The Leaders: 27 Sierra Leonean Women to Watch in 2025

This is the third part of our Women’s Month series celebrating Sierra Leonean women. Today, we amplify and applaud women in business and leadership. These women are no longer waiting for permission. They are taking up space, fighting for us, and using their power to uplift, challenge, empower, and advocate for change.

“These Sierra Leonean women in business and public life inspire me the most. I’ve left out women in politics, women who lead by selection (it pleased a man to put them there) or proximity to political power, those who are loud on the rhetoric but quiet on the action, and lastly, those who are leaders but are afraid to participate in public discourse or make “good trouble.” My advice to this latter group is simple: UNA LEF FOR FRAID! RISE! SPEAK UP! STEP INTO THE LIGHT. This list also unintentionally excludes traditional leaders (women chiefs) because of my lack of knowledge and their reigns’ limited digital media coverage.” – Vickie Remoe.

Sierra Leone and its diaspora are home to remarkable women whose stories go beyond personal success. They are transforming industries, shaping policies, and creating opportunities for others. Knowing their stories is more than inspiring in a world still struggling with inclusivity and equality. It’s a blueprint for progress. 

Here are Vickie Remoe’s picks of Sierra Leonean women, making 2025 a defining year for female leadership.

1.Naasu Genevieve Fofanah – Entrepreneur and  Women’s Access to Finance Advocate, Women’s Green Bank

Naasu Genevieve Fofanah is a powerhouse in women’s financial empowerment and a name you should know in 2025. She’s the Founder and CEO of Women’s Green Bank, launched in 2024, and the CEO of SuSue Women’s Bank. Both institutions are dedicated to giving women in Sierra Leone improved access to financial services. But her influence goes way beyond banking. 

Nassu was Sierra Leone’s first Special Gender Advisor to former President Ernest Bai Koroma, where she played a key role in making Gender Equality and Women’s Empowerment (GEWE) a national priority in the Agenda for Prosperity (2013-2018) framework. This policy laid the foundation of the GEWE Act of 2022, a landmark piece of legislation signed by President Julius Maada Bio. She also became the first Sierra Leonean to represent West Africa at UNECA’s Women and Development Bureau. She served as Vice Chairperson and technical advisor on the common African Position Post-2015 Development Agenda. 

A Yale World Fellow in 2023, Naasu is not just a leader; she’s a strategist, an entrepreneur, and an author with a proven track record of driving meaningful change. From shaping policies and securing financial opportunities for women to breaking barriers in leadership, Naasu is paving the way for the next generation of female changemakers in Sierra Leone and beyond. 

2. Basita Michael – Lawyer, Advocate for Justice, Accountability, and Rule of Law, ILRAJ

Basita Michael is not just a lawyer; she’s a force to be reckoned with in Sierra Leone’s legal and political landscape. As a seasoned attorney, outspoken advocate, and media entrepreneur, she has spent years challenging power, defending human rights, and pushing for good governance. 

With a Bachelor of Laws from the University of Sierra Leone, a solicitor degree from the Sierra Leone Law School, and a Master of Laws in International Criminal Justice from the University of London, Basita could have built a successful career anywhere. But she chose to stay home, driven by her deep passion for justice and commitment to making Sierra Leone better. 

As a human rights lawyer, she has defended the weak and marginalised, standing firm in the face of difficulty. In May 2019, as President of the Sierra Leone Bar Association, she delivered a speech at the Bintumani Conference Centre boldly calling out the government for fostering division rather than unity. Her statements were later defended by the Christian Lawyers Centre, which affirmed that her criticisms were factually accurate and necessary for national dialogue. 

Beyond the courtroom, Basita is shaping conversations through the media. She founded SierraEye Magazine in 2007, a leading publication that fearlessly tackles politics, socioeconomics, education, and culture. 

Her commitment to legal education and advocacy runs deep. She is a lecturer in international law at the Fourah Bay College and the Founder of the Institute of Legal Research and Advocacy for Justice, an organization dedicated to strengthening legal institutions and promoting justice in Sierra Leone. Since 2007, she has been a barrister and solicitor at Michael & Michael Barristers and Solicitors. 

Basita’s fight is for a Sierra Leone where citizens demand accountability, laws are upheld, and human rights are protected. She remains a fearless voice, challenging power and inspiring others to do the same. 

3.Hajara Sesay – Award-winning chef promoting Sierra Leone’s cuisine, Hajara’s Kitchen

From attieke to suya, Hajara’s Kitchen serves up mouthwatering flavours from West Africa right in Woodbridge, Virginia. The woman behind it all is Hajara Sesay, a Sierra Leonean-Nigerian chef who is quickly becoming a household name in the DMV food scene.

