When it comes to the C-Suite, the scale is skewed against women.
Few make it to the highest levels of management. But there’s hope. A number of women are climbing the corporate ladder with sheer aplomb, defeating great odds staked against them. Joyce Gachugi Waweru is one such woman. For the 12 years she has been in the environmental sustainability space, she has learned great lessons on leadership. She now heads Petco Kenya, a recycling lobby based in Nairobi.
Few make it to the highest levels of management. But there’s hope. A number of women are climbing the corporate ladder with sheer aplomb, defeating great odds staked against them. Joyce Gachugi Waweru is one such woman. For the 12 years she has been in the environmental sustainability space, she has learned great lessons on leadership. She now heads Petco Kenya, a recycling lobby based in Nairobi.
What makes women leaders stand out? And what is the role of mentorship? She talked to Hustle East Africa about her role in a male dominated industry. Excerpts.
Briefly tell us about yourself
I’m a sustainability practitioner, an environmental scientist with a passion for environment conservation and sustainability.
I’m a sustainability practitioner, an environmental scientist with a passion for environment conservation and sustainability.
What does your current job entail?
I’m a champion of environmental management. As the current country manager for Petco Kenya, my mandate is to spearhead plastic recycling efforts within our members, who include PET manufacturers and beverage makers, and a host of other companies. To do this, we are modelling a triple bottom line approach. We are not only pushing a cause for a cleaner environment, but one where businesses thrive, the environment is safeguarded and the people are happy.
I’m a champion of environmental management. As the current country manager for Petco Kenya, my mandate is to spearhead plastic recycling efforts within our members, who include PET manufacturers and beverage makers, and a host of other companies. To do this, we are modelling a triple bottom line approach. We are not only pushing a cause for a cleaner environment, but one where businesses thrive, the environment is safeguarded and the people are happy.
As a girl, what were your career aspirations and did that change along that way?
I wanted to be in a career where I could help people directly. As a girl, I wanted to be a doctor. However, that changed when I enrolled for university education. I found environmental science to be all encompassing.
I wanted to be in a career where I could help people directly. As a girl, I wanted to be a doctor. However, that changed when I enrolled for university education. I found environmental science to be all encompassing.
Why are you passionate about conserving the environment?
I believe the environment is the basis for all of us here on earth.
The principles of the earth are based on reciprocity. If I don’t plant a tree today, I don’t expect rainfall tomorrow.
That’s what gives me passion. I know we have to play our part for us to get something back.
I also like the fact that I can translate the impact directly.
For instance, if we recycle PET bottles today, we can have clean streets tomorrow.
I believe that the change I want to see starts with me.
I believe the environment is the basis for all of us here on earth.
The principles of the earth are based on reciprocity. If I don’t plant a tree today, I don’t expect rainfall tomorrow.
That’s what gives me passion. I know we have to play our part for us to get something back.
I also like the fact that I can translate the impact directly.
For instance, if we recycle PET bottles today, we can have clean streets tomorrow.
I believe that the change I want to see starts with me.
How was Petco received?
It hasn’t been an easy journey. Petco Kenya was founded in 2017 by a number of companies that felt they needed to manage their used PET plastics.
Given that most of our members are big players in their respective industries, there was a lot of scepticism.
The other challenge was bringing together competitors and having them speak in one voice. I’ve really had to re-center the discussions.
The other challenge is we don’t have high-capacity recyclers in Kenya. Even if we wanted to recycle 100% of our PET plastics, we can’t do it as we do not have the capacity. We are working tirelessly to have more recyclers pitching tent in Kenya.
It hasn’t been an easy journey. Petco Kenya was founded in 2017 by a number of companies that felt they needed to manage their used PET plastics.
Given that most of our members are big players in their respective industries, there was a lot of scepticism.
The other challenge was bringing together competitors and having them speak in one voice. I’ve really had to re-center the discussions.
The other challenge is we don’t have high-capacity recyclers in Kenya. Even if we wanted to recycle 100% of our PET plastics, we can’t do it as we do not have the capacity. We are working tirelessly to have more recyclers pitching tent in Kenya.
What makes most women shy away from pursuing the C-suite?
First, I would say its the reality of leadership. For many years, men have dominated leadership positions. It’s not everyday that they pick a woman to lead an organization.
Some women also have the fear of the unknown. They fear how they would be perceived.
The kind of support system also matters. Some women fear they could destabilize the things as they are once they rise to the highest level of their careers. I’m fortunate that I have a good support system that pushes me to deliver.
