Elizabeth N. Ogutu is a strategic finance leader with over nine years of experience strengthening financial governance, institutional capacity, and resource stewardship across humanitarian, development, and economic recovery programmes in East Africa and the Horn of Africa.

As Finance Lead at the Lizz Ntonjira Network, she provides strategic financial oversight, strengthens governance systems, and supports the Network’s mission of empowering young professionals, entrepreneurs, and emerging leaders to build sustainable careers and businesses. She is passionate about equipping organizations and founders with the financial systems, governance practices, and strategic capabilities needed to achieve long-term growth and impact.

Professionally, Lizzie has led finance, grants, and systems transformation across complex multi-donor portfolios funded by USAID, FCDO, ECHO, the European Union, UN agencies, Sida, GFFO, and private foundations. She is recognized for translating financial complexity into strategic decisions, mentoring finance professionals and implementing partners, and building financial systems that improve accountability, resilience, and organizational performance.

Lizzie holds a Bachelor of Science in Accounting and Finance from the United States International University–Africa and is currently pursuing an International Executive MBA at Strathmore Business School. She is a McKinsey Forward Africa Fellow, a Yale School of Management Global Social Entrepreneurship alumna, and has completed executive training in Digital Transformation and AI for Business through McKinsey & Company. She is passionate about advancing development finance, institutional strengthening, and innovative financing solutions that enable inclusive and sustainable growth across Africa.