Yvonne Wanja Michuki, widely recognized as Wanja Michuki, is a certified coach, writer, speaker, and consultant specializing in private wealth management. Her diverse career traverses multiple industries, offering a comprehensive overview of her professional journey. The following narrative provides insight into her life, as recounted by us.
Early Years and Educational Background
Hailing from Kangema in Muranga County, Kenya, Wanja’s formative years were rooted in this locality. Upon attaining adulthood, she pursued higher education at Bryn Mawr College from 1992 to 1996, culminating in the successful attainment of a Bachelor of Arts degree in Economics. Subsequently, in 2000, she furthered her academic pursuits at Columbia University – Business School, earning a Master of Business Administration (MBA) degree with a specialization in Finance in 2002.
Professional Trajectory
An examination of Wanja’s career, as depicted on her LinkedIn profile, unveils a noteworthy tenure in the corporate landscape.
Commencing her professional journey, she served as a Corporate Analyst at Barclays Merchant Finance Limited from 1997 to 1999, marking the outset of her career. Progressing within the organization, she assumed the role of Research Manager at Barclays Trust Investment Services Limited, where she remained until 2000.
During her time as a student in the United States, she briefly held a position as a summer associate at Meryll Lynch. In 2003, she ventured into entrepreneurship, establishing The Highland Tea Company LLC, headquartered in New York, successfully managing the company for over five years until 2008.
In 2009, she took on a distinct role as Trade, Investment, and Multilateral Diplomat for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and International Trade, primarily stationed in London, England. This commitment continued until 2014.
In January 2015, Wanja founded Be Bold Consultancy & Advisory Ltd. This independent firm specializes in financial consulting and executive coaching, aiming to guide families away from potential dissolution and capital squandering arising from interpersonal conflicts linked to identities, power dynamics, and wealth during the succession process. Wanja currently serves as the Managing Director of the company.
In 2020, Ms. Michuki was invited by the Ethical Tea Partnership (ETP), based in London, to lead initiatives aimed at improving the livelihoods of smallholder farmers and workers in Kenya, Malawi, and Rwanda through reform-oriented efforts.
Between June and October 2020, she served as a member of the National Steering Committee overseeing Reforms Implementation in Kenya, operating under the Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock, Fisheries, and Cooperatives.
In a gazette notice dated May 13, 2022, Wanja was appointed as a board member of the Agricultural Finance Corporation (AFC) board. However, she opted to step down from this role in March 2023 due to personal reasons, as conveyed in her resignation statement.
Personal Aspects
Beyond her professional pursuits and advocacy against sexual abuse, Wanja Michuki remains unmarried and does not have children of her own. During her leisure time, she finds solace in practicing yoga and meditation.