Entrepreneurs’ Organization Announces New Chair-Elect

Kenyan entrepreneur and EO board director Jamie Pujara ascends to second highest position in global membership network’s leadership structure

Alexandria, Virginia, USA/Nairobi, Kenya (21 July 2023) – The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) announces the election and ratification of Kenyan business leader Jamie Pujara as its Global Chair-Elect for FY2023/2024, a position that will precede his term serving as Global Chair of EO’s Board of Directors next year (FY2024/2025). An EO Kenya member since 2015, Pujara has played an integral role in growing EO’s presence in the Middle East, Pakistan, and Africa (MEPA) and will be EO’s first Global Chair from the African continent in the non-profit organization’s 36-year history.

An expert in real estate development, property technology, restaurant management and corporate catering who has launched new businesses and led a successful family business, Pujara will work alongside EO’s current Global Chair, Lynn Anstett, and the full board of directors to drive EO’s strategic vision and growth as the premier organization for business owners to access peer connection, learning and growth. EO’s 18,000+ members own businesses with at least US$1 million in annual revenue, or significant investment in larger companies, and belong to any one of the organization’s 220 chapters in 76 countries worldwide.

“I am humbled and honored by this opportunity to continue giving back to EO and my fellow members as Chair-Elect and future Global Chair,” said Pujara. “When I joined EO eight years ago with the hopes of improving my business acumen, I never could have predicted the journey that membership would offer me. I have grown so much through our learning and travel opportunities and made lasting friendships all over the world. And while I certainly became a better businessman, membership in EO has also made me a better father, husband, leader, and member of my community by instilling in me the importance of sharing experiences rather than simply giving advice, learning to lead with influence, not power, and to be curious and approach everything with a beginner's mindset.”

EO’s purpose is to move the world forward by unlocking the full potential of entrepreneurs, something the 42-year-old Pujara has emulated during his progressive rise along EO’s Path of Leadership, a program that helps members learn how to lead other leaders while giving back to the organization. Pujara has served EO locally as a past chapter president (EO Kenya, FY2017/2018), regionally as the Middle East, Pakistan and Africa Regional Chair from 2019-2021, and globally as a Board Director since 2022. As regional chair, Pujara helped smaller EO chapters increase their membership to become strong, thriving communities and implemented a regional leadership academy for members in Kenya.

Born and raised in Nairobi to parents of Indian and Chinese descent, Pujara gained experience in an array of business sectors, including running his family’s landmark restaurant, Tin Tin, the oldest of its kind Chinese food establishment in Nairobi and a host to dignitaries and Heads of State. Pujara also made his mark in Kenya’s real estate sector, founding BuyRentKenya.com in 2012 and growing it into the country’s number-one property portal before selling the business in 2017. For his success, Pujara was spotlighted in Business Africa Daily’s Top 40 under 40 list of businessmen in 2015 and named twice to Forbes’ list of “30 Most Promising Entrepreneurs in Africa” (2016, 2017). In 2021 he broke ground on his first residential construction project, a 65-unit apartment building, Aspire Heights, catering to Nairobi’s growing middle class. That building is set to open this year.

Pujara believes the role of an entrepreneur is to change the world for the greater good, something he demonstrated during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite his own business, Tin Tin, losing 90 percent of its revenue, Pujara turned his focus to his fellow entrepreneurs across the African continent by helping them develop business plans and encouraging them to harness the power of EO to weather the economic crisis. For that exceptional example, Pujara was awarded EO’s prestigious Mark Lincoln Volunteer of the Year Award in 2021, an accolade given to one member each year. He has participated in EO’s Regional Leadership Academies and, in 2016, completed EO’s Executive Education Programme through the London Business School Growth Forum.

Global Chair Lynn Anstett expressed her high confidence in Pujara as well as her enthusiasm about partnering with him this coming year. The two plan to strengthen EO’s foundation while setting the organization up for future stability, sustainability and growth by unlocking innovation.

“Jamie’s diversity of experience and thirst for learning have allowed him to expertly navigate our complex global organization,” said Anstett. “He generously shares his time and business knowledge without hesitating to help our fellow EO members. It’s this spirit of giving that makes him so right for this role. I am confident that with Jamie helping me and the Board approve multi-year initiatives, we will gain the consent and continuity needed to deliver on our promises to members.”

Pujara added, “I look forward to working with Lynn, my fellow board directors, and member-leaders to help EO achieve its full potential as the leading organization for entrepreneurs everywhere.”

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About Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO): The Entrepreneurs’ Organization (EO) is a high-quality support network of 18,000+ business founders and owners in 76 countries. EO helps entrepreneurs achieve their full potential through the power of life-enhancing connections, shared experiences, and collaborative learning. EO has been helping entrepreneurs achieve transformational growth since 1987 and its member network is committed to learning and helping each other succeed. For more information or to get involved, follow us on Linkedin, Twitter, Instagram or Facebook and visit our website: www.eonetwork.org