Iris Irumva

@GomeraM shares statistics about the vast potential within Africa, explaining the necessity to foster a generation of leaders who are prepared to meet various challenges with empathy and curiosity - some of the qualities I share in my book: ‘Lead Your Way Up, How to be a Leader at any level’. As we wrap up the year, may we remember that #potential remains merely a word until we decide to tap into it.

Glad to confirm my humour is apparently better than I thought. Thanks @OCRwanda for the oppotunity to host 0C -20 year anniversary Gala dinner.

She graduated in 2018. Tonight she holds the mic. MC @irisirumva , Class of 2018 founder and CEO of @leadaccessnow reminds us why we are all here tonight. “The true value of education is not only found in classrooms. It is found in the courage, the leadership and the service that graduates carry into the world.” From alumni in the public sector to the private sector tonight their stories take centre stage. Because 20 years of OCR Rwanda is not just a number. It is hundreds of lives walking proof. #GalaEvening2026

It was such a pleasure to be invited by @BPRbankrw to deliver a keynote speech to their incredible women staff. Our conversation centered around pouring into others without emptying yourself, a conversation every #leader, manager, and selfless professional needs to engage in. In the pursuit of #performance, service, #leadership, and impact, many people quietly carry the #pressure of constantly giving while unintentionally neglecting their own well-being, growth, and emotional capacity. The truth is: we cannot sustainably lead, support, and empower others from a place of exhaustion, emotional #depletion, or internal emptiness. The quality of what we give to others is deeply connected to the #quality of what we continue to pour into ourselves. As we begin the week, here’s a reflection to carry with you: When was the last time you intentionally poured back into yourself with the same care, energy, and compassion you so freely give to others?

➡️In a few days, Kigali will once again welcome the Africa CEO Forum, one of the continent’s most important platforms for public-private dialogue, investment, and deal-making. This year’s theme, “The Scale Imperative: Why Africa Must Embrace Shared Ownership,” speaks directly to the moment Africa is in. Fragmented success is no longer enough. To compete globally, we must build larger markets, stronger value chains, deeper pools of capital, and companies with the ambition and capacity to operate across borders. For Rwanda, hosting the Forum reflects our ambition to serve as a gateway for investment, logistics, services, and innovation, the destination connecting global capital with African opportunity, and helping turn dialogue into action. We look forward to welcoming business leaders, investors, policymakers, and partners from across Africa and the world to Kigali on 14–15 May.

"Let's not be the first to say no to ourselves," Michaëlla RUGWIZANGOGA, as she touches on self-belief📌 #WILS26#WomenlnTech#TechWorkshop#GiveToGain

“You cannot lead if you have not been led.” INGABIRE Muziga Mamy A reminder that great leadership starts with humility, learning, and being guided first. #WILS26#WomenInTech#TechWorkshop#GiveToGain

Thank you so much for having me! I look forward to staying connected with the amazing BPR ladies!

Yesterday, I had the absolute joy of delivering a keynote at BPR Bank’s International Women’s Month Celebration. My message centered on pouring into others without emptying yourself, something we struggle with as women. I’m so grateful for the beautiful connections made and to the management for the invitation. I truly love speaking to women, filling their cups, and reminding them how amazing they are. #IWD #iwd26 #givetogain #womenempowerment

Happy Women’s Day to all the beautiful, resilient, strong women out there. Today, think about a woman who inspires you. Maybe it’s your mom, sister, friend, mentor… who comes to mind? Tag her and let her know how much she means to you. And to the men who stand with women, support them, and help create opportunities for them to thrive, thank you for being allies. #internationalwomensday #iwd2026 #womensupportingwomen #empoweredwomenempowerwomen #givetogain

Empowered women stronger nations. Celebrating the strength, brilliance, and resilience of women everywhere. Happy International Women’s Day to all the incredible women making an impact every day. 💜 #IWD2026#WILS26#GiveToGain#empowerwomen

I’m grateful for the partnership formalized through the signing of our MOU today. It reflects our shared commitment to advancing women’s #leadership and strengthening accountability across institutions. I value the collaboration with @GenderMonitorRw and appreciate the leadership of @UmutoniNadine as we translate this commitment into meaningful impact together.

Grateful for the meaningful exchange with @nmukazayire , the Hon. Minister of Sports of Rwanda. Her commitment to empowering more women to lead healthier, fitter lives is truly inspiring. We look forward to working together, especially as we step into International Women’s Month. #RWOT

It was a pleasure to have a discussion with @IMuyombano59515 whose dedication to advancing leadership opportunities for girls and women is truly inspiring.

