The second edition of The Executive Woman Summit (TEWS) is set to take place on 28 October in Victoria Island, Lagos, with a focus on workplace structures and career barriers that prevent more women from advancing into executive management and chief executive positions. Organisers announced the focus at a media parley themed “The Winning Playbook”, held on 30 September. The summit, themed “Playing to Win: Elevate Your Vision, Value, and Visibility”, is expected to bring together women executives, entrepreneurs, professionals and emerging leaders.
According to TEWS convener and founder of BMO Advisory Services and the Women’s Lifestyle Hub, Bola Matel-Okoh, women’s advancement should no longer be measured solely by their presence in organisations or leadership positions. She noted that women could occupy board seats while remaining underrepresented at senior and executive management levels, where many critical organisational decisions are made. Ms Matel-Okoh called on organisations to establish clearer career pathways, particularly for women who enter the workplace through support functions such as human resources and legal departments.
Ms Matel-Okoh also urged women to understand and communicate the value they contribute to their organisations, saying professional competence should be supported by strategic visibility, strong relationships and measurable results. She emphasised that women are coming into organisations, but there must be a clear path for them to reach senior management positions, including CEO roles. This, she believes, can be achieved by putting in systems that support women’s absorption into organisations with a clear path to leadership.
Board chair and independent non-executive director Folake Sanu said women seeking executive positions must develop knowledge beyond their immediate areas of professional specialisation. According to her, senior leadership requires an understanding of market performance, customer experience, organisational strategy and the financial aspects of a business. Ms Sanu encouraged women to understand the key performance indicators attached to their roles, take on cross-functional responsibilities and build strategic relationships.
Ms Sanu also identified sponsorship as an important part of career advancement, particularly when senior leaders are willing to recommend qualified women for opportunities and positions of greater responsibility. She believes that this can help women move beyond their current roles and take on more challenging positions. The summit will provide a platform for women to discuss these issues and learn from each other’s experiences.
Chief Executive Officer and Managing Director of Z-Edge Limited, Kikelomo Atanda-Owo, urged women not to view professional or personal setbacks as the end of their ambitions. She advised women to learn from setbacks in different aspects of their lives while supporting the development of others around them. Ms Atanda-Owo also emphasised the importance of continuous learning, unlearning and relearning, adding that leadership legacies should be measured partly by the impact made on other people.
The Executive Woman Summit was established to address the realities women encounter while pursuing and sustaining careers at senior levels. Its organisers say the platform is intended to move the conversation beyond women attaining leadership positions to how they can become effective and influential leaders. The summit focuses on career development, leadership, wellbeing, influence, mentorship, networking, and the challenges of sustaining success at the highest levels of professional life.
Key points
- The second edition of The Executive Woman Summit will focus on helping women demonstrate their value, strengthen their visibility, build strategic influence and position themselves for senior leadership roles.
- Organisers say the platform is intended to move the conversation beyond women attaining leadership positions to how they can become effective and influential leaders.
- The summit will provide a platform for women to discuss issues and learn from each other’s experiences.
