Beyond Earning: Understanding Money, Investment and Financial Growth Earning an income is important, but long-term financial security requires more than earning and saving. True financial independence comes from knowing how to manage, invest, grow, and protect your money. As part of its commitment to advancing women's economic empowerment through knowledge, networks, and practical learning, Woven […]
Woven Impact Network is a non-profit organization dedicated to addressing developmental challenges in a systematic way. We create opportunities that empower women and youth with the knowledge, resources, and inspiration they need to thrive and drive transformational change within their communities.
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Adaorie Udechukwu [Senior Gender Advisor, Africa, International Finance Corporation (IFC)]
Ada is a gender expert and finance professional with a demonstrated history of working in the banking industry and leading programmes with an objective to reduce gender gaps across employment and entrepreneurship in Nigeria and key African markets.
Her 17 years’ experience in the financial services sector spans bank operations, consumer and SME finance, products and segments management with a focus on women’s financial inclusion and their participation in entrepreneurship and the workplace.
In her role as Head, Women Banking at Access Bank, she supported women sub-segments in Nigeria and key African markets (Ghana, Rwanda, Zambia, Gambia and Sierra Leone) through the women’s market programme – the W Initiative. The initiative won several local and international awards including a three-year consecutive Central Bank’s award for Excellence in Women’s Economic Empowerment.
Ada has contributed to reducing gender gaps in access to finance for WSMEs in Nigeria with over four thousand WSMEs supported in accessing loans and more than fifty thousand women benefiting from the non-financial services offerings of the programme at Access Bank – one of which is a mini MBA developed in partnership with the IFC. In the course of her work, she also engaged with companies who were clients of the bank, to advocate for gender inclusive policies.
Bolu Sofowora is a communications and customer experience expert, passionate about forging meaningful connections and creating valuable experiences for individuals and organizations. She holds a Master of Science in Marketing and Brand Management from Nottingham Business School in the UK, where she cultivated her enthusiasm for communication and brand strategy.
Beyond her professional endeavors, Bolu is an aspiring author and an avid book lover who finds immense joy in storytelling. Her passion extends to supporting women in their personal and professional journeys; she is an active member of Woven Impact, a community committed to empowering and uplifting women.
With 18 years of expertise spanning education and waste management, I specialize in transforming sustainability into a strategic business advantage. My work focuses on the circular economy as a primary driver for growth; a perspective I’ve shared at Michigan State University, on CNN, and across more than 20 global panels and podcasts.
Currently advancing my expertise at the University of Toronto, I translate complex ESG goals into actionable community impact. As a community strategist in the Kitchener-Waterloo region, I bridge the gap between operational efficiency and human well-being. Whether I am designing and delivering seminars on the Circular Economy or fostering mental health through Afro Dance Fitness, my mission is to empower others, especially women, to lead with clarity, confidence, and a commitment to a circular future.
Olasubomi Sofowora (Subomi), is an author, a transformational leader and strategic community builder with almost two decades of experience in brand communications, strategic marketing, and sustainable development. A dynamic strategist and facilitator, she is known for crafting compelling narratives and driving social change through innovative and impactful initiatives.
Passionate about women’s empowerment, Subomi founded Woven Impact Network, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering grassroots micro business women. Through the Women WIN program, the organization builds the capacity of these women to achieve economic stability, over 100 women have been empowered till date and the goal is to empower 1,000 more within the next 5 years.
Her commitment to social impact is reflected in her consulting role with the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region, Ontario Canada as a Program Facilitator. Subomi also played a pivotal role in establishing the Muhammad Sanusi II (MSII) SDG Initiative, stemming from her position as an advisor to
His Highness Muhammad Sanusi, one of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) Advocates. Through this initiative, thousands of teachers were empowered to catalyze change and lead innovative educational community projects.
At Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc (FMN), Subomi served as Extension Services & Knowledge Management Manager, designing and executing value chain development programs. As Brand Marketing & Program Manager, she led strategic brand-building for the Agro-Allied Division. Her leadership as Chairperson of the FMN Women Network (about 500 women) earned FMN recognition from IFC’s Nigeria 2 Equal program for advancing women’s empowerment. Earlier in her career, she worked in advertising, managing high-profile brand accounts across diverse sectors, and at Food Concepts Plc, where she handled marketing and public relations for Chicken Republic and Butterfield brands.
She is the Founder & Lead Strategist at Coresense, a consulting firm she established to partner with organizations in crafting bold, authentic narratives and delivering strategic solutions that drive positioning, growth, and lasting impact. Subomi recently published her debut transformational book, Merged Chapters: A Journey of Becoming, a guide for anyone wanting to embrace change, live intentionally and being a better version of themselves.
Subomi holds a Bachelor’s in Agricultural Economics, a Master’s in Business Administration. She also holds a certificate in Business Sustainability Management from the University of Cambridge. She was a Fellow of the Advanced Leadership in Social Impact program at Queen’s University and a President’s Honor graduate of the Management in Community Services program at Conestoga College, Canada.
Subomi serves on the boards of Xcentrique Media, Greenhills Farmstead and Christian Canadian Business Federation. She also mentors and serves as a faculty member at FATE Foundation, mentoring aspiring entrepreneurs and facilitating programs that promote business development.
