Born in Kenya, Wanjiru holds a PhD and a master's degree in Political Science from the University of Minnesota, and a BA in Politics from Whitman College, Washington, U.S.A. Prior to joining AWARD, Wanjiru founded and served as Executive Director of Akili Dada, an award-winning leadership incubator that invests in high-achieving young women from under-resourced families, who are passionate about driving change in their communities. Wanjiru also served as an assistant professor of Politics at the University of San Francisco and a lecturer in International Relations at Hekima College, a constituent college of the Catholic University of Eastern Africa. Her academic research and teaching interests centered on African politics, gender, international relations, ethnicity, and democratization, and the role of technology in social activism. Dr. Kamau-Rutenberg has received widespread recognition for her work investing in women, including being honored as a White House Champion of Change and named one of the 100 Most Influential Africans by New African magazine.