Will Gikandi

Experience

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  Imperial INC

  Jan 2004 - Oct 2007

  Lead Programmer/ Network Admin

  This role involved creating and managing enterprise administration software, for handling online sales, stocks, accounts, etc. for the company. Day to day management of the system involved user-training, trouble-shooting and also gradual improvement of its capabilities.Site size: 20 staff, 1 Manufacturing plant, 1 Department, Textile industryKey achievements:● Saved on time and development costs by electing and modifying open source software● Set up a back-end system that managed the process of closing sales, including up-sells and cross sells.Key responsibilities:● Creation of internal software for company processes● Network administration & troubleshooting● Staff training on software Show less

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  University at Buffalo

  Jan 2005 - Dec 2006

  Metabolic Engineer

  This role involved computational analysis & design of metabolic processes in microorganisms.Specifically, the E. coli metabolic pathway was optimized for overproduction of Naringenin, an antioxidant and immune system modulator. I was part of a larger team in this project. My role was to work out how to digitally simulate the microbe.Site size: 15 researchers, Biotech industryKey achievements:● More than doubled the speed and accuracy of the set-up process, by converting it from manual to algorithmic● Wrote algorithms to simulate E. coli, and determined gene targets for overproduction of NaringeninKey responsibilities:● Conversion of E. coli processes into a digital simulation● Approximate live behaviour from simulation results● Provide recommendations for genetic knock-outs Show less

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  Kensalt LTD

  Apr 2009 - Sept 2010

  Head of Quality

  Kensalt is the largest salt refinery in East Africa. Attained fast-track promotion from a Controller to the Head of Quality in 4 months by vastly improving quality through the initiation of tracking and reporting methods that efficiently monitored and minimised process deviations within the salt refinery.  Monitored quality performance in unit operations; analysed RM, in-process and final product to ensure conformance, and participated in governmental and external quality audits. Site size: 80 staff, 7 SKUs, 1 Manufacturing plant 500T/day, Scope: Kenya region – Industry: FMCG Food (Edible salt)Key achievements:● Joined as a controller and promoted to the head within 4 months.● Developed a basic reporting system that staff could use to monitor and control different parts of the system● Participated in a governmental standards committee as an advisory memberKey responsibilities:● Monitoring and reporting of quality performance in unit operations.● Monitoring and control of micronutrient dosage● Analysis of RM, in-process and final product to ensure conformance● Involvement in governmental and external quality audits● Maintenance of quality reports and documentation Show less

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  Interconsumer Products Limited

  Jan 2011 - Jul 2013

  Quality & Process Manager

  ICPL is the largest cosmetics manufacturer in the region. Planned, executed and coordinated large-scale projects aimed at improving overall quality of labour resources, processes and assets for the manufacturing plant that had 300 SKUs and generating 250K units per day.  Established and ensured the attainment of QA compliance targets while leading conformity efforts with all governmental and ISO standards.  Defined and developed plant process flows and quality procedures, and set up and maintained controls and documentation. Site size: 250 staff, 300 SKUs, 1 Manufacturing plant 250K units/day, Scope: Kenya region, Industry: FMCG CosmeticsKey achievements:● Established controls on sourcing and formalized manufacturing processes● Successfully led a 5S campaign across two laboratories and the plant● Improved effluent treatment processes to match governmental standardsKey responsibilities:● Setting QA compliance objectives and ensuring that targets are achieved.● Defining and developing plant process flows and quality procedures● Production scale up post R&D.● Ensuring compliance with governmental and ISO standards● Setting up and maintaining controls and documentation Show less

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  L'Oréal

  Aug 2013 - Mar 2015

  Quality Manager

  Following an acquisition of Interconsumer Products by L'Oreal, a $230 billion dollar cosmetics manufacturer: Led a cross-functional team of Scientists and Technicians in charge of quality assurance and control activities for 240 SKUs and a production volume of 250K units per day across two manufacturing plants in the East African region.  Performed long-term strategic planning, resource management, performance monitoring, validation/scale up of product launches and quarterly internal audits against ISO 22716. Actively participated in Plant Management Committee decisions while personally handling and resolving escalated customer-related issues. Site size: 200 staff, 240 SKUs, 2 Manufacturing plants 250K units/day, Scope: East Africa region, Industry: FMCG CosmeticsKey achievements:● Installed ISO 22716 controls & processes into the quality system● Trained staff on GMP, 5S and basic quality systems● Raised quality specific KPI’s from 64% to 97% within a year● Set up lab management processes that tracked safety, efficiency and service deliveryKey responsibilities:● Validation/ Scale-up of product launches.● Handling of consumer related issues● Performance monitoring, troubleshooting, improvement and expertise● Quarterly internal audits against ISO 22716● Management of all Assurance and Control activities Show less