Olubunmi Abejirin is a senior telecommunications executive and customer experience leader with over two decades of leadership experience spanning customer strategy, retail operations, and business growth. She currently serves as General Manager, Customer Experience and High Value at Airtel Nigeria, where she drives customer-centric transformation initiatives and high-value client engagement strategies in one of Africa’s most competitive industries.
Known for her results-driven leadership and strategic insight, Olubunmi has built a distinguished career delivering innovative customer experience solutions and leading high-performing teams across major telecommunications organizations including Airtel Nigeria and Glo Mobile Limited. Her work has consistently focused on strengthening customer relationships , and driving sustainable business performance for retention and revenue growth.
She bagged a BSc(Ed) in Economics Education at the University of Ilorin and later obtained a Masters in Peace and Conflict Studies from the University of Ibadan. She has attended several leadership coaching & development programs and is holder of a Certificate in Building Strong Alliances and Organizations from Harvard University in Boston, USA. Most recently, she obtained a Pan African Executive MBA in Managerial Decisions Across Cultures from IESE, in Barcelona,Spain alongside an Executive MBA from the prestigious Lagos Business School (AACSB, AMBA and AABS accredited).
A passionate advocate for leadership development and women’s advancement, She is the first female president of the Airtel Staff Multipurpose Cooperative Society as well as the former President of AIESEC Alumni Nigeria, she continues to volunteer with emerging professionals and leaders. In her leisure time Bunmi loves walking or dancing as exercise and watching movies.
Naomi Nwokolo is a dual licensed USA and Nigerian attorney and counselor at law, well-versed in the international development law field of practice. She is currently serving as the CEO/Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact Network Nigeria, the country office of the UN Secretary General’s world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative.
Under Nwokolo’s leadership, the UN Global Compact Network Nigeria has become a leading voice for sustainability and responsible corporate practices in Nigeria. She has successfully led numerous initiatives and programs aimed at promoting sustainable business practices and has also played a critical role in advancing the Sustainable Development Goals in Nigeria through projects aimed at improving the lives of people.
Before joining the Global Compact, Naomi was an ESG attorney with the Nigerian Coalition for the International Criminal Court, where she litigated the human rights of indigent persons in Nigeria, the labor rights of employees who were wrongfully terminated from work, the rights of victims of sexual and gender-based violence, and has globally led international criminal justice initiatives to advance peace and just institutions.
Naomi has a Bachelor of Laws degree from Enugu State University. She attended Emory University School of Law in Atlanta, Georgia, USA, where she concentrated on international Business, Trade, and Development Law, and graduated with a Master of Laws (LLC). She’s a certified sustainability expert from the University of Cambridge Institute of Sustainability Leadership, United Kingdom.
Naomi sits on the board of Prince Sultan University Climate Sustainability Center; she was twice elected Chairperson of the United Nations Global Compact Regional Network Council, representing eleven African country offices of the UN Global Compact at the Global Network Council (GNC) in New York. She was listed among the 50 African Women in Development Awards in 2022. And was named amongst 100 Living Environmental Professionals in Nigeria in 2022.
Folake Ilori is a strategic people and operations leader with over 16 years of experience
in the aviation sector. She began her career at Caverton Helicopters in 2009 and
advanced to Human Resources Manager in 2015, where she strengthened HR
governance, enhanced workforce capability, and drove culture-focused initiatives that
improved organisational performance.
Her early roles at Imperial Aluminium, Guaranty Trust Bank, and Enterprise for
Development International provided a strong foundation in stakeholder engagement,
workforce development, and social impact—insights that continue to shape her
leadership approach.
In 2022, Folake expanded her executive portfolio by transitioning into Procurement and
Logistics, a department she now leads. Her cross-functional expertise positions her at
the intersection of people, processes, and operational strategy.
A CIPD UK Associate Member with a Diploma in HR Management, she also has a
certificate on Leadership in Action under the CPD Certification Service. She holds a
bachelor’s degree in Agricultural Economics and Extension. Folake is recognised for her
disciplined, people-centred, and results-driven leadership.
Olasubomi Sofowora is a transformational leader with 20 years of experience in brand communications, strategic marketing, and sustainable development. She is the founder of Woven Impact Network, a nonprofit organization that empowers grassroots micro-business women through initiatives like the Women WIN program, focused on building economic resilience and entrepreneurial skills.
A passionate advocate for social change, Subomi has held impactful roles with organizations such as 1 Million Teachers, Flour Mills of Nigeria Plc, and the Muhammad Sanusi II SDG Initiative, where she helped empower thousands of educators. She currently consults with the African Women’s Alliance of Waterloo Region and leads Coresense, a strategy and communications firm.
Subomi holds degrees in Agricultural Economics and Business Administration, with additional training from the University of Cambridge and Queen’s University. She also serves as a mentor, facilitator, and board member for several organizations advancing women’s empowerment and community development.
Hakeem Subair has a diverse work experience spanning over two decades. Currently, he holds the position of Chair of the Board of Trustees at Woven Impact Network. Hakeem is responsible for leading initiatives that empower individuals to make a positive impact in their communities.
He is a Cambridge University/HP EdTech Fellow, holds a master’s in Management Innovation and Entrepreneurship from Queen’s University, with a Certificate in Social Impact. His academic journey includes a B.Com from the University of Windsor and a B.Finance from the University of Ilorin.
As the co-founder of 1 Million Teachers for over seven years, he applies business principles to address global challenges.
