Leadership at Sauti Labs

Sauti Labs is dedicated to advancing speech and language technology through research, innovation, and engineering. The leadership team brings together diverse expertise and a shared commitment to developing technology that reflects the linguistic diversity of African communities. Together, they guide the company's research direction, technical development, and long-term vision.

Learn about Sauti Join the team

Founders

Founder, CEO & Chief Research Officer

Bernard Abuto

Bernard Abuto Otieno is the founder and Chief Executive Officer of Sauti Labs, where he directs the company’s research agenda, strategic vision, and long-term development. His work centres on machine learning research and AI systems engineering, with a focus on the development, optimisation, and deployment of speech and language technologies. He is particularly interested in the research, models, datasets, and systems required to advance language technology across Africa’s linguistic landscape.

Chief Operating Officer and Software Engineer

Daisy Oduor

Daisy Oduor leads operations at Sauti Labs, translating the company’s strategic priorities into coordinated execution. Her technical background spans full-stack software development, cloud infrastructure, and scalable digital applications, giving her an engineering perspective on the operational demands of building an AI company. As COO, she oversees operational coordination and helps establish the processes and organisational foundations that support the company’s research, engineering, and development efforts.

Executives

Chief Technology Officer

Brian Noel

Brian Noel leads technology and engineering at Sauti Labs, directing the architectural decisions and technical foundations that shape the company’s systems. His areas of focus include AI systems engineering, software architecture, backend infrastructure, and the development of reliable, scalable software. As CTO, he works to translate technical objectives into robust implementations, establish sound engineering practices, and ensure that the company’s models, services, and supporting infrastructure can function as cohesive systems.

Chief Machine Learning Officer

Godrick Narman Mwani

Godrick Narman Mwani leads machine learning at Sauti Labs, contributing to the direction and development of the company’s machine learning capabilities. His work spans machine learning, AI engineering, and software architecture, with an emphasis on translating technical concepts and research ideas into practical systems. He focuses on the development of machine learning technologies that address real-world challenges and strengthen the capabilities of speech and language applications.

Chief Legal Officer

Barry Yaola Shroldder

Barry Yaola Shroldder leads legal, responsible AI, and governance initiatives at Sauti Labs. His interests span technology law, intellectual property, AI governance, data protection, digital rights, and technology policy, particularly as these fields shape the development and deployment of emerging technologies across Africa. His experience includes intellectual property training through the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO) and participation in the Millennium Fellowship. At Sauti Labs, he focuses on the legal frameworks, governance practices, and accountability principles needed to support responsible technological development and protect individual rights.