Michel Kenmogne

Michel became SIL’s executive director in 2016, the first non-Western appointed to this position. Born and raised in Cameroon, he grew up speaking the Ghomala’ language but was required to learn French when starting school. He has deep compassion for children facing similar difficulties and longs to see everyone able to use the languages they value most to flourish. Previously, Michel served as director of Wycliffe Global Alliance for Francophone Africa, director of Cameroon Association for Bible Translation and Literacy, and as a visiting lecturer at three universities in Cameroon. He holds a BA in French studies, an MA in African linguistics, and a PhD in African Linguistics.

Michel is passionate about the core purpose of SIL which is to see the flourishing of people who speak or sign minority languages. He is excited when he sees such people thriving in their own socio-cultural contexts because they can use their native language to meet their key needs: spiritual, educational, medical, social, etc. Michel brings inspiration through clarifying the missiological need of this endeavor. More specifically, as an academic person who is also a minority language speaker, Michel brings a unique insider understanding of the realities and passion to press on, despite the challenges.