When she first moved to the U.S. to join her husband, Hajara worked as a nurse assistant. But juggling long hours with raising five children became overwhelming, so in 2018, she made a bold decision. She left her job to focus on her family and, unknowingly at the time, her future business. 

What started as cooking for her local mosque quickly became a growing business. Friends and community members couldn’t get enough of her signature suya. Encouraged by their demand, she started taking orders from home, using Facebook and WhatsApp to promote her business. Soon, customers weren’t just asking for suya. They wanted jollof, cassava leaves, and more. 

By the end of 2019, she knew she had something special and registered Hajara’s kitchen. She kept growing, and in 2023, she opened her restaurant on Smoketown Road in Woodbridge. 

Her big breakthrough came in August 2023 when she was introduced to Ismael Osekre, the founder of the Jollof Festival, who encouraged her to enter DC’s annual Jollof Festival. It was a game-changer for her. She cooked 100 pounds of rice, fed thousands of festival goers, and walked away as the champion, securing over 42% of the votes. 

Hajara is also pushing culinary boundaries with her inventions, the latest being a world-first suya pizza, combining her Hausa specialty with her pizza-making skills. The response has been phenomenal, with over 300 five-star Google reviews and counting. 

Through food, Hajara is creating a movement. She is connecting people to the rich, diverse flavors of West Africa, one plate at a time. 

4. Kathleen Jah-Davies – Architect CEO & Co-Founder, Arch Designs SL

Kathleen Jah-Davies, Co-Founder and Creative Director of Arch Designs SL, is a testament to how inclusion can break barriers and create new pathways in traditionally male-dominated industries.

With German-Sierra Leonean roots, Kathleen’s journey into architecture is one of determination. She earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering in Architecture and a Master’s Degree in Architecture, Project Management, and Project Development from the University of Applied Sciences Mittelhessen and Alanus University of Applied Sciences in Germany. 

After gaining professional experience in Bonn, Germany, she returned to Sierra Leone in 2016. She co-founded Arch Design (SL) Ltd, a firm that serves as a one-stop shop for design, construction, and project management. 

Through her leadership, Arch Design sets new standards in Sierra Leone’s architectural landscape, blending character and functionality in every project. Kathleen’s role challenges industry norms and highlights the power of equal opportunities in shaping a more inclusive industry with more women dominating the field. 

Beyond architecture, Kathleen is deeply committed to education and mentorship. As a lecturer in the Architecture Department at Fourah Bay College, she is helping train the next generation of Sierra Leonean architects. 

Through her work at Arch Design and dedication to education, she designs buildings and shapes her industry’s future. 

5. Haja Mariama Myers – Entrepreneur and Agribusiness Value Chain Expert

In Sierra Leone’s agribusiness sector, Haja Mariama Myers is a leading name in sustainable food production and supply chain. As the Founder of Estu Delight, she built a company dedicated to converting locally sourced goods into nutritious, organic, and cost-effective food and drinks. Among its standout products is organic Sierra Leonean honey, which has become a favourite for those seeking natural, high-quality sweeteners. 

Since its inception in 2018, Estu Delight has championed smallholder farmers using a farm-to-table model. Today, its products are stocked in major supermarkets across Sierra Leone. 

Haja’s leadership extends beyond Estu Delights. She has served on the board of the Corporate Affairs Commission, is a Mandela Washington Fellow, and holds a TPMA certification as a trainer from the IFC-Learning and Performance Institute. 

As an agribusiness consultant, she supports the government of Sierra Leone and INGOs in improving the agricultural value supply chain and making local brands more competitive. Haja is redefining agribusiness in Sierra Leone and setting a new standard for sustainability, innovation, and local economic empowerment. 

6. Professor Miriam Conteh-Morgan – Deputy Vice-Chancellor, IPAM

Professor Miriam Conteh-Morgan is a scholar, educator, and leader in shaping the future of higher education in Sierra Leone. As the first-ever female Deputy Vice-Chancellor of the Institute of Public Administration and Management (IPAM), she brings her wealth of experience in academia, research, and institutional development. 

Her journey began with a BA from Fourah Bay College in 1981, followed by years of teaching English and history at St. Joseph’s Secondary School and Albert Academy. She further pursued studies at Leeds University UK, earning a Master’s in Linguistics and English Language Teaching in 1987. In 1992, she moved to the US, where she taught African Literature and writing courses at Harvard University and Ohio State University.

She sought new challenges and transitioned into academic librarianship, earning a Master’s in Library and Information Science in 1999. She became a reference librarian at OSU, rose to Associate Professor in 2005, and contributed significantly to research in the field. 

