Biography

Dr. Ester Agasha, Ph.D., is a distinguished academic and researcher with a strong foundation in financial inclusion, management, and economic development. With a Ph.D. in Management from Mbarara University of Science and Technology, she has extensively contributed to the understanding of microfinance institutions' loan portfolio quality in Uganda. Ester holds an MSc in Banking and Investment from Makerere University and a Bachelor's degree in Business Administration (Finance) from the same institution. Her expertise spans designing and leading qualitative and quantitative research, including randomized control trials (RCTs), to advance socioeconomic development. Her recent research at the University of San Francisco involved a RCT assessing the impact of financial literacy and aspirations interventions on women's empowerment in Eastern Uganda, resulting in significant improvements in financial behavior and economic empowerment.

Throughout her career, Ester has held various academic and professional roles. At the Makerere University Business School, she serves as a lecturer and a member of the examination malpractice appeals committee, where she has successfully handled numerous academic appeals and supervised multiple master's research projects. She also worked as an Engage Literacy Tutor at the University of San Francisco, where she facilitated learning in after-school programs. Additionally, Ester's experience includes roles at Victoria University and XENO Investment Management Limited, where she developed promotional content and facilitated financial literacy training for the youth. Ester's contributions to global economic studies have been recognized with awards such as the Non-Resident Fellow Research Grant from the University of California-Berkeley’s Center for Effective Global Actions (CEGA) and the Country Vice-President for Uganda at the Academy for Global Business Advancement (AGBA). Her research has been published in various journals and books, further solidifying her impact in the field of economic development.

Biography

Sarah Nabachwa is a Senior Lecturer (Marketing and Entrepreneurship) in the Faculty of Business and Management Sciences at Mbarara University of Science and Technology ‘MUST’, Uganda. Sarah has been a visiting staff at Powiślański University, Poland, under the Erasmus + Staff Mobility program (2024). She was an AfOx (African Oxford Initiative) visiting fellow (2023) at the Said Business School, University of Oxford in England. She has been a visiting staff member at Hochschule Mainz, University of Applied Sciences, Germany, under the Erasmus + staff Mobility program (2022). Sarah has been a visiting lecturer (2022) at the University of Nairobi, Kenya, under the Inter-University Council for East Africa (IUCEA) staff-mobility program. She is an external examiner at Mountains of the Moon University, Uganda. Her research interest is to develop locally contextualised business teaching case studies, particularly on 'Street Smart' Entrepreneurs. She has a PhD in Management and a Masters in Management Studies. Sarah is a mentor at the Consortium for Affordable Medical Technologies (CamTech Uganda), MUST Centre for Innovations and Technology Transfer (CITT), and MUST Business Incubation Clinic.

Biography

Dr. Lucy Jepchoge Rono is an esteemed Associate Professor at Moi University in the Department of Accounting and Finance, where she has dedicated over sixteen years to academic excellence and leadership. With an impressive academic background, Dr. Rono earned her PhD in Business Economics with a Finance specialization from Moi University. Her educational journey also includes a Master of Business Management (MBM) in Finance, an Executive MBA, and a Bachelor of Science in Botany, all from Moi University. Her expertise in finance and economics is further enriched by her professional experience as a Pensions Manager with leading insurance firms in Kenya, including Alexander Forbes Insurance Brokers and the Kenya National Assurance Company.

Dr. Rono has significantly contributed to academic research and knowledge dissemination through her numerous publications in reputable journals. Her research interests encompass a broad range of topics, including retirement benefits, enterprise risk management, and financial literacy. Noteworthy publications include her work on the determinants of employees' intention to retire in Kenyan public universities and the influence of enterprise risk management practices on organizational performance in Kenyan state corporations. Additionally, she has led and participated in several funded research projects, such as the renewable energy and sustainable economic development study funded by the Norwegian Government and a survey on retirement benefit trustees' knowledge and skills in Uganda, funded by the Ministry of Finance, Government of Uganda.

Beyond her research contributions, Dr. Rono has held several key administrative positions at Moi University, including Acting Dean and Associate Dean of the School of Business and Economics, and Head of the Department of Accounting and Finance. Her commitment to academic excellence is further demonstrated by her roles as an external examiner at the University of Nairobi Business School, Catholic University of Eastern Africa, and Makerere University Business School. She also serves as a journal editor for the African Tax and Customs Review. Dr. Rono's dedication to postgraduate education is evident in her supervision of numerous PhD and Master's students, guiding their research on critical issues such as technical inefficiency of savings and credit cooperatives, residential house prices, and the effects of auditor characteristics on investor confidence.

Dr. Rono's professional affiliations include membership in the Kenya Institute of Management and the British Academy of Management, reflecting her commitment to continuous professional development. She has also actively engaged in community work, serving on various university committees and mentoring students in business plan development. Her extensive training, including as a Human Resource Analyst by Price Waterhouse Coopers and a Trainer of Trainers on Tax and Customs Administration by the Kenya Revenue Authority, underscores her multifaceted expertise and dedication to both academic and professional excellence.

Biography

Hailing from the vibrant city of Lusaka, Zambia, I envisioned a future where I could be a positive force for global change. Opting for a career in economics, I strategically navigate challenges with a skill set that encompasses strategic planning, networking finesse, cooperative spirit, and analytical prowess. Currently pursuing a PhD in Economics with a focus on experimental and monetary policy at George Mason University, my focus on environmental economics and data science reflects my commitment to making a lasting impact. I consider it my life's purpose to empower individuals with knowledge, unlocking a diversity within them that extends far beyond conventional boundaries. With an unwavering belief in resilience and the transformative power of education, I aim to bridge the gap between economic theory and real-world solutions, contributing to a more sustainable and equitable world for all.