#7
HELEN GATUMUTA
GROUP HR BUSINESS PARTNER – VIVO ENERGY
My career journey has been an adventure shaped by curiosity, purpose, and the people I’ve met along the way. I started with a BSc in Biochemistry, launching my career as a Laboratory Analyst in a local pharmaceutical manufacturing company.
Armed with a Science Degree and an eager spirit, I set out with the ambition to explore and conquer the world through the lens of science.
Straight from University, I joined a local pharmaceutical manufacturing company as a Laboratory Analyst which was both humbling and eye-opening. It was there, amidst the hum of machines and laboratory routines, that I first began to see the profound impact of human effort in creating successful organizations.
This realization ignited within me a burning desire to delve deeper—not only into the technical aspects of lab work, which I continued to master—but also into understanding the human side of organizations. Eager to learn more, I transitioned into a tele-medical sales role and simultaneously pursued Post Graduate training in HR. The blend of science and people management fascinated me, and the experience solidified my decision to move fully into HR.
My immersion into HR happened at BAT, where I joined as an HR Shared Service Centre Assistant for East Africa. BAT was just rolling out its shared services concept—new and exciting at the time—which allowed HR to become more strategic as operations and administration were centralized. I loved the regional exposure and the chance to master HR fundamentals in a dynamic international environment.
Ready for the next challenge, I moved to Toyota as an Assistant HR Manager. For four years, I focused on talent management and employee engagement, sharpening my leadership skills and understanding the critical drivers of organizational culture and embedding innovation.
The pharmaceutical industry drew me back when I joined Sanofi, a For-tune 500 company, initially as Regional HR Manager for East Africa. Over time, I took on expanded roles as Head of HR for Sub-Saharan Africa and managed both internal and external communications. These years broadened my perspective, enhanced my influence, and developed my strategic thinking. My career journey has taken me deeper into the world of HR specialization, where I found my true passion in Talent management. Notable highlights include working as the Head of Talent for Africa, proudly showcasing the incredible people across the continent and making sure they got the exposure and global development platform they so deserved.
This passion then whisked me away to a global adventure as Head of People Development for a Sanofi Global based in France. There, I dove headfirst into diverse cultures, worked with teams from all corners of the globe, and soaked up new lessons every single day.
This journey has given me a rich understanding of what organizations and people really need to flourish and has fueled my commitment to partnering in creating people-focused, scalable solutions that make a real impact.
Recently returning to Africa, I joined Vivo Energy where am now Group HR business partner based in Kenya, supporting, guiding and coaching senior leaders in Operations, Legal & Compliance by leveraging my experience as both a generalist and a specialist.
My science background continues to serve as a strong foundation, enriching my understanding of organizational health and effectiveness. By leveraging tools and systems, I extract valuable insights that transform HR into a strategic and impactful business partner.
Learning has been my compass. I am a certified leadership coach by ICF, Certified Yoga Teacher, High-Performance Coach, and debriefer for both Hogan Assessments and DISC. Most recently I went back to Strathmore University for an MBA. All these complement my professional journey, deepening my understanding of people and the evolving workplace.
Wellness is close to my heart—whether that’s early mornings at the gym, weekend runs with my dogs, Yoga over the weekends, tending to my garden, rescuing abandoned cats, or working with sound healing to find balance. I love mentoring and coaching, sharing what I’ve learned, and helping others on their own journeys. A constant source of inspiration for me is Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, which reminds me daily to live by the mantra: “leave the world a better place than you found it.”
My journey has been one of integration—of science and people, of technical skills and strategic vision, always with a focus on growth, contribution, and making an impact.
