Susan Sagina Adongo : “At the heart of all my work is a passion for community-driven solutions”

Susan Sagina Adongo is an environmental scientist championing sustainable development in Kenya. She is also the founder of Development Tracking Tools, a solution to power strategic growth and track the progress of individuals. In this interview to Africa Women Experts, she shares her journey into sustainability but also entrepreneurship.

Could you introduce yourself ?

I am Susan Sagina Adongo, an environmental scientist, strategic conservation planner, and Blue Economy practitioner with over 13 years of experience in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, regenerative agriculture, and sustainable development.

My work is deeply rooted in bridging science, policy, and community action to drive sustainable solutions that advance global frameworks such as the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the Paris Agreement, and the Global Biodiversity Framework.

Beyond my scientific work, I am also a passionate entrepreneur — the founder and CEO of Development Tracking Tools and the founder and director of Suango Company Limited. Through these ventures, I champion innovative approaches that integrate sustainability, technology, and enterprise to create lasting impact for communities and ecosystems alike.

What has been your academic and professional background?

Academically, I hold a Bachelor of Arts in urban & regional planning and a Master of arts in project planning and management, both from University of Nairobi. I am currently pursuing my PhD in environmental science at Maseno University. I have also pursued advanced training in data analytics certificate, from Azubi Africa.

Professionally, I bring over 13 years of experience spanning government, international development, academia, and private sector partnerships. I have served as Chairperson of the Nairobi County Wildlife Conservation & Compensation Committee, Team Lead for the Go Blue Initiative, and Program Coordinator for Climate and Disaster Risk Management.

As a consultant, I am currently contributing to the Sustainable Ocean Plan for Kenya, providing expertise in marine spatial planning, stakeholder engagement, and blue economy strategy, having previously led the Women’s Economic Empowerment Strategy within the maritime transport and logistics Blue economy value chain in 6 coastal counties to promote inclusive growth in coastal communities. I am an AWARD Fellow under the Leadership and Negotiation Program by African Women in Agricultural Research and Development, enhancing my capacity to drive transformative change. Additionally, I play a key role in deploying Africa’s first Enhanced Rock Weathering (ERW) project through Flux Carbon, leading community engagement efforts to advance climate action and sustainable agriculture.

What sparked your interest in agriculture and environmental issues?

My interest in agriculture and environmental issues is deeply rooted in my upbringing. Growing up in a rural community, I witnessed firsthand how climate variability, seasonal shifts, and land degradation directly affected farmers’ livelihoods and food security. These early experiences instilled in me a profound appreciation for the critical interdependence between people, land, and climate.

This foundational understanding has evolved into a professional commitment. Throughout my career in biodiversity conservation, climate change adaptation, and regenerative agriculture, I have seen how the integration of science, policy, and community action can drive meaningful change.

I am dedicated to bridging environmental science with socioeconomic transformation. At the heart of all my work is a passion for community-driven solutions, ensuring that local voices shape sustainable practices that align with global frameworks like the Sustainable Development Goals and the Paris Agreement.

You are the creator and founder of the DTT App. What is it about ?

Development Tracking Tools is a technology platform and mobile application (DTT App) designed to power strategic growth tracking for individuals, executives, organizations, and businesses globally. Through this platform, I lead the design and implementation of journal entries, habit trackers, organizational, business, and executive tracking tools supported by data-driven dashboards and automated workflows. The platform’s core purpose is to enable users to measure progress, align goals with strategy, and translate evidence into actionable impact across sectors such as climate, agriculture, organizational performance, and community development.

What inspired you to develop this app, and what impact has it had so far?

The inspiration for the DTT App began with a simple diary my father gifted me as a teenager. I used it to capture my thoughts, dreams, and reflections, never imagining it would one day spark a global platform. Years later, after college, I rediscovered that first diary and was struck by the powerful insights and patterns it held. It was then I understood a truth that continues to guide me: “What we document, we can revisit. What we track, we can improve.”

My passion for intentional journaling grew, leading me to train global teams on Personal Development Tracking through BOO Forum. This journey inspired me to create a physical journal, the Personal Development Track (PDT) Journal, which I officially launched on January 4, 2025.

The idea to evolve the journal into a digital platform came directly from its users during monthly follow-up sessions. Business owners wanted inventory tools, professionals needed performance trackers, and psychology experts saw its potential for mood and behavioral insights. This feedback made it clear: the journal was not just a personal tool — it had to become a smart, data-driven platform capable of powering growth and impact at scale.

The app’s precursor, the physical PDT Journal, has already had a significant impact. We launched it in January 2025, and to date, more than 500 users have embraced it. The feedback and reviews from this user base were instrumental in building the concept for the DTT App.

You are part of the second cohort of the « Accelerating African Women’s Leadership in Climate Action Fellowship », alongside 52 other women. What has that experience been like for you? Could you share more about it?

I feel absolutely privileged, to be part of the fellowship. The first training began last Month in Mombasa (Kenya) and the experience, truly shifted how I see myself as a leader and negotiator. I was surrounded by 52 phenomenal women from six countries: Cameroon, Ghana, Malawi, Kenya, Senegal, and Benin; all united by a shared purpose to lead with impact and integrity in driving climate solutions across Africa.

During those days, we dove deep into powerful conversations on critical topics like gender and negotiation, advocating for emotional intelligence, power, influence, and ourselves and building allies and coalitions. The sessions were far from just theory; they were moments of vulnerability, laughter, self-discovery, and courage.

Every journey has its challenges — what obstacles have you faced along the way, and how did you push through them?

Absolutely. Like any journey, mine has had its share of challenges, many of them internal. For a long time, I grappled with a significant fear of the unknown. This often manifested as a fear of putting myself forward, of speaking up, or the anxiety that I might say something “stupid.”

I have learned to push through these obstacles by cultivating the audacity to pursue the things that “pinch” me the most—those goals and callings that feel too important to ignore. I have pulled through them by a continuous process of self-reflection, looking into my past to understand the root causes of these hindrances. By identifying them, I can consciously push myself to pursue the very things I fear, using that strong internal drive to overcome the hesitation.

Looking ahead, what are your ambitions ?

 Looking ahead, I am committed to completing my PhD in Environmental Science while expanding my impact on the global stage. My ambition is to continue growing as a transformational leader advancing climate justice, community resilience, and women’s empowerment. I am strategically positioning myself to take on global advisory roles, lead high-level collaborations, and drive large-scale impact initiatives that bridge international frameworks with local action. My goal is to contribute meaningfully to shaping policies, innovations, and partnerships that accelerate sustainable development across Africa and beyond.

Interviewed by Danielle France Engolo