Ivy Trudy Muthoni: The Power of Giving Back

“You can’t be what you can’t see—Right?”

Nothing inspires us more than hearing from the beneficiaries of the programmes we run. Meet Ivy Trudy Muthoni, a University Ambassador for F4S who recently secured an internship at a fintech—a shining example of perseverance, growth, and giving back.

Ivy’s Journey: From Data Analyst to Ambassador

With over two years of experience as a Data Analyst at a Kenyan startup delivering clean, affordable cooking gas to low-income families, Ivy developed a strong passion for problem-solving and using data to drive impactful decisions. Her love for mathematics, which she applies daily in her studies and career, became a cornerstone of her journey.

Inspiring the Next Generation

As a University Ambassador for F4S, Ivy quickly became a force of inspiration. In just four months, she:

• Participated in seven virtual assemblies,
• Mentored countless students, and
• Recruited numerous classmates to join her in volunteering.

Through her efforts, Ivy sparked curiosity and ambition in the next generation, showing students what is possible when someone’s story inspires you to dream big. Her belief in the power of visibility—“You can’t be what you can’t see”—drove her to share her journey.

A Bright Future Ahead

Ivy’s dedication didn’t go unnoticed. Her active involvement with F4S earned her an internship at OakNorth Bank, where she gained experience across several departments, further enhancing her skills and career prospects.

Today, Ivy has just completed her Master’s degree and dreams of founding her own company—a vision rooted in her desire to create meaningful change.

Ivy’s Words of Inspiration

Ivy reflected on her experience with F4S, sharing:

“I wanted to become a university ambassador for F4S because I thought that you can’t be what you can’t see. And so, being an ambassador gave me the perspective that my story would inspire students who come from a disadvantaged background to want to come to university and pursue a degree—either a bachelor’s or master’s in STEM.

I think it’s important for secondary school students to be able to listen to stories from university students because they’re able to appreciate the background they come from and the hardships that they faced and just to see that it’s not impossible to get to where they want to be.”

The Power of Giving Back

Ivy’s story highlights the mutual benefits of volunteering. By giving her time and energy to inspire students, Ivy not only impacted their lives but also unlocked incredible opportunities for her own growth and future.