Ambassador Hellen Gichuhi, MBS, Chair IOC-AFRICA is a career diplomat. Ambassador Gichuhi also serves as the Secretary, Diaspora Welfare and Partnerships, State Department for Diaspora Affairs, Ministry of Foreign and Diaspora Affairs, Kenya. Ambassador Gichuhi previously served as Charge dÁffaires a.i at the Embassy of Kenya in France, accredited to Portugal, Serbia, Holy See and Monaco; she was also Ambassador/Deputy at the Permanent Delegation of Kenya to UNESCO where she led the Africa group in advocating for Priority Africa and strongly lobbied for IOC-AFRICA to remain in Africa. She was Deputy Head of Mission at the Kenya High Commission, Pretoria, South Africa. She holds an MA in International Studies & Diplomacy, and a Bachelors in Education degree. The Ambassador has over 15 years of positive contribution in diplomacy and diplomatic relations; over 25 years of active engagement in training, administration and education work; and over 30 years involvement in participatory human development processes. In addition Ambassador Gichuhi actively participated in the historic Sustainable Blue Economy Conference held in Kenya as the focal person for mayor’s and governors as well as the moderators. She has excellent communication and negotiation skills having participated in several bilateral and multilateral fora, as well as in various conferences as a speaker.