Work, Impact, and Connection: Professionals Reflect on Career Purpose at meet

These were some of the reflections shared at a recent gathering of professionals in Nairobi, where industry leaders came together to reframe how people think about work, ambition, and growth.

In one of the keynote sessions, EABL Group Chief Finance Officer Risper Ohaga challenged the audience to move beyond traditional definitions of success, highlighting that one’s job is more than KPIs. “It’s an assignment for a season. True success is about the positive impact you leave behind—on your industry and the people around you.” 

She also emphasized that real leadership doesn’t thrive on rivalry. “Only low-level people compete,” she added. “At the top, it’s about collaboration.”

Another standout moment came from Wale Akinyemi, who delivered a personal talk titled Confessions of a Converted Introvert. Recounting his transformation after surviving a heart attack, Akinyemi highlighted the urgency of building genuine, meaningful relationships. 

Florence Nyokabi added her voice to the conversation by sharing her own journey in the pursuit of purpose. She encouraged professionals to stop using time as the main metric for career moves. “Don’t just change jobs because it’s been three years,” she said. “Change when you’ve made all the impact you can, and you’re no longer feeling stretched.”

The event, convened by HR leader and connector Lillian Ngala, created space for these layered conversations. In her remarks, Ngala urged attendees to treat networking as a long-term investment in authenticity rather than a short-term transactional tactic. 

This was the second edition of the Lillian Ngala Network event this year, an initiative that seeks to create a space for professionals to grow their careers and grow in leadership, and the power of community.