Philanthropic investment firm Omidyar Network has announced Google’s policy manager for Sub-Saharan Africa Ory Okolloh as its new director of investments within its government transparency initiative.
Okolloh, also co-founder and executive director of mobile open source platform Ushahidi, will help drive Omidyar’s work in supporting innovative organisations that use technology and media platforms to provide access to information and tools necessary for citizens to participate in the governing process.
“Ory is a well-established leader in the technology and transparency communities,” said Omidyar Network partner Stephen King. “She will help spur Omidyar Network’s growth and impact by lending her voice and considerable experience in Africa.”
Okolloh will join a growing team in Omidyar Network’s Johannesburg office.
“We are delighted to have Ory lend her insights and expertise to our efforts in Africa,” said Malik Fal, managing director, Africa, for Omidyar Network. “She will bring a unique blend of experience, and her collaboration will be of tremendous value to all of our work on the continent.”
Okolloh was also a co-founder of Mzalendo and a Fellow at the World Bank’s Department of Institutional Integrity. She is a World Economic Forum Young Global Leader and sits on the board of the Africa Media Initiative. .
Google Kenya in a report saidthat the firm is in the process of advertising for the position previously held by Okolloh, which will posted on its jobs website, but in the meantime the duties are being handled by its policy team.
