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100 LIONESSES: Nkemdilim Begho takes to the stage in Brussels to talk Technology and Job Creation, Growth and Competitiveness in West Africa

June 24, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Nkemdilim Begho, founder of FutureSoft (Nigeria)

Nkemdilim Begho, founder of FutureSoft (Nigeria)

This month, Nigerian serial entrepreneur Nkemdilim Begho, founder of specialist IT company FutureSoft and co-founder of children’s accessory brand AlwaysMe by Ann Li, had the honour of speaking in Brussels at a high level European Commission conference. The event, which sought to tackle issues around Job Creation, Growth and Competitiveness in West Africa, attracted 300 high-level representatives from the European Commission, Regional Organisations (ECOWAS and WAEMU), Regional Development Banks, National Authorities at Ministerial level, financial Institutions and private sector stakeholders. 

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In Lionesses, 100 Lionesses Project, Features Tags Nkemdilim Begho
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100 Lionesses: Renowned Conservationist, Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, speaks at Explorers Festival in Washington D.C.

June 17, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka

Some of the world’s most innovative scientists, conservationists, explorers and storytellers took to the stage at the prestigious National Geographic Explorers Festival this week in Washington. Amongst them was the renowned Ugandan gorilla conservationist and veterinarian Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of leading organisation CTPH Conservation Through Public Health, and Gorilla Conservation Coffee.

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In Lionesses, Features Tags Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
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Quote of the Day by Divine Ndhlukula

May 28, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe) - speaking at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016.

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe) - speaking at the Lionesses of Africa Annual Conference 2016.

"We want to expand from being solely a Zimbabwean security services company into being an African giant.”

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of SECURICO Security Services (Zimbabwe)

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In Quote of the Day, Lionesses Tags Growing Your Business, Divine Ndhlukula
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100 LIONESSES: Celebrating the life of a pioneering South African woman entrepreneur who revolutionized the real estate industry

April 8, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Pam Golding

Pam Golding

This past week saw the end of an era in South Africa as one of the country’s pioneering women entrepreneurs passed away. Pam Golding, founder and Life President of the Pam Golding Property Group, was an extraordinary example of how to beat gender stereotypes and build a global business and brand from the bottom up. She died on Tuesday at her home Wittebomen in Constantia, Cape Town. She was 89 years old.

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Pam Golding
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100 Lionesses: Flying Doctors Nigeria founder, Dr Ola Brown, honoured with Aviation Most Remarkable Medical Personality Award

April 1, 2018 Melanie Hawken
Flying Doctors Nigeria Founder, Dr Ola Brown and Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury after Brown received the Aviation Most Remarkable Medical Personality Award from NIGAV in Lagos.

Flying Doctors Nigeria Founder, Dr Ola Brown and Finland’s Ambassador to Nigeria, Pirjo Suomela-Chowdhury after Brown received the Aviation Most Remarkable Medical Personality Award from NIGAV in Lagos.

In recognition of Flying Doctors Nigeria’s role in saving lives during critical and emergency situations in sub-Sahara Africa, Dr Ola Brown, the company's founder has been bestowed with the prestigious 2017 Aviation Most Remarkable Medical Personality Award by the Nigeria Aviation Awards (NIGAV) held last month.

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Ola Orekunrin
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Divine Ndhlukula wins Zimbabwe's private sector leader of the year award

September 17, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Screen Shot 2017-09-17 at 2.01.33 PM.jpg

Women dominated the Zimbabwe Institute of Management 2017 Leadership Excellence awards that were presented in Harare this month, with Securico Security Services founder, Divine Ndhlukula, picking up the prestigious Private Sector Leader of the Year award.  She received the award for her ongoing contribution to management excellence in the country in the preceding year and for being an example and inspiration for others to emulate.

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In Award Winner, Lionesses, 100 Lionesses Project Tags Divine Ndhlukula
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100 Lionesses: Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of Gorilla Conservation Coffee wins prestigious SEED Award

September 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of Gorilla Conservation Coffee (Uganda)

Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of Gorilla Conservation Coffee (Uganda)

Dr Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka, founder of Gorilla Conservation Coffee, the game-changing for-profit social enterprise which aims to improve the livelihoods of coffee farmers whilst at the same time protecting mountain gorillas in Uganda, has just been recognised by this year’s prestigious SEED Awards. 

