MARIEL KANENE

Strategic Partnerships & Resource Mobilization

I help ministries, multilaterals, NGOs, and mission-driven teams drive global impact at the nexus of philanthropy, open science, and sustainable development.

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🌐 Operating in multicultural contexts - onsite and remote

About MK

I’m a partnerships cultivator, social entrepreneur, and team leader with 9+ years of experience driving philanthropic and public sector revenue. My work bridges technology, international development, and open science – shaping donor strategies and securing multimillion-dollar investments that advance sustainable, inclusive growth worldwide.

Career Highlights

$40M+ secured in successful proposals (USAID, World Bank, FCDO)

$1.5M+ raised in multi-year philanthropic funding for Africa’s largest edutainment provider)

70+ open-source scientific projects supported through new partnerships at NumFOCUS

Represented organizations at UNGA, World Bank, and other global covenings

Amsterdam 2025 (NumFOCUS - PyData Amsterdam Meetup + Xomnia)
Accra, Ghana 2023 (Catholic Relief Services - CRS Ghana)
Kinshasa, DRC 2023 (Catholic Relief Services - CRS DRC)
Maseru, Lesotho 2023 (Catholic Relief Services - CRS Lesotho)
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania 2020 (ubongo - Building Brains Conference 2020)
New York City 2019 (Ubongo - IRC - Lego Foundation)
Washington, DC 2019 (World Bank Youth Summit 2019)
New York City 2019 (Ubongo - UNGA74)
Amsterdam 2018 (Fraym - AIDS2018 Conference)
Washington, Dc 2018 (Abt Global - SID-W Conference 2018)
Kigali, Rwanda 2017 (Abt Global)
Washington, DC 2017 (Society for International Development - SID-W)
Washington, DC 2016 (ICMA Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative - YSEALI)
Washington, DC 2015 (SIT Graduate Institute)
Washington, DC 2015 (SIT Graduate Institute Social Innovation Management Cohort)
Dili, Timor-Leste 2015 (g7+ Secretariat)
Amman, Jordan 2015 (World Learning Social Entrepreneurship Field Study)
Washington, DC 2014 (Turning the Page DC x Literacy Through Photography Exhibit)
Austin, TX 2013 (83rd Texas State Legislature)
Huntsville, Texas 2012 (Sam Houston State University)

Experience

NumFOCUS is a U.S.-based nonprofit that supports and promotes world-class, innovative open-source scientific computing. I lead multi-sector resource mobilization and strategic partnership engagement across 70+ open-source scientific software projects advancing reproducible research and sustainability.
➣ Secured multi-year support from U.S. Government (NASA, and NSF)and philanthropic foundations through targeted prospecting and proposal development
➣ Increased qualified lead pipeline by 30% through donor segmentation,concept notes, and tailored pitch materials
➣ Managed rollout of new partnership engagement process to identify co-investment and visibility opportunities with academic, corporate, and philanthropic actors
➣ Co-led governance and reporting strategy for multi-stakeholder consortia to ensure funding transparency and stewardship
CRS is one of the world’s largest humanitarian agencies supporting international relief and development in 100+ countries. I served on the agency’s strategic growth support team.
➣ Provided business development technical surge support across 15+proposal efforts in Africa, EMECA, and Asia.
➣ Co-led strategy and proposal development for U.S. Government (USAID), World Bank, and FCDO bids, contributing to $40M+ in successful awards
➣ Embedded with country teams in Ghana, DRC, and Lesotho to co-create locally grounded project designs
➣ Facilitated cost and risk assessments, compliance reviews, and value-for-money narratives
➣ Developed knowledge products and learning materials on sustainable partnerships
Ubongo is Africa’s largest producer of kids’ educational entertainment, reaching over 32 million families across the continent. I led U.S.-based strategic partnerships and resource mobilization during a high-growth phase.
➣ Secured $1.5M in multi-year funding from LEGO Foundation and Mulago Foundation
➣ Represented Ubongo at UNGA, World Bank Summit, and sector-specific convenings
➣ Built brand alignment and donor communications strategy, including onlinegiving and media advocacy
Fraym provides geospatial population data to help governments, development agencies, and businesses make evidence-based decisions. I managed global development partnerships and new business pipelines.
➣ Closed $2.5M in new business with implementers and donors across Africa
➣ Generated $400K/month in qualified pipeline through outreach, proposals,and client education
➣ Led market entry and risk analysis for philanthropic and bilateral partners
Abt Associates is a mission-driven, global leader in research, evaluation, and program implementation. I managed full-cycle proposal development for U.S. Government (USAID, MCC, and NOAA) and other public sector clients.
➣ Managed technical proposal development and compliance components for bids up to $100M+, including IDIQs
➣ Streamlined pre-positioning processes and internal knowledge management
ICMA is a nonprofit association advancing professional local government management worldwide. I oversaw project implementation and reporting on U.S. Government (e.g. USAID, U.S. Department of State (DOS), and U.S.Department of Energy (DOE)) funded global initiatives.
➣ Supported ICMA’s Young Southeast Asian Leaders Initiative (YSEALI), SolSmart, and Urban-Links.org program launches