Nancy Ajima
Portfolio Planning and Adaptive Management Lead within the Office of the Chief Scientist
Nancy Ajima is a seasoned international development professional based in Nairobi, Kenya, with over 19 years of experience in program management, organizational change, and capacity building. She currently serves as Portfolio Planning and Adaptive Management Lead within the Office of the Chief Scientist at CGIAR, where she leads a cross-functional Program Coordination Team supporting the planning and adaptive management of the CGIAR 2025–2030 Research Portfolio. In this role, she helps ensure a coherent, well-prioritized, and demand-responsive portfolio that drives high-impact research, innovation, and scaling.
Her international development journey began with the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) and progressed to senior roles across other international organizations including Program Manager at the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Grants and Contracts Manager at the International Potato Center (CIP), Program Coordinator and Project Director at the Aga Khan Development Network (AKDN), and Operational Manager at the Centre for Humanitarian Dialogue.
Nancy holds an MBA in Strategic Management, a BA in Sociology and Political Science, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management and Leadership. She is currently pursuing a Doctor of Business Administration at the United States International University-Africa, specializing in Leadership and Organizational Change.
Outside of work, Nancy is a devoted mother to her two daughters, enjoys traveling and exploring new cultures, and is passionate about mentoring and supporting emerging leaders.
