Afua Bruce’s Post

On this #WomensEntrepreneurshipDay CIPE is recognizing our partners and efforts worldwide to help thousands of innovative and determined women start and grow their businesses Three CIPE leaders explain how we do it: Barbara Langley, IOM heads our Center for Women’s Economic Empowerment, which leverages our organization’s four decades of experience promoting women’s leadership and improving their economic conditions through private sector engagement, advocacy, and partnerships. CIPE AFRICA Director Lars Benson shares details about key programs in Africa, which can serve as models for others focused on inclusive economic growth. Martin Friedl, Director of CIPE programs in Latin America and the Caribbean highlights impactful programs that include a very active Women’s Business Resource Center in Guatemala. #EntrepreneurshipIsForEveryone #GlobalEntrepreneurshipWeek #GEW2024 CIPE América Latina y el Caribe

Ethics 1st is a game changer for businesses in Africa Chipo Mabota is a shining example of how ethical leadership can help build and grow a brand.

Growing up in an environment where women have leadership roles in work and society helps to see diversity and equity as standards. With this base, Marcia Ashong-Sam, MCIArb has built a solid reputation as Africa’s most impactful advocates for women in leadership roles. “I’m Fante, which is a matrilineal tribe,” Marcia says. Matrilineality, she explains, means tracing one’s kingship through the female line and not the male. “I grew up surrounded by incredibly powerful women.” One of those women was her grandmother, whom she describes as a huge presence: “Unlike many women of her time, she was a businesswoman and travelled the world trading. I had a first-hand view of this, and of my grandfather being in a supportive role.” It’s an interesting backdrop for the founder of TheBoardroom Africa (TBrA), a business launched in 2016, dedicated to promoting diverse leadership talent to board and executive positions across Africa and the globe, and which is now, in its own words, “a continent-wide movement for change”. Today, TBrA’s membership comes from both the African continent and its diaspora. The organisation is focused on “building better boardrooms and more inclusive leadership spaces, enhancing and amplifying the potential of Africa's exceptional leaders”. TBrA does this in two ways: connecting businesses with talent and working with leaders, especially women, and equipping them with the resources they need as they navigate their leadership journeys. The idea for TBrA was fuelled by Marcia’s own experience. “I saw how systems were guiding women away from being part of the decision making. I saw how difficult it was to keep going at the rate I was without being pushed down by the patriarchal setting. There was a constant need to always have allies, to work harder than everybody else.” Eight years on and TBrA has more than 3,000 members and has helped to place more than 100 women on boards. Thank you for all your work so far, Marcia. We appreciate you! #Boards #Governance #Pioneer #Africa https://lnkd.in/eW2dnmxY

So looking forward to tonight’s Futurelect webinar - Her Story: Women Leading Change.

Did you know? There are over 1.2 million employer businesses in Canada. Of these 97.8% are small businesses! We employ over 5.7 million individuals in Canada, that's about 46% of the total private labour force 😮 The number of women-owned businesses is growing slowly, but still just shy of 19%. We need to break down the barriers women face in accessing the financing, and create more opportunities for mentorship and networks so they can start and grow a business. 💫  I'm proud to be a Coralus Activator, a community of change makers working on initiatives, projects and businesses making transformational impact. 💜 #smallbusinessweek #womenentrepreneurship #leadership

The Obama Foundation has launched a search for the next cohort members to participate in their 2025-2026 Leaders programs, which includes changemakers across the United States and territories! Launched in 2018, the Obama Foundation Leaders program aims to inspire, empower, and connect regional cohorts of changemakers to accelerate positive and lasting change in their communities, countries, regions, and around the world. The Obama Leaders program currently operates in Africa, Asia-Pacific, Europe, and the United States. To date, the program has built a network of over 1,200 Leaders, who hail from more than 100 nations and territories, working across various sectors and issue areas. The emerging changemakers in this program are brought together by a commitment to values-based leadership rooted in the legacy of President and Mrs. Obama. If you are a leader between the ages of 24-45 who is living and working in eligible nations and territories in Africa, Europe, Asia-Pacific, and the U.S. then you can apply! Application ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eGcUKmqT (Due by Dec. 18th) #Rural leaders, this opportunity is for you too! Join us for an upcoming information session on Dec. 10th from 2-3pm ET to learn more about the program as well as my (and others') experience. Register here ➡️ https://lnkd.in/eRFuTCQ6 “Change will not come if we wait for some other person or some other time. We are the ones we've been waiting for. We are the change that we seek.” DM for questions!

