Karen Kiambi, Head of EcoSystem Banking and suppy chain Development at ABSA Bank, Kenya

 

Karen Kiambi is Head of Ecosystem Banking & Supply Chain Development. She is a seasoned Banking expert with over 20 years of experience across Corporate, Business & Personal banking. She brings a wealth of experience in the fields of transactional banking, innovation technology, product development, strategic partnerships, supply chain development and sustainability. As head of Ecosystem Banking at Absa Bank Kenya PLC Karen connects the players in business supply chains with banking financial systems. She has particular strengths in supply chain development, data analytics & creating strategic partnerships that support value chain growth through transparency, accountability & viability.

Karen is a champion of enhanced banking through use of digital platforms and cloud-based platforms. Prior to her current role, Karen was Africa head of Host channels Implementation for Absa Group based in Johannesburg. She was responsible for driving the implementation of host-to-host connectivity between corporate clients & Banks across their 12 Pan African Markets.

 

A major milestone during the period was the adoption of a global corporate banking channel into the African Market, increased corporate client’s access to information and supported the growth of digitization in Absa. In 2017, she was at the forefront of developing an innovative technology when she led the build and roll out of an Enterprise development cloud based digital portal for SMEs within Absa Group.

Karen is passionate about women growth within their chosen careers, entrepreneurial ventures and personal-life development. She has been a steering committee member of the Absa Women Network forum in Kenya offering coaching and mentorship. Karen has also been involved in Safaricom women in business mentorship circles as well as roll out of Women in business proposition for Absa Bank Kenya.

Karen has an MBA from The University of Nairobi & a wealth of expertise in sales, financial strategy and long-term Brand oversight. She has attended various International strategic leadership & banking certifications that include, International Cash Management Training by Association of Corporate Treasurers (ACT)-UK, Chartered body for treasury, Break through Leadership transformation women’s leadership mastery course & Africa I-Lead Leadership Development training by Duke Corporate Education, South Africa