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In Award Winner, Lionesses Tags Gladys Kalema-Zikusoka
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100 Lionesses: Tabitha Karanja’s Keroche Foundation growing a new generation of young entrepreneurs 

July 9, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Tabitha Karanja, CEO of the groundbreaking Kenyan Keroche Breweries empire, has a vision for the empowerment of a new generation of young entrepreneurs in her country.  The Keroche Foundation Young Entrepreneurs Mentorship Program is one of the tangible ways she is fulfilling that vision.

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses, Social Impact Tags Tabitha Karanja
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Awards and Accolades: 5 Young Women Entrepreneurs Recognized by the Keroche Foundation Young Entrepreneurs Mentorship Programme 

July 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Screen Shot 2017-07-06 at 4.05.38 PM.jpg

The Keroche Foundation Young Entrepreneurs Mentorship Program is one of the tangible ways that leading Kenyan entrepreneur, Tabitha Karanja, founder of Keroche Breweries, is fulfilling her vision of empowering a new generation of young entrepreneurs in her country. Five young women entrepreneurs have just been recognized for their business building activities in the second cohort to graduate from the program.

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In Award Winner, Lionesses Tags Kenya, Tabitha Karanja
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100 Lionesses: Nigerian entrepreneur Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV, honored with journalism award

July 6, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV (Nigeria)

Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV (Nigeria)

This week, on 6th July 2017, the 4th Women in Journalism Conference takes place, honoring the outstanding work done by women in their own individual fields in the media sector. Nigerian game-changing media entrepreneur, Mo Abudu, founder of Ebony Life TV, is to be recognized for her work in changing the media landscape in Africa.

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Mo Abudu
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100 Lionesses: Divine Ndhlukula appointed new Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce President

July 2, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Divine Ndhlukula, founder of Securico

Divine Ndhlukula, founder of Securico

This month saw the appointment of Divine Ndhlukula, founder of game changing security services company, Securico, as the new Zimbabwe National Chamber of Commerce (ZNCC) President, a post she will occupy for the next two years. She has committed to dedicating her time at the helm of the ZNCC to furthering the cause of small to medium sized enterprises, something close to her heart as an entrepreneur. Divine said: “It will be important to note that we will focus on helping SMEs to realize their full potential as they now anchor the country’s economy. In the same vein, we will also strive to ensure that the country’s economy can realize its full potential.”

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Divine Ndhlukula
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100 LIONESSES: Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu the creative force behind soleRebels, Africa's fastest growing footwear brand

June 24, 2017 Melanie Hawken

Watch this fascinating interview with Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, founder and ceo of soleRebels, as she talks about how she has led her Ethiopian business to become the fastest growing African shoe brand, now taking the world by storm.

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Videos, Lionesses Tags Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu
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100 Lionesses - Tabitha Karanja and Julian Adyeri Omalla, two game-changing women entrepreneurs recognized for their trailblazing drinks industry businesses in Africa

June 11, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Tabitha Karanja (L) and Julian Adyeri Omalla (R)

Tabitha Karanja (L) and Julian Adyeri Omalla (R)

The Africa Report has just published its list of the 50 women Star Dealmakers, the trendsetters, trailblazers and game-changing business brand-builders, who are shaking up the world of business on the African continent. Two of the women making the list and who have definitely made their significant mark in the drinks industries are Tabitha Karanja, CEO Keroche Breweries; and Julian Adyeri Omalla, Managing Director of Delight Uganda. 

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Julian Omalla, Tabitha Karanja
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Nigerian ecopreneur, Bilikiss Adebiyi and her company WeCyclers, wins the Smart Cities Innovation Awards Grand Prize Le Monde 2017

June 3, 2017 Melanie Hawken

For the second edition of the Smart Cities Innovation Awards held this past week, the French newspaper Le Monde thought big. Nigerian startup WeCyclers, co-founded by Bilikiss Adebiyi, the innovative startup that brings domestic waste collection and treatment to Nigeria through a fleet of cargo-bikes and a waste sorting hub, was awarded with the prestigious International Grand Prize at the awards event held in Singapore. 