In 2003, she returned to Sierra Leone, leading the IPAM Library and spearheading its modernization efforts, ensuring faculty and students had access to digital resources, research materials, and global academic networks. Beyond the Library, she played key roles in Institutional Development, serving as Coordinator of the University Development Committee and the University Endowment Fund.

With a career spanning teaching, research, librarianship, and university administration, Professor Conteh-Morgan is not just a leader but a mentor, innovator, and advocate for academic excellence. Her appointment as DVC marks a new era for IPAM that champions progress, inclusion, and global academic engagement. 

7. Hannah Max-Macarthy – Entrepreneur and Clean Cooking Advocate, Westwind Energy

Hannah Max-Macarthy is the driving force behind Westwind Energy Limited, leading the charge toward a cleaner, more sustainable future in Sierra Leone. Since 2012, she has spearheaded groundbreaking innovations in energy-efficient cookstoves, transforming how communities cook while tackling indoor air pollution, deforestation, and carbon emissions. 

Her journey into sustainable energy began with a personal loss- her mother’s passing from smoke-related illness caused by indoor pollution. This tragedy fueled her passion for clean cooking solutions, leading her to co-found Westwind Energy after meeting Taspsir N’Jai and learning about Wonder Stoves, a brand his family had pioneered in 1990. Recognising an opportunity to expand the brand’s impact, she and Tapsir took over the business, determined to develop even more efficient, life-saving cookstoves. 

One of Westwind Energy’s most significant innovations was the standing stove, designed to replace the traditional “bell bottom” KCJ model. Introducing an elevated cooking surface and built-in ashtray eliminated discomfort and manual ash removal, making cooking safer and more efficient. Although the stove production of that model ceased four years ago, its impact remains as over 200 families continue to earn a livelihood by manufacturing it locally. The Standing Stove is not totally gone. Westwind Energy has incorporated the elevation design aspect into their most recent stoves which will come to the market later this year. 

Westwind Energy’s institutional stoves have been a game-changer for schools, replacing inefficient three-stone fires with safer, fuel-efficient alternatives. In one urban school, fuel consumption dropped from 75 to 15 bunches of wood daily, saving $6,000 in just two years. 

Today, these stoves are used in over 60 school kitchens, benefitting more than 30,000 people annually. Westwind Energy’s cookstoves contribute to an annual reduction of 15,000 tons of CO2, positioning the company as a leader in the fight against climate change in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

Through innovation, community engagement, and a relentless drive to improve lives, she pushes the boundaries of what’s possible, proving that clean energy solutions can be both impactful and economically viable. 

8. Eleanor Thompson – Human Rights Lawyer and Legal Advocate, Citizens’ Barray

Eleanor Thompson is a human rights lawyer, policy advocate, and social justice innovator dedicated to empowering marginalized communities through the law. She has served as an associate at GPKLegal, a legal consultant, and is the founder of Citizens’ Barray, an initiative dedicated to advancing human rights and access to justice. 

With a career spanning international justice, youth civic engagement, and justice sector reform, she has worked extensively to strengthen human rights protection across Africa. 

As the former Deputy Director for Programmes at Namati Sierra Leone, Eleanor led efforts to help communities understand, utilize, and shape laws to protect their land rights and environment. Before joining Namati, she spearheaded human rights and rule of law initiatives at the Africa Regional Office of the Open Society Foundations, driving policy changes and legal reforms across the continent. 

Admitted to the Sierra Leone Bar, the New York State Bar, and the Columbia Bar, Eleanor continues to push the boundaries of legal advocacy, ensuring that the law is not just a tool for governance but a powerful instrument for justice, equality, and social change.

9. Madonna Thompson – CEO, PKF Sierra Leone

Madonna Thompson is the CEO and board member of PKF in Africa, a prestigious role highlighting Sierra Lone’s growing influence in the global financial sector. With over two decades of expertise spanning accounting, financing, taxation, business strategy, and transformation, Thompson has brought a wealth of knowledge to her role. 

Prior to this role, from 2009 to 2014, she played a crucial role as Senior Financial Analyst and Energy and Telecoms Consultant at Sierra Leone’s National Commission for Privatisation, where she navigated complex financial reforms. Her experience includes serving as Business and Finance Development Coordinator at Penrose in the UK and holding senior finance roles at ESRI UK, Penrose Housing Association, and the London Borough of Hammersmith and Fulham.

Madonna embodies Sierra Leone’s rising presence in the global financial arena. With her visionary leadership and extensive experience, she has driven impactful change, fostered innovation, and shaped the financial future of Africa. 

10. Justice Glenna Thompson –  Justice of the Supreme Court 

Justice Glenna Thompson is a distinguished legal mind dedicated to shaping Sierra Leone’s legal landscape. Called to the Bar by the Honourable Society of Inner Temple in 1993, she has extensive experience in criminal law, family law, corporate law, and justice sector reform.

