My Natural Women

As we close out the month of love, step boldly into Women's History Month (for the USA), and start the countdown to International Women's Day on March 8th, I would like to celebrate various women's contributions to the transition into my next chapter, who each, in her own way, "make me feel like a natural woman".

In this first piece, I will focus on three very different peers, each of whom share the ability to shine almost silently in their own space, as they quietly champion the women all around them...and inspire me.

Let me introduce Kemi Ajumobi , Associate Editor of BusinessDay, Convener of the Inspiring Woman Series annual conference and Editor of the Women's Hub Magazine. Kemi and I first crossed paths last June, when she surprised me with a mini-profile on the back page of BusinessDay, as she does for two women in business every single Friday. Fun fact--the profile was so nicely written that I even referenced it during the next revamp of my bio. There was no real communication between us at the time, until she popped up a few months later with the request to run a cover story for her Women's Hub Magazine. The end result was truly amazing, and such a fitting tribute to close out a chapter that was already nearing its end. I told myself at the time that I must meet this force in person, to find out what was behind her mission to be a blessing to WOMANity (her words!). We finally met earlier this month, and I could not resist turning the tables on her by pestering her with a million and one questions about her own story, her own purpose and her own why.

Now we move to Abimbola Tiamiyu , who became the Director General of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria at practically the same time that I entered Nigeria as CEO. She took advantage of the first opportunity post-Covid to finally welcome me...and arrived in my boardroom with an entire delegation. We took one look at each other's heels...and instantly knew that we would become bosom buddies. Or at least that is what I tell myself, as that is my only explanation for why I would allow her to talk me into driving two hours away to climb some rock in the middle of nowhere on an Easter weekend, not minding the 25 million others trying to get out of Lagos at the same time! As you can imagine, we never made it to that rock, but we did cement a budding friendship of mutual respect and support. Whether the heels are for speaking or for dancing, we are here for each other!

Finally, let us meet Jania Okwechime, PhD , mother to my baby son's current best friend. As an Armenian-Persian who schooled in both Cyprus and the UK, then married a Nigerian, Jania completely gets what it is to be a #globalnomad. Additionally, as a partner at Deloitte here in Nigeria, with two even younger boys at home, she also understands the fun of being a #careermom. So it is no surprise that we clicked, despite my abhorrence at mixing school life with personal life. Jania is a symbol of the new chapter I am building, where I will allow myself friendships outside of work, where I will make time for fun, where I am not the only one crazy enough to try to blend career, culture and life.

So, Kemi, Abimbola and Jania, happy Women's Day, Month and Year; I salute you!