Gems and Nuggets Podcast Series by MaryAnne Mwaura

Clara’s reinvention story, reveals how you can turn your Pain into Purpose.
Most of us have something in our past that’s a painful memory—a traumatic event, a
heartbreak, bullying or rejection, exclusion, and abuse!

Clara reminds you how important it is to learn from your past, let go, move on, forgive, and live in the present.

The lessons drawn from Clara’s story of turning your pain into a purpose are:
1) Focus on solutions, not problems
2) Self-reflect 
3) Bloom where you are planted
4) Trust your gut instinct
5) Use your experience to help others
6) Build your inner circle and cultivate new relationships

You have the power to use pain to become wiser, better, and stronger than you were before.
We wish you all the best in your reinvention journeys.

Welcome back to the Activate Gems and Nuggets podcast where we connect you to transformational leaders who share authentic, personal, and professional stories, behind their successes. 

I’m your host and Executive Coach, MaryAnne Mwaura Mutiga and in the month of June we will focus on the topic “The Art of Reinvention”.  Reinvention is a competence – regardless of the function or responsibility you are in. We need to periodically refresh and reinvent ourselves. It calls on us to be prepared to do the things we feel strongly about and make today your best yet!

In this episode, I’m honored for the opportunity to talk to the lively Antonina 'Nina' Odindo. She is the CEO of Sol Dada aka “Sun Sister” whose mission is to promote talent and design products that are born of passion. Nina shares her story of reinvention from a corporate in the Banking sector working in her home country, Kenya, to a Fashion entrepreneur in Singapore where she carved a space for herself by introducing African fashion and design to a predominantly Asian Market.

What does it mean to have confidence? What is Executive Presence?  

In this episode, I am excited to explore this topic with my fellow coach, friend and mentor Dr. Catherine Munene. Dr. Catherine Munene. She is the Head of Talent at Vodafone for Africa, Middle East, and Asia-Pacific (AMAP) region. Catherine also not only an Executive Coach but also an advocate of coaching as an enabling tool for leaders to unlock and unleash their potential and capability.

Currently the Head of Talent at Vodafone for Africa, the Middle East, and Asia-Pacific region, Dr. Munene shares insights from her personal journey. A story of continuous learning and evolving as a leader. Developing and managing confidence through preparation, practice, resilience, and perseverance. 

Catherine delivers precious gems of wisdom for anyone looking to grow in their leadership journey.

As usual, we look forward to receiving your feedback! Thank you all for your continued support.

In this episode, Adeolu and I talk about the magic of speaking out and lending your voice in the workplace. We also explore the topic of self-care and share some gems and nuggets to get you back on track as you reprioritize during this COVID-19 pandemic.

Adeolu is a Fellow of the Society of Actuaries (FSA), who is thrilled to finally be initiating direct growth and investment in Africa. Working to reshape her African position with the aim to win undisputable pan-Africa leadership. She drives one of the three pillars of the new growth strategy by pursuing a pipeline of merger and acquisition (M&A) opportunities priority markets, including Kenya/East Africa, Morocco, and Nigeria. This includes formulating, budgeting, and executing M&A processes for the region, negotiating with internal and external stakeholders at the headquarters, regional and local levels, and delivering on-the-ground transformation post-acquisition. In her current position as the Regional Head of Mergers, Acquisitions, and Transformation Africa at Allianz. 

Prior to this, she was the Head of Strategy & Sales Development, Corporate Business in Istanbul Turkey, Head of Strategy Execution & Emerging Consumers, Global Life & Health in Germany and AVP, Global Reward & Performance, Group HR in German for the same Multinational organization.

She holds a Bachelor of Science in Actuarial Science, Mathematics, Japanese (minor) from Penn State University. 

I present to you Adeolu Adewumi-Zer.

In this episode, I’m honored for the opportunity to talk to a leading Impact Investment professional who has experience working across several African markets. She has prior experience in commercial banking and is currently running a network of organizations supporting entrepreneurship in emerging markets.

Her strengths lie in providing insights on the East Africa entrepreneurship ecosystem, seeking out and introducing like-minded organizations to each other to promote partnerships and highlighting opportunities for impact. A trained financial journalist, passionate about fueling economic growth in Africa through data driven journalism.

She currently works as the Senior Regional Chapter Manager, East Africa at Aspen Network of Development Entrepreneurs (ANDE). I present to you Maryanne Nyawira Ochola