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Bilikiss Adebiyi-Abiola
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Monica Musonda, founder of Java Foods, Zambia wins the African Agribusiness Entrepreneur of the Year Award 2017

May 14, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Monica Musonda, founder of Java Foods (Zambia)

Monica Musonda, founder of Java Foods (Zambia)

The Market Matters 2017 African Agribusiness Entrepreneur of the Year Award has just been presented to Ms. Monica Musonda, founder and owner of Java Foods in Zambia.  Ms. Musonda and Java Foods’ contribution to Africa’s agribusiness sector and food security was officially recognized during the Closing Banquet of the 2017 Making Markets Matter Executive Training Program for the African Agribusiness Sector in Somerset West, South Africa, on 11 May 2017. Java Foods joins a list of 8 other pioneering African entrepreneurs in receiving this honor.

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Monica Musonda
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Sarah Collins and Wonderbag collaborate with Pfizer Vaccines to positively change lives in Ghana

March 10, 2017 Melanie Hawken

In the Upper East Region of Ghana, cooking is a dangerous and time-consuming daily activity. Results from a self-reported survey indicate that women spend two hours a day gathering fuel and water, followed by up to four hours standing over open fires1. Exposed to cooking smoke for hours each day, women and small children can be at higher risk for deadly diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, heart disease and lung cancer.

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Sarah Collins
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Is your favorite lipstick fake? Africa's leading beauty entrepreneur Tara Fela-Durotoye launches campaign to tackle counterfeiting

March 5, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Tara Fela-Durotoye, Founder & CEO of House of Tara International

Tara Fela-Durotoye, Founder & CEO of House of Tara International

Leading African beauty industry entrepreneur, Tara Fela-Durotoye, together with other leading Nigerian entrepreneurs are raising their voices to stand against counterfeiting, intellectual property theft and piracy in Nigeria. Their powerful new campaign 'United We Stand' aimed at tackling piracy, counterfeiting and intellectual property theft head-on launched on 24th February 2017. The campaign is a call to action against injustice which also implores the Nigerian public to take extra steps to preserve hard work and to ensure consumer safety by buying genuine products and shunning counterfeit products. 

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Tara Fela-Durotoye
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SoleRebels founder Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu demonstrates the power of thinking big with her new Garden of Coffee venture

February 26, 2017 Melanie Hawken
GardenofCoffee_Launch.jpg

Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, the pioneering and enterprising creator of the inspirational SoleRebels ethical footwear brand, and Republic of Leather, her business venture that puts Ethiopia’s handcrafted leatherwear and accessories on the global map, believes the future of a truly sustainable specialty coffee market can be found in coffee’s birthplace, her native Ethiopia. After more than a decade of building SoleRebels into a global footwear and leather goods brand that combines traditional Ethiopian craftsmanship and materials with fresh new designs while also paying top dollar throughout the supply chain, Alemu late last year launched an equally ambitious new coffee venture called Garden of Coffee.

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In 100 Lionesses Project, Lionesses Tags Bethlehem Tilahun Alemu, Ethiopia
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Fée Halsted's Ardmore Ceramics exhibits its vibrant and unique ceramic art in Miami

January 15, 2017 Melanie Hawken
Fée Halsted, founder of Ardmore Ceramics

Fée Halsted, founder of Ardmore Ceramics

Fée Halsted flew to Miami this week for the opening of Pascoe and Company's Ardmore Ceramics Exhibition hosted by the Ocean Reef Art League. The exhibition has received a great response with tremendous enthusiasm for Ardmore and its artists. The new Pascoe and Company Gallery offers the largest selection of Ardmore in the United States.

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In Lionesses Tags Fée Halsted
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Kofo Akinkugbe’s SecureID launches new SIM Card manufacturing line in Nigeria

January 8, 2017 Melanie Hawken

SecureID Limited, founded by one of Africa’s leading women entrepreneurs, Kofo Akinkugbe, has commissioned a SIM Card manufacturing line to support the needs of Nigeria’s rapidly growing mobile telecoms sector. Launched in 2005, SecureID is an independent, privately owned company located in Lagos, Nigeria that manufactures banking and telecom cards with mag stripe and chip encoding. This new manufacturing line ensures SecureID will continue to lead the way in delivering ‘innovative and first to market’ card technology and solutions.

