KCB Group CEO, Paul Russo, has earned global recognition for his exceptional leadership in promoting sustainability and purpose-driven innovation. Russo is one of the 100 top business leaders from around the world who have been honoured with the 2024 Meaningful Business 100 (MB100) awards. The awards celebrate CEOs and entrepreneurs whose businesses not only generate profits but also create positive societal and environmental impacts.
This year’s MB100 list includes four Kenyan leaders, showcasing the country’s prominent role in advancing sustainable business practices. Besides Russo, the Kenyan honorees are Lucy Mutinda, Founder and CEO of Ecocycle, Camille Rebelo, Co-Founder and COO of EcoPlanet Bamboo, and Biju Mohandas, Partner & Global Head of Healthcare at LeapFrog Investments. These leaders have been recognized for their efforts to address pressing global challenges through innovative and sustainable business strategies.
The MB100 is an esteemed global award that highlights visionary leaders who leverage business for social good. From over 850 nominees worldwide, these exceptional leaders were selected by a panel of high-profile judges, including Adam Elman of Google, Nikhil Seth from the United Nations, and Sarah Geisenheimer from the Rockefeller Foundation. The judges noted the Kenyan leaders for their innovative approaches to sustainable business practices that address critical issues in Kenya and beyond.
Speaking about the awards, Tom Lytton-Dickie, Founder and CEO of Meaningful Business, expressed admiration for the honorees. “Congratulations to the Kenyan leaders recognized in this year’s MB100 for demonstrating how purpose-driven business can address some of the country’s most critical social and environmental challenges,” Lytton-Dickie said. He also emphasized that these leaders are helping position Kenya as a hub for impactful solutions, not just in Africa but globally.
Paul Russo’s leadership has been instrumental in transforming KCB Group into one of East Africa’s most innovative banks. Under his guidance, KCB has remained at the forefront of financial inclusion, with a particular focus on integrating environmental, social, and governance (ESG) principles into its operations. The bank has expanded access to financial services through digital banking solutions and has made significant strides in community development. Russo’s commitment to sustainability is evident in KCB’s efforts to reduce its environmental footprint while advancing economic inclusion.
In addition to Russo, Lucy Mutinda has also earned recognition for her work with Ecocycle, a company revolutionizing wastewater treatment in Kenya. Ecocycle uses artificial intelligence (AI) and automation to recycle sewage into clean, reusable water, offering an innovative solution to Kenya’s ongoing water crisis. This technology not only provides clean water to communities but also contributes to the country’s broader environmental sustainability goals.
Camille Rebelo, Co-Founder of EcoPlanet Bamboo, has been honoured for her work in transforming the forestry industry by promoting bamboo as a sustainable alternative. Bamboo is fast-growing and plays a crucial role in carbon sequestration and land restoration, making it a vital component in addressing climate change. Rebelo’s efforts have been pivotal in promoting bamboo as a solution to deforestation and environmental degradation in Kenya and across the globe.
Meanwhile, Biju Mohandas has been recognized for his role in reshaping healthcare delivery in emerging markets. As Partner & Global Head of Healthcare at LeapFrog Investments, Mohandas has led efforts to scale affordable, high-quality healthcare services for underserved populations in Africa and Asia. His work is instrumental in making healthcare more accessible and equitable for millions of people in regions where it is needed the most.
The recognition of these Kenyan leaders underscores the growing importance of businesses driving positive social and environmental change while achieving financial success. Their work demonstrates that profitability and sustainability can go hand in hand, showing the world that businesses can be a force for good.
Meaningful Business, a global community of purpose-driven leaders from over 140 countries, remains dedicated to helping businesses tackle the world’s most pressing challenges. The MB100 awards continue to highlight Kenya’s leadership in sustainability, with the four Kenyan honorees setting a powerful example for businesses worldwide.
The 2024 MB100 award solidifies Kenya’s role as a key player in the global shift towards sustainable business leadership. The country’s business leaders are paving the way for a future where commerce and social impact are inseparable, inspiring a new generation of leaders who are committed to making the world a better place through sustainable practices.
