Prof XN Iraki has over 20 years' experience in academia, research, consultancy, and media. He is currently an associate professor at the University of Nairobi. His research and teaching interests include business economics, data science, innovation, technology, and sinology. He previously taught at Kentucky State University (USA), and Strathmore University Business School. He has been a columnist with The Standard since 2006. He was also a research fellow with the National Economic & Social Council (NESC), the government of Kenya think tank (2008-2011). Beyond academia, Iraki is a founder member of the Operations Management Society of Kenya and Heritage Kenya Trust (the public name of Happy Valley Heritage Trust) whose objective is to help preserve historical houses in Kenya. Iraki is also an ardent golfer and a space enthusiast. He holds an MBA (the University of Nairobi), MEd and B.Ed (both from Kenyatta University), PhD (Jackson State University, USA), and a certificate in Global Journalism from Munk School, the University of Toronto in Canada.