Orge Godana is the Group Chief Financial Officer at Java House Africa, where she leads the company’s financial strategy, investment planning for the group, and operational oversight across Uganda and Rwanda. With over a decade of executive experience in auditing, financial management, and commercial operations, she plays a pivotal role in driving business resilience and sustainable growth for one of East Africa’s largest restaurant chains.

Joining Java House in 2021, Orge has steered the organisation through post-COVID growth, introducing innovative funding models and improving working capital management. Her leadership extends beyond finance into regional operations, having successfully guided market expansion in Uganda, including the launch of three new outlets in the last 12 months.

Orge’s career began at Deloitte, followed by progressive roles at KFC’s franchisee in East Africa —culminating in her appointment as CFO before transitioning to Java House. She holds a double major in Accounting and Finance from Strathmore University and was named one of Business Monthly’s 25 Most Powerful Women in Finance in East Africa.

Committed to community development, she actively supports education initiatives and volunteers with to strengthen financial systems in church-run institutions.

Outside of work, she finds joy in road trips, crosswords, and discovering small restaurants in unexpected places.

Naima Hassan is the Chief Operations Officer at Java House, one of East Africa’s most prominent food and beverage brands. She leads operational growth, service innovation, and team development across nearly 100 restaurant locations.

With over 15 years of hands-on experience in hospitality, Naima has built a career anchored in grit, mentorship, and operational excellence.

Her journey began at the grassroots level, working as a cashier and waitress in her father’s restaurant. This early exposure sparked a lifelong passion for hospitality, leading her to study Food Production and Beverage Service at Kenya Utalii College.

She quickly rose through the ranks in the kitchen, from cook to sous-chef, before transitioning to front-of-house management roles, including Restaurant Manager at Intercontinental Hotel Nairobi.

A formative period in the United States offered valuable exposure to international hospitality practices, cultural diversity, and a renewed drive to lead with vision and inclusion. Upon returning to Kenya, she consulted for Crowne Plaza before joining Java House in 2012.

Since then, Naima has held key leadership roles, Training Manager, Food & Beverage Manager, General Manager, and Operations Director, culminating in her appointment as COO.

Under her leadership, Java House has expanded from 11 to nearly 100 outlets, and rigorous in-house training programs have been implemented, with clear career pathways created, enabling employees to rise from entry-level roles to management

Naima is known for her strategic foresight, people-first leadership, and unwavering commitment to quality and growth. Her influence has helped cement Java House’s position not just as a business, but as a career launchpad for young talent in the region. She has completed executive leadership development programs and remains a strong advocate for mentorship and continuous learning.

Outside of work, Naima enjoys long walks, travelling to seek fresh perspectives, and reading African literature. She also plays an active role in nurturing the lives of her nieces and nephews, who affectionately call her “Mama.”

Maureen Mithamo is a purpose-led executive and governance professional with over a decade of leadership experience across law, human capital, organisational development, and corporate governance. As Head of Corporate Affairs at Java House Africa, she oversees Legal, HR, Learning & Development, Environmental Health & Sustainability, and Security for operations spanning Kenya, Uganda, and Rwanda.

Joining Java in 2013 as the company’s first in-house legal counsel, Maureen has since led transformative initiatives including the establishment of the Legal Department, the launch of a regional wellness program, and the founding of the Java House Foundation, where she is a Trustee. Her work blends systems thinking with impact-driven execution, aligning people and policy to drive performance and culture.

A landmark highlight includes winning an intellectual property case that enabled Java’s regional expansion—now widely cited in legal circles across Africa. Maureen is an Advocate of the High Court of Kenya, a Certified Company Secretary, a Certified Mediator, and a qualified coach and mentor.

Outside the boardroom, Maureen is a passionate writer, wellness enthusiast,  a champion for women’s leadership and is passionate about nurturing and growing people. She is currently authoring her first children’s book out of her love for storytelling.

Jemimah Baariu is a seasoned brand strategist, business development leader, and marketing innovator, currently serving as the Business Development and Strategy Manager at Java House Africa — one of East Africa’s most iconic hospitality brands.

With over 15 years of experience spanning FMCG, QSR, and retail sectors, Jemimah brings a rare blend of strategic foresight, operational execution, and community-centric thinking to her work.

As Business Development & Strategy Manager at Java House Africa, she oversees marketing, product innovation, delivery operations, and the Java House Foundation, driving growth across a multi-brand portfolio that includes Java House, Kukito, 360 Degrees and Planet Yoghurt. She is highly experienced in aligning strategy with consumer trends and business goals.

She holds a degree in International Business Administration from USIU-Africa, has completed executive programs at the London School of Economics, and is a certified leadership coach from CDI Africa. Passionate about African creativity, mentorship, and community engagement, Jemimah continues to inspire with her bold thinking and challenging status quo.

Her career began in youth-led non-profits, followed by roles at Cadbury (now Mondelēz) and Haco Tiger Brands, where she honed her expertise in retail marketing, brand positioning, and consumer research.

She later joined KFC East Africa during its formative years, helping establish the brand across Kenya, Tanzania, Uganda, and Rwanda. Over her nine-year tenure, she led regional marketing teams and built scalable strategies tailored to diverse markets.

Outside of work, she enjoys volunteering, reading, travelling, podcasts, and quiet moments with close family and friends.