Farah Samanani

Farah Samanani is dedicated to keeping East Africa engaged in global business, and to repatriating and placing highly qualified East Africans in leadership roles, giving her clients access to rich reserves of talent. With a passion for social impact and education, she works with clients on challenges specific to the continent, and develops solutions that are both innovative and sustainable.

Professional Focus

20 years’ experience in executive search, strategic consulting and leadership roles
Specialized expertise in social impact, education, not-for-profit, healthcare and private equity
Track record of numerous successful searches for senior roles including CEO, COO, CFO, VP, GM
Extensive background working with global organizations, non-profits, development agencies and international PE firms
Seasoned strategy consultant with experience in a variety of sectors and geographies, including North America, India, the Middle East and Africa
Professional Coach and Workshop Facilitator, certified in PROPHET Profiling, The Enneagram and Design Your Life

Business Expertise

CEO and Founder of Kenyans Come Home, the first boutique executive search firm in East Africa: focused on repatriation of talented, educated members of the East African diaspora into regional roles
Strategic Partner at a global board consulting and search firm; launched firm in East Africa
Director of Strategic Planning, Aga Khan University Development Network: Worked with CEO and senior management on strategy and implementation plans for healthcare and education portfolios; managed planning team, worked with international consultants and funding agencies; based in Kenya
Senior Consultant at The Chartis Group, a management consulting firm focused on the healthcare industry, based in U.S.
Account Manager at Google, based in Boston, U.S.
Strategy Consultant for Self-Employed Women's Association (SEWA) of India, the country’s largest non-profit and the largest organization of informal workers in the world

Practice Membership

Global Industry Practices

Healthcare & Life Sciences

Global Cross-Sector Practices

Private Equity & Venture Capital
Social Impact

Additional Expertise

Higher Education
Human Resources
Professional Services

Education & Certifications

MBA from Yale School of Management at Yale University, New Haven, U.S.
Bachelor’s degree in economics from McGill University, Montreal, Canada
Certified in PROPHET Profiling, Enneagram, and Design Your Life (DYL)

Featured Insights

Case Study

Strengthening Financial Leadership in Private Equity-Backed Manufacturing and Energy Logistics

In the complex landscape of energy logistics, our private equity client was seeking a visionary financial leader to steer its ambitious growth trajectory. Here, we explore how Boyden navigated this challenge, securing a strategic VP Finance and Accounting equipped to fortify financial foundations and drive operational excellence.