Lydia Murimi is the Head of Business Development at the International Rice Research Institute (IRRI), where she leads the institute’s business development and resource mobilization strategy, with a focus on diversifying funding, strengthening donor engagement, and enhancing systems for data-driven decision-making. She brings over 20 years of experience in global business development, strategic partnerships, and resource mobilization across the international development and private sectors.

Prior to joining IRRI, Ms. Murimi served as Director of Business Development at ICRISAT, where she led partnership and resource mobilization efforts that significantly expanded the organization’s funding pipeline and engagement with both traditional and non-traditional donors. She has also held senior roles at the World Bank’s Global Partnership for Education, UNICEF, and the World Organization of the Scouting Movement, mobilizing substantial funding and building high-impact partnerships across regions. Ms. Murimi holds an MBA from the University of Leicester, UK, and an advanced diploma in Marketing from the London Chamber of Commerce & Industry.