In commemoration of International Women’s Day, StartupHR Africa hosted its SheMentors-HR initiative, a mentorship-driven event designed to equip and elevate women in Human Resources across the startup ecosystem.
Event Theme and Participation
The event, themed “One Day. One Mentor. A Stronger HR Future,” brought together over 30 emerging HR professionals and a curated group of experienced HR leaders for a structured mentorship experience focused on building practical capability, clarity, and long-term career direction.
The initiative reflects StartupHR Africa’s broader commitment to strengthening the HR ecosystem by investing in both leadership and pipeline, recognizing that as startups scale, the demand for strong people systems continues to grow.
Distinguished Mentors
The mentorship session featured a distinguished group of HR professionals who are actively shaping people operations across leading organizations. These included:
- Freda McCarthy Okosodo, Head of People & Culture at Mono
- Ijeoma Oyeyinka, Chief People Officer at Helium Health
- Teju Fola-Alade, Head of HR at ROVA (FCMB)
- Misan Adesanmni, Head of People at Bamboo
- Moyowa Uranje-Odueso, Head of People & Culture at SeamlessHR
- Chibuzo Ihentuge-Eric, Head of People & Culture at PaidHR
- Elizabeth Okonji, Chief Executive Officer at TGL Labs Ltd
- Yewande Jinadu, Founder of CareerLife Global
Insights Gained
Through direct engagement with mentors, participants gained insight into navigating HR within startup environments, designing effective people systems, and positioning HR as a strategic function within growing organizations.
Organizational Perspective
Speaking on the initiative, StartupHR Africa noted that empowering women in HR requires more than visibility; it requires access, structure, and intentional development. “Strong organizations are built on strong people systems, and those systems are built by capable professionals. Our goal is to ensure more women are equipped to lead within that space,” the organization stated.
The SheMentors-HR initiative also aligns with StartupHR Africa’s ongoing efforts to spotlight excellence within the HR profession, particularly among women who are contributing to the growth and stability of startups across Africa.
Building a Connected HR Community
By combining mentorship with recognition, the organization is fostering a more connected and capable HR community, one that is better positioned to support the evolving needs of modern businesses. As startups across the continent continue to expand, initiatives like SheMentors-HR highlight the importance of building not just companies, but the systems and professionals that sustain them.
