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In Uncategorized April 25, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Kenya’s First Female Drone Expert and Pilot, Anne Nderitu

Anne Nderitu is Kenya’s first female fixed-wing Drone Pilot.

She is an Aeronautical Engineer, Drone Expert and Chief Operating Officer at Kenya Flying Labs.

She holds a Bachelor of Engineering (B.Eng) Honours degree in Aeronautics Engineering from the Technical University of Kenya, a Trusted Level Operator (TOP) level 2 from African Drone and Data Academy, a Certificate of Drone Technology and Remote Pilot Licence from Virginia Tech, USA.

Anne has worked on various drone projects including Cholera Hyper-surveillance project to predict and mitigate outbreaks in Kenya.

She is a Young African Leaders Initiative (YALI), fellow and her goal is to create a positive impact across the world using technology

She is also an entrepreneur and advocate for gender equality.

Through her foundation, The Girls Boardroom, she mentors girls and ladies to take opportunities and grow their careers. The Girls Boardroom is a platform that empowers women to reach their full potential. Women are able to collaborate, network and share advice on a safe and secure platform while tackling their daily career challenges.

Her mission is to create more women leaders and bridge the gap that exists at the top of the chain.

In Uncategorized April 19, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Marta Vânia Uetela : Mozambican Mechanical Engineer, and Entrepreneur Changing the Lives of Amputees with her Prostheses.

Marta Vânia Uetela is a Mozambican born Mechanical Engineer, Certified Welder and Entrepreneur that is committed to changing the lives of amputees with her prostheses.

While some despair and cower in the face of challenges, there are those who choose to make the best out of any challenges. They search for opportunities in the midst of challenges by rolling up their sleeves in search of a solution.

This is what happened with Marta Vania Uetela, an entrepreneur and student of mechanical engineering, who after seeing the difficulties a friend with an amputated leg faced in acquiring a prosthesis, decided to help him overcome this challenge by producing a custom-made prosthesis so that he could continue to do activities and live a life with fewer limitations.

She is the Founder and Industrial Designer at BioMec Prosthetics, producers of high performance prostheses based on plastic collected from the oceans, aimed at increasing access to artificial limbs at reasonable prices, using a technology that increases compatibility between the residual limb and prosthesis creating comfort.

BioMec’s prostheses meet the needs and functions of individuals who suffer from amputations, traumas, or physical disabilities at birth.

“After some research we realized that 90% of amputees in Mozambique do not have access to prostheses, either because of the high prices, time taken to obtain them, or even access to health care. The other 10% who do have access don’t feel very confident and safe due to the prosthesis design itself and prices are inaccessible.”

“Using the plastic residuals from only 6 bottles or 250g of fish net discarded in the ocean we’re able to build a prosthesis for someone who has suffered an amputation below the knee,” said Marta.

According to Marta, the key to success is persistence: “everything is complicated, but we must be bold and willing to take risks. My appeal to young entrepreneurs is not to give up the journey”.

In Uncategorized April 18, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Captain Irene Koki Mutungi : Africa’s First Female Boeing 787 Dreamliner Captain

Captain Irene is Kenya Airways’ first female Pilot and Captain, she commanded first father/daughter flight and first all female flight in Africa.

Her father was a Pilot at Kenya Airways, flying with him from a very young age ignited her passion to became a Pilot and she never looked back.

At age 17, she attended flight school at Nairobi’s Wilson Airport, where she obtained her Private Pilot’s License. She went to obtain her Commercial Pilot’s License from the Federal Aviation Administration, USA.

In spite of challenges she encountered during her training, Captain Irene Koki managed to rise through the ranks.

Far from having complexes, she maintains a cordial relation with her colleagues.

In her words, “I feel at ease in what I’m doing, whether it is during late working hours, days off and my working hours, everything goes well for me. I cannot work in a structured environment, although air transport industry is structured in its own ways.”

“My first flight was just few days before I turned 18 and it was the most amazing experience. My most memorable flight was the one I got to do with my father, it was his last flight in the airline, he chose to retire early and wind up his career with a flight he did with me and that was very memorable,” said Captain Irene Koki Mutungi.

After obtaining her Commercial Pilot’s License, she returned to Kenya and was hired by Kenya Airways, as their first female Pilot and she has been with the airline for more than 2 decades. She is currently commanding a Boeing 787 “Dreamliner”.

