"Being a woman and being African aren't just facets of my identity; they're the lenses through which I see possibility, purpose, and the power to effect real change."
As the visionary Chairperson of the Board of Trustees for New Faces New Voices (NFNV) Kenya, Caroline Armstrong-Ogwapit is not just an advocate for change; she embodies transformation in the financial inclusion space. Caroline has a 28-year career spans local and multinational organisations. She sits on several boards, including Kenya Airways as a non-executive member, AIB-AXYS Africa as Chairperson, and the board member and director of National Housing Corporation, Housing Finance Foundation and Jambojet Ltd. In her past career, she was Director-Strategic Projects at HF Group Plc and Vice Chairman-Mining Task Force at Kenya Ministry of Mining. Three years ago she started her journey with NFNV-Kenya, a network under the Graça Machel Trust's Women in Financial Inclusion broader network. . It has been a journey marked by an unwavering commitment to elevate women in finance, ensuring their voices are heard and resonate powerfully across boardrooms and barriers. In this interview, Caroline reflected on what that has guided her path and her vision of transforming the financial inclusion landscape for women across Africa, offering a glimpse into the profound impact of her leadership.
Q: What drew you to the Graça Machel Trust and NFNV-Kenya?
Caroline: "I was initially approached during one of their recruitment cycles, which caught my interest due to the alignment with my values and the potential impact on women's empowerment. With a solid corporate background in financial services, I started with introspection on whether I had the time to commit wholeheartedly. But it boiled down to two pivotal questions that ultimately sealed my decision: Does my work matter as a reflection of my womanhood, and does it resonate with my identity as an African? These weren't just theoretical queries but crucial to my sense of purpose. I believe deeply in the mission and vision, and knowing that what I do resonates with both my gender and my heritage was a call I felt compelled to answer."
Q: What is the most rewarding aspect of your role as the Chair of NFNV-Kenya?
Caroline: "The most rewarding part of my role is the purposeful advocacy for womanhood and our African heritage. It's about shaping a legacy, not just for myself but for all women. Acknowledging the hurdles we face because of our gender, I have learned to own my womanhood unapologetically, to carry it with me into every space I enter, and to mentor others to do the same. Additionally, it's deeply fulfilling to contribute to the narrative of Africa's present, not just its future, and to insist on a balance where potential meets achievement today. This consciousness fuels my passion and guides my leadership, especially in a sector driven by volunteers, where commitment is a choice made every day. It's a role that has grown organically from a deeply personal place that feels new, yet familiar, where I've found my voice and use it to spotlight the issues that matter."
Q: What is most challenging about this work and why?
Caroline: "Navigating the steep learning curve of non-profit leadership has been my greatest challenge. Transitioning from the corporate world to this sector introduced me to a new language and broader, less pointed ways of communication that required me to reframe my understanding and approach. Moreover, leading a volunteer-driven organisation presented unique challenges--it is about igniting and sustaining passion rather than directing it. It is a journey of consistent learning and adaptation, of keeping the vision alive not through commands but through shared commitment and purpose. This leadership is not about directives but about inspiration and the collective pursuit of impact--a pursuit that constantly asks, "So what?" to ensure that every meeting translates into actionable change rather than just statistics. It is about making a tangible difference and building a [NFNV-Kenya] brand that truly represents the essence and impact of our work.
Q: How do you think being a woman has advantaged you in what you do, and how does it make you feel?
Caroline: "Being a woman has profoundly advantaged me in fostering connections and nurturing a collaborative spirit, both important in leadership and advocacy. My womanhood has equipped me with an intrinsic ability to be intuitive, read beyond words, and understand the unspoken. This nuanced approach has allowed me to build bridges, foster understanding, and create inclusive spaces where diverse voices are heard and valued. It has also instilled in me the resilience to overcome biases and assumptions and to stand firm in my identity without bearing the weight of others' prejudices. It has taught me the power of empathy, the strength of collective action, and the importance of recognising and standing on the shoulders of those who came before us. This awareness is a gift--one that has shaped my professional journey and personal growth profoundly."
