Karen Twining

Karen is an Africa-specialist with over 30 years’ experience in International Development. She has worked with Oxford HR since 2008 and has particular expertise in private sector/economic development, agriculture/agribusiness, conflict/peace-building and senior leadership positions. She has supported the Gatsby Foundation to fill over 50 posts.

Born in the Sudan, Karen has lived and worked in Kenya, Tanzania, Ethiopia, Rwanda, Burundi, DRC, and Sudan. Her previous roles include 10 years with Oxfam GB, including starting the first Oxfam office in Darfur; Head of the Rwanda Secretariat at International Alert after the Genocide; Africa Regional Coordinator at ActionAid, covering 18 countries; and the first CEO of IDE UK, working with market development programmes in Africa and Asia. An Oxford graduate, Karen is Vice-Chair of SOS Sahel International UK, and is committed to increasing diversity in leadership in Africa.