motherhood and career can co-exist with a bit of thoughtful planning and sacrifice. With so many accomplishments under your belt, what two values are most important to you; that you live by and shape how you work, live, and run your organisation? 1. Authenticity 2. Excellence I am genuine, reliable, and faithful to every assignment I undertake. I execute my work with utmost excellence, continually giving my best. I don’t compete with others; I compete with my previous best performance. I am my own competition. My ambassadorial appointment as a representative of the Kingdom of God gives me great perspective and keeps me grounded. I am a steward of the capabilities God has given me so that I may make a difference in people’s lives. Daily, I think of my impact both in the marketplace and in the church where I serve as an ordained pastor.
How do you describe yourself, and what is your leadership style? We asked. I am a connector, an advisor, and a peopledeveloper. I have always used a strengthsbased leadership style which I call the “fish in water” style. I easily spot people’s areas of excellence and allow them to excel in doing what comes naturally to them.
Three things: • A world where people seal their communication with excellence. If we get our communication right, we will live harmoniously and enjoy our stay in this world.
• A purpose-driven world where everyone has crystal clarity of the difference they ought to make and where success is And indeed, those who know Ruth defined by impact and fulfilment, not just Musembi described her as an extremely money. confident and inspirational go-getter who expects excellence, yet makes people feel • A world where everyone has an safe and validated. entrepreneurial mindset – whether in business or employment. This is because Ruth and I share a number of groups entrepreneurship is about value creation, including the PRSK platforms and the problem-solving and excellent customer Network for Women in Media and PR and service; a world where employees work as yes, her presence there is of great value. intrapreneurs. We appreciate your wise counsel and words of wisdom. Do you know of a woman whose story will inspire and challenge us to be the As we wrap up this interview, we best version of ourselves? If yes, @Esther asked Ruth if she had a chance to Kiragu and I are looking forward to your create a totally new world for young recommendation. Feel free to reach out to people what would she wish for any of us. Thank you. their new world?
process for me.” I come from a strong Catholic family, coupled with enrolling in a Catholic Primary School gave me a robust foundation. The values I cherish and now seek to promote including integrity were seeded there. We had weekly pastoral education, hymn classes, mass and confession – having to take penance every week from the age of eight drove one to do the right thing always. Her career path is an interesting turn of events.
Sheila Masinde
As a young girl, @Shei wanted to be a journalist cum creative writer. She started as a contributor in the dailies while still at the University. Despite her interest in the Well, I heard of Sheila before I met her. I remember her as a news presenter during media, the first job that came calling upon her radio days on Easy FM, under the Nation Media Group. She would later become completion of her undergraduate studies my boss at the BBC Media Action, Nairobi, between 2011-2014. She served as the was in a HIV/AIDS peer education and Communications and Training Manager then. behavior change university programme run by ‘I Choose Life-Africa.’ Shei, as loves to call herself, she’s the second born and only girl in a family of four children. “Fighting for the preferred pieces of chicken, meat or bread with boys made “At ICL, I worked as a Programme Trainer me learn to claim my space early in life. You had to be outspoken to be heard by the and was later promoted to Assistant boys in our home. Therefore, the fight for equality and equity is almost a natural Programme Manager. I then had a two-
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