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SUSTAINABILITY CORNER
Champion Spotlight
Jeanette Uddoh
Team Lead, Innovation Unit
Hello, I’m Jeanette Udoh. I’m a Senior Banking Officer based in Lagos.
Driving corporate innovation can sometimes be lonely especially since it’s stillaburgeoningroleinthispart of the world. To cushion this effect, I found an immense support system in the innovation communities I joined. I was able to meet other Corporate Innovators, steering change in their companies.
However, I soon realized the lack of ubiquity of African and Neo-African female corporate innovators in these communities. In response to the gender and diversity gap in innovation and my passion for African women in innovation, I started Africa Rising - Women in Innovation, a premier
community of innovators championing the cause of African and Neo-African women in innovation. My vision is to amplify the voices of African women innovators, change the narrative and celebrate their achievements as changemaker agents in their various fields.
So far, I have met amazing women who are not only demanding a seat at the table or a place at the whiteboard, but also creating their own tables, women who are designing their futures and creating pathways for other women. We must tell our stories and change the narrative rather than wait for the media and the attendant monolithic views. We should amplify ourselves as Africans winning in our respective fields.
Also, in partnership with Social Media Week, Lagos, I have consistently produced impactful events for the past 2 years that addressed sustainable and topical issues - from challenging the media standards of beauty to mental health issues and cyberbullying. We've invited celebrities like Rita Dominic, Kate Henshaw, Eku Edewor, Denola Grey, Idia Aisien, Eva Alordiah to mention but a few as speakers, educating and sharing their experiences on such issues.
Most recently, I won the 'Most Valuable Player' (MVP) Impact 2020 award of Boston, Massachusetts based Innovation Leader - a foremost Innovation platform for corporate
innovators. I am proudly the only African to have won the award since its inception.
I was a speaker at the United Nations (UN) high-level event commemorating the 75th anniversary of the UN. The event’s call for action further drives me to give back to the society with Africa Rising - Women in Innovation. I plan to give back together with the amazing women that are part of the community with our expertise, mentorship, knowledge impartation on STEM education and support for women- led businesses. I can't wait for what the future holds!
For more information, please contact: sustainability@accessbankplc.com PAGE 7 INSIDE ACCESS | DECEMBER 2020 4TH EDITION