by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Arriving in Indianapolis for the Global Entrepreneurship Congress (GEC) felt like being welcomed home by a community of friends. GEC chose Indiana intentionally, recognizing the state’s strong startup ecosystem and culture of innovation. “The BOLD Change the World” was the event’s tagline, but also served as a call to action. From the moment we landed, GEC volunteers greeted each of the 5,000 attendees arriving from 150 countries, guiding us to buses, sharing local dining tips, and ensuring a seamless transition to the main conference hotel. Registration was swift, credentials were issued (Founder, Ecosystem Builder, Policymaker, Investor), and a sense of shared purpose was already in the air.

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Earlier this year, I made a deliberately planned stop in Oxford on my way to the Paris Marathon to spend a few days on the sidelines of the Skoll World Forum. I was curious to see how leaders, entrepreneurs, and changemakers are thinking about systems change today.

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Why Investing in Your Leadership Matters — A few weeks ago, I had the privilege of speaking at the introduction of a Women in Leadership course at WITS Business School. It got me thinking about a question I often hear: “Is a leadership course really worth it?”

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

As business owners, leaders, and professionals, we often think of the work we do as simply part of the job. However, as I reflect on my experiences and studies on the evolution of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) in small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), particularly through the lens of the third phase of strategic CSR development, I believe that CSR is as much about citizenship as it is about business. A process of building business citizenship.

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

I recently had the opportunity to watch The Final Year, an HBO documentary chronicling the last year of President Barack Obama's administration. The film looks into the inner workings of the White House through the eyes of Obama and several of his staff members including Samantha Power, Ben Rhodes, and John Kerry. It highlighted key themes like diplomacy, war and peace, and the impact of decisions made at the highest levels. For me, however, the documentary went beyond politics and brought to light themes that are integral to my work: education, entrepreneurship and leadership.

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

I have been really fortunate in my life. Today, my siblings and my mum from the family I grew up in are among the closest people to me. We regularly celebrate the life of my father, who was a huge influence on me, showering me with his unique brand of love. I couldn’t have been luckier in finding a life partner in my husband, Victor. Together, we have three amazing young men who are finding their way in the world. Through the careers of my father and husband, as well as some of my own experiences in education and work, I have had the opportunity to enjoy many wonderful experiences around the world. It has been truly great.

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Navigating the complexities of geopolitical changes presents unique challenges for small and medium enterprises (SMEs). It is important to reiterate that SMEs are not just scaled-down versions of larger corporations, and that they play a complementary role in society alongside their larger counterparts.

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) make up approximately 90% of businesses worldwide, and play a pivotal role in economic development and employment. Given shifting geopolitical landscapes—from trade tensions to international aid cuts—these businesses must recognize and address the emotional and mental well-being of their stakeholders. This is particularly crucial at a time when geopolitical changes are already having an impact.

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

The Inspiration: Seeing the Impact of Geopolitics Up Close

I had the privilege of attending NBA All-Star 2025 in the San Francisco Bay Area as a guest of NBA Africa. There I joined the annual Newsmaker Breakfast. The session discussion was moderated by journalist Stephanie Ruhle and featured media giants Tom Friedman, Rashida Jones, and David Brooks. It resonated deeply and Roland Martin and Michael Eric Dyson were in the room. However, it was the question "How does what is happening domestically in the U.S. reflect globally?"—posed during the Q&A—that struck me.

by Dr. Memuna Williams, DBA

Isn’t it amazing how inspiration can come from the most unexpected places?

For me, one such moment occurred at the University of Liverpool, through a fellow student named Lisa Crockett. Lisa was an energetic and dedicated member of our innovative international DBA program. She quickly became a central figure in our program, always present, always willing to lend a hand, and always making sure we had the information we needed to thrive in our studies. But Lisa’s story didn’t stop at being a helpful senior classman. She went on to complete her thesis on pediatric palliative care—a deeply personal and powerful topic that coincided with my own experience of a loved one undergoing the very care she was researching.