Julie Gathoni Sumira Gichuru is a Kenyan Entrepreneur and Media Personality with investments in media, fashion retail and entertainment sectors. She is an Independent Director at Acumen Communication Limited and is a Fellow and trustee of the Africa Leadership Initiative EA. Julie Gichuru Head of Public Affairs and Communications Julie is a communication specialist with a 20-year career in the fields of broadcast, print, and digital media. Her profile in Kenya grew as she pioneered investigative television and programming on political and current affairs. She conceptualized and launched numerous top shows and developed the pan-African television show, Africa Leadership Dialogues. Following the 2007 elections, Julie’s peace specials resonated with viewers. As a result of her calls for non-violent action in 2008 she was awarded the Martin Luther King Salute to Greatness. Following this pivotal period, determined to contribute towards a more informed and responsible generation, Julie established the Great Debaters Contest, a high school debate platform focused on teaching students that differences need not result in conflict and violence. Her career focus shifted to curating impactful engagements and driving conversations focused on African leadership, growth, and development. Over the past decade Julie has worked very closely with partners like the World Bank, the IFC, the African Development Bank, various UN agencies, Uongozi Institute, and the World Economic Forum. As an advocate for positive change, Julie established her own production house, Arimus Media Limited, focused on editorial, production, and digital content, training and ‘Igniting Possibilities’ through collaborative programs and initiatives. She sits on several Boards and is part of a number of Fellowships, including the Tutu Fellowship, the Aspen Global Leadership Network/Africa Leadership Initiative and the Young Global Leaders under the World Economic Forum. Julie has received numerous awards and recognitions. Most recently, Avance Media listed her as one of the 100 Most Influential African Women of 2019, and New African listed her as one of the 100 Most Influential Africans of 2019. Julie was born in Nairobi, Kenya. She attended university in the United Kingdom where she earned her LLB Law and MBA from Cardiff University’s Law and Business Schools respectively.
Career
Julie's career in the media spans over the past 15 years and has seen her work across the fields of broadcast, print and digital media. Julie has also pioneered an impressive number of television shows, from the first Kenyan investigative TV series, The Inside Story on Kenya Television Network to various current affairs shows at NTV including political and current affairs programs Showdown, On the Spot, You The Jury and The People's Voice, and the celebrated news program Sunday Live and peace and reconciliation program Fist to Five at Citizen TV. Also included in this list is the celebrated post election peace specials Voices of Reason. Through ARIMUS Media Limited Julie now oversees the production of quality African content such as Africa Leadership Dialogues, the High School debate platform Great Debaters Contest, entertainment series Maisha and a pipeline TV production of the Fatuma's Voice social Forum. The Footprints Africa Foundation has been established by Anthony and Julie Gichuru to help empower and grow healthy, dignified and informed societies in the region. FAF believes in giving people a chance to make a mark, to leave a footprint of positivity on the world.
Awards
She is a recipient of Martin Luther King Salute to Greatness Award.
Personal life
Julie is passionate about family, she is married to entrepreneur Anthony Gichuru. They have had 5 children. “Above all we have a responsibility to nurture and grow the younger generation and our primary role is vested in the family unit.”
