Virginia Ruguru is a passionate Kenyan social justice advocate, demonstrating exceptional leadership in various capacities within the non-profit sector and entrepreneurial ventures. Her journey began as a volunteer at Kenya Energy and Environment Organizations (KENGO), where she demonstrated remarkable initiative and leadership, eventually rising to the role of Project Coordinator. In this capacity, she spearheaded the launch of one of Kenya's first youth Volunteer Programs, showcasing her exceptional organizational and managerial skills.
Transitioning to Torch Initiatives, Virginia continued to make a significant impact by launching a restaurant program promoting indigenous vegetables. She also advocates for plant-based diets among Kenyan school children. She is the Project Lead of Torch Initiatives a Community-based organization in Kenya that has reached over 10000 students in plant-based education living
To develop her vegan advocacy skills she joined Thrive Philanthropy as an intern, and managed an international training accelerator, impacting over 150 vegan advocates in 28 African countries.
She is currently active as an employee of Thrive Africa and is the Co-Manager of the Thrive Africa Vegan Women’s Initiative (AVWI), where she continues her work in leadership and advocacy, focusing on mentoring women leaders and promoting plant-based diets across the continent.