Caroline Nyaga, 35

Caroline is moving mountains to improve the future of girls and young women in Kenya by empowering them to take up science, technology, engineering and maths (STEM) subjects.

At 35, she is the Vice President of WiSTEM Africa, based in Gambia, head of the African Women’s Network in Spain, and the visionary behind Women in STEAM initiative.

The mother of three finds purpose in mentoring women and providing them with opportunities to thrive in society.

"People see and notice what you do. Keep doing what you are doing."

In a predominantly male-dominated field, Caroline has been a key advocate for women’s empowerment and inclusion particularly in technical courses.

Through her efforts, and with the support of a team of trainers and mentors from various universities across the country, there has been a noticeable increase in the number of girls pursuing STEM subjects.

Balancing her personal life and her professional work has been her biggest challenge, but resilience and passion keep her going.

“People see and notice what you do. Keep doing what you are doing,” the holder of a Master of Arts in Education from Liverpool John Moores University and a Bachelor of Education in Science, from Kenyatta University, says.

Caroline’s vision is to establish hubs in different countries to challenge negative stereotypes of women and STEM. She finds motivation in her faith and is conscious of the impact of her words.

Despite her busy schedule she still finds time to relax and enjoy activities such as shopping.

– By Linet Owoko