Zipporah Gitau, Chief Risk Officer, I&M Bank

Two decades ago, a young Zippy was walking the streets of Nairobi’s Central Business District when she found herself outside the iconic I&M Bank Tower. Driven by youthful optimism, she entered the building where she requested to speak to the CEO. As he was absent, the receptionist who received her, instead kindly introduced her to his deputy Mr. KN Vasanth to whom Zippy expressed the desire for a job opportunity. She was invited to a job interview shortly after, which she excelled at and was promptly hired. Zippy now leads the Risk and Compliance function for I&M Group PLC as the Chief Risk Officer and is tasked with ensuring the Bank is reselient, safeguarding customer and employee interests and protecting shareholder value. Reflecting on International Women’s Day, and the value of an employer who believes in equal access to leadership opportunities, she says of the culture at I&M Bank, “If you can deliver, it (gender) doesn’t matter, you get the position.” Looking at her steady rise at I&M Group, she is an exemplification of #Inspire Inclusion. #IMFuture #IM50 #StrongFoundation #FutureFocus #GoldenJubilee