Q: How do you think being a woman has disadvantaged you, and how do you feel about it?
Caroline: "Being a woman in professional spheres often means navigating exclusion from critical conversations and decision-making spaces. There's a real bias that assumes certain responsibilities aren't meant for us, that we are incapable of bearing certain burdens, leading to a struggle for opportunities that men may receive more readily. Cultural conditioning also discourages us from boasting about our achievements, placing us at a competitive disadvantage in environments where self-promotion is key. On a personal level, the empathetic and collaborative traits that advantage us also present challenges; they can lead to extra work without seeking help, overshadowed by humility that can mute our voices and necessitate crossing unnatural boundaries. We carry the additional weight of balancing multiple roles, which can be taxing. Despite these hurdles, the choice to fight these biases is powerful, providing a chance to pave the way for future generations. The act of breaking glass ceilings is not just for oneself but for all who will follow, removing barriers and changing the narrative for women everywhere."
Q: What are the main things you have learned from working with the Trust?
Caroline: "Working with the Trust has taught me the importance of embodying the change we advocate for. It is not enough to simply articulate values. We must live them in every action and interaction. This has made me more demanding of authenticity in myself and others to ensure that our beliefs are consistently reflected in our behaviours. I have learned that making a difference requires full alignment with our values and the courage to act upon them, inspiring others, particularly young girls and women entrepreneurs, to dream without bounds and claim their space confidently. This principle of leading by example is the powerful ethos I have witnessed and learned from my direct interactions with Mrs Machel and the Trust. This ethos shapes our future by advancing the children of Africa today."
Q: How has the Trust helped you achieve what you set out to do as New Faces New Voices?
Caroline: "The Trust has been important in our journey, providing significant support for our programmes, accounting for 60 to 70 per cent of our activities. It has opened doors and leveraged its convening power to amplify our mission. While we have built the NFNV brand from the ground up, the Graça Machel name has further enabled us to gain traction and credibility, creating a formidable continental network. This has been about building partnerships and nurturing a family of aligned networks across the continent rooted in shared goals and mutual support. The Trust's support ensures that even the newest members stand on the shoulders of a decade of experience and commitment, allowing us to maintain a presence across borders and continue our shared mission for women's empowerment."
Q: What would you say are some of your favourite moments working with the Trust, and why is that?
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Caroline: "Two moments stand out, one was my first meeting with Mrs Graça Machel, a breakfast which also included my daughter. It was significant as it symbolised not just my personal commitment but also the future impact of our mission on the next generation. It was profound and emotive, marking a milestone where the vision for change became deeply personal. Another was when Mrs Machel visited Kenya in 2023 during the launch of our NFNV-Kenya Strategy. Her validation of my work was particularly significant. Equally important has been how we have taken calculated risks and turned around our Women's Leadership in Financial Inclusion project, which has successfully elevated women's financial roles, reflecting our network's collective drive and impact."
Q: How has working with GMT impacted your personal and professional life?
Caroline: "Working with the Trust has allowed me into spaces and experiences that have significantly accelerated my professional and personal growth. It has made me take on challenges that were daunting and pushed me beyond my comfort zone. For example, I have found myself speaking confidently in high-level meetings and engaging with experts in spaces that were previously unfamiliar to me. The NFNV network has grounded me in my expertise while teaching me to appreciate the value of my own voice in diverse settings.
A memorable instance that highlights the Trust's impact is the arrangement of an all-female crew on Kenya Airways for Mrs Graça Machel's last visit to Kenya in 2023. Such moments underscore the enabling nature of my work and the practical, tangible ways in which the Trust's ethos translates into action, promoting women's leadership and visibility in every facet of our society."
Caroline's story is more than a narrative of success; it is a testament to passionate leadership. Her journey inspires collective progress, proving that breaking barriers elevates not just an individual but an entire generation.
