Farzana becomes a true child of the world

Google Kenya head of Marketing Farzana Khubchandani. PHOTO/DIANA NGILA 

By JACKSON BIKO

In Summary

Farzana Khubchandani, Head of Marketing, Google Kenya
Age: 34
Academic Qualification: 
London Business School, UK -  MBA, concentration in Marketing
Vassar College, New York -  BA International Studies
Sophia University, Tokyo - International Studies concentration on Japan’s post-war history.
Career :
Media Planning Group, Media Planner
Faith Popcorn’s BrainReserve, Trend Analyst and Head of Trend Department
Google UK, Product Marketing Manager
Google Kenya, Head of Marketing and Regional Lead, East Africa

In the next five years, seven out of the 10 fastest growing economies are predicted to be in Africa and central to this growth is the Internet.

Late last year, Google launched an initiative dubbed “Africa Connected: success stories powered by the web” , which is aimed at gathering the largest collection of stories about ventures established online by Africans.

The selection is currently ongoing and the five winners will each get Sh2.1m and have an opportunity to work with a Google mentor. The big announcement will be made in April. Farzana is quite excited about this, and the possibilities that Africa holds in the Internet space.

We meet at their Google offices in Museum Hill, which looks like a grown-up Kindergarten playroom (I only say this endearingly) - what with its colourful and spirited decor. She is wearing an immaculate green African dress and tops it with a razor-sharp mind.

Nice dress!

Thanks! I normally get my fabrics from Kinshasa, Congo, where my uncle lives then take it to Kigali where there is a talented tailor who turns it into this.

My mother-in-law is a fashion designer in Bangalore, so it rubs off. (Smiles). I also like to play around with beads and African jewellery when accessorising and that’s the beauty of having two daughters, you know girls are always trying out new ways to explore fashion.

Hold that daughter story for a minute. Your last name- Khubchandani is a bit of a mouthful…

(Laughs) It’s my husband’s name. My husband was born and raised in Ghana although he is an Ismaili, a Sidhi. I’m from a mixed background; my mother was born to parents who were born in Congo and in Rwanda.

My dad was born here in Kenya but grew up in the three East Africa countries. (Chuckles) It’s quite a mix.

Indeed. And you?

I was born in the UK, went to high school in Vancouver, Canada and university in New York where I also lived for eight years. But home is here.

Everybody is here in Africa, my grandparents are here and in Kigali. I’ve been back maybe four years now and Kenya is great place, I love the people and the great friendships and the landscape.

What does your husband do?

He is the GM of GroFin, which is a private equity and venture capital fund investment for SMEs. He has been there for three years now.