First, I would say its the reality of leadership. For many years, men have dominated leadership positions. It’s not everyday that they pick a woman to lead an organization.
Some women also have the fear of the unknown. They fear how they would be perceived.
The kind of support system also matters. Some women fear they could destabilize the things as they are once they rise to the highest level of their careers. I’m fortunate that I have a good support system that pushes me to deliver.
What is PETCO Kenya doing to make sure there is a balance between women and men in leadership?
The manufacturing industry is male dominated. It’s not surprising that I’m the only woman in my board of directors.
Petco appreciates the role of women in leadership. We are trying to see how we can attract more women into leadership positions.
Women bring a different set of thinking into leadership.
It’s our nature to nurture. We are also good in pioneering ideas. To be a pioneer, you need to be someone who rolls up their sleeves to get dirty.
In my current position, I find myself going to the dumpsites, slums and interacting with recyclers and collectors.
The manufacturing industry is male dominated. It’s not surprising that I’m the only woman in my board of directors.
Petco appreciates the role of women in leadership. We are trying to see how we can attract more women into leadership positions.
Women bring a different set of thinking into leadership.
It’s our nature to nurture. We are also good in pioneering ideas. To be a pioneer, you need to be someone who rolls up their sleeves to get dirty.
In my current position, I find myself going to the dumpsites, slums and interacting with recyclers and collectors.
Women are versatile and adaptive to change and this makes them great leaders.
What are the challenges that you face at the workplace?
I get to hear people doubting if i can go to the dumpsites. Yet, that’s where my job takes me. Most people tend to challenge the abilities of women. Fortunately, I have a very supportive board that believes in me and my abilities.
Do we still have quality mentors in the country and are they playing their part to nurture the next generation of women leaders?
In Kenya, there are many role models. For me, my mum is my role model. She taught me that beauty without brains is useless. She always encouraged me to be myself, to present my ideas and thoughts confidently and not to fear from standing out.
Professionally, there are women who inspire me. Wangari Maathai us one of these. She is the epitome of sustainability. She pushed her agenda in a hostile environment and came out a winner.
Globally, there are many role models. Folorunsho Alakija comes to mind. She rose from a secretary to one of the few women in the oil industry in Nigeria. Hillary Clinton is my personal favorite. When I look at her, I see the feminist agenda.
I get to hear people doubting if i can go to the dumpsites. Yet, that’s where my job takes me. Most people tend to challenge the abilities of women. Fortunately, I have a very supportive board that believes in me and my abilities.
Do we still have quality mentors in the country and are they playing their part to nurture the next generation of women leaders?
In Kenya, there are many role models. For me, my mum is my role model. She taught me that beauty without brains is useless. She always encouraged me to be myself, to present my ideas and thoughts confidently and not to fear from standing out.
Professionally, there are women who inspire me. Wangari Maathai us one of these. She is the epitome of sustainability. She pushed her agenda in a hostile environment and came out a winner.
Globally, there are many role models. Folorunsho Alakija comes to mind. She rose from a secretary to one of the few women in the oil industry in Nigeria. Hillary Clinton is my personal favorite. When I look at her, I see the feminist agenda.
Do you think young girls have people they can look up to?
There are so many role models out there. Unfortunately, our value systems have changed. We have young people looking up to people who are making quick money. It’s more about image than great ideals.
The sad reality is that these people are more accessible to the youth compared to the real mentors.
There are so many role models out there. Unfortunately, our value systems have changed. We have young people looking up to people who are making quick money. It’s more about image than great ideals.
The sad reality is that these people are more accessible to the youth compared to the real mentors.
What would be your advice to any woman who wants to be a leader?
I believe leadership is 80% natural and 20% taught.
For starters, you need the drive and desire to lead. You need to be bold and to desire to effect change.
Once you have that drive to be a leader, you can learn the other bits like governance, structures and implementation of strategies.
I believe leadership is 80% natural and 20% taught.
For starters, you need the drive and desire to lead. You need to be bold and to desire to effect change.
Once you have that drive to be a leader, you can learn the other bits like governance, structures and implementation of strategies.
Women have to naturally wear many hats and lead busy lives.
How do you unwind?
I try to create a balance between my work and my private life. Many are the times when my work will take up lots of my time. I try not to work over the weekends. Over the weekends, I create time to be with family and friends.
I also like to keep fit, so I jog a lot.
I try to create a balance between my work and my private life. Many are the times when my work will take up lots of my time. I try not to work over the weekends. Over the weekends, I create time to be with family and friends.
I also like to keep fit, so I jog a lot.
