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For many of the diverse professionals who logged into the Konseye Career Impact Summit 2025, it was more than another virtual conference.

 It became a deeply personal turning point — a weekend that reshaped perspectives, clarified purpose, and illuminated new pathways for growth.

 From Lagos to Calgary, the United States to Zimbabwe, and India to the Philippines, participants connected across continents for an experience that blended mentorship, leadership development, career strategy, and honest reflection.

The summit featured 14 sessions delivered by 19 global speakers.

Across sessions, breakout rooms, fireside conversations and interactive chats, what stood out most were the voices of participants whose testimonies captured the soul of the two-day summit: clarity, courage, community — and a renewed commitment to purpose.

The event drew 258 registered attendees, representing early-career individuals, mid-level professionals, senior experts and entrepreneurs. The diversity of participants — across industries, continents and career levels — helped shape an environment where experiences were shared freely and lessons resonated across borders.

 Among the participants was Farida Shittu, whose reflection encapsulated the depth of what many experienced.

 Farida, a first-class Accounting graduate and data analyst, described the summit as nothing short of transformative.

A single question posed by global executive Gbemisola Abudu stayed with her long after the session ended: “What defines your choices in your career?” For Farida, that question quickly became the cornerstone of her summit experience.

Gbemisola’s “tripartite formula” — Faith, Brand, and Family — struck her with unusual clarity.

These three guiding pillars, Farida said, instantly reorganised the way she thought about career decisions.

“That simple yet profound truth gave me clarity,” she said, adding that the framework has now become her compass for aligning career purpose with progress.

 Farida’s testimony echoed the sentiments of many professionals at the summit who described a renewed sense of direction and a deeper understanding of what it takes to build both a meaningful and impactful career.

Another participant, Aishat Opeyemi Babatunde, a writer, educator and leadership enthusiast, described the summit as a “weekend of deep learning and reflection.”

For her, the global attendance — spanning Nigeria, India, Malaysia, Indonesia, Zambia, Brazil, the United States, Barbados, the UK and Belgium — was proof of Konseye’s ability to create a borderless learning community.

Despite being virtual, she noted, the experience felt intimate, intentional, and powerfully connective. “It felt like we were all in the same room, driven by a shared hunger to grow, connect, and make an impact,” she said.

Throughout the summit, speakers delivered high-level insights that attendees repeatedly described as “practical,” “eye-opening,” and “life-reframing.”

Farida, noted that Asadullah Khan emphasized the power of an integrated marketing approach and the importance of consistency across digital platforms.

 His message on authenticity resonated with young professionals navigating crowded digital spaces.

Tech experts Memme Onwudiwe and Paschal Amah reminded participants that AI is a tool—not a threat. Their call to maintain curiosity, question machine output, and avoid complacency in a tech-driven world was particularly relevant for attendees concerned about the future of work and AI. The

“Dear Younger Me” session — delivered in two parts — became the emotional heart of the summit.

Speakers including Dr. Shingi Masanzu, Qazeem Oladejo, Spencer Fondaumiere, Piper Wilson, Dr. Yemi Babington-Ashaye, and Dr. Adanna Chukwuma shared vulnerable stories about ambition, setbacks, resilience, and personal clarity.

Farida described the session as a moment that “made me feel like a child again, soaking in wisdom.”

The raw honesty and lived experience shared by the speakers offered participants a roadmap for navigating uncertainty while pursuing long-term goals.

This session was designed to take attendees “inside the minds of accomplished professionals,” allowing them to hear the guidance and lessons these leaders wish they had years earlier.

The reflections explored how ambition meets reality, how setbacks become teachers, and how clarity often emerges at the most challenging moments.

Participants were urged to see their journeys not as linear paths but as evolving stories —shaped by decisions, risks, courage, and community.

For many attendees, the teachings on leadership stood out.

Karimi Fondaumiere, Managing Director of SPRK, delivered a session on “The Essence of Leadership and Excellence,” where she explored the mindset and discipline required to lead with integrity and resilience.

Her 5 Cs of Great Leadership — Courage, Curiosity, Clarity, Connection, and Certainty — became a new mantra for growth for the attendees.

According to Chidera Ugwu, an executive assistant, this concept is now “living rent-free” in her mind!

Karimi’s expertise, rooted in years of leading strategy and transformation initiatives across Africa and the UN system, provided practical insights for professionals navigating disruption, career transitions, and evolving workplace demands.

Another voice that made a lasting impression was Dr. Adejoké Babington-Ashaye, founder of Konseye: The Mentorship Network. Her perspective on mentorship shifted the mindset of many young professionals who had long desired guidance but did not know where to begin.

 “Are you ready to be mentored?” she asked. “Are you willing to hear a different perspective that will refine your approach?” “Are you ‘sponsorable’? Can someone genuinely vouch for you?”

