Guardian Woman Means Business… Mofoluwaso Ilevbare

In about two weeks, the Guardian Woman Festival comes alive at the Federal Palace Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos. With the theme, Women Mean Business, Leadership Coach, Speaker and Founder, Flourishing Forties, Mofoluwaso Ilevbare also known as Dr. Fofo, takes us through her career path and her opinion on the festival’s focus.

Dr. Ilevbare is a renowned Speaker, HR Thought Leader, and Leadership Coach, known for her expertise in leadership development, corporate culture transformation, and as an advocate for women empowerment. With decades of experience in leadership development and personal growth, working across multiple continents and industries, she is celebrated for her efforts in championing gender diversity and inclusion, energizing unstoppable teams, shaping culture, and boosting engagement.

She brings a wealth of knowledge and a compassionate voice to help women navigate midlife transitions with grace and strength. She is “The Confidence Coach For Women over 40,” and her work has inspired countless women to embrace their unique journeys and flourish at every stage of life. Her initiatives, such as the Flourishing Forties Collective, focus on empowering women in their 40s to embrace this period as a time for growth and purposeful living.

Career journey
My career has been a dynamic blend of leadership roles in multinational organizations, coaching and empowering executive leaders and women to lead confidently and unleash unstoppable organisations who navigate change with joy. From a humble beginning, graduating as a Pharmacist from the University of Ibadan to roles in Quality Assurance, Supply Chain, Hospitality, Commercial Brand Operations to HR, championing leadership, gender equity, culture and engagement strategies, living and working across five continents, I’ve navigated challenges, embraced growth, and continue to inspire others to thrive both professionally and personally.

Women Mean Business
To me, ‘Women Mean Business’ represents the undeniable strength and impact women bring to the business world. We’ve spent too long doubting ourselves and trying to please everyone else. This era is what I call “Beauty, Bravery & Boundaries.” It’s about breaking barriers, leading with authenticity, and creating spaces where women can flourish and drive meaningful change in whatever domain we choose to play in, without losing our femininity and self-care.

Women staying relevant, building successful businesses
Women can stay relevant and build a successful business by following the RISE approach: Be Relentless in pursuit of your vision and goals, Innovate continuously and hire smarter people, keep Strengthening your personal and professional support networks, and Empower others, so your business and vision can outlive you. As I often say, “Life is a game. To be a world changer, choose to be the player and not the ball.” Ladies, it’s time to be Unstoppable!