Adona Foundation

20 February 2025: Chim’s journey of Breaking Barriers and Leading with Purpose

Born in Malawi, I’ve always had a desire to go against the grain, and my journey to leadership has been nothing short of unconventional. At a young age, my parents wanted us to get the best possible start with a good education. My sister and I were sent to Waterford Kamhlaba (WK), a United World College (UWC) school in Swaziland, now Eswatini. This experience ignited my curiosity for the world, fueling my desire to travel and explore different cultures and perspectives. 

After seven transformative years at WK, I took my next bold step by moving to the UK to study Quantity Surveying at The University of Salford in a field that was predominantly male and white. I subsequently got a job with Turner & Townsend, first as a summer job, and then for my year in industry placement as part of my QS course, before being offered a permanent role following gradution. 

As a Black African female, I often found myself being disregarded on projects and external meetings — many assumed I was there as admin staff or simply to take minutes, I guess due to the lack of diversity in the industry. But rather than deter me, this only fueled my determination to break barriers and prove them wrong. I went on to get my Chartered status (MRICS) as a Member of the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors at the age of 25.

I excelled in my career, winning several industry awards in the UK, and my persistence soon saw me rising through the ranks within Turner & Townsend. I was identified as a future leader and appointed to the Chairman’s Group, where I was given the responsibility to establish and head up the renewable energy group within the company. 

In time, an opportunity arose to return to Africa, and I transitioned into a role with the UK Government Department for International Development (DFID). I started as a regional commercial advisor for DFID, working at the British High Commission in Pretoria, South Africa, before moving to the DRC at the British Embassy in Kinshasa. There I worked as a private sector development advisor, supporting companies to expand. Alongside this, I led our work in the mining sector. 

In my next chapter, I moved to the Department for International Trade (DIT), which later became the Department for Business and Trade (DBT). I took on the role of Country Director for Nigeria, working across various sectors and establishing a creative sector initiative, which remains a legacy today. 

I subsequently applied for a role on promotion and was promoted to Regional (Southern Africa) Director for DBT based in Johannesburg. This new role opens the door for even greater opportunities, and I am excited about what lies ahead. 

Throughout all of this, I did not walk this path alone. I balanced my demanding career as a wife and mother, striving to be present in both my professional and personal life. However, my marriage broke down while I was in the DRC, a challenge that tested me in ways I had never imagined. But through it all, I remained resilient, and today, I continue to excel as a single mother, raising my beautiful and intelligent 8-year-old daughter, another future leader, who is with me here in South Africa. 

Through every stage of my career, I’ve been driven by a desire to inspire and uplift others, especially young women. I’ve navigated fields where I was often the only female, the only person of color, or the one defying expectations. 

My journey is proof that breaking boundaries isn’t just about being the first—it’s about leading by example, opening doors for others, and inspiring future female leaders to have the courage to defy the odds and create their own path. 

I encourage every young woman to believe in her potential, embrace the challenges, and most importantly, keep pushing forward, because the world is waiting for your leadership. To all future female leaders, remember that true power lies not in conforming to the expectations of others, but in bravely forging your own path. 

As a black African woman, I’ve learned that stepping outside the box, even when it feels daunting, is where you’ll discover your strength and your purpose. Embrace the challenges and the setbacks, for they will shape your resilience. Let your vision be unwavering, and your voice be unapologetically loud. We are the architects of the future — never let anyone tell you what you can or cannot achieve. Lead with courage, authenticity, and a fierce belief that you can change the world.