As the youngest executive at Isuzu East Africa, Mercy Omollo has been leading the company’s automation agenda, giving clients a great digital experience.
She wanted to study law as a young girl. “I knew I loved technology but I never imagined this journey,” Ms Omollo says.
After earning a Business Information Technology degree from Jomo Kenyatta University of Agricuture and Technology, she couldn’t find work in her field fast enough.
Instead of giving up, she invested in professional certifications, volunteered to support her employer’s IT team until Deloitte offered her the big break she had been waiting for.
"Be your biggest cheerleader. If you know you can do something—even if you don't have every qualification—do it."
That willingness to create opportunities instead of waiting for them has defined her career.
Perhaps the boldest example came during her leadership at ISACA Kenya, the professional association for technology professionals. While serving as vice-president, Ms Omollo resigned to contest for president in a by-election.
She won, the ensuing chaos notwithstanding. “To break the glass ceiling, you first break some rules.”
She became only the second woman in ISACA Kenya’s 26-year history to serve as president. Under her leadership, ISACA secured an African Union grant to develop AI, cybersecurity and data protection programmes for TVET institutions.
Her contribution earned her the 2026 ISACA Global Technology for Humanity Award.
She encourages young professionals to go beyond university education and earn industry certifications, volunteer, and embrace uncomfortable opportunities.
Lessons learnt? “Be your biggest cheerleader. If you know you can do something—even if you don’t have every qualification—do it. Believe in yourself first, then make sure you perform.”
–Ndugu Abisai