Since her appointment to the Supreme Court of Sierra Leone in July 2017, Justice Thompson has played a pivotal role in upholding the Rule of Law. Before joining the bench, she built a formidable legal career, practicing in London before returning to Sierra Leone in 2002. She also served on the Special Court for Sierra Leon’s defense team. 

She has also been instrumental in justice sector development, working as a consultant and trainer on donor-funded legal reform projects. Her contributions include drafting key legislation such as the Criminal Procedure Bill, Anti-Corruption Act 2008, and Domestic Violence Act 2007.

She has also served as a member of the Constitutional Review Committee, representing the Sierra Leone Bar Association, and as Chairman of Ecobank Sierra Leone. 

In November 2021, the Honourable Society of Inner Temple appointed her an Honorary Bencher, recognizing her contributions to the legal profession. 

Justice Glenna’s legacy is one of legal excellence, judicial integrity, and unwavering commitment to justice reform in Sierra Leone.  

11. Edleen Elba – Entrepreneur, Private Sector, and Human Capital Advocate, Elba Group

Edleen Elba is a renowned business leader, strategic advisor, and advocate for human capital development in Sierra Leone. She founded JobSearchSL, a leading human resource management company specialising in recruitment, skills development, and advisory services. 

With a wealth of experience spanning business, finance, and human capital development, Edleen has made significant contributions to the private and public sectors. 

As the Managing Director of Elba Group, Edleen has played a crucial role in strengthening Sierra Leone’s economy. Under her leadership, Elba Group has driven business growth and empowered other organizations by fostering innovation, employment, and industry advancement.

Beyond her corporate leadership, Edleen is a Healey International Relief Foundation Board Member and vice president of the Sierra Leone Chamber of Commerce, Industry, and Agriculture, advocating for private sector growth. She is also the Chair of the TVET Coalition Steering Committee, which leads efforts to enhance technical and vocational education and training for workforce development. 

With her strategic vision and dedication to economic transformation, Edleen continues to drive Sierra Leone’s business ecosystem, shaping policies, creating opportunities, and inspiring the next generation of leaders. 

12. Lara Taylor Pearce – Auditor and Public Servant

Lara Taylor-Pearce is a distinguished financial expert, governance advocate, and former auditor general of Sierra Leone. She is widely recognised for her transformational leadership in public finance management. A Fellow of the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (UK) and the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Sierra Leone, she holds an MBA in Leadership and Sustainability from the University of Cumbria (UK).

As Auditor-General from 2011 to 2021, she led groundbreaking reforms that strengthened financial oversight, improved transparency, and heightened public engagement in governance. Her tenure saw the development of critical policies such as the 2016 Public Financial Management Act, expansion of audit coverage from 60% to 85%, and introduction of special audits, including real-time audit of Ebola funds. 

Lara has also held prominent positions on regional and international governance bodies, including as the former Chair of the Governing Board of AFROSAI-E and the Council Member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in Sierra Leone. 

Her integrity, courage, and passion for accountability have earned her numerous national and international accolades, including the National Integrity Award (2015), Grand Officer of the Rokel, and recognition as one of Sierra Leone’s 50 Most Influential Women. 

A leader committed to strengthening democratic governance, building institutional capacity, and empowering citizens through financial transparency, Lara continues to inspire Sierra Leoneans worldwide. 

13.Dr. Fatu Forna – Public Health and Women’s Reproductive Health Champion, Mama-Pikin Foundation

Dr. Fatu Forna is a renowned global obstetrician, gynecologist, maternal health consultant, and speaker widely recognized for pioneering work in improving women’s and children’s health worldwide. Her expertise has earned her features on CNN International, and she has held leadership roles in some of the world’s most respected health organizations. 

Dr. Forna is also the Co-Founder and Executive Director of the Maman-Pikin Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to improving maternal health in Sierra Leone. Recognising the limitations for medical graduates in Sierra Leone who aspire to specialise, Dr. Forna helped secure funding through the foundation to establish a program that enables doctors to pursue specializations in pediatrics, obstetrics, or gynecology, transforming the landscape of medical training in the country.

She received her medical degree from Duke University School of Medicine and completed her Obstetrics and Gynecology residency at Emory University School of Medicine. She is a Fellow of the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists. 

Over the years, she has worked as the Lead for Reproductive and Maternal Health at the WHO in Sierra Leone, as Director of Perinatal Safety and Quality and Chief of Women’s Services in Georgia, and as a Medical Epidemiologist at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Dr. Forna is an international expert on reproductive and maternal health and co-developed the Cocoon Pregnancy Care Model at Kaiser Permanente, a groundbreaking approach designed to reduce maternal morbidity and mortality by placing expectant mothers at the center of a protective care network. 

