GRACE THUO

Grace Thuo is a seasoned communications professional who recognizes the pivotal role of effective communication in fostering understanding, driving meaningful dialogues, and cultivating strong relationships between organisations and their audiences. Grace holds a BA in Journalism/International Relations from the United States International University-Africa and an MBA in Strategic Management from Daystar University, Nairobi.

“A Mentor Brings to the Fore the Blind Spots and Holds You Accountable”

Q: Tell us a few things about you! Your background, your childhood and early beginnings!

I was born and raised in Nairobi, Kenya - a proud Kenyan and African. My childhood was fun and easy-going, where family and community were central to how we socialised and interacted. Today, I wear many hats: as a wife, mother, sister, daughter and friend. Professionally, I am a communication professional with over 12 years experience primarily in the development space. When I am not at work, a good meal and a good book are my first leisure stop and I also really enjoy colouring.

Q: What are some of the key challenges in your society currently?

As with any other society, my country is grappling with its fair share. From people to planet and everything in between, so I would put these challenges under major umbrellas rather than singling them out. Shortfalls in leadership, accountability and integrity right from the home unit to country governance level.

Q: Share with us some of the hurdles that you had to overcome in your life so far? How did you handle them?

With every hat I wear in life personally and in my career, there have been hurdles at different stages and levels. At the heart of most has been self-doubt and the fear to come out of my comfort zone.

It is still a learning curve. I find surrounding myself with a strong community, feeding my mind, body and spirit with the right content and taking on opportunities such as this mentorship as helpful ways to handle these hurdles.

Q: Why is the role of a mentor important for you?

Society has pushed this narrative that doing it alone is the ultimate fix. However, this can be a lonely, rough and long road where you are bumping into all kinds of roadblocks many of which, sometimes even all, have a solution because someone else has been there before or at least knows a connection or resource that may help. 

Yet, no man is an island and we need each other in this journey of life. A mentor has something in them or achievements that you admire and wish to scale similar heights. Why not work smarter then, rather than harder?

A mentor is one such resource who will support you in your thought process, bring to the fore the blind spots and hold you accountable to implement your ideas.

Q: Do you have a lesson that life has taught you and you would like to share?  

As long as I open my eyes with each rising sun, as long as I still have breath, my work on earth is not yet done. So, no matter how utterly bleak it looks, every single day I have the gift of life is an opportunity to give it another shot.

Q: Name a project, a foundation or a person in your country that you think is doing great work in helping improve other people's lives! 

Clean Start Africa! The founder's experience was one of a kind and to have something so beautiful birthed out of that experience leaving such impactful footprints is something I find so inspiring.

Q: What are some of the challenges that women in your country face and what efforts are being made towards gender equality?

The challenges are such a disheartening longlist that seems to be ever growing. Sometimes I look around in reflection and get anxious and fearful about the state of women in my country and beyond.

But, hopeful we must remain. And it is initiatives such as I have highlighted above, visionary leadership, policies and regulatory frameworks, strong voices and a coming together of like-minded, change-oriented individuals that is bringing change, no matter how small it may look, to achieve gender equality.

Q: Share with us a motto you live by.

Not a specific one but all underscored by optimism. I like to see the glass half-full in every situation and that helps shift the mind from a negative narrative to a can-do, will-do narrative.

Q: If you had all the money needed to launch the project of your dreams, can you describe what you would do?

I would work more intentionally with 'new' moms in my country, new here being irrespective of a first or fifth child. It is never an easy transition and often, talking about the realities of this transition is frowned upon, especially in my society. I would create a safe space that allows new moms to be vulnerable but also provides tools to support their individual journeys.

Q: Anything else that you may wish to add? 

This has been a great opportunity and I am happy I pursued the application when I came across it. I hope others who are considering it grab the opportunity.