People's Choice Award - Vote for Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes! We’re thrilled to announce that our Founder, Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes has been nominated for the People's Choice Award at the 12th Annual Private Equity Africa Awards! This award honors remarkable individuals driving our industry forward, and we couldn’t be prouder to see Adesuwa recognized for her outstanding contributions. We celebrate her tenacity in making a business case for women in an underrepresented segment through Aruwa Capital Management, investing with a gender lens to create lasting impact. Her leadership has set new standards and inspired many in the industry. Here's how to vote: 1. Click the link below and fill in the quick registration form to be eligible to vote. This also ensures you receive updates when winners are announced. 2. Move to the voting window and fill in the required details: - Name: Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes - Job Title: Founder & CEO - Company: Aruwa Capital Management - Award Category: Investor The entire process takes just 5 minutes! The PEA People’s Choice Awards give you the power to choose industry leaders making a difference. Let’s support Adesuwa Okunbo Rhodes, whose visionary leadership continues to shape the future of private equity. Click here to vote: https://lnkd.in/decg-QHa Voting Deadline: 30 September 2024 Thank you for being part of this journey with us! #aruwacapital #peopleschoiceaward #privateequity #femalefounders #genderlensinvesting #leadership #voting #femalefounder

Leadership for Change: Lessons from Great Women Leaders in Africa Hello Leaders and Changemakers, 😃, The #GenZ protest in Kenya has highlighted a significant voice in the movement: the current Law Society of Kenya (LSK) President, Madam Faith Odhiambo. She has been instrumental in the fight, assisting in the release of some unlawfully detained protesters. During her tenure, many of us have come to appreciate the invaluable work of the LSK for the common citizen. When we think about leadership, it's crucial to recognize the incredible contributions of women leaders in Africa. Their resilience, vision, and dedication provide powerful lessons for anyone looking to lead change effectively. Here are some key takeaways from these inspiring figures: 1. Embrace Resilience Women like Ellen Johnson Sirleaf, the first female president of Liberia, show us the power of resilience. Leading a nation through post-war recovery, she demonstrated that overcoming adversity is essential for transformative leadership. 2. Prioritize Education Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Nigeria's former Finance Minister and the first woman to lead the World Trade Organization, emphasizes the importance of education. Her journey underscores how knowledge and continuous learning can drive impactful change. 3. Foster Community and Collaboration Graça Machel, a renowned humanitarian and former first lady of both Mozambique and South Africa, teaches us the value of building strong communities. Her advocacy work highlights the importance of collaboration and collective effort in achieving sustainable progress. 4. Lead with Empathy Our very own, Wangari Maathai, the first African woman to win the Nobel Peace Prize, led with profound empathy for both people and the environment. Her Green Belt Movement, which focused on environmental conservation and women's rights, reminds us that empathetic leadership can create lasting impact. 5. Innovate and Adapt Ashish J. Thakkar, although not a woman, has been influenced by African women leaders in his entrepreneurial journey. His ability to innovate and adapt, inspired by the dynamic leadership around him, shows that learning from diverse leaders can enrich our own leadership styles. These women leaders inspire us to lead with resilience, prioritize education, foster community, lead with empathy, and continuously innovate. Let's celebrate their achievements and reflect on how we can incorporate these lessons into our own leadership journeys. What lessons have you learned from great women leaders? Share your thoughts in the comments! ⬇️ #Leadership #WomenInLeadership #ChangeMakers #AfricanLeaders #Inspiration #LeadershipLessons

"For many professionals and especially those coming from underrepresented communities, navigating and understanding the path to the boardroom is a little bit of a challenge. So at EWOB, what we’re trying to do is to make sure that every seasoned female leader from all countries, from all industries will have access to board opportunities." - Rose Cartolari, about EWOB Board Readiness Program If you are a senior woman leader looking for tactical preparation to get on a board, EWOB Board Readiness Program might be just the right fit! Learn more and apply before 7 July, 2024 👉 https://lnkd.in/gip8bBrE

As I reflect on this ongoing issue, it's clear that Gen Z in Africa is not just a voice in the crowd—they're the leaders of tomorrow, demanding change today. Their calls for accountability and transparency are a wake-up call to governments across the continent. The time to act is now, or risk losing the trust of a generation determined to shape their own future. #AfricanYouth#LeadershipReform African Business Magazine