Agatha Juma

I have always been a dreamer. I never quite settled on what I want to be when “I grow up.” All I knew is that whatever I became, it would be fun, make me a very comfortable living and create a positive impact in a lot of people’s lives.

I studied Tourism and Travel in college and started off as a reservations clerk at the largest hotel chain in Kenya then. Having my first child at 21 jolted me into growing up pretty fast. I spent a large part of the last 2 decades in the Travel and Tourism sector in various companies and roles, with the last one being the CEO of a Tourism sector advocacy group.

It is when I was new in this role that I had an embarrassing public speaking encounter that led me to develop and enhance my public speaking and communication skills.

3 years ago, I co-founded Engage K. Limited which provides a platform for ordinary people to Inform. Inspire. Influence by sharing their ordinary and extraordinary stories and experiences. I finally found what I want to keep doing when I’m grown up. From the process of coaching speakers to give a voice, structure and impact to their experiences, I have found fulfilment. This has birthed a communications masterclass for executives who wish to sharpen their communication skills for delivery with impact.

My endeavour is to scale the Engage work and impact in Kenya and the continent at large. I envision growing the Engage platform to have many more ordinary people inspire and influence a much wider audience of ordinary people through their ordinary and extraordinary lives, stories and experience. I also want to grow the communications masterclass reach without losing the intimacy of its current set up. The tools and know how to do this is what I intend to get out of the THNK executive leadership program.

I was nominated to become a THNKer by