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EVELYNE MKUNGO
VP PEOPLE AND CULTURE VILLAGE ENTERPRISE
For Evelyne Mkungo, culture is not a side conversation – it is the conversation.
As Vice President of People at Village Enterprise, she has redefined what could be seen as a traditional HR role, transforming it into a purpose-driven vehicle for profound internal change. Her influence extends far beyond her title. Evelyne is deeply involved in creating workplaces where individuals feel empowered, included, and genuinely valued.
Her leadership philosophy begins with a simple yet powerful question: “What kind of experience do we want to give our people at work?” For Evelyne, this question is not an afterthought – it is the driver of policies, communication strategies, hiring decisions, and leadership development. She views culture not as a set of perks or slogans, but as a lived sense of belonging, justice, and shared respect.
Her journey into the people space was fueled by curiosity about human dynamics. She has always been drawn to the spaces between people – moments where misunderstanding can breed conflicts, but where honest, respectful conversations can open doors to possibilities. Over time, Evelyne has developed a rare ability to navigate complex emotional landscapes with sensitivity, understanding, and constructive intent.
Under her leadership, culture has taken center stage at Village Enterprise. Evelyne has built a people function that is both human and strategic-designing systems that deliver results; while ensuring they remain rooted in empathy and collaboration. She champions inclusion not as a checkbox, but as a leadership imperative. She works to dismantle prejudice, promote equity in compensation and benefits, recruitment, learning and development, and promotion, and ensure every voice has a platform through open, constructive feedback systems.
Colleagues describe Evelyne as an “inside-out leader.” For instance, she doesn’t just talk about psychological safety – she creates it. Meetings under her guidance ensure no one is left out. Strategy discussions are anchored on people, and performance management is used as a tool for growth, never as punishment. She believes leaders set the tone from the top, which is why she invests in coaching and mentoring senior managers to strengthen their emotional intelligence and cultural sensitivity.
Beyond her role at Village Enterprise, Evelyne is deeply engaged in community building across the nonprofit and social impact sectors. She understands the cultural challenges such organizations face – from leading remote teams with limited resources to addressing the emotional toll of mission-driven work. Her perspective is grounded in equal parts compassion and action, openly addressing burnout, mission drift, and the need to give as much attention to people as to impact.
Evelyne’s commitment to service extends into her personal space through her active membership in the Rotary Club of Nairobi Magharibi. In Rotary, she applies the same principles she champions at the work place – fostering inclusion, building networks of trust, and driving sustainable change. Whether contributing to literacy programs, community health initiatives, or mentorship for young leaders, Evelyne approaches service to the people with the belief that lasting transformation begins with people.
Her influence spans geographies, harmonizing policies to ensure that regardless of location, every staff member experiences consistency, care, and clarity. She has advanced inclusive hiring practices, embedded organizational values into daily routines, and developed onboarding programs that connect new hires not just to their expected roles, but to the purpose behind their work.
What sets Evelyne apart is that she does not separate her identity from her leadership. She brings her whole self to her work – listening deeply, speaking with quiet authority, and consistently acting with fairness and integrity.
While Village Enterprise is widely recognized for its innovative poverty alleviation programs, the organization’s strong internal culture of collaboration, transparency, and trust bears Evelyne’s unmistakable imprint. She believes that while leaders can create the right environment, cultural productivity is everyone’s responsibility. Yet, to those who have worked alongside her, she remains the quiet force behind sustainable change – present in every values-aligned decision, every courageous conversation, and every moment of employee growth.
Evelyne Mkungo offers a breath of fresh air and a reimagined model of leadership. Her work proves that culture cannot be relegated to a department. It must be lived every day – by every employee – and she is leading in this with vision, conviction, and, most importantly, a humane heart.
