Trustee, A Rocha International

I am a seasoned Leader who has climbed the ladder of Leadership from the grassroots onwards, or better said, ‘bottom-up’. Looking back, I am deeply grateful for every step in the journey, whether during sunshine, storms, or smooth ridings. With a medical background, obtaining international grades and qualifications in various countries gave me a cross-culture experience in my journey of Management and Leadership. I have enjoyed great Leaders myself and endured under the less suitable ones but came out with gained wisdom.

Following eight years of living and working in the Turkana Desert (Kenya), where I also had to learn a new language, I was forced to listen intensely for a long time, observing different ways of living and discovering new ways of communicating. I am forever grateful for what the Turkana communities taught me about Leadership. There was mutual respect, treasuring relationships, and lively interactions about everyday life experiences.

Following these years at the grassroots level, I saw the need to be able to join the decision and policy table’ at the Management and Leadership level to become a ‘voice for the voiceless. My biggest motivation was the impact of poor leadership. During my studies at the Tropical School of Medicine in Liverpool, UK, I was convinced again that understanding leadership starts from the grassroots. I graduated with a Master’s in public health and management, opening new doors.

Challenging years followed when I was responsible for medical work in South Sudan during the war—working with a cross-culture, international health team to conduct training for traditional birth attendants and medical workers. My main concern was keeping my team going in such VUCA environments. Bombardments, shootings, and fleeing were daily events.

Hence, my interest in Counselling and Coaching Training started. Little was I familiar at that time with Emotional intelligence, but it kicked in all the time.

I have enjoyed an Executive Leadership role in an International NGO for fourteen years and have become aware of the Transformational Power of Coaching and Emotional Intelligence for myself and others in the workplace.

In 2021, I left full-time employment and started my own coaching consultancy, coaching clients on leadership, life balance, and career change. I live and work in Nairobi, and most sessions are virtual. I am also an accredited Enneagram Practitioner. Finally, I serve as a Faculty member for CDI – Africa.