Geeta Manek – Rotary Foundation Trustee

Geeta Manek, a second – generation Kenyan, graduated from business school in the United Kingdom before returning to Nairobi to join the family retail and property management business, which she still runs.

Manek joined Rotary in 1997. Her roles have included Rotary coordinator, Chair of the Health Major Gifts Initiative and of the Joint Committee on Partnerships, member of the Major Gifts Initiative Oversight Team and the Rotary Institute Host Organizing Committee, RI training leader, Lead Facilitator at the Regional Leaders Training Institute, and RI president’s representative. She was also the only female governor of District 9200 before it was divided into Districts 9211 and 9212 in 2012 – 13. She also served as her district’s coordinator of the Kick Polio Out of Africa Campaign.

Manek is passionate about initiatives that help women and improve education. She was a charter member of Lohana Ladies Circle, a women’s club dedicated to community service, social welfare, and cultural heritage. She is also helping lead a Rotary literacy initiative in Kenya and the region.

She is the liaison between the Ministry of Education in Kenya, Rotary International and The Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

Geeta has volunteered as a first responder during national crises, like post Terrorist attacks. She has led teams of Rotarians to collaborate and coordinate initiatives with organizations such as the Red Cross, the United Nations, and community -based institutions. In recognition of her humanitarian work, Manek was awarded an honorary doctorate of humanities in 2019.

Currently, Geeta serves as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation 2020-24.

She is also a Trustee of the Vijana Poa Initiative based in Uganda whose main aim is to empower youth to become innovative and entrepreneurial.

Apart from Rotary, she sits on several committees and to highlight just one, she is a board member for The Task Force For Global Health based in Atlanta, Georgia.

Geeta has been honored with the prestigious Service Above Self Award. She and her spouse, Kaushik—who served as the Rotary Governor of District 9200 in 2008 – 09 —are Rotary Foundation Major Donors and Benefactors, as well as Bequest Society and Arch Klumph Society members