Irene is a dedicated agricultural scientist with expertise in plant breeding, seed systems, and agricultural extension. She began her journey with Seed Systems Group in 2019 as an Program Administrator, rising through the ranks to her current role through dedication and impactful contributions for promoting the adoption of quality seeds, fostering innovation in crop improvement, and building resilient seed systems that cater to the needs of smallholder farmers. 

She provides strategic leadership and oversight for all programmatic activities of Seeds Systems Group which involves managing program teams, developing and implementing impactful initiatives, and ensuring alignment with the SSG’s mission and goals.
She holds an M.Sc. in Plant Breeding and Seed Systems from Makerere University and a B.Sc. in Agriculture, specializing in Crop Science, from the University of Nairobi. She is currently pursuing a PhD in Plant Breeding and Genetics at the University of Nairobi. Her expertise lies in bean breeding and has previously worked at Kenya Agricultural and Livestock Research Organization (KALRO), International Centre for Fertilizer Improvement (IFDC) and The Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT and has a proven track record in project management, stakeholder engagement, and donor relations, successfully scaling seed systems development projects through strategic partnerships.

She is passionate about agricultural extension and committed to bridging the gap between advancements in agricultural development and their most impactful beneficiaries—smallholder farmers, public and private sector stakeholders, and policymakers.