Katie Bunten-Wamaru

Co-CEO

Katie Bunten-Wamaru

Katie is a fundraiser, strategist, and advocate for transforming the philanthropic landscape, bringing more than 15 years of nonprofit leadership and 8 years of on-the-ground experience in East Africa to her work. What she witnessed there — the deep inequities embedded in traditional philanthropy and the extraordinary power of community-led development — fundamentally shaped her conviction: that African-led organizations are best positioned to drive lasting change, and that the global funding system must reflect that truth.

As Co-CEO of African Collaborative, Katie is laser-focused on shifting resources to where they have the greatest impact. She has managed due diligence on grant portfolios exceeding $10 million and leveraged more than $30 million in external funding to African organizations through strategic donor engagement. Her work sits at the intersection of systems change, funding equity, and organizational effectiveness, helping donors move toward genuine partnership with African-led organizations.

Before joining African Collaborative, Katie held leadership roles with Imago Dei Fund and Segal Family Foundation, and led a consulting practice supporting grassroots organizations to design strategies and systems for measuring their impact. She is known for her ability to help organizations align their model, operations, and impact measurement with their deepest vision for change.

Katie's voice on funding equity has reached global audiences, with features in The Guardian, Skoll.org, Alliance Magazine, and Bridgespan research. She holds an MA in Sustainable International Development from Brandeis University and a BA in Peace and Justice Studies from Wellesley College.