Join Mary Kinyua in the first part of the "Heartfelt Leadership" podcast episode as she shares her inspiring professional journey that evolved from legal into HR and the brands she's engaged with over the last 18 years. When she started her career in the legal field, it was not her cup of tea, and she quickly shifted into the HR space. This shift coincided with transitioning from Personnel Management to Human Resource Management. Mary had to google her way in learning her new HR role due to the challenge of having a mentor to guide her. Understanding the "why" of her new role was crucial, and she immersed herself in research to take informed actions.
Believing in the importance of giving back, Mary felt compelled to share her knowledge, making it easier for those who follow in her footsteps. Despite her youth, she faced the challenge with determination, initially hiding her age. Mentorship significantly impacted her growth; working with the various Managing Directors and seniors was always a pleasure.
Mary also revisits her childhood school days, where she took on leadership responsibilities early, serving as a prefect. Another pivotal moment in her leadership journey was her time in the Oserian community, where she felt her impact on multiple fronts, honing her governance skills.
She delves into her groundbreaking achievement as the first black chair of Fairtrade International and the first female chair in the organization. Governance becomes a central aspect of her leadership as she coordinates and aligns various stakeholders, leading to successfully launching a new strategy. In discussing the flower industry's Fair-Trade standards, she highlights the importance of adhering to minimum wage requirements and bringing valuable contributions. The context of the problem is crucial, and she emphasizes that solutions should come from those who own the challenges.
Meeting the Pope during the challenging Covid period was a profound experience for Mary; witnessing his simplicity and passion reinvigorated her sense of purpose. She also shares how her leadership journey was transformed from being a mere manager to a true leader by lobbying people to embrace change and adapt to new situations. Mary also emphasizes the importance of consistency in leadership and continuity even in a leader's absence.
Leadership during the Covid period at Oserian presented unique challenges. Still, Mary's focus on the people element and her involvement in the organizational review process helped her navigate challenging times. One of the highlights at Oserian for Mary was the deep emotional connection of the people to the brand, fostering easy consultation and collaboration. She believes leadership qualities emerge at different times, stressing the significance of being steadfast, excellent, and empathetic. Viewing people as humans rather than mere roles or resources is essential, as well as knowing when to adopt and transition between leadership qualities.
Mary Kinyua is the Chief Human Resource Officer of Naivas Ltd, Kenya's largest chain of supermarkets with close to 100 stores spread throughout the country. She was nominated as the Top 40 Under 40 Woman of the Year in 2019 and received the prestigious 2019 HR Director of the Year - 2nd Runner-up award. As an accredited Executive Leadership Coach and a member of the Institute of Human Resource Managers, she continuously seeks personal and professional growth through her education at institutions like Nanyang Business School, Strathmore Business School, and the Centre of Corporate Governance. Mary is pursuing her Doctorate studies in Strategy and HRM at the University of Nairobi.
