Trade Tuesday: Moving Forward Together
If everyone is moving forward together, then success takes care of itself.
Henry Ford
Time flies when you are having fun.
It has been an amazing privilege to lead OWIT Nairobi for the last 2 years. We have accomplished much, reached some pivotal milestones – hosting the 18th Annual OWIT International Conference, the 1st ever on African soil; finalising our 2023 Strategic Plan, holding a business meeting on the 1st Tuesday of every month with inspirational speakers who equipped our members will the skills to build thriving businesses, developing an export accelerator that we hope to launch in 2020 and building strong strategic partnerships that have enabled us to bring back our quarterly ½ day partner-led training workshops for women in business, just to name a few.
As I look back, I feel honoured to have been part of an amazing movement – a movement to empower women to transform communities through global trade. I may not have always gotten it right, but I have given it my all.
Of all that we have achieved as a team, I am most proud of how we are moving forward together. OWIT is governed by a strong board & we have built in succession strategies that ensure that the organisation is not impacted when there is a handover in leadership.
Many business member organisations struggle to get a handle on succession – leaving members worse off & the organisation itself in turmoil. I am confident that OWIT’s future is bright & she is safe in the very capable hands of the new Chair Ms Caroline Gathii of First Idea Consulting.
It’s not just Caroline’s amazing resume that makes her the right person to lead OWIT onward & upward, she is passionate about empowering women in business to build successful & sustainable businesses. I know that she, together with her amazing board comprised of Board Secretary Sabina Njonjo, Proprietor of Heel To Toe Ltd; Treasurer Rosslyn Mutahi, Lead Consultant of Top Tier Limited; VP Outreach & Advocacy – Natasha Mugwe, CEO of LaVida Events; VP Programs – Winnie Taylor, CEO of Body Evolution By Winnie; VP Membership – Nancy Aketch, CEO & Founder of Tarajii Insurance Agency; VP Resource Mobilisation – Pauline Okubasu, CEO and Founder of Samara Jewel Ltd and Azavi Foods Ltd together with our newly installed Executive Director, Ivy Kihara are more than up to the task.
As I take up my new role of Former President & Board Advisor, I would like to take this opportunity to wish the new leadership team great success. I have said it time & time again, my love for OWIT will transcend my leadership role. As I hand over the baton, it is very clear in my mind that we are moving forward together. My signature may have changed – but my support never will!
With love,
Mucha Mlingo
Former President OWIT Nairobi
Founder, PTS Africa
At OWIT Nairobi, we have a vision to empower women to transform communities through global trade. We are committed to creating opportunities for women to connect to global markets. As a Business Support Organisation, we work closely with our members to ensure access to the necessary tools to build businesses that can go global. For more information about OWIT Nairobi – visit our website, www.owitnairobi.org
