By Dr Hanningtone Gaya, CEO – The Knowledge Warehouse Kenya
Since the advent of the TOP 25 EXECUTIVE AWARDS SERIES in 2020, curated by the BUSINESS MONTHLY EA magazine, this issue marks a paradigm shift. In hardly three years, as the magazine has been tracking the performance of C-suite executives in East Africa, including the perception in the public space on emotional intelligence, financial performance, environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors and ethical practice in business, the pendulum seems to have swung, with more females ascending to the top at a more furious pace than ever before.
In this issue, 15 of the 25 are female CEOs, not because they are men or women, but because of their differentiated impeccable and unique performances, as well as the confidence they are building in the business landscape and the trust bestowed on them by these organisations. The 15 are undoubtedly some of the most talented female CEOs who are turning the organisational leadership game bottom up, as we near the magic year, 2030.
EABL’s Jane Karuku is, without a doubt, one of today’s most sought-after female CEOs in East Africa. Jeddidah Thotho of Bata Shoe Kenya PLC has been inquisitive about leadership from a young age, and remains so, to-date. No wonder, Jeddidah became Bata’s first female CEO in its over 125-year history.
The brilliant leadership of Racey Muchilwa was first displayed in high school, where she was a calm and focused student leader, innate attributes she continues to replicate in sub-Saharan Africa, making a mark as President of Novartis.
Unquestionably, IBM EA’s Caroline Mukiira is one of the most important thought leaders in fintech in East Africa today. Sumayya Hassan has helped firms grow while building efficient management teams, as she ventures into new areas including Shari’ah Insurance. Despite her tremendous achievements, she remains humble to a fault, thanks to the values instilled in her from her strong Islamic upbringing.
Gwen Kinisu has remained competitive in the banking and now insurance market, her university days at the prestigious USIU-Africa having taught her resilience, excellence, confidence and self-empowerment. Her current tenure as CEO at Prudential is already giving positive traction to the Prudential brand.
Even more impressive is the fact that these female corporate honchos have found strength from their religious faith and passion for family, utilising their respective life experiences to preserve the brands of the corporations they lead, through wholesomeness, as they equally contribute to the growth of the multi-billion shilling businesses.
A number of the women credit their leadership skills to their own mothers’ abilities to raise many children, sometimes on their own, leaving very minimal need for polishing by leading business schools through executive development programs. Truly, as the current idiom goes, the future is female. Brace yourselves for the exciting read.