 These questions, simple yet profound, made Unyime Ikpeida, a budding business analyst and strategic planner, realise that true mentorship starts with introspection — the ability to understand oneself before seeking external direction and support. The message reflected one of the summit’s core pillars: building long-lasting, mutually beneficial relationships with mentors, sponsors, and professional communities.

Throughout the two-day summit, attendees engaged with sessions across seven learning tracks, which comprised entrepreneurship, career strategy, personal branding, professional development, community and connection, mindfulness and wellbeing, and leadership.

Kirubel Gebretsadik, a medical doctor, reflected on the Summit as a strong reminder of the importance of intentional growth and visionary leadership. For him, the event emphasised that true impact comes from pursuing one’s purpose, leading with clarity, and striving to create lasting change in one’s field and community.

Building a career of purpose requires practical tools and Aishat described the sessions on digital branding, AI and the future of work, wellness, business scaling, and investor pitching as offering “practical strategies I can immediately apply.”

She highlighted the fireside chats and workshops, noting their authenticity and the depth of the conversations.

For Moira Kalonde, a business intelligence analyst, her highlights included lessons that demonstrated that leadership and excellence are rooted in self-awareness, empathy, and having a clear vision for the next chapter.

Katongo Mulenga, a legal practitioner and community manager, shared that the “summit truly lived up to its promise of helping us elevate our careers with purpose, clarity, and lasting impact.”

One of the standout sessions was “Pitch Perfect: Funding Your Ideas,” facilitated by Iyinoluwa Aboyeji — founder of both Flutterwave and Andela, and now co-founder of Future Africa.

Attendees received insights on navigating global challenging startup ecosystems, preparing and pitching ideas, understanding investor expectations, and remaining authentic to their stories.

Farida’s reflection on Iyinoluwa’s session centered around authenticity and courage. She recalled his reminder that entrepreneurs must remain true to their stories and never fear rejection — a message that deeply resonated with participants exploring entrepreneurial pathways. When it came time for the final question, Unyime asked the one every aspiring founder fears to hear: “What is the single most common non-financial red flag that turns even the most enthusiastic investor away?”

Iyinoluwa’s answer was incisive and unforgettable: three core missteps—failing to do what you promised, compromising your integrity, and missing deadlines or failing to communicate.

For Unyime, it wasn’t just advice; it was a masterclass in the art of founder integrity.

Personal branding and career strategy were also a major theme throughout the summit. Several attendees referenced speaker Bassey Akpanika, who reframed how to approach structuring your CV — not as a list of accomplishments but as a personal “billboard” that answers three critical questions: Who am I? Why me? And why now?

Bassey’s guidance on interviews — urging participants to see them as dialogues rather than interrogations — provided reassurance and boosted confidence for professionals preparing for competitive job markets.

Laiba Azeem, a physics student from Pakistan, shared that the exposure to diverse perspectives from career counseling and personal development to leadership strategies and AI’s transformative potential—reinforced that modern success requires adaptability, emotional intelligence, and responsible use of technology.

The summit also emphasized discipline, time management, and mental preparedness. Spencer Fondaumiere, an entrepreneur, sommelier, and former rugby athlete, highlighted through his Dear Younger Me segment, the importance of aligning discipline and determination with ambition.

To Maureen Opondo, a social impact leader, these lessons on discipline demonstrated the “tough but necessary work of unlearning, relearning, and rethinking what it means to build, adapt, and grow.”

She left the summit “feeling seen, equipped, and called higher.”

Meanwhile, Dr. Adeyemi Babington-Ashaye distilled the resilience message through his closing advice: “Never fight alone; stay composed, graceful, strategic, and organized.”

To many, the message served as both a reminder and a challenge — to not only dream big but also build the community, structure, and mindset needed to sustain success.

 Konseye’s emphasis on community was unmistakable. Dr. Adejoké Babington-Ashaye, the Founder, Konseye: The Mentorship Network in her welcome address, reminded participants that attending the summit was itself an act of courage — a declaration that their growth mattered.

She encouraged attendees to be present, engage actively, network intentionally, and treat the virtual space with the same professionalism as any global conference hall.

 She also urged participants to reflect on what they learned and take deliberate action.

“Growth only happens when insight becomes action,” she said.

Speaking further she reiterated Konseye’s slogan: “With the right network, anything is possible,” and said that the summit is designed to give participants the tools, connections, and inspiration to help them grow with purpose, lead with vision and create lasting impact.

“The Greatest value of this experience lies not only in what you hear, but in how you engage.”

For Selamawit Fhilipos, an administrative officer and procurement specialist, the Summit was a transformative experience that highlighted the power of collaboration and mentorship.

Engaging with passionate participants and experienced mentors from diverse backgrounds strengthened her confidence in pursuing entrepreneurial goals and making a meaningful impact in her community.