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Dira DadaLady with Direction
The Founders

The Women Behind Dira Dada

Three women. One shared conviction. Every girl deserves direction and someone who believes in her before she believes in herself.

Maryanne Njogu, CEO & Co-Founder at Dira Dada Foundation

Maryanne Njogu

CEO & Co-Founder

"Your circumstances may shape your story, but they do not have to define your future"

Biography

Growing up, I often felt like I was navigating life without a clear roadmap. Like many young women, I learned through trial and error, making decisions with limited guidance and wishing I had someone who could help me see my potential before I saw it myself. Looking back, I realized that what I needed wasn't someone to tell me what to do; it was someone willing to walk alongside me, ask the right questions, and remind me that I was capable of becoming more.

That realization became the seed for Dira Dada.

Dira Dada was founded because we believe no girl should have to figure life out alone. Every young woman deserves a safe space where she can discover who she is, grow with confidence, and be surrounded by mentors who genuinely invest in her journey. At Dira Dada, mentorship is not a one-time conversation or a motivational event. It is a relationship built on trust, consistency, and walking together through every stage of growth.

Professionally, I have built my career supporting leadership, coordinating complex operations, and creating systems that help people and organizations thrive. Those experiences have shaped how I lead Dira Dada, with purpose, excellence, and a deep commitment to building something that creates lasting impact rather than temporary inspiration.

Why She Joined Dira Dada

I joined Dira Dada because I am passionate about seeing girls become women who know their worth, embrace their purpose, and have the courage to lead authentically. If Dira Dada can become the guide and support system I once longed for, then every life we touch is a reminder that our journey has always been about something bigger than ourselves.

Jane Mwaura, Director of Programs & Mentorship at Dira Dada Foundation

Jane Mwaura

Director of Programs & Mentorship

"Every girl deserves someone in her corner who believes in her before she believes in herself."

Biography

I am passionate about raising a generation of confident, purpose driven young women who lead with courage, integrity, and compassion. I am dedicated to creating spaces where girls can discover their identity, develop their potential, and become positive influences in their families, workplaces, and communities.

Drawing from my experience in business development, customer experience, and organizational growth, I bring a practical and people centered approach to leadership. Through Dira Dada, I equip girls and young women with the confidence, resilience, and life skills needed to navigate life's challenges and embrace opportunities with purpose.

My mission is to inspire every girl to know who she is, grow into who she is called to become, and lead with confidence wherever life takes her.

Why She Joined Dira Dada

I believe every girl should be mentored and that no girl should have to go through what I went through due to lack of mentorship.

Zainabu Mahiri, Director of Operations, Finance & Operations at Dira Dada Foundation

Zainabu Mahiri

Director of Operations, Finance & Operations

"One woman inspired can empower a family. Many empowered women can transform a community"

Biography

I have spent years working at the intersection of community and public service, helping turn big ideas into action on the ground. But Dira Dada started somewhere more personal -in conversations about the mentors I wished I'd had growing up, and the girls I didn't want to see figure it all out alone.

I now channel that same energy into building the systems that keep Dira Dada running: the partnerships, the resources, the everyday work that lets mentorship happen. For me, it's simple - every young woman deserves a sisterhood in her corner, and a clear sense of her own direction.

Why She Joined Dira Dada

I joined Dira Dada because I believe in the power of women supporting ,inspiring,, and empowering one another to grow and create meaningful change.

Our Journey

How Dira Dada Came to Be

Early 2026

The Idea Takes Root

Three women, each shaped by the absence of mentorship in their own journeys begin conversations about what it would mean to build something different for the next generation of girls.

March 2026

Dira Dada is Founded

Dira Dada Foundation is officially established. The name Dira Dada means "a woman with direction" captures the heart of the mission: To give every girl the clarity, confidence, and community to find her own path.

The Road Ahead

Building the Circles

The founders begin designing the Development Circles programmes; a structured, relationship centred mentorship model built to reach girls across Kenya and beyond.