Introduction
Oftentimes, we talk about executive presence as if it were a personality trait. But in reality, it is a leadership discipline that can be developed, refined, and strengthened over time.
For executive women navigating complex power dynamics across boardrooms, government institutions, regulated industries, and entrepreneurial spaces, presence is rarely about being the loudest voice or putting on a performance.
At Ascent Club, we believe leadership grows through shared wisdom. So we asked women across our community:
“For executive career women navigating complex power dynamics, what does it take to develop presence that is both authentic and effective?”
Their voices offer a powerful and nuanced blueprint for cultivating presence that commands respect without compromising identity.
1. Clarity of Identity
Sarah Ajose-Adeogun
Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Limited
“Executive presence is not about performance. It’s about positioning. Before you walk into any boardroom, you must be clear about who you are, what you stand for, and the value you bring. If you are not anchored in your identity, you will find yourself overcompensating or overexplaining. Authenticity is not oversharing. It is alignment. When you speak from conviction rather than insecurity, complex power dynamics become easier to navigate.”
Ochanya Regina Dan-Ugo
Director, The Board of Hope PSBANK; Governing Council of CRMI; Board of UP Digital
“Presence is an embodiment of your identity, your capacity, and your comportment. It is who you are, what you know, and how you show up, especially when all things are not equal. You must decide that you belong in every room you enter. If you internalize doubt, it will show in your voice and decisions. When you own your legitimacy, your authority stabilizes.”
Ifeyinwa Amanda Okafor
Head, Asset and Facilities Management (LRO) – Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)
“Executive presence is about knowing who you are, staying calm under pressure, saying less and meaning it, and owning your presence without apologizing for existing. When you are internally settled, your contribution becomes clearer and more impactful.”
Olubukola Carol Ariyibi
Asset & Resources Management (ARM) Holding Company Ltd, Corporate Transformation, Group Head
“Authentic presence begins with self-mastery. You must own your strengths, acknowledge your weaknesses, and be intentional about your growth. When you are clear about your “why” and confident in the value of your perspective, you stop shrinking to fit expectations. Your presence strengthens when you believe that your voice deserves to be heard.”
2. Depth of Knowledge
Grace Osita Amadi
General Manager Partner Relations, Seplat Energy Plc.
“In technically demanding sectors like oil & gas and energy, presence is not about volume or dominance. It is about credibility, composure, and clarity under pressure. Your competence earns you a seat at the table. You must understand operations, regulatory frameworks, risk exposure, and commercial realities. When you speak with precision and depth, you command respect.”
Carine Gracia
Consultant, Sustainability & ESG Leader
“Authentic and effective presence is not about style. It is about structure, substance, and self-alignment. Take the time to understand governance frameworks, stakeholder expectations, and informal power dynamics before entering critical conversations. When you understand what is truly at stake, you speak with greater awareness. Depth reduces the need for volume.”
Dorothy Eboh
Legal and Supply Chain Consultant, Multus Competentia Ltd.
“Preparation allows you to command the narrative. Be clear about your value and the outcomes you want before you speak. When your thinking is structured, you are deliberate rather than reactive. Authority is built on clarity and consistency.”
3. Emotional Regulation Under Pressure
Ochanya Regina Dan-Ugo
Director, The Board of Hope PSBANK; Governing Council of CRMI; Board of UP Digital
“Calm is power. Your presence becomes most visible in moments of tension. When you are challenged publicly or when you must deliver difficult truths, regulate yourself first. If you react emotionally, your authority weakens. When you remain steady, you signal maturity and create psychological safety.”
Grace Osita Amadi
General Manager Partner Relations, Seplat Energy Plc.
“In high-pressure environments, especially during crises or intense negotiations, composure communicates strength more effectively than dominance. When others are unsettled, your steadiness will stand out.”
Sarah Ajose-Adeogun
Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Limited
“Be intentional about how you use your voice. Presence is measured and deliberate. Do not rush to fill the silence. Strategic pauses communicate confidence. Emotional regulation is as important as intellectual contribution.”
Ifeyinwa Amanda Okafor
Head, Asset and Facilities Management (LRO) – Nigerian Upstream Petroleum Regulatory Commission (NUPRC)
“In high pressure dynamics, emotional regulation is not softness. It is strength. The moment you stop chasing approval and hold your ground with clarity, your influence becomes more effective.”
4. Intentional and Strategic Visibility
Ochanya Regina Dan-Ugo
Director, The Board of Hope PSBANK; Governing Council of CRMI; Board of UP Digital
“Presence requires being seen and heard. Do not assume your work will speak for itself. Visibility must be intentional. Shift your focus from worrying about how you are being perceived to asking what leadership requires in that moment. That shift changes how you show up.”
Olubukola Carol Ariyibi
Asset & Resources Management (ARM) Holding Company Ltd, Corporate Transformation, Group Head
“The more you master yourself, the greater your authentic presence will resonate with others. Invest in your growth. Surround yourself with mentors and people who challenge you. Speak about your value with conviction. Your presence is not up for negotiation. Own it and use it to create impact.”
Dorothy Eboh
Legal and Supply Chain Consultant, Multus Competentia Ltd.
“Leadership is not theater. It is consistency. When your words, values, and actions align over time, people trust you. That trust is what fuels influence.”
5. Values-Driven Leadership
Sarah Ajose-Adeogun
Managing Partner, Teasoo Consulting Limited
“Anchor your presence on purpose. When your leadership is tied to something larger than ego, whether sustainability, inclusion, or long-term value creation, you remain steady even when power shifts. Purpose gives you clarity and courage.”
Carine Gracia
Consultant, Sustainability & ESG Leader
“Presence requires boundaries. Be willing to say no when values, compliance standards, or long-term impact are at risk. Influence without principles is fragile. When you hold firm to what matters, your authority strengthens.”
Grace Osita Amadi
General Manager Partner Relations, Seplat Energy Plc.
“Let your values guide your decisions. If you imitate others or compromise your convictions to fit in, your influence will not last. Sustainable presence reflects who you truly are.”
Ascent’s Executive Presence Framework
Drawing from these powerful contributions, five core themes stand out:
- Identity – Presence begins with the internal decision that you belong.
- Substance – Competence, structured thinking, and contextual awareness create credibility.
- Composure – Calmness under pressure signals maturity.
- Visibility – Strategic visibility ensures your contribution informs direction.
- Values – Values and boundaries sustain long-term authority.
Conclusion
The voices of these accomplished women make one thing unmistakably clear: executive presence is not about performance but about alignment, clarity of identity and composure in high-pressure environments.
At Ascent Club, this is the work we are committed to. We exist to equip ambitious African women with the confidence, visibility, and networks required to rise and thrive in C-suite and boardroom roles across Africa and the world.
Want to be part of this community of powerful female voices?
Apply HERE to join our exclusive community.
If you had to strengthen one aspect of your executive presence for the next big opportunity, which would it be, and why?
Share your reflections:
- In the comments
- On LinkedIn using the hashtag #AscentWomenSpeak
Selected responses will be featured in future editions of Ascent Women Speak.
