According to the organization’s website, ELF focuses on raising young people as positive agents of change in society, through effective participation in governance and decision-making processes.
Wakoli’s foundation made so much impact that former US President Barrack Obama had nothing short of praise for her when he toured the country in 2018.
In his speech, Obama mentioned Caren as one of the young Africans he was proud of and applauded her for the good work she was doing in Kenya to mentor youths and eradicate poverty.
“Some young people in this continent are doing the hard work of bringing change to their communities, who reflect Madiba’s values, who are poised to lead the way.
“People like Caren Wakoli who is an entrepreneur from Kenya, who founded the Emerging Leaders Foundation to get young people involved in the work of fighting poverty and promoting human dignity,” he stated on July 16, 2018.
According to Wakoli’s LinkedIn profile, she is the holder of six awards, including the Obama Leader (Africa), the Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), East African Acumen Fellow 2014, Spark Fellow 2013 and a Young Female Achiever 2006.
She was also nominated and finished as a finalist for the Most Influential Woman in Business and Government (CSO) category.
Wakoli holds a masters degree from the University of Nairobi and a research degree from the University of Capetown (UCT), alongside a leadership certificate in transformational leadership from the Institute for National Transformation.
She has also had a highly successful career, having served as a board member for NACADA between 2006 and 2010, a council member for the African Peer Review Mechanism and the chairperson for the Nairobi City Youth Oversight Board.
She has also served as a board member in Uwezo Fund’s national oversight board between 2014 and 2017.
She is also an external trainer at the Kenya School of Government as well as a board member of DSW Kenya and YALI Regional Leadership Centre East Africa.