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In Lionesses Tags Kofo Akinkugbe
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LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORIES

LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Teboho Seretlo, a passion-driven entrepreneur helping SMEs to grow
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Zanele Njapha, a transformational business leadership coach
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Mekdes Mesfin, a proudly Ethiopian fashion designer and manufacturer
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Emilia Chisango, a multi-faceted business empire builder
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware
Morongwe Mokone, a passionate champion of artisanal homeware

IMAGE OF THE DAY. CELEBRATING WOMAN MADE IN AFRICA.

Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c
Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi
Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company
Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p
Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized
Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has
Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y
Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates
Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he
Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi
Image of the Day / Adèle Dejak

Big bold accessories…We are big fans of luxury jewellery and accessories made with love and passion on the African continent, and Adèle Dejak in Kenya is the epitome of handmade luxury. The brand c Image of the Day / ReelFruit
 
Healthy snack treats…We love showcasing Africa’s women agribusiness builders, and ReelFruit, founded by Affiong Williams, is inspirational - it’s the largest fruit processing, packaging and distributi Image of the Day / Dokmai Rwanda

Made in Rwanda Handbag…A passion for handcrafted accessories, combined with a sense of pride for ‘Made in Rwanda’ products, inspired Dokmai Rwanda founder, Bernadette Umunyana, to create a company Image of the Day / Eki Silk

Silk Serenity…Nothing is quite as luxurious as silk, that’s why we love the ‘Africa on Silk’ collections from Eki, founded by Hazel Eki Osunde. Her latest Deep Dive Collection is inspired by the p Image of the Day / The Nanjala Company

Pot plants delivered… Give gifts that will last, such as these stunning plants in individual pots from The Nanjala Company in Kenya, founded by Teresa Nanjala Lubano. This online store creates customized Image of the Day / Sari for Change

Sustainable Sari Glamour - If you want to wear a robe that makes you feel and look glamorous, then Rayana Edwards, founder of Harem in South Africa, has a range of fabulous robes all made from sari fabrics. She has Image of the Day / MonChoco

Pure chocolate heaven…If you are a chocolate lover, then you need to experience raw chocolate at its finest, and Dana Mroueh, founder of MonChoco an artisan chocolatier in Côte d’Ivoire, has just what y Image of the Day / Mulandi Brindes

Say it with flowers…If you want to make someone feel special, then there is no better way than with the gift of fresh flowers, and Mulandi Brindes in Mozambique, founded by Vanessa Guilherme Nhabete, creates Image of the Day / Mariée Eventos

The Wedding Planner…Every big celebration day needs great organization, and that’s where Iris Lezi Munguambe, founder of Mariée Eventos in Mozambique, is your go-to person. She launched he Image of the Day / Dounia Home

Statement lighting… from Dounia Home, the home of innovative, handcrafted and ethically made Moroccan lighting and home decor founded by Dounia Tamri-Loeper. Her company designs, produces and brings to market hi

STARTUP STORIES. MEET THE WOMEN WHO’VE LAUNCHED.

Featured
Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs
Jacqueléne Coetzer, a pan-African business consulting and specialist trade firm builder empowering other women entrepreneurs
Schneidine Phidelmond, an entrepreneur building a holistic digital agency supporting WSMEs and SMEs in Mozambique
Schneidine Phidelmond, an entrepreneur building a holistic digital agency supporting WSMEs and SMEs in Mozambique
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Suné Theisinger and Dr Juanri Jonck, two dynamic players in the aesthetic industry in South Africa
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Tania Kabeya, a passionate chef and entrepreneur building a uniquely African culinary brand
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy
Aasiyah Adams, a visionary South African tech founder helping individuals and organisations to thrive in the digital economy

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Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
Authentic Selling: Be Real to Seal the Deal by Kendrick Shope
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
Babette’s Bread by Babette Kourelos
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
SOS – A Navigation Guide for Women at Work by Lidewij Wiersma, Chantal Korteweg, Tessel van Willigen and Marijn Wiersma
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Unstoppable Entrepreneurs: 7 Paths for Unleashing Successful Startups and Creating Value through Innovation by Lori Rosenkopf
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer
Afro-Optimism Unleashed by Adeolu Adewumi-Zer

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