Dr. Karambu Ringera

Born and raised in Meru, Kenya, Dr. Karambu earned her Ph.D. in Intercultural Communication in 2007 from the University of Denver; a Master of Theological Studies (with a Peace and Justice emphasis) from the Iliff School of Theology in Colorado in 2003; a Master's Degree in Media from Kwa Zulu Natal University, South Africa in 1999. She received a Postgraduate Diploma in Mass Communication from the University of Nairobi, Kenya, in 1997, and a Bachelor of Education degree in 1980, University of Nairobi.

Dr. Karambu is the founder and president of the Tiriji Foundation, International Peace Initiatives, founder of the Amani Children’s Homes, the New Generation Leaders program, and Tiriji Eco Centre, and co-founder of the Practical Permaculture Institute, Mount Kenya Region. Dr. Karambu is also an Adjunct Associate Professor at the University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee.

She has used her extensive academic background and international experience working in many countries to design and implement models of effective community engagement, women and youth grassroots organizing programs, collaborative problem-solving models, preemptive and post-conflict reconciliation, and proactive health campaigns. She has built a successful, working model of ‘Amani Homes’ - community homes of peace for orphans and vulnerable children in Meru, Kenya.

Dr. Karambu is the recipient of many awards for her cutting edge work in innovative and sustainable models of development and peacebuilding, women’s human rights, children’s rights, and global leadership programs around the world. Awards include the 2022 Global Women Peace Ambassador Award and the 2021 ACA Peace Ambassador Award, the 2019 Global Impact Award, and the 2019 Mark Wilhelm Award for Courage of Convictions. She was a 2016 Cordes Social Entrepreneurs Fellow, a 2015-16 Next Generation Leader Fellow of the McCain Institute for International Leadership (USA), she received the 2015 Life Achievement Award and 2015 Master Scholar Award (University of Denver), and the 2012 African Achievers Award (UK).