Our Team

The most important thing isn't where you are, but what you do while you're there.

Our team consists of dedicated and experienced members, both in Germany and on the ground in Kenya. Over the years, our team’s focus has shifted to Kenya to ensure smoother project implementation. We’d like to introduce some of our team members here.

Founder of the association
Joy Rukundo is the founder of One80 Africa. Inspired by her father’s community service work along the Kenyan coast, she founded One80 Africa to help bring about long-term change in local communities.
With over 20 years of project experience in Kenya, Joy understands the needs and challenges of community work. Having grown up in Germany, she made a conscious decision in 2020 to move to Kenya so she could support the projects more directly. Today, she oversees project development and fundraising—always ready to listen to people and with a keen sense for meaningful, sustainable change.

Vice President
Alan Rukundo has been part of One80 Africa since 2015 and, as the organization’s second executive director, plays a key role in the strategic and operational implementation of our projects. He grew up in the United Kingdom and is now firmly rooted in Kenya.
With a keen sense for processes, structure, and organization, Alan oversees the day-to-day operations of many projects on the ground. One of his key areas of focus is sustainable agriculture—here, he develops and supports programs that have a long-term impact on both the environment and society.

Accounting
Njugu-ini brings more than ten years of experience in accounting, payroll, and tax consulting to the table and supports One80 Africa in all financial matters. She ensures transparency, accuracy, and reliability in financial reporting—both within the team and in dealings with partners and funding organizations.
Having grown up and been educated in Kenya, she has a deep understanding of the challenges of public-interest work. Her background across various sectors—from NGOs to SMEs to service providers—makes her a strong link between administration and impact.

Executive Board
Kathy Bahn leads the association as its president with great dedication and passion. She lives in Munich and brings her many years of experience as a freelance midwife to bear in our prenatal and postnatal project, “Nia.”
After completing her nursing training, Kathy went on to become a midwife, and since 1998 she has been supporting expectant mothers with her wealth of experience and empathy. The knowledge she gains from her regular continuing education in naturopathy informs her work and also enriches the work of One80 Africa.

Project Consultant
Esmey grew up in the heart of the Masai Mara and brings with her a strong cultural connection as well as a deep understanding of the realities of life for young women in her community.
In addition to her work as an outstanding safari guide, Esmey has been passionately involved in schools and social projects for many years. Mentoring, education, and community work are particularly close to her heart.
As a project consultant for Nia, she serves as our direct link to local communities and plays a key role in helping to shape a culturally grounded, trustworthy, and effective program.