Rising and lifting others: Caroline’s vision for women in corporate Africa

By Pauline Ongaji

As the world marked the 2026 International Women’s Day, discussions around leadership, equity, and representation gained renewed prominence, with women increasingly shaping conversations in corporate boardrooms.

Among them is the Group Head of Marketing and Corporate Communications at Jubilee Insurance Caroline Ndungu, whose career journey is rather unconventional.

Ndungu’s professional story began in finance. She practised as an auditor at PwC, where she built a foundation grounded in analytical discipline, commercial awareness, and business rigor. “Finance taught me precision and structure. It sharpened my ability to think critically and understand how businesses truly operate,” she reflects.

But even as she thrived in audit, another dimension of her personality was calling. Drawn naturally to people and storytelling, she began to envision herself delivering impact beyond spreadsheets, and actively pursued opportunities that would allow her to help organisations articulate their value and connect better with stakeholders.

Mentors and senior leaders who recognised her potential opened doors, encouraging her to step into new arenas. And with each transition across sectors and leadership roles, Ndungu refined her ability to balance commercial performance with purpose-driven impact, a dual focus that now defines her leadership philosophy.

But rising to senior leadership as a woman came with its own set of realities. Ndungu speaks candidly about navigating workplace expectations that were not always designed with women in mind. “There were moments that made it clear that systems sometimes lag behind ambition. But those experiences reshaped my resolve,” she says.

Rather than retreat, she listened more intently, advocated more firmly, and championed fairness in both structure and culture. For her, leadership became less about personal advancement and more about creating environments where others could thrive.

“I believe in bringing the whole person to work. People are not just professionals; they carry their experiences, responsibilities, and aspirations with them. Leadership, for me, means creating meaningful connections and environments where individuals feel valued, aligned, and supported to contribute fully.”

Ndungu’s commitment to understanding people more deeply extends beyond the workplace. She is currently pursuing a Master’s degree in Counselling Psychology, a path she says complements her leadership approach and strengthens her ability to support individuals and teams more intentionally.

And so, as organisations across the continent reflect on gender equity during International Women’s Day, Ndungu resists narrow definitions of “female leadership traits”. Instead, she speaks about a full spectrum of strengths. “Women bring strategic thinking, resilience, business acumen, and the ability to deliver results in complex environments. These qualities are central to corporate success,” she says.

She adds that alongside these technical capabilities, women also demonstrate essential leadership qualities such as emotional intelligence, empathy, vulnerability, balance, and the ability to build meaningful relationships. “These are no longer optional skills. They are increasingly recognised as the new ways of leading, especially in environments that require agility, collaboration, and trust.”

But recognising these strengths, she adds, requires intentionality from organisations. “Equal access to opportunity, transparent promotion pathways, and merit-based leadership assessment ensure that competence and contribution, not gender, determine advancement. When leadership is evaluated on impact, the expertise women bring becomes undeniable,” Ndungu notes.

Behind many successful women are mentors and sponsors who believed in them before the world did. Ndungu credits both with playing a defining role in her growth and acknowledges Patricia Ithau, Mbuvi Ngunze, and Gerald Mahinda as leaders whose guidance, trust, and advocacy have shaped her journey. She explains that opportunities came to her from leaders willing to entrust her with stretch assignments and see potential beyond her immediate role. As she transitioned from finance to marketing and communication, such leaders advocated for her capabilities.

Ndungu is thus passionate about the role mentorship plays in advancing women. She strongly believes in the power of women mentoring women, noting that shared lived experiences foster relatability, confidence, and practical insights. At the same time, she underscores the importance of male allies. Men, she says, can be particularly influential mentors because they are able to advocate for women in spaces where they may not always be present.

Today, mentoring emerging professionals is one of the most important aspects of her leadership journey. At her current position, Ndungu operates at the intersection of growth and responsibility. Financial services, she notes, have a direct impact on women’s lives, from health coverage to savings, investment, and long-term security.

For her, advancing gender inclusivity means more than symbolic campaigns. “It involves ensuring women have access to financial tools and guidance tailored to different life stages.” Creating inclusive workplaces, she adds, demands more than well-written policies. “Culture is shaped in everyday actions. Practical steps include ensuring diverse representation in decision-making forums, embedding inclusivity into leadership development programmes, and fostering open dialogue across teams.”

At Jubilee Insurance, several entities are led by women, with many others in managerial and decision-making roles. “The organisation promotes diversity across teams, supports employee networks, and encourages candid conversations, ensuring inclusion is operational, not ornamental.”

Ndungu emphasises that corporate leaders carry particular responsibilities in advancing gender equity. “Culture and priorities trickle down from the top, and when equity is embedded into business strategy, supported by targets and accountability, it creates sustainable change,” she says.

Ndungu points out that at Jubilee Insurance, inclusion and equity are treated as strategic priorities, embedded into hiring, development, and promotion frameworks.

Her message to young women? “Believe in your vision. Embrace your strengths. Be fearless…. And remember that when you rise, you create space for others to rise with you.”