Heels on the Ground: SBS & KHF Accelerate Action with an International Women’s Day Conference

On March 7, 2025, the Hyatt Regency in Nairobi became a hub of transformative conversations as Strathmore University Business School (SBS) and the Kenya Healthcare Federation (KHF) convened women healthcare leaders to commemorate International Women’s Day 2025. Themed “Accelerating Action: Collaborative Pathways for Inclusive Leadership,” the conference underscored the power of women in leadership and the urgent need to dismantle systemic barriers hindering gender inclusivity in the healthcare sector.

The event kicked-off with stirring remarks from Dr. Tim Theuri, Chief Executive Officer, KHF, who urged women to “create pockets of stillness” to protect themselves as they climb the leadership ladder. A call to financial empowerment followed—putting more money in the hands of women to drive equity forward.

Dr. Grace Wanjiru Kamengere, Director of Strathmore University Medical Centre, invoked the parable of talents, challenging women to leverage their leadership skills and bridge knowledge gaps within their circles. This set the tone for an invigorating discourse on mentorship, structured leadership networks, and the dire need for capacity-building programs tailored to women in healthcare.

Dr. Kanyenje Gakombe, Chairman of KHF, provided historical context, reminding the audience that International Women’s Day, rooted in the struggles of the1900s, is not a foreign concept. He highlighted the pivotal role of women in Kenya’s historical movements, citing the courageous act of Mary Nyanjiru in 1922 as a testimony to women’s enduring fight for justice and equality.

A key highlight of the conference was a presentation by Dr. Angela Ndunge, Principal Investigator at SBS, on the Women in Health Leadership Project. The research findings revealed a stark reality: the private healthcare sector remains a stronghold of the “boys’ club” mentality, where women’s opinions are often undervalued, and organizational cultures perpetuate gender stereotypes. Many women reported missing out on leadership opportunities due to these biases.

The report recommended urgent interventions: structured mentorship, dedicated women’s leadership networks, and targeted capacity-building initiatives to equip women with skills necessary to shatter the proverbial glass ceiling.

n a riveting keynote address, Njeri Njomo, CEO & Principal Officer at Jubilee Health Insurance Ltd., emphasized the underestimated power of networking. Women, she noted, are often masters of their craft but fall short in leveraging relationships for career advancement. “Business goes beyond technical know-how,” she asserted. “Opportunities arise from the engagements we have.”

The audience was challenged to cultivate strategic networking—beyond passive connections—to ensure their names are spoken in rooms where decisions are made. The speaker urged women to audit their networks through a leadership lens, asking, “who accelerates your growth? Who should be in your circle?”  With over 76% of career feedback rooted in personality rather than expertise, the session underscored the necessity of building relationships that open doors to high-impact roles.

A panel discussion moderated by Charity Kamau, Head of Programs at KHF, brought together industry leaders, including Dr. Joan Osoro-Mbui (MP Shah Hospital), Benson Mutuku and Dr. Harry Bett (Post Doc Fellows, SBS), and Roselyn Mungai (County Government of Nakuru). They shared case studies on leadership journeys, reinforcing the importance of creating gender-inclusive environments within healthcare institutions.

The breakout session on digitization, moderated by Jean Kyula, Country Manager at Helium Kenya, brought critical conversations to the forefront. Discussions highlighted how digital transformation can bridge gender disparities in healthcare access, particularly for marginalized communities. Decentralized healthcare models, AI-driven diagnostics, and localized community-based care emerged as game-changers for women’s health.

Panelists Dr. Maureen Wairimu Waithaka (Anatomic Digital Pathologist), Peter Gikera Gicharu (Co-Founder & CTO, TIBU Health), Dr. Mokeira Gisairo (Health Advocate, BYON8), and Kellen Kinyua (Head of Technology Operations, Kenya Airways) explored how digital innovation can create opportunities for women in healthcare, counter imposter syndrome, and increase women’s participation in health technology.

Another critical breakout session, moderated by Dr. Noelle Orata (Chair, Kenya Association of Clinical Pathologists), tackled the issue of confidence barriers in leadership. Panelists Rina Hicks (Operations Director, Faida Invest Bank), Tina Masai (Founder, KASA Mind and Wellness Institute), Lenny Wachira (Leadership Coach, Northpoint Coaching), and Dr. Anne Musuva (Regional Director, ThinkWell) explored strategies to overcome self-doubt and embrace leadership opportunities with conviction.

As the conference ended, the discussions converged on a powerful call to action: women must actively advocate for each other. The room was challenged to go beyond mentorship and cultivate sponsorship—where women intentionally create spaces for other women in leadership. The discussion delved into workplace biases, highlighting how even attire, such as women in pantsuits, can evoke stereotypical assumptions of leadership being a ‘man’s domain.’ The conversation concluded with a bold assertion: Women do not need to fit into male-defined spaces—they must create their own.

The momentum built at the conference is just the beginning. Participants were urged to be practical about mentorship, invest in relationships across different demographics, and be intentional in leveraging technology to drive healthcare innovation. The event underscored an irrefutable truth: the fight for gender equity in healthcare leadership is not just about inclusion—it is about transformation. Women in healthcare are not merely breaking glass ceilings; they are redesigning the entire structure. As the echoes of the conference linger, one question remains: What are you doing in your position to advance women in healthcare?

Article by: Judith Adhiambo Amolo