From Village Girl to Equity Director: Mary Wangari's next chapter

She rose up the ranks to become the Group Executive Director of Kenya’s biggest bank by number of accounts – Equity Bank. 

After 20 years at the bank, she is charting a new path. 

On this week’s episode of She Means Business,  I sat down with the ‘Iron Lady’ of banking to find out what's next in store for her as she left her C-Suite office.

For someone who has, as she puts it, 'retired', Mary is a very busy lady.

When we arrive for the interview, she had just come from an engagement at the Nairobi Securities Exchange (NSE) and shortly after our session, she was off to another engagement.

She says it's important to be intentional about planning how you will spend your time before deciding to retire otherwise with a lot of free time on your hands, you might feel underutilized and end up in the grave early.

As we sit down settle down for the interview, I ask Mary what her highlights and lessons have been having worked her way up the ranks from being a lawyer to going to work for Equity Group, taking in the role of company secretary before finally transitioning to her role as Group Executive Director.

She speaks of the power of seeing opportunities when life throws challenges at you. This she saw from the many customers who sought the services of Equity Bank, be it for small or big loans for their businesses. 

On work-life integration, Mary says that it's important to set their spiritual, physical, and social compasses right to manage. That involves time for spiritual nourishment through church or other religious activities, making time for exercise, and spending time with family.

On her next steps after leaving Equity Group, Mary says she is not slowing down. She has been involved in several engagements to promote her autobiography - the Village Girl and is in talks with an educational institution to deliver an executive course for leaders. 

For more details on Mary's next chapter, watch the entire episode of She Means Business.