Dr. Mwende has over 14 years' experience in public health, conducting research and implementing monitoring and evaluation activities in the US and in Kenya. Her experience includes working in the areas of childhood lead poisoning prevention, community development, urban slum TB control and prevention, development of M&E tools for the national voluntary medical male circumcision program and strengthening national HIV strategic information activities.

She has a Doctorate in Public Health and a Masters of Public Health in Tropical Medicine, both from the Tulane University School of Public Health and Tropical Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana. She is also a Certified Health Education Specialist (CHES).

Prior to joining PSI/Kenya, Mwende worked as the M&E Advisor at Danya International where she spearheaded the development of national HIV M&E guidelines in support of M&E capacity building efforts for health workers in Kenya. As the Director for Research and Metrics, she is responsible for providing strategic direction and guidance on research and M&E activities within the platform.