Our Team

Nancy Atieno Onyango is not your ordinary CEO and Founder. 

 She’s the powerhouse behind Show Up Communications, the premier pan-African digital agency revolutionising strategic communication solutions across the continent. After over 15 years of honing her craft in global communications and PR campaigns for esteemed organisations like UNFPA, Arterial Network, and Radio Netherlands Worldwide, Nancy established Show Up Communications in 2022 to meet the urgent need for impactful narratives that drive change in Africa. Her passion for youth development is anchored in her belief that Africa’s greatest strength lies in its young people.

Under her guidance, Show Up Communications has excelled in crafting compelling concept notes, funding proposals, and annual work plans, showcasing Nancy’s flair for innovative solutions that yield tangible results. Drawing from her rich background, Nancy has a well-honed ability to craft comprehensive strategies, program development plans, and marketing campaigns rooted in both quantitative and qualitative research. She has helped propel Show Up Communications to unparalleled success by offering bespoke solutions that resonate with clients and stakeholders alike. Nancy settles for nothing less than “No. 1”. Her mission is to ensure that all partners and clients not only SHOW UP but also shine brilliantly in a competitive landscape.

With a decade of experience in Cape Town and six years in Amsterdam, Nancy brings a wealth of diverse perspectives to her strategic approach, enriching her work at Show Up Communications with a truly global outlook. Nancy’s journey in shaping narratives began at Radio Netherlands Worldwide, where she spent six impactful years as the Editor in Chief for This is Africa, a pan-African platform. Here, she played an indispensable role in cultivating leading thinkers and reshaping Africa’s story through a fresh and decolonized lens.

Because of this hands-on experience, Nancy is intimately familiar with the African continent. She knows and understands Africa’s complexities like the back of her hand. Still her focus is on results. Here, Nancy has crisscrossed the African development sector, leaving only positive transformation in her wake. Having volunteered for various impactful causes early in her career, Nancy’s passion for supporting young people and driving Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) aligns seamlessly with her commitment to SHOW UP and deliver whenever her particular set of skills are required. 

As a seasoned Communications Specialist, Nancy has worked with renowned organisations like the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), a specialised agency of the United Nations that leads international efforts to defeat hunger.. Her expertise in crisis management, media coordination, and strategic communications makes her a valuable asset in achieving organisational goals. But she’s no slouch in the events organisation space either, her prowess evident through her key contributions to successful international events such as the United Nations Forum on Sustainability Standards’s Mashariki Summit and the PATA 2020 Summit. 

Coupled with her exceptional moderation skills, Nancy’s prowess in event organisation positions her as a true master of her craft, leaving no doubt about her capability to deliver outstanding results. However, Nancy knows that all work and no play can make life dull. That’s why she finds solace and fulfilment in her love for agriculture, cooking, and gardening, where her passions blend to create moments of relaxation and creativity.

In her role as CEO of Show Up Communications, Nancy’s vision and sense of purpose are as clear as they have been in all her previous roles: to empower brands to SHOW UP authentically, impactfully, and sustainably across the African continent. She and her team do this by supporting them with comprehensive communication solutions.  She leads a team dedicated to amplifying brands’ visibility through innovative strategies. From drafting concept notes to managing marketing campaigns, Nancy ensures clients’ voices SHOW UP where it matters most. Her expertise in media training and event support always guarantees impactful engagement. 

There’s no denying that under Nancy’s visionary leadership, Show Up Communications is paving the way towards a more connected and empowered Africa through strategic partnerships and innovative storytelling.

Thomas  Bwire is an experienced content specialist and award-winning Kenyan journalist based in the Hague, with a key focus on child-focused stories.  His work has been recognised through various media honors awarded by the Children Legal Action Network and Internews, among others.

Awards and Recognition 

1. 1. Winner- Children’s Most Educative Enlightening Feature Award Issued by Children Legal Action Network (CLAN) · Dec 2013
   2. Highly Commended Certificate, Issued by CNN Multi-Choice, Oct 2013 (The story was on the new initiative of the Talking Box Program that gives girls a voice in the Kibera community.
   3. Winner- StoryFest2012 Media Radio Awards Issued by Internews Kenya · Aug 2012

Meet Kevin Onyando, head of Creative and Multimedia communication at Show Up Communications. Kevin brings a wealth of experience and a passion for digital innovation to the table. With a background in multimedia communication, digital marketing, and content development, Kevin is dedicated to ensuring that our clients’ stories SHOW UP in the most compelling and impactful ways possible.