2025. Thank you. To everyone I crossed paths with this year, I’m deeply grateful. To the #organizations I had the privilege to train and coach, THANK YOU for your openness and the #courage to grow. To the #leaders I had the opportunity to strategize with, whether in complex situations or simpler ones, THANK YOU for the trust and the shared #commitment to finding better ways forward. To the #professionals who chose our one-on-one coaching and #mentees who chose to join the group mentorship; THANK YOU for letting me walk beside you during moments of growth and change. That kind of #trust is never taken lightly. To my #team , THANK YOU for your constant support, your belief, and the way you show up for each other. Working alongside you is grounding, energizing, and something I don’t take for granted. To our #partners who believe in the vision and invest in women through the Women in Leadership Summit and Awards initiative, THANK YOU for seeing the importance of this work and choosing to stand behind it. Your support helps turn intention into #impact. And to my #family, #friends and #community, THANK YOU for the quiet encouragement, the check-ins and the reminders that none of this is meant to be done alone. Every connection this year left its mark. I’m carrying those lessons, relationships, and moments forward with gratitude and hope. Wishing you all growth, clarity, and meaningful success in #2026 .

May this Christmas bring you comfort, laughter, and beautiful moments with those you love. #Christmas2025 #JoyeuxNoël

Most people don’t tap into their #potential because they underestimate what they’re capable of and overestimate the obstacles in front of them. And if you have a dream that you want to pursue, and you know you have the potential, even if it’s just a small inch of it, let this be your reminder that every big #achievement begins with a tiny step, and the #courage to take it. #RWOT

Growth happens in risk, in courage, and in the willingness to be a beginner again. This message isn’t for the people who are still mastering their craft or building solid foundations. It’s for the ones who already know the job inside out, who could do it with their eyes closed, but who are playing small because fear or the comfort zone feels familiar, even though there’s a voice inside that keeps reminding them they’re meant for more. This is your sign to explore again, to stretch again, to dare again. #Rwot #CareerOpportunity #dare #ProfessionalGrowth

Over the years, training, coaching, mentoring, and just working alongside incredible #women, I’ve noticed a pattern: the invisible pressure to prove, to perform, to be perfect before taking action. And honestly, I’ve felt it too. That’s why "Lean In" hit differently for me because it gave words to what so many of us experience but rarely say out loud. So I’m sharing 5 quotes and the key lessons I personally drew from them , as reminders to every woman building her way up, and to every man who wants to understand and support her better. 1️⃣ Men are promoted on #potential. Women are promoted on #performance. 💡Key lesson: Document your wins. Keep receipts of your impact. Don’t assume they’ll notice, show them. 2️⃣ If you’re offered a seat on a rocket ship, don’t ask what seat. 💡Key lesson: When #opportunity knocks, don’t wait to be 100% ready. Say yes and figure it out along the way, men do it all the time (learn from them). 3️⃣ Every job requires sacrifice. 💡 Key lesson: Nothing comes without a price. So analyze, choose wisely and stop apologizing for paying the price that #growth or success demands. 4️⃣ Fortune favors the bold. 💡 Key lesson: #Courage opens doors that fear keeps closed. If it scares you, it’s probably a sign you’re getting out of your comfort zone. 5️⃣ The cost of #speaking up might be high, but the cost of silence is higher. 💡 Key Lesson: Silence protects comfort, not progress. Use your voice, especially when it shakes. That’s where growth lives. Which of these quotes hit home for you? I hope these quotes spark something bold in you. And if you’re a man reading this, support the women around you. Sponsor them. Speak up for them. Because you already know, they’re often starting from a different line. #womeninleadership #womeninspiringwomen #bookreview #leadingwomen #womensupportingwomen

Peace Media Monday Talks Success is collective. You need to have circle of friends. @IrisIrumva shared an insights on the kinds of friends you need to grow and succeed. These insights will help you to reflect and assess the roles with your circle. The Main Question is, "What Kind of Friend are YOU? #PeaceMedia #PeaceMediaMondayTalks #careeradvice #leadershipevelopment #friendship #friendshipgoals #Coach #eastafrica #Westafrica #womenempowerment #youthempowerment #Kano

Took me too long to learn this: urgency kills good #hiring, silence hurts #growth, and you can’t #do it all alone. Does anyone else relate? Been there? Are these mistakes you see leaders make too? What’s one lesson you’ve learned from your #leaders or as one? Let’s swap notes #RWOT