Waceke Nduatiturning knowledge into outcomes
For nearly two decades, Waceke Nduati has worked at the intersection of financial behaviour, entrepreneurship, wealth creation and leadership, exploring what it takes to turn financial knowledge into meaningful action and lasting outcomes. She founded Centonomy in 2009 and wrote the bestseller Making Cents.Nearly two decades at the intersection of financial behaviour, entrepreneurship, wealth creation and leadership.
Everybody can create wealth and live out their aspirations.
Turning financial knowledge into meaningful outcomes
As the founder of Centonomy, she has translated financial literacy and entrepreneurship education into practical action, reaching more than 20,000 people through programmes designed to help individuals and organisations make better financial and business decisions. Her work spans different stages of the financial journey, from teenagers and young adults navigating their first financial decisions to professionals, entrepreneurs and families building wealth and planning for the future.
At the heart of her work is a belief that financial education should do more than transfer information. It should build the judgment, confidence and agency to make better decisions and create meaningful change.
- 20,000+
- People reached through her programmes
- 2009
- Founded Centonomy
- 10,000+
- Copies of Making Cents sold
Her background is in the stock market, portfolio management, unit trust management, investment research, property finance and accounting, and she holds master's degrees in Banking and Finance.
The questions she speaks to
Ultimately, her work is about moving the conversation beyond financial knowledge to financial capability, beyond access to meaningful outcomes, and beyond short-term success to lasting impact.
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From knowledge to action
The gap between access, knowledge and action: people can understand the importance of saving and still struggle to build the habit.
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A behavioural lens on inclusion
For financial inclusion, entrepreneurship and economic empowerment: a focus not only on reach and participation, but on the outcomes that follow.
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Financial adulthood
The shift from simply responding to financial circumstances to taking greater ownership of the financial life you are building.
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Women and money
Financial independence, wealth creation and the different seasons of a woman's life.
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Midlife and financial reinvention
Career transitions, entrepreneurship, changing priorities and letting go of what no longer serves the next season.
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Can your business run without you?
Succession, systems and institution building for founders and leaders: the difference between a successful business and an enduring one.
Entrepreneurship has seasons
As a woman founder who has built, stepped away from and returned to leadership, Waceke has a deeply personal perspective on change, leadership and reinvention.
Survival
She was everything in the business. Every decision, challenge and opportunity eventually found its way back to her. She carried the business because, in many ways, she was the business.
Success
The business had found its footing. The challenges did not disappear, but she was no longer building from a place of uncertainty.
The pause
For seven years, Waceke stepped away from her role as CEO: a period shaped by personal challenges, burnout and the need to slow down, reflect and rediscover herself beyond the role she had spent years building.
Significance
The focus has shifted from success to legacy: from being at the centre of the organisation to building something that can continue to create impact beyond her.
Can your business run without you?
Boards, recognition and media
Roles
- Board member, Old Mutual Investment Group
- Learning Chair, Stanford Seed Transformation Network Kenya
- Chair of the Creative Lounge, Karen Country Club
- Has engaged with Harvard University, Babson College and Strathmore University
Recognition
- Harvard Business School selected Centonomy as a project partner in financial literacy
- Builders of Africa Award (2021)
- Africapitol's 50 Most Influential Women in Africa (2024)
- Scholarship to an executive programme at Babson College, Boston (2017), and invited back to train students in entrepreneurship (2018)
- Selected for the Stanford Seed business transformation programme (January 2018)
- Has trained First Lady Jeannette Kagame of Rwanda
In the media Personal finance column in the Daily Nation's Saturday Magazine since 2011
Waceke speaking
Open Days, corporate sessions, bank staff events, entrepreneurship forums, book talks, teen boot camps and alumni evenings.
Invite Waceke to speak
Tell us about your audience, your date and what you hope people leave with, and Waceke's team will get back to you.
- Call or WhatsApp
+254 715 085 777 · WhatsApp - Email directly
waceke@centonomy.com - Formats
Keynotes, Talking Cents talks, Corporate sessions, Panels, Media interviews. - Add books
Copies of Making Cents for your guests, on request.
Want the full programme, not just the talk?
Centonomy 101 is our flagship programme: 12 weeks of practical lessons, with a live class every week.
