"To meet the continent’s development goals, we must cultivate strong intergenerational leadership. Investing in the next generation of leaders is not just wise, it's essential."
Monica is a qualified lawyer with extensive experience in the corporate sector. Prior to becoming the 3rd First Lady of the Republic of Namibia, she was a co-shareholder and founding Managing Director of Namibia's largest private equity fund for over a decade. She also sat on the boards of several major public and private sector companies.
Monica served as First Lady from March 2015 to February 2024. During this period, Monica applied her expertise in economic development and socio-economic policy to the work of the One Economy Foundation (ONE), which she founded. A key initiative under ONE is Project #BeFree, a one of its kind adolescent friendly facility that provides a wide range of integrated, youth-friendly health, skills development and education services.
From June 2022 to February 2024, Ms Geingos also served as President of the Organisation of African First Ladies for Development (OAFLAD) where she doubled the fundraising targets, deepened organisational capacity and launched a successful continent-wide initiative advocating for gender equity.
In recognition of her advocacy for young women and adolescent girls, and her leadership in the global response to end AIDS by 2030, Ms Geingos was awarded the World Without AIDS Award, and appointed as a UNAIDS Special Advocate for Young Women and Adolescent Girls. Monica was also appointed by United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, as one of four new United Nations SDG Advocates.
Monica currently chairs the Ellen Johnson Sirleaf Presidential Center, the Africa REACH Leadership Council and is a co-chair of the Global Council on Inequality, AIDS and Pandemics. In addition, she serves on various advisory councils, including WomenLift Health International, and the Concordia Leadership Council. Monica is also the Chancellor of Kepler College.