Bio

Mokena is a child of New York, the beaches of Cape Town, and the mountains of Lesotho, and believes in the civic duties and virtues of freedom, "Out of many, one," and that the arc of history bends toward justice through everyday actions of meaning.A committed humanist, Mokena is a multiple international award-winning architect and recognized as a world leader in cities of the Global South,forests,and the bio economy.This journey has led to a profound understanding of drivers of innovation, impact, education and civic consciousness.

As the founder of numerous profit and non-profit entities,he is an entrepreneur and an academic. He leverages over 20 years of expertise in complex sustainable infrastructure planning and public engagement to drive impactful civic projects. With a proven track record in design, leading grant writing and team development,and strategic planning,he has fostered collaboration and innovation in urbanism and climate smart design, influencing and advising on policy and implementation. A former Ted-X speaker, interviewed by CNN (twice) and spokesperson for numerous initiatives, he brings an award-winning duty of care and clarity to his core passion, design and people.