When he’s not busy leading our team to new heights, Kevin is a proud father of two beautiful girls. His love for digital solutions knows no bounds, and he’s always exploring the latest innovations in the field. And when it’s time to unwind, you can find Kevin enjoying a good laugh with his favourite comedy, The Big Bang Theory. Laughter and light-hearted conversations are his recipe for relaxation.

With over 8 years of experience in the industry, Kevin has honed his skills working with multi-media digital agencies across Eastern and Western Africa. From content development for social media to social media monitoring and analytics, Kevin has a knack for crafting impactful digital strategies that SHOW UP where it matters most. He’s even lent his expertise to humanitarian organisations like Zamzam Foundation, helping them push their communication forward and drive change.

At Zamzam Foundation, Kevin was responsible for all aspects of creative design and multimedia communication. From producing short videos documenting donor-funded projects to developing visual branding for the organisation, Kevin’s creativity knows no bounds. He’s also helped organisations like Africa’s Voices Foundation and Growthpad Digital Consultancy elevate their digital presence, crafting compelling content and implementing innovative strategies that Show Up on every platform.

With Kevin at the helm of our Creative and Multimedia Communication team, you can trust that your story will SHOW UP in the most impactful and engaging way possible. His passion for digital innovation and his dedication to excellence make him an invaluable member of the Show Up Communications family.

Meet Sophia Wambaire Rukwaro, your vibrant project assistant at Show Up Communications. Beyond her professional prowess in journalism, Sophia brings a splash of excitement to her role with hobbies like swimming, dancing, movie watching, and poetry writing.

Sophia’s journey in the media has been nothing short of dynamic. From her role as a Communication Intern at the African Institute for Children Studies to a Customer Service Agent at Aventus Customer Services and an Online Journalist at DS Media, she’s accumulated a wealth of experience.

As an Investigative Journalist Trainee at Africa Uncensored Media, Sophia delved deeply into the world of impactful storytelling. Her 2022 documentary, “Stained Future,” illuminated the harrowing reality of defilement cases in Kenya, particularly during the COVID-19 lockdown, revealing a distressing statistic: there was at least one case of defilement reported every three days in Kenya. Through meticulous research and compelling storytelling, Sophia’s documentary underscored her unwavering commitment to stories that matter. 

Sophia’s tireless work ethic, coupled with a dedication to excellence, positions her as a formidable force in the spheres of journalism and media. Armed with a diverse skill set and a passion for storytelling, Sophia is poised to not just SHOW UP, but to invigorate and elevate your brand’s communication strategy to unprecedented heights.

He is a teacher; he is a storyteller. In these capacities, he goes by the name The Horace. 

As a teacher, The Horace teaches the French language at the Alliance Française de Nairobi, as a storyteller, he is an artistic director at Mad_Age Media PLC, a storytelling company, and offers consultancy services at Show Up Communications.

Pedagogical storytelling is his craft, his magic. A craft that creatively blends effective storytelling and teaching methods and objectives. At  Show Up, Horace crafts effective stories in the French language that authentically impacts the culturally diverse Francophone world. A world he holds at heart as a teacher storyteller. 

“Dans mon école idéale, le storytelling  c’est la méthodologie, les histoires sont des livres;porteurs de connaissance, le professeur  lui  c’est le conteur: Le maître de l’art du storytelling pédagogique tel un magicien et sa baguette magique.”The Horace

“In my ideal school, storytelling is the methodology, stories are the books; carriers of knowledge, the teacher is the storyteller: The master of the art of pedagogical storytelling like a magician with his magic wand.”  The Horace.

Meet John Ngoroge, he’s the kind of guy who knows how to SHOW UP and be counted. Based in Nairobi, John is a communications consultant passionate about technology, music, and movies. But don’t let his eclectic interests fool you; when it comes to crafting compelling narratives and driving meaningful engagement, John means business.

As a vital member of the Show Up Communications team, John thrives in his role as the social media manager. With a rich background in communication strategy, project management, and digital marketing, he’s well-equipped to tackle any challenge that comes his way. Prior to joining Show Up, John honed his skills as a freelance writer and researcher, refining his ability to weave compelling stories and captivate audiences.

When he’s not diving into the latest tech trends or jamming out to his favourite tunes, you can find John exploring new gaming worlds or crafting compelling stories that leap off the page.

Whether you’re seeking to ignite conversations or cultivate online communities, your brand is in capable hands with John. He knows just how to push the right buttons to ensure that people SHOW UP and take notice.