Summary of board experience to date
- Oxford Policy Management (2017-2019)
- Leap Africa (2018 to present)
- Kasha (2021-2023)
- E Health Africa Group (2019 to present)
- I&M Uganda (2023-present)
- Building Tomorrow (2023 to present)
What initially drew you to pursue board leadership?
Board presence wasn’t something I had actively considered as I used to think that only older, more mature professionals, primarily men, were somehow called to serve as Board Directors. I clearly did not know how their recruitment was carried out. Later in my career, while working for an international organisation, I managed the corporate governance unit and started to learn more about the importance of boards and the types of skills that companies look for in their board members. This led to my initial feeling that my experience across regions and sectors might be of value to organisations.
Shortly after this ‘feeling’ I would say that I got lucky—an acquaintance approached me to head up her NGO. I had partnered with her early in my career and she was specifically looking for someone who understood the sector in which she worked, had passion for her mission (I had helped her to secure her first grant early in my career) and could assist with fundraising and regional expansion. “You would be great at this,” she declared. I jumped on to this opportunity as I realised that she was right –not only did I have the skills that she highlighted, but I was also passionate about her cause.
At this time, another acquaintance (now friend) submitted my name for a Board position in health. She had been asked to take on the role, but thought that I was a better fit due to the fact that I started my career in public health. Since then, this friend is now my go to whenever I am looking for, or considering, board positions. She continues to submit my name for appropriate roles, for which I am grateful.
What were the foundational steps you took in your journey towards your first board appointment?
I knew that I had the necessary experience to contribute meaningfully to my friend’s nonprofit board and was thrilled to provide strategic guidance to this fast-growing NGO. I leaned into this board experience by picking the qualities I liked in our chairperson (clear communication, strict time management) and tried to mirror these in the committee I was leading. I also made sure that I read every single word of the board book and arranged calls with key managers to better understand their work.
How have you built and diversified your board portfolio over the years?
After serving on three nonprofit boards, I identified key areas of expertise I could offer to for-profit boards, including healthcare, startup operations and funding, technology, financial innovation, and global expansion. I shared my interest in for-profit board roles with friends and acquaintances. Within months, some friends referred me to a gender-lens investor seeking members for her investment committee. I interviewed and got the role. Soon after, another friend recommended me for a startup board position — I interviewed and got the role. I have now served on 6 boards and I try to be clear about which boards I apply for, what I can contribute and how I can make the most of my board service.
Could you highlight one or two key milestones in your board career and how you achieved them?
One significant milestone was co-leading the recruitment of an exceptionally qualified CEO for a company and pushing the board to diversify standard search tactics so as to promote more female applicants for the role. I decided to lean into this when I realised that the company, perhaps unconsciously, had never had a woman at its helm in its decades of experience. The board was able to shortlist and then successfully recruit a qualified woman. As a result, we received feedback that other senior women in the organisation felt as if their prospects for promotion and upward mobility were greater.
Another milestone in my board career was stepping beyond traditional ‘strategic’ board inputs to roll my sleeves and help an NGO establish a new department focused on mid-career development and mentoring for youth. This has helped the NGO optimise other experienced board members to bring their skills to bear on its operations.
What advice would you give to someone aspiring to their first board position?
Tell as many people as possible that you’re looking for a board role, and be specific about the type of positions you’re interested in. Clearly articulate how your skills and experiences align with the roles you’re pursuing. I am currently looking for a board role for a Latin American organisation or one that links Africa to Latin America. I am spreading the word!
Anything else you would like to add?
I believe it’s often easier to start with nonprofit board roles to build experience before transitioning to for-profit boards. I also try to pay it forward by suggesting qualified women for boards position.