In Uncategorized April 14, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Inota Cheta – 27-year-old Zambian Entrepreneur

Inota Cheta is a 27-year-old Zambian born inspirational and trailblazing – Economist, Entrepreneur, Financial Literacy Trainer, Business Mentor and Speaker.

Inota is the Co-Founder of She Entrepreneur – an organisation that seeks to support women in business. This is done through capacity building, exposure to business opportunities, creating visibility for women owned businesses and providing networking platforms.

Inota holds a Bachelors degree in Economics and Statistics from the University of Zambia and a Masters degree in Economics and Finance from the University of Lusaka.

“I am passionate about imparting knowledge in females with regard to financial education and business. My approach is also to use practical lessons and activities. I believe with the right tools females can build and grow sustainable enterprises that can significantly contribute to economic growth and can reduce unemployment on the African continent.” she said.

Inota Cheta is a Mandela Washington Fellow, European Development Days Young Leader and also a member of AWEC 2020.

In Uncategorized April 13, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Ancillar Mangena, 29-year-old, Zimbabwean Multi-Award Winning Journalist.

The 29-year-old, Zimbabwean born Ancillar Mangena is a multi-award winning Journalist, BBC World News Reporter, United Nations Refugee Agency Ambassador, Rallinca Media Founder, Speaker and Moderator.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts (BA) in Communication, Journalism and Related Programs and a Bachelor of Arts (BA) Honours degree in Communication, Journalism and Related Programs from the University of Johannesburg.

Immediately after obtaining her Honors degree in 2014, she was hired by Caxton community newspaper where she worked for just over year before being head hunted by Chris Bishop, Forbes Africa Magazine’s Founding Editor.

Ancillar has won numerous awards which includes: CNN MultiChoice Young Journalist of the Year Award, Sanlam Excellence in Financial Journalism Young Journalist of the Year Award and interviewed the likes of Christo Wiese – founder of Shoprite and Seinhoff, Michiel Le Roux – founder of Capitec and the legendary South African entrepreneur late Richard Maponya.

She also created and edited the coveted Forbes Africa under 30 list for three years.

In Uncategorized March 29, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Dr Caroline Pule A 30 Year Old South African Medical Scientist and Advovate of STEM

Dr Caroline Pule, (PhD) is a 30 year old South African. She is a medical scientist, researcher and advocates for women in STEM.

Dr. Caroline is a Philanthropist and Founder of Caroline Pule Science & Literacy Foundation (CPSLF). A literary foundation which helps establish science clubs in disadvantaged communities and to distribute scientific literature to these communities.

She holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Medical Sciences, Master of Science (MSc) in Molecular Biology and Human Genetics from the University of Stellenbosch, BTech Honours in Medical Biotechnology and BTech in Biotechnology from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology.

Dr Pule is currently a Medical Scientist in the Global Surgery Division, Department of Surgery at the University of Cape Town where she manages the Global Surgery Research Cluster and conduct groundbreaking research work.

She also volunteers at the CrowdFight Covid-19 initiative, a global organisation where volunteer scientists from different countries are working together by adding their expertise in their respective fields to support the fight against Covid-19 pandemic.

Dr. Caroline is a huge inspiration to young girls and women who feel out of place and unsure about pursuing a career in STEM. She is proof that you can be successful in STEM and shouldn’t be limited because of your gender.

To further encourage women and young girls who want to pursue a career in STEM, she said:

‘Life is about choices, it doesn’t matter what family you come from, whether rich or poor; that doesn’t limit you as a young woman to pursue your career dream, to be that Doctor, Engineer, Scientist or Mathematician you want to be. All you need to do is be focused, vigilant, willing to excel in all you do and use every opportunity that comes your way to succeed.’

Be inspired to be all you choose to be!

In Uncategorized March 27, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Jumoke Dada, Founder of Taeillo.

Jumoke Dada is a 26-year-old Nigerian born highly inspirational and trailblazing – Designer and founder of Taeillo, a multimillion dollar afrocentric furniture manufacturing company based in Lagos, Nigeria.

Jumoke’s mission is to create furniture for Africans wherever they are in the world.

Before establishing the Taeillo brand, Jumoke has worked in top Architectural, Interior Design and Furniture manufacturing companies in Nigeria.

She holds a Master’s Degree in Environmental Design and a Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Architecture (first class honours) from the University of Lagos.

