Susan Apondi Oduor is a gender and development specialist with over a decade of experience advancing gender equality, safeguarding, and inclusion in Kenya. In her role as Gender, Safeguarding and Inclusion Manager at Africa Harvest, she leads the integration of gender-transformative and inclusive practices across agricultural value chains. She supports teams and partners in designing safe and equitable programmes while promoting community-driven solutions.

Susan’s expertise spans gender mainstreaming, safeguarding, disability inclusion, and survivor-centered programming, with experience in both development and corporate sectors. Her background includes work in health systems strengthening, workplace gender-based violence response, capacity building, and community advocacy. She develops policies, leads trainings, manages risks, and reinforces accountability to ensure that projects uphold dignity and respond to the real needs of diverse populations.

Professionally, Susan is driven by a commitment to participatory, practical approaches that protect rights and expand opportunities. Her accomplishments include the development of safeguarding policies, leading gender audits, conducting organizational capacity assessments, and delivering capacity-strengthening initiatives for national and county governments as well as civil society organizations. She has also contributed to economic empowerment efforts for communities.

Susan is cultivating a small orchard and growing flowers that attract birds and pollinators. The garden grows a little bigger each season, keeping her grounded and inspired by nature’s quiet lessons.