She has also authored From Your Doctor To You: What Every Teenage Girl Should Know About Her Body, Sex, STDs, and Contraception. This book gives young women essential knowledge about their bodies and reproductive health. She is also an advocate for the Puberty Party and Womanhood Party, a global initiative that educates girls and young women about puberty, sex, and personal health.

Dr Forna is a bestselling children’s book author known for the Puppy Princess Sheba series. 

With a career dedicated to saving lives, educating young women, and transforming maternal healthcare, Dr Forna continues to be a global force for positive change in women’s health and reproductive rights.

14. Isha Sesay – Journalist and Media Boss, Areya Media

Isha Sesay is a seasoned journalist and influential media executive with over two decades of experience in broadcast news and storytelling. She is the CEO of Areya Media, formerly known as Okaymedia, the parent company of brands including OkayAfrica and OkayPlayer. Throughout her distinguished career, she has worked with leading global news outlets, reporting critical stories and amplifying underrepresented voices. 

Born in Sierra Leone and raised in the UK, Isha made a global impact with her work as an international news anchor and correspondent for CNN from 2005 to 2018. She gathered prominence for her coverage of major events, including the 2014 Boko Haram kidnapping of 276 schoolgirls from Chibok, Nigeria. Her reporting on the crisis earned CNN a Peabody Award and cemented her reputation as a journalist committed to ethical storytelling.

In addition to her media career, she founded W.E (Women Everywhere) Can Lead in 2015, an organization focused on empowering young women to become community leaders. 

Under her leadership, Areya Media continues to expand its reach, evolving from a publishing platform to a multimedia powerhouse. The company prioritises content that speaks to the Black and African diaspora, with storytelling that goes beyond celebrity culture to address cultural and social issues. 

A commitment to collaboration, empathy, and integrity defines her leadership. With this mantra, she continues to be a powerful force in the global media world. 

15.  Emily Fanday- Serial Entrepreneur (Food Fest, Connect SL)

Emily Fanday is a dynamic entrepreneur with a strong Fintech and Business Development background. She is the founder of Food Fest, a widely celebrated event that began in Sierra Leone and has since expanded into an annual festival in Gambia and Liberia bringing together food lovers across the region. 

As the founder of ConNet SL Ltd in 2022 and Fambul Makit SL Ltd in 2017, she has been at the forefront of financial innovation in Sierra Leone. Her ventures are known for their customer-centric approach, leveraging expertise in customer relationship management and engagement to solve complex challenges and enhance user experiences. 

In recognition of her entrepreneurial vision, Emily emerged as the first $5,000 grant prize winner of Mercury International’s Fempreneur in 2023. Her winning idea, “The Community” was viewed as a leading marketplace designed to connect investors seeking profitable returns with borrowers needing accessible micro-loans at competitive rates. 

Competing against six other women for the grant, Emily’s innovation stood out for its potential to reshape financial accessibility in Sierra Leone. 

16.Dr. Yakama Jones – Economist and Literacy Champion, Yak Jones Foundation

Yakama Manty Jones is an economist and prolific researcher with over 14 years of experience driving evidence-based policy-making in the public and private sectors. 

She is the founder of the Yak Jones Foundation and Data Mansah, a mobile-first volunteer community leveraging hybrid technologies to collect, analyse, and share data on key social, financial, and economic issues for meaningful impact. 

Yakama is currently the Project Leader at Delivery Associates LTD, a global management consulting firm where she serves as a key advisor to government leaders across Africa. 

Her journey in public service began at 18 when she was an intern at Sierra Leone’s Ministry of Finance, working within the Economic and Policy Research Unit and later the Budget Bureau. Over the past 13 years, she has worked in various capacities across every ministry in Sierra Leone, providing thought partnership, delivery advisory, research, coordination support, capacity building, and resource mobilization. Internationally, she has collaborated with governments and development partners in the UK, Ghana, Nigeria, Ethiopia, and other countries, helping institutions move from strategy to tangible results. 

Committed to empowering leaders and institutions, she prioritizes team success over personal recognition, emphasizing that the value of her work should be reflected in tangible improvements in people’s lives rather than accolades. 

Currently, on secondment from the Ministry of Finance to Delivery Associates, she supports institutions in transforming ambitious visions into measurable, impactful outcomes. She focuses on creating an irreversible culture of effective service delivery in Sierra Leone and beyond. 

