Mary Wamae, the author of The Village Girl, has challenged young Kenyans seeking growth in the corporate world to seek mentorship early, tapping into the knowledge and experience of leaders who have been able to overcome odds and make it to the top of the chain.
Ms Wamae, who has just retired from her role as executive director of Equity Bank Holdings, noted that the first step in succeeding in the business world and emerging as leader is becoming intentional and also seeking mentorship.
“If you do not step forward, you remain in the same sport. For you to move to the next level, you have to be courageous to take a step forward. If you do not ask, the answer will always be no. And when you ask and are told no, you keep asking and you will get a yes in another opportunity,” said Wamae, who spoke during the celebrations held to honour Yvonne Nduta Tharao, who graduated last Saturday with a PhD in Business Administration (Strategic Management).
Wamae took Dr Tharao under her wings as a mentee in 2020.
“I liked her because she was curious and wanted to learn,” she said.
“I volunteer to mentor five ladies every year and around Covid-19, she was in my group of mentees. I was struggling with how to go about the programme because we had the option of doing it online and face-to-face. For those who know me, online does not work for me. I like to see facial reactions.”
She also advised corporate leaders to take on mentees as well as give advice to the much younger Kenyans who are still pursuing their education to shape future leaders.
“We need to become leaders who will lift up others at every opportunity. Lifting others does not have to be a big thing, you do not have to spend millions, It could be counselling or mentoring young people or advising young people who are looking for jobs and are almost giving up.
Sometimes, all they want is advice that might propel them to the next level
Let us aspire above everything else, to become good human beings, kind, caring, and loving. That is all we need to become above everything else and you will find people coming to us."
Amb Catherine Muigai congratulated Dr Tharao on her achievement.
“You have been a source of pride and joy,” she said.
“We all know you as a go-getter, and you do not just sit and hope for and wish for, you go for it and you put your best foot forward. You are an inspiration to many of us. The sky is truly the limit. We know you will continue to do great and mighty things.”
Dr Tharao, the Group Marketing and Corporate Affairs Manager at Madison, said it had been a tough journey juggling books and work but noted with determination, that everything is possible.
She urged young women to keep pushing the boundaries until they succeed in their goals.
“My parents are not attending my PhD commencement ceremony because they want to be with the lord. I wish they were here to share this moment with me. I'm officially a Doctor. This is one of the biggest, most important accomplishments in my life,” she said.