A champion for global education equity: Lydiah Kemunto Bosire, 20 for 20 honoree
Lydiah Kemunto Bosire, CEO of 8B Education Investments
As the founder and CEO of 8B Education Investments, Lydiah Kemunto Bosire ’01 MPA ’02 has emerged as a transformative figure at the intersection of sustainability, global education, and human development. She is addressing the $50 billion financing gap faced by African students pursuing higher education at global universities, advancing a model that links education access to broader efforts in sustainability and innovation. With a background in international diplomacy through her work with the United Nations, the World Bank, and the World Health Organization, Bosire brings a diverse set of experience to her mission of equipping Africa’s rising generation to lead solutions in climate, health, and other critical sectors.
Bosire, who holds a doctorate in politics and international relations from the University of Oxford, is one of the 20 for 20 Notable Alumni honored this year in celebration of the 20th anniversary of the Center for Sustainable Global Enterprise at the Cornell SC Johnson College of Business.
Focused on innovative educational financing as a tool to unlocking capital markets and changing the face of the global labor market, Bosire says her commitment stems from her belief in equity and the transformative power of education in leveling out the playing field. “Being selected for the Notable Alumni list is an immense honor and testament to the collective efforts and vision behind 8B Education Investments,” she says. “It underscores the impact we can have when business and impact intersect, changing the face of the global labor market by financing global education of African students.”
Learn more about Bosire in this Q&A.
A commitment rooted in equity and the power of education
Q. What drives your commitment and focus in environmental and/or social impact?
Bosire: While my career in social impact, including roles at the UN and the World Bank, has been deeply rewarding, my commitment is rooted in a profound belief in equity and the transformative power of education. Growing up in a small village in Kenya, I witnessed firsthand how unequal access to global education suppresses potential and reinforces systemic disparities, particularly across Africa. Today, by focusing on innovative education financing as a strategic lever to unlock capital markets and reshape the global labor landscape, I am working to help level the playing field and ensure that African brilliance can thrive on the world stage.
Q. Describe a project or initiative related to sustainability that you are particularly proud of and how it has influenced your role, company, industry, or community.
Bosire: I am most proud of launching 8B Education Investments, the first platform dedicated to financing African students pursuing STEM degrees at top universities globally. Not only is this initiative influencing the education finance space, but it also is showcasing the great potential of African talent. By bridging the gap between students and global education institutions, 8B has created pathways for thousands of future leaders. The success of this initiative has expanded the conversation on inclusive education finance and demonstrated the importance of investing in human capital from emerging markets.
Challenges, trends, and advice: Reflections on a career in sustainable impact
Q. Describe the biggest challenge you encountered as you built your career in sustainability and how you overcame it.
Bosire: The greatest challenge has been overcoming the systemic financial barriers that underrepresented students, particularly African students, face in accessing higher education. Establishing a financing platform that supports these students while navigating the complex regulatory landscapes across both African and international markets demanded resilience and ingenuity. Through persistence, the cultivation of strategic partnerships, and the development of a robust, compliant system that serves students while ensuring sustainability for lenders and investors, we were able to break through these barriers. This journey required patience, innovation, and an unwavering commitment to expanding opportunity and transforming lives.
Q. Envision the future of sustainability in your industry. What trend excites you and gives you hope for the future?
Bosire: The most exciting trend is the increasing focus on human capital as a tool for sustainable development. More institutions are recognizing the critical role that education plays in addressing global challenges such as climate change, global health, and technological advancement. The rise of impact investing and the willingness of private and public sectors to invest in education finance as an instrument for advancing equity gives me hope. This trend not only aligns with my work but amplifies the possibilities for broader global impact.
Q. Can you share any insights or lessons learned from your experiences that may inspire current students who want to be sustainability leaders? What advice would you give them?
Bosire: There is no linear journey in impact careers. If someone had told me when I was getting my Ph.D. in politics that I would end up delighting in education finance, I would have laughed. And yet, finance is how I change the composition of the rooms in which global decision-making happens. Learn all you can from every role and remember that the world of impact does not offer a single silver bullet; it requires solutions. Cultivate humility and never fail to listen to lived experiences.
Lessons from Cornell and the role of business schools
Q. What are the most valuable things you learned at Cornell that have helped you in your career? Did any Cornell faculty member(s) influence you on your chosen career path? Who and why?
Bosire: Cornell’s rigorous interdisciplinary approach taught me to think critically across sectors. It nurtured my passions, provided grants that allowed me to explore a wide range of ideas, and made me believe that the only limit to what I could create was my imagination. The activism and advocacy work I began at Cornell opened countless doors and fundamentally changed my view of what was possible. Most importantly, Cornell taught me that I had a voice — a voice to advance inclusion and to remind systems that there should be “nothing about us without us.” That lesson has carried through my career, including my work in financing African students so they can take their place in the rooms where the future is shaped.
Q. What role do you see business schools and universities playing in advancing sustainability initiatives, and how can alumni contribute to this effort?
Bosire: Business schools are crucial in developing the next generation of leaders who understand that profitability and sustainability can and should coexist. By teaching students to build models that create both financial returns and social impact, universities like Cornell can foster innovation that drives fields like education, clean energy, and technology. For example, there is no reason the innovation in de-risking that has unlocked capital markets in development finance and agriculture cannot be used in education and health. Exposing students to different ways of thinking and problem-solving equips them with the ability to further innovate as they move into leadership positions in various industries. Alumni can contribute by sharing new ideas they are exploring and extending learning beyond textbooks through seminars and mentorship.
Inspiration and renewal
Q. What do you do to recharge?
Bosire: Spend time with my two young kids!