Njoki Ngugi (she/her)

Njoki Ngugi is Co-Founder of The NIA Initiative, where she helps shape community-led solutions that strengthen leadership, belonging, and economic opportunity for African immigrant and refugee communities in Canada and Kenya. Originally from Kenya and now based in Manitoba, she brings nearly two decades of experience walking alongside immigrant and refugee communities.
Known for her remarkable ability to listen, Njoki leads with empathy, humility, and an unwavering belief that communities are the experts in their own lives. Her gift for building trust and creating spaces where people feel genuinely heard continues to shape NIA's approach to systems change and community leadership.
Those who know her often joke that she should have become a therapist. She laughs it off, but anyone who has spent time with her understands why.