Jumoke Dada has also participated in design competitions and design workshops and won some grants and awards including Tony Elumelu Foundation Award as one of 1,000 entrepreneurs that will shape
the future of Africa, Diamond Bank – Building Entrepreneurs Awards.

Jumoke also won the She Leads Africa Accelerator Award for young Female-led Businesses leveraging technology create better African communities and was featured on Elle Decoration South Africa as one of Africa’s creative doing something interesting on the continent at the moment.

Jumoke Dada is an inspiration and more.

In Uncategorized March 25, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Dr Wendy Okolo…

Dr Wendy Okolo, 31-year-old Nigerian born multi-award winning – Aerospace Research Engineer and Special Emphasis Programs Manager at NASA – National Aeronautics and Space Administration.

At age 26, she became the first black woman to obtain a PhD in Aerospace Engineering from the University of Texas at Arlington (USA).

She is an avid supporter of changing the narrative of underrepresentation in STEM, particularly for young girls, career women, and people of colour.

In addition to her role as an Aerospace Researcher, she has served as the special emphasis programs manager for women, working to demonstrate and ensure NASA’s commitment to the recruitment, retention, and promotion of women.

Her initiatives include creating nursing rooms for mothers to ease their transition back to work and analyzing job language usage in position descriptions to remove gendered language biases that reduce female applicants.

Dr. Okolo is always a call away from giving a keynote, serving on a panel, inspiring the next generation of minority STEM leaders, and providing tools for individuals and organizations to foster diversity and inclusion in STEM.

This is all shades of amazing!

In Uncategorized March 23, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Favour Chisimdi Nwobodo The 20-Year Old Polyglot

For a lot of people, learning another language is a herculean task. A lot of Nigerian students struggled with the French classes offered in secondary school and couldn’t wait to let go of the struggle as soon as they could.

A Nigerian born Favour Chisimdi Nwobodo has successfully achieved the feat of learning and speaking nine foreign languages which includes Korean, Swahili, Shona, Indonesian, Filipino, Spanish, German, French and Chinese (Mandarin), all without leaving the shores of Nigeria. She also speaks English and Igbo and currently learning Yoruba.

Mind blowing right? Yes!

You know what else is mind blowing? She is not a student of humanities. Favour Chisimdi is an undergraduate of medicine and surgery.

This is proof that you can do and be whatever you set your heart to do.

Learning a language that isn’t yours is a struggle but Favour endured and persevered through all the hurdles, nine times and that is why this is a great feat.

She is a genius, a cultural genius.

Cultural genius because a person’s language is an essential, inseparable part of their culture. So by learning their language, she has incorporated certain aspects of their culture.

Favour Chisimdi is the founder and CEO of Empress Linguistics Services, a language service provider aimed at providing linguistic solutions to Businesses, Brands, Entrepreneurs, Engineers and everyone at large.

Her services includes – Language Translation, Interpretation, Proofreading and Brand Translations Services, Advertisement in various languages, Language Tutorials and many more.

Join us celebrate this language genius!

In Uncategorized March 22, 2021 By Women of Rubies

Meet Dr. Dambisa Moyo…

Meet – Dr. Dambisa Moyo, inspirational and trailblazing Zambian born Global Economist, Investor, Author, Speaker, World Traveler and Marathon Runner.

She is a well respected pre-eminent thinker, who influences key decision-makers in strategic investment and public policy.

She has earned a strong reputation as a top-tier opinion former and trusted advisor on Macroeconomics, Geopolitics, Technology and Millennial themes.

She is a Board member of 3M and Chevron.

Dr. Dambisa Moyo holds a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Economics from the University of Oxford, a Master of Public Administration (MPA) from Harvard University, MBA and Bachelor of Science in Chemistry & Finance from American University.

She is recognized for fresh and innovative ideas as the Author of four (4) New York Times Bestselling Books: 1. Edge of Chaos,

2. Winner Take All

3. How the West Was Lost and Dead Aid: Why Aid is Not Working

4. How There is a Better Way for Africa.

She was named to the list of Oprah Winfrey ‘O’ Power List, Time 100 Most Influential people in the world; writes for the Financial Times, WSJ, Barron’s, Harvard Business Review and has travelled to 80 countries.

Dr Dambisa Moyo is a world leading economist and one of the most influential people in the world, as named by Forbes.

She analyses macroeconomy and international affairs and proposes economic and social solutions to some of the biggest issues facing our global economy today.

In our opinion, that’s just what the world needs.