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  Rolan

  Jun 2015 - Oct 2017

  Data Integration Manager

   Brought on board to drive the gradual automation and streamlining of sales, shipping, accounting and stock keeping procedures in support of the organisation’s extensive growth.  Architects and executes best-in-class, enterprise-wide processes that produce operational improvements, organisational change, increased customer satisfaction, shorter cycle time and enhanced profitability.  Plays pivotal role in technology enhancements and process re engineering efforts through the development of business cases. Analyses business operations to pinpoint strengths and weaknesses, and supports the identification of opportunities for process improvement, management control or automation.  Collaborates with external suppliers and stakeholders to track progress of automation projects, ensure alignment to requirements and manage any deviations to secure resolution.  Acts as a subject matter expert and supports train-the-trainer and other learning activities to prepare the business for the system solution. Show less

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  Lend Capital Pty Ltd

  Feb 2020 - Mar 2021

  Software Engineer

  Lend Capital is Australia's most sophisticated broker platform, that helps small businesses tap into the country's billion dollar alternative loans market.Worked as part of the team that connects financial brokers to clients seeking their services, through Lend's proprietary tech. Technologies used included: PHP (Cake, Slim, Laravel), NodeJS, MySQL, React/ Vue, SASS, etc. running on Serverless microservices on Amazon.Microservices included mobile responsive front ends and self scaling back ends that coordinated loan application, evaluation, matching and delivery services. Show less

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  Kin Ecosystem

  Mar 2021 - Mar 2022

  Chief Technology Officer

  Kik Inc received a $50 million investment from Chinese Internet giant Tencent, giving the company a billion dollar valuation. Kik launched Kin in September 2017 with an initial coin offering (ICO) raising $98 million and forming the Kin Foundation - a body to govern the use and disbursement of these funds.Responsible for: STRATEGY: Working closely with the founders and stakeholders to create a technology strategy and roadmap that supports the short and long-term ambitions of the Kin Foundation. PROCESSES: Actively designing, improving and leading the day to day business processes that deliver high performing services to the foundation's stakeholders and external customers. EXECUTION: Taking ownership of the digital product set including value proposition, architecture, services and execution, with measurable targets and KPIs. Show less

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  Australian DeFi Association

  Jan 2022 - Jan 2025

  Contributor
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  Sacred Protocol

  Mar 2022 - Jan 2025

  Sacred Protocol is a cutting-edge, web3 platform that fosters horizontal, inclusive, and effective communities.The protocol allows developers to build dApps that can communicate anonymously while also signalling user reputations, which creates an atmosphere of candidness, but also accountability.Logos, our flagship product built on the protocol, provides an anonymous forum where users can express their thoughts and ideas freely, without fear of judgment or social pressure.The platform is powered by Zero-Knowledge (ZK) proofs, which ensure the privacy and security of its users1. Sacred Protocol is committed to giving agency back to the users and revolutionizing how Decentralized Autonomous Organizations (DAOs) communicate.Key responsibilities:Itterating to Product/ Market Fit, to ensure the technology meets the end users' needsResearching forward looking technologies that can be implemented into the protocol (web3, AI)Streamlining tech-ops to ensure the build process maintains efficiency while upholding quality Show less ## Genesis Team Core Mission- Develop and Hone the Technical requirements for a successful IDO- Assist in implementation: sourcing code, advising the Technical team on development operations.## Lead the DeFi & Strategy Branch:Through a blend of technical, Research and operational (project management & delegation) expertise, bring *finesse* behind the project. - Growing Token Value via Utility- Management of the internal token and cryptoeconomic mechanics of the protocol (Bonding, Incognito Mining, and etc.) - Product Roadmap integrations with the DeFi Ecosystem- The sustainability and longevity of the project via Token Economics and Industry Partnerships## Early Contributor Program Mission- Man Community and DEFI workstreams. Assign workstream leads from the genesis team where appropriate.- Assist in finding future workstream leaders for workstreams that are related to the DeFi & Strategy Branch- Work with other workstream leaders to better optimise and manage the program.- Assist the community in the process of transitioning into a DAO and also build hype behind the Project and the DAO Show less

  • Head of Research And Tech Ops

    Feb 2023 - Jan 2025

  • Head of Defi and Strategy

    Mar 2022 - Feb 2023
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  Mithril Labs

  Dec 2024 - now

  Chief Technology Officer (Founder)

  AO is a decentralized compute system where countless parallel processes interact within a single, cohesive environment. Each process operates independently, yet they are seamlessly connected through a native message-passing layer, similar to how websites form the World Wide Web.Mithril Labs is a four person team dedicated to building innovative DeFi products on AO's Blockchain.Key responsibilities:Product Design, User InterviewsProduct Build (NextJS, Typescript, Lua)Itterating to Product/ Market Fit, to ensure the technology meets the end users' needsAchievements:Launched two protocols on AO Blockchain:NAB - A first of kind DeFi protocol that reduces token volatility while allowing for appreciation. (Floor Adaptive Stable Token)https://number-always-bigger.ar.io/MINT - A single sided liquidity protocol that provides the other side of token liquidity pair to AMM's on AO's blockchain, allowing users to provide only one side.https://mithril-mint-token.ar.io/ Show less