When Elizabeth Juma walked across the stage at Strathmore University, clutching her Bachelor of Commerce degree, little did she know the rollercoaster that awaited her. From landing a job at Unilever, thanks to a chance encounter with their Financial Controller, to watching that role vanish as the finance function got outsourced, her journey was anything but smooth. Yet, it was those exact twists and turns that set Elizabeth on a path of profound impact, creating a legacy of service in her hometown of Bungoma.

Elizabeth’s post-Strathmore story is a testament to resilience. After her role at Unilever ended, she faced one of the lowest points of her life. She threw herself into entrepreneurship, trying her hand at ten different ventures. Everything from ride-hailing to agribusiness. Only to meet with repeated failures. But true to the spirit Strathmore University instilled in her, she refused to give up.

“It was five years ago when all my business efforts had failed that I decided to move back to Bungoma and start a supermarket,” she shares. Today, her venture has transformed the community, employing 50 local youth and providing much-needed opportunities in a region that had been overlooked.

But it wasn’t just the lure of business that called Elizabeth back home. Her heart had always leaned towards service, a passion deeply rooted in her upbringing. Her mother, Teresah, a community pillar and founder of Wema BDO, had ingrained in her the importance of helping others. Yet, it wasn’t until Elizabeth found herself working endless 16-hour days that she realized something was missing. “Despite the success, it all began to feel empty,” she reflects. It was then that she felt a calling to step into her mother’s shoes and lead Wema BDO, a decision that would alter her life and the lives of countless others.

In her role, Elizabeth has been the driving force behind initiatives that breathe new life into her community. From launching the Wema Girls Cup, a soccer program that empowers 300 young girls through sports, to opening the Wema Technical Training Institute (TTI), which equips youth with practical skills like masonry, plumbing, and ICT, her projects address the root causes of poverty and unemployment. She even pioneered the Wema Water and Sanitation Project, providing clean water access to 3,000 residents, a vital lifeline that allows women and girls to focus on education and economic activities instead of the daily struggle for water.

Measuring success, for Elizabeth, goes beyond financial metrics. It’s about the stories like the girls who have won bursaries through the Wema Girls Cup or the youth who can now provide for their families thanks to skills gained at Wema TTI. “Hearing how their lives have changed because of our work is my greatest reward,” she says.

Her journey, however, hasn’t been without challenges. Securing resources, facing misconceptions about her organization’s funding, and battling local political friction have all tested her resolve. Yet, her tenacity remains unshaken. “Resilience has been key,” Elizabeth notes. “When faced with obstacles, I seek solutions and keep pressing forward, even if it means fighting to secure a field for our girls to train.”

Elizabeth credits much of her determination to the foundation she built at Strathmore University. “Strathmore taught me the importance of integrity, leadership, and service,” she says, recalling the rigorous academic environment that kept her driven. Mentors like Dr. Jim McFie and Mrs. Freshia Waweru left a lasting imprint, guiding her through her studies and beyond. Now, she channels those lessons into every community project she leads, ensuring her work remains true to its mission of uplifting others.

Looking ahead, Elizabeth’s dreams are even bigger. From expanding Wema’s reach across Kenya to launching a farmers’ training school in collaboration with DNALife Organization, she is on a mission to create sustainable change. And as she prepares for the Wema Girls Empowerment Conference in December, her vision is clear: “I am committed to exceeding my mother’s wildest dreams for Wema BDO and creating a brighter future for the next generation.”

Her advice to current Strathmore students and recent graduates is simple yet powerful: “Start where you are, with what you have. Resilience and a heart for service are what make a real difference.” For Elizabeth, being nominated for the Alumni of the Year: Service to Society 2024 award is not just a personal honor. It’s a celebration of her mother’s legacy and a validation of a journey that turned setbacks into stepping stones for a community’s brighter tomorrow.

Article written by Stephen Wakhu