Geeta Manek - Past Rotary Foundation Trustee

Geeta Manek, a third generation Kenyan, graduated from business school in the United Kingdom before returning to Nairobi to join the family retail and real estate business, which she continues to run.

Geeta joined Rotary in 1997. Her roles have included Rotary Coordinator, Rotary International President’s Personal Representative to numerous countries, Rotary International Assembly Training leader, Lead Facilitator at the Regional Leaders Training Institute, Chair of the Health Major Gifts Initiative, Chair of Joint Committee on Partnerships, Chair of the Host Organising Committee for the Zone 21 Institute, Chair of The Rotary Foundation Executive Committee, Chair of The Rotary Foundation Programs Committee, Member of the Major Gifts Initiative Oversight Team, Chair of The Rotary Foundation Stewardship Committee, Member of the Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Advisory Committee , Member of Programs of Scale Committee.

She has also served as the D9212 Council on Legislation Representative. Geeta was the Rotary District Governor for District 9200 from 2012-13 and has served as her District’s Coordinator of the Kick Polio Out of Africa Campaign.

Geeta is passionate about initiatives that help women and improve education. She was a charter member of Lohana Ladies Circle, a women’s club dedicated to community service, social welfare, and cultural heritage. She is championing the Rotary literacy initiative in Kenya and was the liaison between the Ministry of Education in Kenya, Rotary International, and The Global Partnership for Education (GPE).

Geeta has volunteered as a first responder during national crises. She has led teams of Rotarians to collaborate and coordinate initiatives with organizations such as the Red Cross, the United Nations, and Community-Based Institutions. Along with partnering with The Ministry of Health and corporate organizations, she has assisted her country to mitigate the effects of the pandemic.

In recognition of her humanitarian work, Geeta was awarded an honorary Doctorate of Humanities degree in 2019 and The Presidential commendation “Moran of the Burning Spear” by the then President of Kenya, His Excellency Uhuru Kenyatta in 2021.

Geeta has served as a Trustee of the Rotary Foundation. She is also a Trustee of the Vijana Poa Initiative based in Uganda. Apart from Rotary, she sits on several committees, to highlight just one, she is a Board member for The Task Force For Global Health based in Atlanta, Georgia.

For her service in Rotary, Geeta has been honored with the prestigious Service Above Self Award by Rotary International. Additionally, Geeta was recognized with the Distinguished Service award. She and her husband, Kaushik — who served as the Rotary District Governor of District 9200 in 2008-09 — Are Rotary Foundation Major Donors, Benefactors, as well as Bequest Society and Arch Klumph Society members.