Ijeoma Thomas-Odia

Ijeoma Thomas-Odia is a distinguished media and communication professional with over a decade of experience in journalism. She holds a Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.) in Mass Communication from Imo State University and a Master’s degree in Mass Communication from the University of Lagos, to further deepen her expertise in the field.

As the Editor of Guardian Woman at The Guardian Nigeria, Ijeoma plays a pivotal role in shaping narratives that spotlight entrepreneurship, influential personalities, and pressing gender issues. In addition to her editorial responsibilities, she anchors a popular parenting column that guides and empowers parents through the complexities of raising children in today’s world.

A Gender Specialist, she is also passionate about the empowerment of women and children which has driven her to collaborate with leading advocacy organisations such as the Women Advocates Research and Documentation Centre (WARDC), SheForum Africa, Heirs Women Foundation, and BAOBAB for Women’s Human Rights. These partnerships reflect her unwavering dedication to social justice and human rights.

A recognised thought leader, Ijeoma is an Associate of the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (ANIPR). She is also a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Mentoring and Coaching Nigeria (CIMCN), with a niche as a Professional Human Development Coach. Her contributions to the field have earned her accolades, including the Exceptional Women of Excellence award from the Women Economic Forum.

Beyond her professional achievements, Ijeoma uses her voice and platform to elevate women-owned brands and initiatives, helping them gain the media visibility they deserve. Balancing her career with her role as a devoted wife and mother of two, Ijeoma continues to inspire and advocate for positive change in her community.

Colleen Larsen

Chief Executive-Business Engage

Colleen Larsen is the Chief Executive of Business Engage, with a career spanning 28 years in the financial services market. She is widely recognized for her pioneering work in gender mainstreaming and is considered one of the leading voices for the sustainable advancement of women in the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors in South Africa. She advocates for using the business case as a foundation for transformation. One day however a small line of blind text by the name of Lorem Ipsum decided to leave for the far World of Grammar. The Big Oxmox advised her not to do so, because

Dr. Naike Moshi

Founder – CVPeople Tanzania

Dr. Naike’s journey, with over 15 years of experience as a serial entrepreneur, businesswoman, and gender consultant, is one of resilience, vision, and dedication to empowering others. Her career has focused on advancing business growth, leadership, and gender diversity across Africa. As the founder of CVPeople Tanzania, she established a trusted HR consulting firm that prioritizes people-centered solutions. Her dedication to addressing gender gaps led her to create Women in Management Africa (WIMA), a platform to elevate African women into C-suite roles. WIMA provides mentorship, career development resources, and networking opportunities that empower women across the continent to break barriers and reach new heights.

Nkiru Olumide – Ojo

Africa Regions Executive Head, Marketing Corporate Communications & CSI- Standard Bank Group.

Nkiru is currently the Africa Regions Executive Head, Marketing Corporate Communications & CSI at Standard Bank Group. She leads a diverse team across African countries to deliver business objectives through Brand Marketing, Corporate Communications, and Corporate Social Investment. Over the course of her 20 years across career, she has gotten several recognitions such as Leading Woman in Marketing and Communications 2016, Marketing Personality of the year among others. She is also a published author of the ‘Pressure Cooker-Lessons from a woman at work’ and is a female enthusiast.

Osayi Alile

CEO of Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation

Osayi is the CEO of Aspire Coronation Trust Foundation and has over 25 years of experience across different sectors. She is an experienced Council Member with a demonstrated history of working in the non-profit organisation management industry. She has also been named one of the African Women of the Year in 2015.

Yemi Faseun

Chief Talent Officer at YT Talent

Yemi is a business leader with over 30 years of multi-sector, multi-function experience. He is currently the Chief Talent Officer at YT Talent Officer and was a two-term elected council member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM). He has received a number of global recognitions such as Top 8 HR Thought Leader in Africa, Top 50 Personality on LinkedIn, 2022 Top 200 Global Thought Leader among others.

Tewa Onasanya

Founder/CEO of Exquisite Magazine Services Ltd

Tewa Onasanya is a British-Nigerian publisher, philanthropist, Author and Mindset Stylist. She is the Founder/CEO of Exquisite Magazine Services Ltd, the publishers of Exquisite Magazine and the organizers of EMAC Walk and ELOY Awards. Tewa has been featured in numerous international and Nigerian media which include the CNN, BBC, New York Times, Wikipedia, Punch, Guardian, Thisday, Vanguard and more newspapers, Television and Radio station