Rose Thiga, 38

Chief Operating Officer

PayGo Energy

Rose started her career as an auditor at Deloitte in Philadelphia, America. The experience gave her a solid foundation in quantitative and interpersonal skills.

She then decided to round out her business skills by pursuing an MBA in Finance and Management and has since held various roles in strategy and finance in both the US and Kenya since graduating. The 38-year-old also had a stint as an entrepreneur with her consulting firm, BAP Africa, a company that provided advisory services to corporate and private equity investors.

The entrepreneurial experience shaped her into who she is today and ingrained a real sense of hustle and drive which she finds useful in her current role as the COO at PayGo, a technology company that enables consumers to access clean and efficient fuel at a price point that is within their daily energy budget. “I recently started a podcast called Shaping Africa, exploring how returnees from diaspora are making an impact on the continent and giving practical tips for how to make a successful return.”

As she rose to the top, she admits to sometimes questioning herself to the detriment of her business and career.

"“I recently started a podcast called Shaping Africa, exploring how returnees from diaspora are making an impact on the continent and giving practical tips for how to make a successful return.”"

“It changed when I discovered the science behind our minds through two amazing books: A New Earth by Eckhart Tolle and Breaking the Habit of Being Yourselfn by Dr Joe Dispenza, which she highly recommends, as well as meditation.

Rose also believes that rather than conforming or trying to compete, embrace what makes you different and shine.

The life lessons she sticks by?

“You are your own saviour. This is my adaptation of Mel Robbins’ famous “no one is coming to save you” speech.”

Karen Muriuki