Speakers

Born Between Two Worlds, Built to Bridge Them

Curiosity brought me into technology, but perspective shaped my purpose. Growing up between worlds taught me how to turn complexity into access - and opportunity into impact, at scale. This principle has guided my work across fintech, social impact technology, and now AI-powered cybersecurity.

I was born in Zimbabwe and raised in the UK, with formative years spent moving between Harare, Johannesburg, and cities across the UK and Europe. Early on, I learned that success is rarely about talent alone; it is about access to systems, information, and power. My late grandmother never trusted banks - her mattress was her vault. Years later, I would understand why, and commit my career to building technology that restores dignity, trust, and agency.

The Moment Everything Changed

While working across Uganda, Malawi, and Zambia with UK microfinance institutions, I met Mai Phiri and her women's group. They walked hours to repay loans, faced humiliation at city banks, and lost income to fees - despite being the economic backbone of their communities. Having grown up through Zimbabwe's banking collapse and the rise of EcoCash, I saw the disconnect clearly: digitising institutions without digitising access fails the people systems exist to serve.

That insight pulled me decisively into technology. I began redesigning systems around users, integrating mobile money into core banking platforms. Through Watsopano, I helped scale dignified financial access from 60,000 to 132,000 active clients across Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe between 2016-2018.

Scaling Systems, Talent, and Impact

This conviction led me to Viamo, where over six years I helped scale their digital engagement platform from 10.5 million to 25 million subscribers across 25 countries - including during COVID-19. I also designed the East and Southern Africa Internship Programme, creating structured pathways that moved 5 interns to senior specialists in various teams leading global initiatives—reinforcing my belief that scalable technology and inclusive opportunity must be built together.

Today, I manage a multi-million-dollar global cybersecurity portfolio at OpenText, translating AI-driven threat detection into operational cyber-resilience for enterprises in highly regulated sectors. My move into AI-powered cybersecurity is a direct extension of my mission: without trust, no system - financial, social, or digital - can truly scale. Beyond my corporate role, I build bridges across the tech ecosystem: speaking at Black Tech Fest, advising and investing in women-led ventures through Daya Ventures, mentoring emerging leaders, and founded 55 Safe Spaces. I believe the African diaspora is a living bridge - connecting capital, talent, and narrative between the UK and the continent - and that this connection is key to shaping a more inclusive and globally influential future for technology.

From my grandmother's mattress to AI-powered security systems, this has always been the work.Details of Work Outside Main Role

Investment & Strategic Advisory

Advisory Board Member & Start-Up Coach, Daya Ventures East Africa (2025–Present): Guiding femtech founders on product-market fit, AI-readiness, and operational scaling to prepare for Angel and VC investment.

Angel Investor, Daya Ventures Sweden (2025–Present): Investing in and supporting women-led, impact-focused tech ventures across Europe and Africa.

Start-Up Advisor: Strategic counsel to ventures including Glacie Health and AI Forge programs (2025), focusing on scalable commercial frameworks and commercial go-to-market.

Ecosystem Building & Mentorship

Mentor, Black Economists Network (2024–Present): Supporting the next generation of Black professionals in navigating high-finance and tech careers. Member, Women of Customer Success (2025 - Present) - London Chapter: actively engaging with the community to share tools, knowledge, opportunities whilst also learning from the community.

Hackathon Judge, AfDB / Frankfurt School / KOAFEC (2019): Evaluated technology incubation programmes for African innovators.

Thought Leadership & Public Speaking

Speaker, Black Tech Fest 2025: Delivered a panel session on "Beyond the resume: What Manager really look for"

Guest Speaker, Project Management Institute Africa: Addressed ICT4D and sustainable growth in the African tech sector leveraging global expertise(2022).

Founder & Host, 55 Safe Spaces Podcast (2020–2023): Created a platform for honest dialogue on African women’s leadership and ambition in Africa and in the diaspora.

Keynote Speaker, Developer Circles (Facebook): Shared strategies for transitioning into tech sector and leadership (2019).