Last week marked a significant milestone in the pursuit of Diversity and Inclusion in Africa, as the Mauritius Institute of Directors (MIoD), in a groundbreaking collaboration with Dale Carnegie Mauritius and Dale Carnegie Kenya, officially launched the Woman Leadership Academy (WLA) in Kenya.
This landmark launch event, held at the Kempinsky Hotel in Nairobi on Tuesday 2 April 2024, marks a pivotal moment in the journey towards empowering women leaders with the tools and confidence to navigate and thrive in leadership roles, including boardroom positions.
The WLA, an initiative of the Women Directors Forum (WDF), an Advocacy Forum of the MIoD, in collaboration with Dale Carnegie Mauritius, has been instrumental in empowering women leaders through its comprehensive professional development journey which comprise of training, coaching and mentoring of a period of up to 1 year. Since its inception in August 2021, the WLA has supported more than 200 women leaders, equipping them with the skills and knowledge necessary to excel in leadership roles.
The launch of the WLA in Kenya marks not only the expansion of the programme’s reach to Africa, but also reinforces the MIoD’s dedication to promoting the best corporate governance practices in the continent. At the heart of the MIoD’s ongoing engagement in supporting the business community, its Board Recruitment services ensure that boards are not only diverse but are also composed of members with the requisite skills for effective decision-making. Moreover, the MIoD’s Path to Boardroom roadmap, which includes the WLA, coaching and mentoring and high-calibre board development programmes, underscores a multi-faceted approach, designed to elevate the role of women in leadership by fostering empowerment, growth, and the courage to step up as leaders.
This commitment to nurturing women’s leadership potential is illustrated by the WLA’s endeavours, which provides a structured pathway for women leaders to ascend to leadership roles including boardroom positions. The high interest generated from both participants and stakeholders alike at the launch event of the WLA in Kenya highlight the critical demand for tailored leadership development for women.
Sheila Ujoodha, CEO of the MIoD, shared that
“In the evolving landscape of leadership, the WLA’s expansion into Kenya is a pivotal moment that underscores our commitment to advancing diversity and inclusion across Africa. This programme is more than an educational initiative; it is a movement with the aim to empower and inspire the next generation of women leaders to transform their communities and industries. The resilience and empowerment demonstrated by our graduates from this first cohort signify the beginning of a transformative era in leadership across Africa, laying the groundwork for a more inclusive future. Our success highlights the power of unity, perseverance, and belief in the potential of every woman to lead. At the MIoD, we’re committed to setting high standards in corporate governance and continuing to shape leadership that embraces diversity and inclusion as a driver of positive change and a cornerstone of effective corporate leadership.”
Vimi Appadoo, Managing Director of Dale Carnegie stated,
« We are thrilled to extend the reach of the Woman Leadership Academy to Kenya. The overwhelming response to the launch event reaffirms the pressing demand for tailored leadership development programs for women. Through this academy, we aim to foster a new generation of empowered and impactful female leaders who will contribute significantly to organisational success and societal progress. »
Mercy Kimani, Managing Director of Dale Carnegie Kenya, also added that
“The launch was the birth of a movement for many women. It was a realisation of the gap in corporate governance for entrepreneurs and corporate women leaders. It was eye-opening! I am grateful to see the Women Leadership Academy take off in Kenya. We envision a movement that will not only empower women in Kenya, but all over Africa.”
The inaugural batch of the WLA in Kenya had the opportunity to attend highly interactive sessions, empowering each one of them to dive deep into their distinctive leadership styles while fostering connections, sparking innovation, and honing impactful communication. Participants also had the opportunity to explore strategies to overcome barriers faced by women in advancing their careers as well as indulge in insightful modules promoting self-discovery, skill amplification, and strategic foresight; equipping them with the essential tools for steering and influencing their professional pathways towards leadership effectively.
Moving forward, the MIoD and Dale Carnegie Mauritius, with the support of Dale Carnegie Kenya, remain committed to expanding the reach of the WLA across Kenya and beyond. With interests already budding from other African countries, the WLA is set on a mission to empower women across the continent to unleash their full leadership potential.
