New Leadership Welcomed by Chair Emeritus and Fellows in Sierra Leone

H.E. former President of Liberia Ellen Johnson Sirleaf (center) met with Robert Fefegula (left) and Rose Wachuka Macharia (right) at the 4th Nalafem Summit in Sierra Leone.

Freetown, Sierra Leone – At the 4th Nalafem Summit in July, Emerging Public Leaders’ newest and longest-serving leaders were able to meet on the sidelines of the two-day conference theme “From Representation to Power: Women leading in crisis and peace.” H.E. former President Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, Chair Emeritus and co-Founder of the President’s Young Professionals Program in Liberia, met with Rose Wachuka Macharia, Chief of Staff in Kenya’s Office of the Chief Justice and EPL’s global board member, and Robert Fefegula, the new country director for Emerging Public Leaders of Sierra Leone.

Rose Macharia was formally welcomed to Emerging Public Leaders’ global board in April 2025 following extensive support as an advisory board member for our Kenya program. With more than ten years of senior government experience, she brings a deep understanding of public sector work from her many contributions to Kenya’s public policy, including spearheading a gender-responsive sports policy and the Young Africa Works in Kenya program supported by the Mastercard Foundation.

In addition to her role at the Office of the Chief Justice, Rose sits on the Nalafem Collective Council, which hosted the summit, and she has served on numerous boards and initiatives championing the advancement of women, education, sports, justice, and good governance.

Rose gave the keynote address at the 2024 Alumni Network Gathering in Nairobi, Kenya, opening the inaugural convening with a reminder of alumni’s commitment to public service and their responsibility as community leaders to remain ethical and innovative in their work.

In 2022, Rose engaged the first Kenya cohort during their orientation in a question and answer session about her career as a public servant.

With her outstanding career in public service, she is a true inspiration to many of our Fellows and a role model for their journeys. She has participated in Fellow orientations, served as a keynote speaker, and joined training panels and webinars, all of which bridge generational gaps and strengthen their understanding of public policy and implementation.

At the Nalafem Summit, Rose facilitated a high-level introduction between Madam Sirleaf and Robert, the new Country Director in Sierra Leone. The long-awaited program expansion into West Africa will bridge critical networks and provide greater opportunities for Fellows in alumni to foster relationships with neighboring country governments. Robert began his role in June 2025 and has led EPL’s newest program through the selection of the first cohort, curriculum contextualization, and preparations for the inaugural orientation. He brings more than a decade of development leadership experience, advancing good governance, youth empowerment, and social impact across Sierra Leone, having previously worked for the Rainbow Initiative and Human Capital Institute in Sierra Leone. As Country Director, Robert is responsible for the strategic development and programmatic leadership of Emerging Public Leaders of Sierra Leone.

Young professionals Ibrahim Moinina Kamara, Abubakarr Kondeh, Kumba Abigail Saquee, and Mariama Ophine Merenna met with Robert and Rose as steps are taken toward the official launch of program activities.

Before the Nalafem Summit, Robert and Rose also met with young professionals to discuss the upcoming launch of our fellowship program and the program’s building blocks for success. These conversations reflect EPL’s commitment to intergenerational leadership and to empowering young people, especially young women, to shape policy and deliver public service that drives real change.

Editors Notes

About Emerging Public Leaders

Emerging Public Leaders is a public service leadership organization preparing the next generation of competent and effective public sector leaders in Africa. EPL partners with governments and local organizations to rigorously identify young public service professionals who are committed to practicing and promoting good governance throughout Africa. With our support throughout their career journeys, this diverse network of leaders influences and strengthens their country’s institutions for delivering democracy with excellence, care, innovation, and integrity.

For more information about Emerging Public Leaders, please visit: www.emergingpublicleaders.org.