Maren Hald BjørgumSpeaker
Maren Hald Bjørgum is a seasoned digital communicator and branding strategist, currently serving as Chief Communications Officer at Emata — an award-winning fintech using AI to provide affordable loans to smallholder farmers across East Africa. At Emata, she leads strategic communications, media relations, and digital storytelling to drive growth and amplify the company’s mission of transforming rural finance.
Beyond her work in fintech, Maren is the co-founder and organiser of the Tusker Lite Rwenzori Marathon — Uganda’s only internationally accredited marathon. Held in Kasese, at the foot of the Rwenzori mountains, the event has quickly become a highlight on the regional sports calendar, attracting thousands of participants from around the world while generating economic opportunities for local communities.
Originally from a small coastal town in Norway, Maren has lived and worked in Oslo, Honolulu, Seoul, and, for the past six years, Kampala. Her global journey has shaped a uniquely adaptive, cross-cultural communication style that blends Nordic clarity with East African dynamism.
With a background in journalism and digital strategy, Maren also consults for startups and SMEs — crafting compelling brand narratives, building pitch decks and websites, and helping teams set up smart, scalable digital tools. Her work sits at the intersection of impact, creativity, and growth.
