Meet The Keynote Speaker for the 4th Annual IAMe Africa Women's Conference, Cikida Gcali-Mabusela

For Cikida Gcali-Mabusela, walking into the Southern African retail industry with no experience, no relationships, and no network was not a death sentence, but a liberating experience that paved the way for her remarkable journey. With a career spanning from chemical engineering to big-tech operations, and eventually, entrepreneurship, Cikida's message is that the parts of your story that don't fit the job spec are usually the very thing that makes you win. Her keynote speech at the 4th Annual IAMe Africa Women's Conference, themed "Kingdom Business: Occupying Spaces, Influencing Culture," promises to be an inspiring tale of resilience and reinvention.

Cikida's background as a chemical engineer may have provided a solid foundation, but it was her experiences at McKinsey and Uber Eats that honed her skills in strategy and operations. Her decision to pivot and build LOURO, a South African luxury leather goods brand, was a notable step that required her to occupy uncharted territory. Designed for those who refuse to lose themselves in the fullness of their lives, LOURO's products are evidence of Cikida's ability to redefine spaces and build a life where all of her experiences belong.

Cikida's path to success was not without its setbacks. She has spoken candidly about losing the biggest pitch of her career and spending four years finding her way back. However, it is this willingness to confront failure and adapt that has made her a compelling speaker. Her leadership platform, The Divine Edge, distills her message into a powerful reminder that the parts of our stories that don't fit the job spec are often the very thing that makes us win. This message is particularly relevant in today's fast-paced business landscape, where adaptability and resilience are key.

Cikida's career is a living embodiment of this year's theme, Kingdom Business. She has occupied boardrooms, operating tables, and now her own brand, proving that occupying a space is not about staying in your lane, but about redefining it. Her keynote speech promises to inspire women to take ownership of their stories, to occupy spaces that may seem unconventional, and to influence culture in meaningful ways. With her unique blend of experience, resilience, and vision, Cikida is poised to leave a lasting impact on the audience.

Cikida's decision to build LOURO on her own terms, despite the uncertainty and risk involved, is evidence of her strength and determination. Her ability to pivot and adapt has made her a successful entrepreneur, and her leadership platform has provided a platform for her message to reach a wider audience. As she takes the stage at the IAMe Africa Women's Conference, Cikida's keynote speech promises to be a powerful reminder that occupying spaces, influencing culture, and building a life on our own terms is not only possible but also necessary.

As the conference unfolds, one thing is certain: Cikida Gcali-Mabusela will inspire a new generation of women to take ownership of their stories, to occupy spaces that may seem unconventional, and to build a life where all of their experiences belong.