Fiona is nearly as still as she is a good laugh. She is Endeavor Africa’s advisor and a member of its global executive committee.
Operating in 40 markets around the world, Endeavor supports entrepreneurs to scale their businesses. In Kenya, the company has raised billions of shillings for local businesspeople.
Before joining Endeavor in 2017, Fiona worked in the private equity sector at Actis and sat on the board of East Africa Private Equity and Venture Capital Association. Fiona, the daughter of a journalist, has a piercing wit and bottomless understanding of the business funding ecosystem.
She attended institutions that can arguably be described in academic terms as royalty: Alliance Girls, London School of Economics (LSE), and Harvard Business School.
"‘‘Naturally, I’m an ambitious person. I put myself out there to solve problems, and always seek to build personal and business networks. We sometimes underestimate the power of networks.’’"
‘‘LSE had always been my dream school. It was a special experience being in an environment of high performers and where many Pan-Africanists such as Mwai Kibaki had been.’’
The academic rigour and competitiveness inculcated in her the belief that ‘‘great things are powered by hard work and steadfastness.’’
But it’s being entrusted with steering the brand in this market, where she works with Kenyan entrepreneurs to help them unlock funding, that’s her proudest and most gratifying career milestone.
“Recently, the journey of a Kenyan entrepreneur was featured as a case study at the Harvard Business School where I’m a guest lecturer. Being able to document a Kenyan story of success to the world was a highlight for me.’’
Her propulsion? ‘‘Naturally, I’m an ambitious person. I put myself out there to solve problems, and always seek to build personal and business networks. We sometimes underestimate the power of networks.’’
‘‘My curiosity was ignited as a child through exposure to travel by my parents. These travels made me aspire to greater things in life. Being in a class of 90 nationalities at LSE also helped to build my confidence.”
On leadership her view is, “to whom much is given, much is expected.’’ She is also unlearning a great deal. ‘‘Earlier in my career, I was result-driven, but now I try to inspire my team to be the best version of themselves.” She also surrounds herself with “like-minded people in different industries.”
James Kahongeh
