Rosemary Gathara

As Regional Director, East Africa, Rosemary leads WorldBeing’s work in Kenya and Rwanda, as well as expansion efforts to new countries  — focusing on strengthening school-based wellbeing and resilience programmes and driving systems change so that practical support for children and young people is embedded within education systems.

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Rosemary has over 20 years experience in mental health, wellbeing, and social inclusion. Her work has included leading partnerships with government, civil society, and communities to advance rights-based, community-led approaches that reduce stigma, build agency, and improve access to support. Rosemary has previously led two local NGOs in Kenya — Basic Needs Basic Rights Kenya and the Kenya Association for the Welfare of People with Epilepsy — where her work included growing teams and resources, strengthening governance and management systems, and advancing community-led approaches to epilepsy, mental health and social inclusion. She is especially interested in how strong organisations, practical evidence, and government partnerships can move good ideas beyond pilots and into the systems that shape people’s lives.