“Vulnerability is not a liability but a catalyst for trust and growth.” Says Lilian Njenga, IPS HR, as she reflects on her journey through the Worldwide SHEROES Mentorship Programme. She added that the mentorship she received gave her the confidence to step into bigger spaces and embrace new opportunities with conviction.

Lilian is among the 15 women from IPS and its project companies who committed to the programme, championed by the IPS HR team, to build their leadership skills.

Founded by Sahera Sumar, Global Leadership Consultant, SHEROES connects emerging leaders with accomplished global mentors.  It draws on a pool of global women of influence in their industries and provides inter-generational learning and brings diverse experiences across professional backgrounds, ages, cultures, mindsets and achievements.

“Empowering women across our portfolio of companies is a priority for us. By introducing this initiative, we are not only strengthening the IPS group’s succession pipeline but also actively accelerating the journey of our future leaders. At the same time, we are intentional about improving the diversity and inclusion profile of our senior leadership and other critical roles, ensuring that our leadership structures increasingly reflect the breadth of talent, perspectives and communities we serve. This initiative is a tangible step toward building a more inclusive, representative and high-performing leadership cadre across the Group,” says Bernard Wekulo, Head of HR at IPS.

The 2025 Global Gender Gap Report shows that while nearly 69% of the global gender gap has been closed, women still occupy less than one-third of senior leadership positions, highlighting that access alone is not enough retention, development and mentorship remain critical to closing the leadership gap.

Patricia Karau, the Commercial Manager at African Leather, spent over a decade in the same professional space, and being part of the initiative meant challenging her comfort zone. She significantly gained new insights from her mentor that made her become more self-aware and identify areas of growth that she is currently working on.

Christine Kayaki, Senior HR Manager at Botanical Extracts, didn’t hesitate to join the SHEROES cohort. “I said yes as part of my commitment to continuous leadership development,” she recalls, eager to dive in and grow alongside these remarkable mentors and peers.

“Through disciplined engagement, intellectual honesty and willingness to share both achievements and lessons learned, I gained strategic clarity, deeper self-awareness, and the resilience and courage required to lead with greater impact,” says Margaret Njeri, HR Manager at Allpack Industries.

Gladys Onziru WENRECo, Commercial Manager, entered SHEROES with a clear mission: to amplify women’s voices in a male-dominated industry. She contributed her perspective and her commitment to collective growth and, in return, gained the confidence to advocate boldly for her team.

“I brought openness, commitment and a willingness to share my experiences, creating space for mutual learning and diverse perspectives. In return, I gained clarity in my career direction, greater confidence in my path forward and a more strategic outlook, learning to see challenges as opportunities for growth and impact,” says Diana Kamau, IPS Recruitment Manager.

According to Metrine Papa, IPS Senior Communications Officer, the programme was about holistic leadership. She shares that, “through the programme, I gave my openness, honesty and commitment to becoming a more intentional leader. In return, I gained clarity, confidence, and a renewed sense of balance. I learned the power of leveraging my team’s strengths, leading with strategy and impact, and prioritising wellness for long-term success.”

From the inspiring reflections of our IPS mentees, it is evident that these sessions became safe spaces to ask hard questions, come up with bold ideas and cultivate growth.

As we commemorate this International Women’s Day 2026, IPS proudly celebrates women across the IPS companies and continues to invest in programmes that empower women to rise, lead and inspire the world.

By Michelle Muriithi & Metrine Papa