17. Mariama Kamara – Founder and Clean Energy Advocate, Smiling Through Light

Mariama Kamara is the Founder and Director of Smiling Through Light (STL), a social enterprise dedicated to providing clean, sustainable energy access in Sierra Leone. Her journey into development work began in 2011 during a placement with Reckless Development, where she worked on sexual and reproductive curriculum development. Over the years, she has worked on various development projects at local, national, and international levels, collaborating with organizations like SciDev.Net and the UN. 

Mariama’s commitment to sustainable development is deeply personal. At nine, she fled Sierra Leone’s civil war, an experience that shaped her determination to give back to her country. STL was founded after a pivotal visit to Sierra Leone, where she witnessed widespread reliance on kerosene lamps, which are hazardous and inefficient light sources. Recognising the need for safer, sustainable alternatives, she launched the enterprise with a mission to not only provide solar-powered products but also empower women as leaders in the energy sector. 

With offices in Freetown, Lunsar, Tombo, and Kamakwie, STL recruits and trains women to become solar technology entrepreneurs, allowing them to sell solar-powered lamps within communities. STL has led impactful initiatives such as the One Child One Lamp campaign, which provided solar lamps to 400 school children in Kamayama, one of the hardest hit areas of the 2017 mudslides. 

Mariama continues to advocate for increased investment in grassroots energy initiatives, proving that when women are empowered as business leaders, they create ripples of impact far beyond them. 

18. Mary-Ann KaiKai – Entrepreneur, Madam Wokie

Mary-Ann KaiKai is the dynamic and visionary Creative Director of Madam Wokie, a leading Sierra Leonean fashion brand she founded in 2019. Renowned for her innovation and leadership, she seamlessly fuses contemporary African aesthetics with bespoke and ready-to-wear designs, redefining modern fashion while celebrating heritage. 

Mary-Ann thrives on generating and redefining ideas that push creative boundaries. Her influence extends beyond fashion, as she actively leverages her platform to drive socio-economic progress in Sierra Leone and beyond. A passionate advocate for ethical fashion, cultural preservation, and artisan empowerment, she ensures that creativity and impact go hand-in-hand. 

Her contributions to the fashion and creative industries earned her a place on the 100 Women West Africa list in 2019, cementing her status as a trailblazer committed to artistic excellence and meaningful change. 

19. Mary Jalloh – Public Sector Leader, SLEDP

Mary Jalloh is a distinguished development expert with over 15 years of experience in driving socio-economic transformation across fragile and developing countries. With a strong background in business environment reforms, investment strategies, and public project management, she has played a pivotal role in shaping policies that foster economic resilience. 

Since 2020, Mary has been the Project Coordinator for the World Bank-funded Sierra Leone Economic Diversification Project (SLEDP). In this role, she leads groundbreaking legislative, policy, and administrative reforms to improve Sierra Leone’s business climate, support entrepreneurship, and attract private sector investment. 

With a career dedicated to fostering economic empowerment, Jalloh continues to be a driving force behind strategic reforms that pave the way for a more dynamic and inclusive economy in Sierra Leone.

20. Hawa-Jane Bangura- Artist and Curator, The Barray Art Collective

Hawa-Jane Bangura is a visionary Sierra Leonean artist whose work seamlessly blends traditional and digital media to challenge narratives and redefine African representation. She has a background in art studies from the UK and USA, complementing a successful legal career in New York. 

Her acclaimed Black Athena series reimagines Greek and Roman goddesses as African women, drawing inspiration from theories on Africa’s influence on ancient civilizations. Through this transformative work, she challenged stereotypes, reshaped historical narratives, and celebrated African identity. Hawa-Jane is also a pioneering figure in the NFT space, collaborating with collectives like 1mA and Cyberbeat to explore the intersection of digital and physical art. 

In 2013, she co-founded The Barray Art Collective, a groundbreaking initiative that revitalised Sierra Leone’s art scene post-civil war. She has nurtured a vibrant artistic community through public exhibitions in Freetown, providing emerging artists a platform to share their work and engage with critical social themes.

Based in Freetown, Hawa-Jane’s work has been showcased in major cities such as London, New York, Paris, Dubai, and Dakar. Her impact has been recognised globally, with features by Reuters and the BBC. She was also a finalist for the 2024 African Women in Art Award, further solidifying her influence in the world of contemporary art.

21. Hawa Yokie – STEM Advocate, Kamara-Yokie Innovation Centre

Hawa Yokie is a visionary leader in STEM education and innovation in Sierra Leone, dedicated to empowering young people through technology and problem-solving. With over 11 years of experience in community development and youth engagement, she co-founded the Kamara-Yokie Innovation Centre (KYIC) in 2023. This was the first youth-led innovation hub in the country. 

