#25
ORGE GODANA
CFO – JAVA HOUSE AFRICA
“It is better to make a wrong decision and learn from it than to make no decision at all.” These words define the leadership philosophy of Orge Godana, Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Java House Africa, one of the most successful multi-restaurant chains in East Africa.
Joining the Java House franchise in 2021, Orge embraced a new and exciting opportunity to manage a business with multiple brands and an expanding footprint across the region. Despite the excitement, she recalls feeling a bit apprehensive, perhaps due to the fact that she was barely into her 30s.
As CFO, Orge’s roles and responsibilities are diverse. From handling tax issues to pricing new menus and negotiating with suppliers for mutual benefit, she thrives on the varied challenges her role presents. She also values the opportunity to interact with different disciplines and enjoys imparting knowledge and mentorship to upcoming professionals.
According to Orge, working in the hospitality sector highlights the fascinating nature of consumer behaviour and how the broader macroeconomic environment influences consumption patterns. This necessitates consistent consumer feedback on insights such as favourite meals to track spending habits, which in turn drives growth and innovation. As a self-proclaimed lover of numbers, Orge delights in the mathematical insights that accompany her role.
One of the most important values Orge has embraced is the ability and humility to listen. She considers this an essential ingredient for success, noting that even the most junior person can offer ideas yet to be discovered. Moreover, she emphasises that the art of listening strengthens decision-making, pointing out that indecisiveness only serves to stall the business.
Authenticity is another value Orge leans on for impactful leadership. She believes it earns the respect of team members, regardless of factors like age.
Orge began her career in finance as an Auditor at Deloitte, one of the Big 4 accounting firms. In this role, she engaged with various businesses, which helped her develop a holistic view of commercial enterprises.
Driven by a desire to transition from consulting to a business role, Orge joined the KFC franchise as Head of Internal Audit. After four years, she was promoted to CFO for the franchise in East Africa, a position that placed her in charge of finance, supply chain, and IT teams across the region. She then moved to her current role at Java House.
Orge grew up in Marsabit County as the eldest of four children in a family headed by two teachers. Her mother, the principal of the local school, nurtured her interest in a career in finance – a path Orge eagerly embraced, given her natural affinity for numbers.
She attended the prestigious Alliance Girls High School, and upon completion, she successfully applied for and received a scholarship from East African Breweries PLC (EABL). This enabled her to pursue a Bachelor of Commerce (BCom) degree at Strathmore University on a full scholarship.
A Christian by faith, Orge reflects that she would advise her younger self to be more easy-going, authentic, and confident in her abilities. Outside of her demanding job, she finds happiness in travelling and spending time with family and friends. As someone who is slightly introverted, she also values quieter, solo moments.
Orge draws most of her inspiration from Indra Nooyi, the first woman of colour and immigrant to run a Fortune 500 company – PepsiCo. She highly recommends Nooyi’s book, ‘My Life in Full: Work, Family and Our Future’, calling it a must-read for women professionals. The central message of the book is to continuously strive to become a better version of oneself. This is a mantra Orge applies in her life, both professionally and personally.
