Find a Mentor — CIBN Mentoring

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KIKANWA MARY AKPENYI

Business Consulting · Yashua Cares Limited

Team Building Banking Lagos

Kikanwa Akpenyi is a Senior Director in charge of Audit and Advisory at Ha-Shem Limited and a seasoned transformation consultant. With over two decades in banking and other regulated sectors, she specializes in CX Optimisation (Service Quality Management, Contact Centre, Complaints Management, Customer Insights & Analytics), Capacity Development, Process Improvement, Internal Controls and Audit across the banking and other regulated industries. She is known for translating strategy into measurable outcomes through hands-on leadership, skill development, effective resource management and technology-enabled process optimisation. Her career includes senior leadership roles at Skye Bank (Now Polaris Bank Limited) and Heritage Bank, where she served as Group Head, Customer Experience & Analytics; Group Head, Internal Control; and Chief Audit Executive Previously, as Lead Consultant at Yashua Cares Limited, she successfully led business transformation projects for several clients. A notable achievement includes leading initiatives that significantly improved her bank’s KPMG Customer Experience ranking in 2020. She was also instrumental to the launch of Financial Literacy for Schools in Nigeria, one of the key Financial Inclusion strategies by the Central Bank of Nigeria. She holds Bachelor's and Master’s degrees in Economics, an MBA from Bangor University (Wales), and is a Fellow of both the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (FCIB) and the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (FCCA, UK). She is an active leader within the Association of Professional Women Bankers, the female wing of the Chartered Institute of Bankers (CIBN), having held several Executive Committee roles, including Social and Publicity Secretary (2019-2023), Financial Secretary (2023-2025) and Honorary Secretary (2025-2027). Recognised as a collaborative and hands-on leader, she is passionate about people empowerment, continuous development, and innovation, earning a reputation as a mentor, role model, and pioneer in her field.

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ESTHER ADEBIMPE ESTHER OGUNLEYE

EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR FINANCE AND OPERATIONS, CHAIR OF THE BOARD · STANDARD ADJUSTERS AND CO LTD

Self-Motivation Banking Ogun

Banking is a chosen career for me hence my working in the banking sector is intentional. I got to the top of my career when I got appointed as the pioneer Managing Director of Bowen Microfinance Bank,Lagos. This is the peak of my banking career and I successfully managed the bank for 10 years. I am a Microfinance Expert certified by CIBN and also by Frankfurt School of Management & Finance, Germany. In commercial banking, my experience in banking spreads over,Credit Appraisal, Administration and management, Marketing and Relationship Management, Asset management , Risk Management and Microfinance Banking. I have also had opportunity of working with the two regulatory bodies in banking, NDIC and CBN. I have enjoyed mentorship and sponsorship in my banking career. I also do consultancy for some international bodies. I am a member of the Board of Microfinance Development Company and currently the Chairperson of Standard Adjusters & Co Ltd. With hindsight into my years in banking , and deep insight into what banking entails , I'm well positioned to mentor others navigating the same career path.

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MARY OLUWAFUNKE ALAWODE

Senior Credit Manager · Bank of Industry

Personal Development Banking Ogun

I am a risk and credit professional with extensive experience in enterprise risk management, credit risk oversight, and investment portfolio governance across financial institutions operating in emerging markets, particularly in Africa. I am passionate about building strong, sustainable risk cultures within teams and institutions. Beyond technical skills, I place a strong emphasis on leadership, communication, and professional ethics. I aim to help mentees develop not only as risk professionals but also as well-rounded leaders who can influence, collaborate, and thrive in demanding environments. My goal as a mentor is simple: to share experience, challenge thinking constructively, and support others in building meaningful and impactful careers in risk, finance, and investment.