Yokie’s passion for technology began early. Though her family encouraged her to study law, she was drawn to science and technology, sneaking into her school’s computer lab to teach herself digital skills. This curiosity evolved into a mission to bridge the digital divide and equip young Sierra Leoneans with critical STEM knowledge. 

Her innovation journey started when she discovered a major challenge facing girls in rural areas. They lacked electricity to study at night, leading to poor academic performance and high drop-out rates. Determined to find a solution, she taught herself about renewable energy, eventually developing SolWind, a hybrid solar and wind energy system that powered 50 homes in a village near Kenema. 

Building on this momentum, she co-founded KYIC with Abu Kamara in 2023, creating a space where young people can learn digital technologies, including computer programming, robotics, electronics, 3D design, and drone technology. KYIC also provides funding opportunities to help students implement solutions in schools and communities. 

Her work has earned her international recognition, including contributions to UN Women’s Beijing +25 Youth Task Force and Best Youth Innovator Award in 2018. 

Yokie’s journey is a testament to the power of curiosity, resilience, and the belief that young people can transform their communities through education and technology. She is one of Sierra Leone’s leaders in STEM.

22. Tamu Thomas – Wellness Coach & Author, Live Three Sixty

Tamu Thomas is a somatic specialist, leading coach, and author dedicated to empowering ambitious women seeking balance and fulfilment in their professional and personal lives. With over 16 years in social work, her coaching journey was fueled by her desire for a peaceful, profitable, and pleasurable life. Now, she helps over-functioning, overworking, and over-achieving women understand their nervous systems, cultivate emotional safety, and recognise their inherent worth.

Tamu helps women repair the disconnection from their bodies caused by toxic productivity and shame. Through the lens of somatics, behavioural science, polyvagal theory, and positive psychology, she supports women in redefining success on their terms. 

Her transformative approach has earned her the nickname Dr. Joy by her clients. Her impact has led to her teaching alongside Gabor Mate, being recognised as one of London’s top 10 healers, and contributing expert advice to renowned publications like Vogue, Forbes, and Harper’s Bazaar. 

Her debut book, Women Who Work Too Much, was published internationally in 2024, offering a powerful blueprint for women ready to reclaim their time, energy, and joy. 

23. Professor Fredline M’Cormack-Hale – Scholar, Afrobarometer

Professor Fredline M’cormack-Hale is a distinguished scholar, policy expert, and advocate for gender equality, governance, and development in Africa. She is an Associate Professor at Seton Hall’s University’s School of Diplomacy and International Relations, teaching courses in African Politics and post-conflict studies. She also serves as the Director of Policy Research at the Institute of Governance, leading transformative research that bridges the gap between academia and policymaking. 

Dr. M’Cormack-Hale’s work delves into the political economy of post-war states, gender and development, and state accountability in service delivery. Her research examines critical issues such as health and education reform, donor interventions in governance, and the interaction between international aid organizations and national governments. One of her notable projects, funded by the World Bank, focused on improving Sierra Leone’s health and education sectors by fostering collaboration between government ministries and local communities. 

Beyond academia, Dr. M’Cormack-Hale has an extensive track record as a consultant for organizations such as UNDP, Oxfam Novib, and the International Development Law Organization (IDLO). Her groundbreaking research has influenced policies, including a comprehensive legal review in Sierra Leone to identify practical pathways to achieve gender equality beyond legislative frameworks. As a co-national investigator for Sierra Leone at Afrobarometer, Dr. M’Cormack-Hale contributes to great research on governance and public opinion, amplifying citizen voices in policy discussions. She has earned numerous research and scholarship awards from international and national institutions, including the Outstanding Teacher of the Year award at the University of Florida in 2008.

Rooted in a childhood shaped by experiences across African nations, including Sierra Leone and Kenya, Dr. M’Cormack-Hale remains deeply committed to social justice, diplomacy, and political development. She continues to drive meaningful change, ensuring that governance structures are inclusive of everyone, especially women. 

24. Siana Bangura – Creative Leader and Community Builder, Young Sierra Leone LLC

Siana Bangura is a dynamic playwright and producer whose work spans storytelling, activism, and the change of systems. Born and raised in South East London, she uses her artistry to support and empower the communities she serves. Passionate about race, class,gender, and their intersections, her projects often tackle urgent social issues, including climate change, the arms trade, and state violence. 

A powerful storyteller, Siana prioritises amplifying the voices of marginalised communities, particularly those in the global south, black women, and young people. She is the founder and former editor of No Fly on the WALL, a pioneering black British feminist platform. Her critically acclaimed debut poetry collection, Elephant, explores black British womanhood and the complexities of growing up in London. 

She produced 1500 & Counting, a documentary investigating deaths in custody and police brutality in the UK. She also produced short film Denim, which examines gentrification. Here, she uses visual storytelling as a tool for justice. Through her independent production company, Courageous Films she continues to create socially conscious content that challenges the status quo. 

