Happy International Women’s Day, everyone!
We’re excited to introduce you to some of our HR heroines!
On this special day when everyone celebrates women, Pade has decided to explore the HR industry and shine a spotlight on some of the remarkable women who are making a difference in their communities and companies. These women are not only leaders in their organizations, but they are also dedicated mentors who inspire and support those around them.
By recognizing these outstanding women, we hope to not only celebrate their achievements but also inspire others to follow in their footsteps. We believe that by highlighting exceptional women in HR, we can also inspire others to take up leadership roles and become advocates for change.
These ladies are the unsung champions of our industry, working tirelessly behind the scenes to keep companies running like well-oiled machines. They’re the ones who make sure we have the right people in the right positions, who keep us compliant with all the latest labor laws, and who listen patiently to our gripes and complaints (because let’s be honest, we all have them).
So grab a cup of coffee, sit back, and get ready to be inspired by the brilliant women who keep the work world running smoothly.
Ike Adebowale
Meet Ike Adebowale, an unstoppable force in HR! With over 20 years of work experience, 15 of which are in HR across various industries, Ike is all about making sure that people are happy and fulfilled in their jobs!
Having obtained an MBA from Manchester Business School and a GPHR qualification, her expertise has been sought by renowned Nigerian companies such as Airtel, GlaxoSmithKline, Konga, and Softcom. With her unique blend of skills and personality, Ike is a true asset to any organization, and her dedication to mentoring and coaching others is a testament to her commitment to excellence.
Ike has made it her mission to help organizations maximize the strengths of each person and develop them to benefit both the individual and the organization. She believes that “every round peg should fit in a round hole and every square peg should fit in a square hole”, so that everyone can contribute to the team’s success.
If you’re looking for an HR expert who’s not just about the numbers but the people behind them, Ike’s your go-to person.
Lara ‘Yeku
Say hello to Lara Yeku — a relator, strategic thinker, and the all-around ultimate HR guru! With expertise in HR Transformation, Talent & Career Management, HR Strategy, HR Metrics & Data Analytics, Organizational Development, Training, Total Rewards, Performance Management, Talent Acquisition & Retention, Talent Architecture, Workforce planning, HR Coaching, Succession Planning, NLP Coaching she has grown for over 16 years, she’s a total rockstar.
Lara’s a natural people-person who loves coaching and helping others reach their full potential. She’s currently killing it as the Divisional Director and Head of HR for the Food Division at Flour Mills of Nigeria (FMN Plc).
One of the secrets to Lara’s success is her incredible relationship-building skills. She motivates her team by building relationships and listening to their needs. She also enjoys storytelling as you’ll see a lot on her social media accounts, and is the author of ‘My HR Story Book’. Lara’s success is all about helping others succeed, and that’s why we love her!
Kelechi Vera Olawoyin
Get ready to meet the superstar of the HR and Communications world — Kelechi Vera Olawoyin! With over 18 years of experience across different industries, she’s a certified coach and behavioral analyst who knows how to get things done. Kelechi has worked with big names like Unilever, MTN, Novartis Africa, World Bank, and UNICEF.
She is a business leader who’s all about results and innovation, and who love turning a business vision into people initiatives that boost performance, profitability, and employee engagement. Her specialty is corporate communications, and she works hand-in-hand with top executives to bring value to internal and external stakeholders. Kelechi is a natural-born. leader who thrives on challenges and enjoys building talent, developing people, and creating new strategies.
Kelechi is a Not-For-Profit enthusiast and active volunteer who believes in making a positive difference in the world. When she’s not busy being a business superstar, she loves mentoring young people or teaching classes in a secondary school.
But that’s not all — she’s also a creative with a passion for singing and writing poetry! We’re celebrating Kelechi and all her awesomeness today!
Favour Eze
Have you met Favour Eze? She’s the queen of People and Culture at ThriveAgric Ltd., and she’s been slaying the game for over 8+ years!
This certified and seasoned professional knows about Strategic Human Resource Management, Project Management, and Programs Implementation. Favour is the Group Head, People, and Culture for ThriveAgric Ltd. and Crust Africa, which means she’s responsible for ensuring the company has an incredible culture and talented team. She’s a master of policy development, talent management, and creating workplaces that people actually want to work in!
In a nutshell, Favour Eze is a strategic business leader, a people person, and an all-around ace. She volunteers as a board advisor on projects and programs with The Shift Africa Youths Initiative (SAYI), a registered NGO focused on empowering youths to become better citizens for themselves and the society. We definitely think she is awesome!
Pauline Kiraithe
Heard of Pauline Kiraithe? She is the Chief Talent Guru at Talentgurus@254. With over 25 years of experience in HR and coaching, Pauline is a versatile and adaptable senior HR management pro. She’s won many awards, including multi-global HR and coaching awards.
As one of the top HRs in Kenya, Pauline has helped people and organizations tap into their hidden talents and become the best versions of themselves. She’s developed successful talent development programs, coached over 1500 individuals, and impacted over 120,000 lives. She’s also a personal branding coach, a professional CV, and LinkedIn profile writer, and even a futurist. Pauline’s creativity, design skills, emotional intelligence, and leadership development expertise make her a sought-after speaker, trainer, and coach. She’s developed excellent programs like the Ignite Youth Leadership Program and the Ascend Corporate Self Leadership Program.
And did we mention that she’s helped over 200 award-winning journalists across East Africa through the Media Lab and Scribes Inc programs? Wowza!
Heba Ezzat
Allow us to introduce Heba Ezzat, the queen of strategy development on a mission to help companies thrive.
With years of experience in human resources, Heba is a pro at creating workforce plans, defining compensation structures, and recruiting top-notch executives. As a lead HR in Egypt, she’s also fantastic at identifying talent, leading training sessions, and implementing programs that help businesses achieve their goals.
Whether it’s developing HR strategies, introducing new recruitment approaches, or managing cross-functional teams, Heba has got it covered. She’s an expert in organizational development, business administration, human capital development, labor laws, and strategy formulation. And when it comes to HR policies and procedures, Carmen knows her stuff — from recruitment to promotions to dress codes.
But what sets Heba apart isn’t just her impressive skills — she’s also a fantastic communicator, natural leader, and a whiz with Microsoft Office Suite. Plus, she’s a native Arabic speaker and fluent in English. We are impressed by this talented dynamo.
And so much more!
As we reflect on the achievements of women around the world, we’re reminded of the power of diversity, equity, and inclusion. When we support and uplift women in all areas of life, we create a stronger, more vibrant, and more just society for everyone.
So today, let’s all take a moment to celebrate the incredible women in our lives, whether they’re our mothers, sisters, friends, colleagues, or mentors. Let’s continue to work towards a future where every woman has the opportunity to achieve her dreams.
We hope you feel inspired to make a difference in the world and to be an HR hero in your own right.
Join us & a team of experts in our upcoming webinar where we discuss the topic Low Attrition rate in the Workplace: Inclusive Strategies to Retaining Your Female Employees, to learn how to create an inclusive culture where women feel valued and empowered in your workplace.
Register now to secure your spot.
