Speed Mentoring May 2025

𝗘𝘃𝗲𝗻 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗥𝗮𝗶𝗻 𝗖𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱𝗻’𝘁 𝗦𝘁𝗼𝗽 𝗨𝘀: 𝗪𝗜𝗛𝗖𝗡 𝗛𝗼𝘀𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝘁𝘀 𝗜𝗻𝗮𝘂𝗴𝘂𝗿𝗮𝗹 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲

It was a bright afternoon—drizzled with rain, but rich with energy—as over 100 passionate women from across the healthcare sector gathered for the 𝗳𝗶𝗿𝘀𝘁-𝗲𝘃𝗲𝗿 Women in Healthcare Network (WIHCN) 𝗦𝗽𝗲𝗲𝗱 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗳𝗲𝗿𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲.
The weather may have hinted otherwise, but the atmosphere was anything but gloomy. With a shared passion for growth, collaboration, and impact, our attendees embodied WIHCN’s core values: We connect. We inform. We inspire

𝗔 𝗣𝗼𝘄𝗲𝗿𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗢𝗽𝗲𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴
The event opened with deeply inspiring remarks from Dr Modupe Elebute-Odunsi MBBS MD FRCP FRCPath, Founder and Chair of WIHCN’s Board of Trustees. She reminded us why we were all there: to lift each other. Her words set a resonant tone:
“Women supporting women is not just a cliché—it is the heart of this movement.”

𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽 𝗮𝘀 𝗮 𝗖𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗹𝘆𝘀𝘁
The keynote address, delivered by the esteemed Toki Mabogunje, was a masterclass in the purpose and power of mentorship. Her insights, drawn from years of leadership and advocacy, highlighted truths that struck a chord:
• “Mentorship is the transfer of knowledge and values from a more experienced professional to a less experienced one—it is not always about age.”
• “A learning culture benefits both mentor and mentee and fosters meaningful impact.”
• “Mentors are not your parents or your ATM—they are there to guide you, not fund you.”
• “Never forget to say thank you to your mentors.”
These words served as both encouragement and compass for all present—whether mentor or mentee.

𝗖𝗵𝗮𝗺𝗽𝗶𝗼𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗪𝗼𝗺𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗩𝗼𝗶𝗰𝗲𝘀 𝗶𝗻 𝗟𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗵𝗶𝗽
We were honoured to hear from Hon. Dr. Adanna Steinacker, the newly appointed Senior Special Assistant to the President on Women’s Health. Her address emphasized the need for greater representation of women in high-level decision-making roles in medicine and public health. Her commitment was clear:
“I am here as an ally. We will ensure your voices are heard at the highest levels.”

𝗠𝗲𝗮𝗻𝗶𝗻𝗴𝗳𝘂𝗹 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀, 𝗢𝗻𝗲 𝗖𝗼𝗻𝘃𝗲𝗿𝘀𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗮𝘁 𝗮 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲.
The highlight was our one-on-one speed mentoring, moderated by Habiba Balogun, connecting seasoned professionals and emerging leaders through impactful dialogue. Across small-group rounds, mentors from diverse medical fields shared insights, building meaningful relationships and strategies for success. This was not just an event—it sparked something enduring, reminding us we are not alone.

Grateful to our 𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘀, 𝗴𝘂𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗪𝗜𝗛𝗖𝗡 𝗕𝗼𝗮𝗿𝗱, 𝗢𝗿𝗴𝗮𝗻𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝗶𝘁𝘁𝗲𝗲 (led by Pharm. Obafunmilayo Oridota), and every woman who showed up to learn, grow, and lead.

#WIHCN #WomenInHealthcare #MentorshipMatters #Leadership #WomenSupportingWomen #Impact #Growth #SpeedMentoring