Siana’s impact is widely recognised. She was an artist-in-residence at the Birmingham Rep Theatre in 2019 and a Jerwood-supported artist in 2020. She co-hosts the Behind the Curtains podcast with English Touring Theatre and premiered her award-winning play Swim, Aunty, Swim!

Inspired by the resilience of women like her mother, Siana fearlessly leans into difficult conversations, advocating for work cultures that honor people as human beings. Siana remains committed to moving historically marginalized voices from the margins to the centre. 

25. Margaret Kadi – Entrepreneur and COO, Akuna Group and Pangea

Margaret Kadi is an outstanding entrepreneur and business leader. As the co-owner of Pangea, a renowned bespoke furniture and home goods company founded in 2015, and the Chief Operating Officer (COO) of the Akuna Group, Margaret has established herself as a force driving innovation, economic empowerment, and African-led development. 

Born and raised in Sierra Leone, Margaret pursued her further education in the UK before embarking on a career in media. She worked for industry giants such as MTV Networks, Discovery Channel, and Sky Sports. 

During her visit to Sierra Leone, she developed a deep appreciation for locally made products, inspiring her to establish Project Sierra Leone in 2011, a brand dedicated to high-quality, handmade home decor and fashion accessories. This passion later evolved into Pangea, a business she co-founded with her husband to expand the reach of Sierra Leonena craftsmanship.

Beyond business ventures, Margaret is deeply committed to women’s economic development. Since 2016, she has served as the Executive Director of the African Women Entrepreneurship Program Sierra Leone Chapter, fostering opportunities for female entrepreneurs to thrive in local and international markets.

With a vision for sustainable growth and African excellence, Margaret continues to redefine entrepreneurship in Sierra Leone. 

26.Alimatu Dimonekene – Girls and Women Rights Advocate, Anti FGM Campaigner, A Girl At A Time

Alimatu Dimonekene is a global activist and advocate for women’s rights, with a career spanning over 30 years in gender-based violence (GBV) prevention, female genital mutilation/cutting (FGM/C) advocacy, and community empowerment. 

She founded A Girl at A Time, an initiative that empowers young people to challenge violence and promote gender equality through education, leadership, and community-driven solutions. 

Originally from Sierra Leone and raised in Liberia and the UK, Alimatu has dedicated her life to advancing the rights of women and girls worldwide.  She has developed culturally relevant, trauma-informed care programs that ensure survivors and at-risk individuals have access to vital resources, legal protections, and support systems. 

Honoured with an MBE in the 2023 New Years Honours for her outstanding contributions to the prevention of violence against women and girls, Alimatu has been at the forefront of advocacy efforts to eliminate FGM/C globally. As a Public Voices Fellow on Advancing the Rights of Women and Girls with Equality Now and the OpEd Project, she amplifies critical conversations on gender equality and human rights. 

Passionate, fearless, and committed to systemic change, Alimatu continues to be a powerful force in fighting for justice and equality for women and girls worldwide. 

27. Rugiatu Neneh Turay, Girls and Women Rights Advocate, Anti FGM Campaigner, Amazonian Initiative Movement

Rugiatu Neneh Turay is  fearless activist and a 2024 Laureate, recognised for her unwavering commitment to eliminating female genital mutilation (FGM) in Sierra Leone and beyond. 

Born in Lunsar, in the northwestern region of Sierra Leone, she experienced FGM firsthand at a young age, an ordeal that left deep physical and emotional scars. Rather than accepting this as a cultural norm, she turned her trauma into a driving force for change, becoming the first in her community to publicly denounce the practice. 

In 2000, at a time when FGM was neither a priority for policymakers, Rugiatu founded the Amazonian Initiative Movement (AIM) to challenge deeply ingrained traditions and raise awareness about the devastating effects of FGM. AIM works at the grassroot level, engaging rural communities, training local women’s groups, and collaborating with national and international organizations to advocate for change. 

Her groundbreaking approach has empowered over 400 women to abandon FGM as a source of livelihood, providing them with alternative income opportunities while preserving the traditional rites of the Bondo society without the harmful practice. 

In 2019, she led the Bloodless Rite of Passage, a landmark event adopted by the Forum Against Harmful Practices and other global organizations as a moel for replacing FGM with safe, symbolic ceremonies. Her advocacy has transformed perceptions in Sierra Leone and influenced change across the continent. 

A tireless fighter for women’s rights, Rugiatu continues to challenge harmful gender-based practices by engaging communities, influencing policymakers, and driving legal reforms. She continues to remain one of Sierra Leone’s leaders in the global movement to end FGM.