CivSource-Africa

Mopané 2019-Executive directors blog

In January 2019, we organized a retreat for female Chief Executive Officers (CEO) and Executive Directors (EDs) of some of the leading companies and NGOs in Uganda. The 3-day retreat, attended by 19 CEO/EDs, was a great platform for making connections and networking and space to reflect on their leadership journeys as well as coaching and sharing experiences on scaling leadership heights. Here below are some of the CEO/EDs’ reflections on the impact the retreat had on their personal and professional lives.

The retreat created an effective peer network to share experiences – Jacqueline Ayuya Mukasa Executive Director, Center for Public Interest Law

It is often said that “It’s lonely at the top” and as a leader, I identify with that saying. Executive Directors in the nonprofit sector can sometimes feel isolated and this retreat enabled us to create an effective peer network to share experiences, empower, encourage and learn from each other. Getting to spend a few days away together as leaders and reflect on our leadership journeys and take the opportunity of the new year as a fresh start to challenge ourselves to do, be and lead better in 2019, was a blessing.

I had fun and came away energized to be a more impactful ‘me’ in 2019 by making time and investing in resources that will support me and CEPIL. The retreat helped prepare me for the 3 days I spent with the CEPIL Board members and secretariat as we worked on the roadmap for 2019 – 2021. I was able to share about the importance of balancing work and life, understanding and being passionate about the work we do, identifying our ‘purple cow’ and making it visible, following trends, being fluid and futuristic.

Ivan Muguya