Felister Waithera serves as a valued member of the Global Advisory Council at the Empower Skilled Trades Foundation (ESTF), where she provides strategic guidance as a Gender Equality & Social Inclusion Advisor. In this role, she supports ESTF’s mission to advance inclusive workforce development by ensuring that programs, partnerships, and policies promote equitable access and opportunities for women, youth, and underserved communities.

Felister is a highly accomplished trainer, mentor, and business development professional with a strong passion for empowering entrepreneurs through practical skills development and capacity building. With a background in Civil Engineering and extensive experience in digital skills training and entrepreneurship development, she is committed to driving sustainable and community-centered impact
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She is a certified Women in Digital Business (WIDB) Lead Trainer under the International Training Centre of the International Labour Organization (ITCILO) and Microsoft-supported initiative. Through her work, she has trained and certified over 60 trainers across multiple countries and directly empowered more than 55 women entrepreneurs, creating a ripple effect of economic empowerment.

Felister is also certified in the ILO Start and Improve Your Business (SIYB) methodology and actively supports Business Development Services (BDS) and youth mentorship initiatives. Her expertise spans digital transformation, women’s economic empowerment, adult learning methodologies, coaching, and capacity building.

Through her contributions to ESTF, Felister advances inclusive, gender-responsive strategies that strengthen skilled trades ecosystems and create lasting global impact.