The East Africa HR Symposium is organized by Rise & Learn Limited, a Human Resource & Leadership consulting firm committed to Leadership Development, Training in organizations and Outsourcing of Human Resource services to Micro, Small & Medium Enterprises.
Rise & Learn hosted Human Resource professionals to the 5th East African HR Symposium 2023 with guest speakers, industry leaders and trail blazers. The Symposium aimed to empower HR professionals and business leaders to cope with, understand and innovate their organization in a workplace that is rapidly changing due to technological advances.
The symposium provided an interactive platform for HR professionals and practicing managers to share their views, research findings, industry practices and critique of contemporary issues.
The 5th East Africa HR Symposium 2023 took place from 15th to 17th July 2023, drawing delegates from the East African Community (EAC) which comprises of Uganda, Rwanda, Burundi, Kenya,Tanzania, Democratic Republic of Congo and South Sudan.
The symposium’s theme was Navigating the Future of Work in a BANI Work Space
The symposium explored the challenges and opportunities presented by emerging technologies, changing demographics, and evolving business models, and provided a platform for participants to exchange ideas, share best practices, and develop strategies to navigate the future of work.
Global Executive and Team Coach, Speaker and Author
Ambassador and Director of International Trade and Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and East African Cooperation – Tanzania
CEO and Partner in charge of Strategy and Human Capital Management at Steadman Global
Group Director Human Resorces - Equity Group Holdings
Managing Director EMEA, Management Centre Europe (Brussels – Belgium)
Patrick Faniel is a Belgian multilingual executive and currently the Managing Director EMEA of Management Centre Europe (MCE), one of Europe’s leading organizations in agile people development and strategic talent consultancy. In this role, he supports multinational companies and mid-sized organizations in strengthening leadership capabilities, accelerating strategy execution, and building future-ready talent ecosystems. MCE delivers both public development programs and fully customized solutions across industries and geographies. Before joining MCE, Patrick served as CEO of two private universities — UBIS in Switzerland and LCIBS in London — where he built international academic partnerships in more than 30 countries, with a strong focus on emerging markets. He delivered numerous speeches on global job opportunities and the evolution of skills. Earlier in his career, Patrick held several senior leadership roles, including VP Sales EMEA for a global leader in executive education and strategy execution, and CEO of CERAN, the world leader in full-immersion language training, operating in eight countries and serving clients from over 40 nationalities. He also founded an outsourcing company specializing in expatriation, HR support, and cultural adaptation — giving him hands-on experience with global mobility, cross-cultural leadership, and international HR challenges. Across more than 25 years of global travel and executive responsibilities, Patrick has developed deep expertise in leadership development, organizational transformation, cross-cultural management, and strategic talent acceleration. His work has been recognized through multiple international awards, including the Communication Reward from EuroChallenge, Gazelle of the Year by TrendsTendances, Partnership Reward by RRI, and a Doctorate Honoris Causa from UBIS in Switzerland. He is also an Honorary Professor at Polonia University (Poland), the Saint-Petersburg Institute of Management and Law (Russia), and Hangzhou University (China). He is also the author of “What Leadership is For : identifying the three drivers for stand-out performance”. Today, Patrick is a frequent keynote speaker on leadership, AI and human performance, talent strategy, and the future of work. His interventions combine strategic insight, practical experience, and a global perspective shaped by decades of work with executives across Europe, the Middle East, Africa, Asia, and the Americas.
Founding member of Human Resources Consulting firm, Africa People Advisory Group
Chief People Officer at SeamlessHR
Founder, Rise & Learn Global
Emily Kamunde-Osoro is a seasoned HR leader, professional coach, entrepreneur, and leadership development specialist with over 20 years of experience across consulting, nonprofit, aviation, agriculture, and financial services. She currently serves as HR Director at TradeMark Africa and is the Founder of Rise & Learn Global and the InMySteps Foundation, a youth mentorship and employability initiative focused on preparing young people for the world of work. Emily is also the Founder of the East Africa HR Symposium, a regional platform that brings together HR and business leaders from across East Africa to exchange insights, explore emerging workplace trends, and advance the people and leadership agenda in the region. Throughout her career, Emily has championed organisational transformation, leadership development, culture, talent management, and coaching across diverse organisations and markets. She has served in Board and Council roles with the International Coaching Federation (ICF), Pan Africa Christian University, and the Institute of Human Resource Management (IHRM). Emily is passionate about developing leaders, strengthening organisations, mentoring the next generation of professionals, and creating opportunities for young people to realise their full potential. Outside of work, she enjoys experimenting in the kitchen and taking long walks to recharge
A LIFETIME EXPERIENCE
To take part in the symposium, all you need to do is register, free your schedule, and interact with professionals across the world.
