Our Team
Carol Owala
Co-founder and Executive Director
Carol has been a teacher, school leader, instructional and leadership coach, a manager of coaches, and she now leads Kenya Big Picture Learning, a Big Picture Learning project.
Carol has extensive experience working with students, teachers and school leaders in marginalized communities. She has presented at international conferences and with Elena, she co-directs our immersive learning exchange, Ustahimilivu Dadas.
Having grown up in Kibera, Africa’s second largest slum, Carol is dedicated to serving children in Nairobi’s informal settlements, children who have few opportunities to thrive in life if they don’t receive a quality education.
Elena Aguilar
Co-founder
Elena Aguilar is a writer, leader, teacher, coach and podcaster. She is the author of seven highly acclaimed books: The Art of Coaching, (2013) The Art of Coaching Teams (2016), Onward: Cultivating Emotional Resilience in Educators (2018), The Onward Workbook (2018), Coaching for Equity (2020), The Art of Coaching Workbook (2020) and The PD Book: 7 Habits that Transform Professional Development (2022). She has also been a frequent contributor to Edutopia, ASCD’s Educational Leadership, and Ed Week Teacher.
Elena is the founder and president of Bright Morning Consulting, an organization committed to helping individuals and organizations create the conditions for transformation. She has taught tens of thousands of folks how to have conversations that build a more just and equitable world. Elena can be heard demonstrating these conversations on the Bright Morning Podcast.
Elena is also the co-founder of Kenya Big Picture Learning, she’s on the advisory board of UC Berkeley’s Greater Good Science Center, and she is a certified mindfulness meditation teacher. She lives in Oakland, CA, with her husband, son, and two cats. When she’s not coaching or writing she enjoys traveling abroad, photographing birds, hiking, drinking coffee and reading fiction.
Valary Makena
Finance and Administration
Valary Makena serves as the Finance and Operations Associate at Big Picture Learning Kenya. She plays a pivotal role in financial accounting, administrative support, and overseeing daily operations. Guided by her core values of honesty, authenticity, benevolence, and service. she is deeply passionate about community service and is committed to making a positive impact in every endeavor she undertakes.
Makena is passionate about leaving a print in the world, and she is keen to ensure that she has a positive impact on all the people she interacts with.
Crispin Oyola
Student Support and Communications Associate
At Big Picture Learning Kenya, Crispin Oyola serves as the Student Support and Communications Associate. With over nine years of experience working with NGOs, Crispin is dedicated to fostering a supportive environment for students while also managing communications. His background in visual arts and digital imaging complements his work, and his personal philosophy is rooted in the Ikigai Model, promoting wellbeing and finding joy in meaningful pursuits.
Samantha Nyabola
Program Lead
Many children in marginalized areas, leave school without skills to enable them thrive and succeed in life, this is either because they do not enjoy school and don’t feel safe therein or their teachers are not well equipped to support an environment that will challenge them to become better. This consequently means, learners have a high likelihood to repeat poverty cycles in their families. Samantha is passionate about being part of the solution to this challenge, through empowering educators with skills and knowledge to build and lead safe schools. She is a seasoned educator with over 12 years’ experience. She has been a classroom teacher and Dean of Students at Nairobi Muslim Academy, Instructional coach, Leadership coach and School Support Manager at Dignitas Limited. She has experience working with teachers in marginalized areas from both public and private schools in Kenya and South Sudan, and in training and supporting Curriculum Support Officers. In addition to being an educator, Samantha is training as a Counseling Psychologist.
Bridget Mugambi serves as the Learning and Evaluation Associate at Big Picture Learning Kenya (BPL Kenya). Holding a Bachelor’s degree in Education with a specialization in Mathematics and Chemistry, Bridget brings a robust academic foundation and a strong commitment to fostering impactful learning experiences to her role. She is responsible for assessing the outcomes of BPL Kenya’s diverse programs, ensuring alignment with the organization’s overarching mission of enhancing education and community impact. Her key responsibilities include diligently monitoring and evaluating program effectiveness, collecting pertinent data, and providing insightful analysis to drive continuous improvement. Furthermore, Bridget plays a crucial role in facilitating communication, acting as a vital link between BPL Kenya and its internal and external stakeholders. Through her effective communication strategies, she ensures the transparent and accountable sharing of key learnings, challenges, and successes across all organizational levels.
Christine Aseso is the dedicated Finance and Operations Intern Associate at Big Picture Learning Kenya. In this role, Christine actively supports financial accounting processes, provides essential administrative assistance, and contributes to the smooth execution of daily operations. Driven by core values of honesty, authenticity, benevolence, and service, Christine brings a strong commitment to community service and a genuine desire to make a positive difference in all her work. She is enthusiastic about creating a meaningful impact and ensuring positive interactions with everyone she encounters.
