Hello, my name is Sharleen.

My Contributions

Software development and design

I interviewed early users, designed the web app’s interface, and wrote code for it.

Research and career resources

I researched Kenya’s labour market, spoke with people across industries, and helped turn the findings into a handbook and career cards. Seeing teachers use the cards was a personal highlight.

Programme delivery and team management

I led school outreach and workshop delivery and recruited and managed a team of 10. I used short work samples to see how candidates approached tasks they would do on the team.

Results

• About 20,000 learners reached overall, about 2,000 app users, more than 100 workshops, and more than KSh 2 million in revenue.
• At Career Week 2026, we brought together more than 200 learners and more than 30 professionals so learners could ask directly about their work and career paths.

My Contributions

Programme design and school coordination

I spoke with learners about their ideas, worked with teachers to make time in the school schedule, and brought school leaders and alumni into the programme.

Fundraising and pitch festivals

I mobilised sponsors and judges and helped deliver two pitch festivals.

Results

• About 30 learners were actively developing ideas.
• The school began implementing a dormitory cleaning and monitoring system that a learner designed and prototyped using AI.

My Contributions

Venture assessment

Dr Hilda Muteshi and I assessed the startups, drafted problem statements, and reviewed them with the founders.

Team matching and facilitation

Each university nominated one lecturer and two learners. I helped match them with ventures based on the problem, the lecturer’s expertise, and the learners’ fields of study.

Outcome

• Teams presented their proposed solutions at the summit. We encouraged them to continue collaborating afterwards.

My Contributions

Curriculum and trainer development

I researched computer science teaching and adult learning, developed a curriculum and trainer manual, and trained music and language instructors to teach coding. For UWAZI, I designed hands-on training where instructors worked through the design thinking process themselves.

Programme operations and evaluation

I taught learners directly, supported trainers across hubs, and set reporting metrics to track programme and learner progress.

Finance and partnerships

I monitored spending and payments, adjusted resources, recruited judges, approached sponsors, and invited parents to see the programme ahead of a paid cohort. I developed relationships with WISE KE and Education Development Trust.

Highlights

• I took the programme’s work to the Metis Reimagined Ed Summit. Learners presented their solutions at Kenya Innovation Week.
• I was promoted into Partnerships, Development, and Finance, where I supported company growth and financial sustainability.

My Contributions

School partnerships and operations

I ran demos, pitched programmes to schools, and helped close deals. I scheduled lessons so schools could share a limited supply of robotics kits.

Venture building and finance

I supported founders in UNICEF Generation Unlimited incubation as they defined products, found early users, built and tested prototypes, recruited initial team members, and prepared pitches. I drew on my accounting background to help them organise finances and operations.

Events and fundraising

I helped deliver Maker Camp, holiday boot camps, and the first World Robot Olympiad edition the centre supported. My work included fundraising, marketing, school recruitment, logistics, and learner preparation.