Mary Yvonne Ododah is a Development Specialist and Executive Director at Nuru Trust Network, where she leads initiatives focused on peacebuilding, governance, human rights, and the meaningful participation of women, youth, and marginalised communities across Sub-Saharan Africa. Her work is deeply rooted in advancing the Women, Peace and Security (WPS) agenda through community-led peacebuilding, civic engagement, youth inclusion, and policy advocacy that centres the voices and leadership of women in conflict prevention, peace processes, and sustainable development.A Fellow of the Institute for Economics and Peace and a One Young World Ambassador, Mary Yvonne actively contributes to regional and global policy spaces shaping the future of peace and security. She serves as a member of the UN Women Regional Civil Society Advisory Group for Eastern and Southern Africa and the UN CSO Coalition on Human Rights and Counter Terrorism, where she engages in advocacy and dialogue on gender-responsive peacebuilding, human rights protection, countering violent extremism, and the implementation of the WPS agenda across the continent.

As the Founder of Jarumi Ventures Africa, a women-led Pan-African strategy and development firm, Mary Yvonne continues to champion women’s leadership, feminist approaches to development, and inclusive economic empowerment for startups, SMEs, and community organisations across Africa. Her peacebuilding and advocacy work has received international recognition, including nomination for the Kenya Diplomatic Awards in the Peace and Security category and the International Youth Peace Award 2024. Through her leadership, she has championed initiatives that strengthen intergenerational dialogue, women’s civic participation, climate justice, and locally led approaches to peace and resilience. Recognised among Africa’s Brightest Young Minds by the BYM Foundation and as one of the Top 20 Female Social Impact Founders in Africa by MentHer Magazine, she bridges grassroots realities with high-level advocacy and systems change. Her participation in the Women in Conflict (WiC) 1325 Fellowship reflects her long-standing commitment to advancing the principles of United Nations Security Council Resolution 1325 by strengthening women’s meaningful inclusion in peacebuilding, conflict transformation, mediation, and peace governance.

Participant in: July 2026 Fellowship: Peacebuilding and Women’s Meaningful Participation in Peacebuilding Processes.