SHE MEANS BUSINESS| She skipped the ladder & became CEO - Dr. Joyce Omina

Academically gifted from an early age, Dr. Omina says she made a deliberate decision to leverage her strength in education as a stepping stone to leadership. Today, she holds a PhD and multiple professional certifications, a testament to what she describes as using what you have to create room for yourself at the table.

During the interview, her commitment to professional excellence was visible — quite literally. Dr. Omina wore several brooches and badges representing her affiliations and certifications in professional bodies, including those for internal auditors and certified secretaries. For many professionals, such insignia symbolize rigorous training, ethical standards and lifelong learning. For her, they are reminders of the responsibility that comes with expertise.

But beyond academic achievement and corporate leadership, Dr. Omina spoke candidly about the role of faith in her journey. A devoted Christian, she serves actively in her church and views her spirituality as foundational to her leadership philosophy. “Faith is everything to me,” she said, noting that it shapes how she makes decisions and leads people.

On the often-debated question of work-life balance, Dr. Omina prefers the term “work-life integration.” Her advice: plan your life with intention. That means being clear about your priorities, managing your time deliberately, and mastering the discipline of saying no when necessary.

Her message resonates during International Women’s Month — that excellence is not accidental. It is cultivated through learning, discipline, faith, and clarity of purpose.