ellie is keen to share her experience and insight with other young people and those in leadership positions around the World.