As the world marks International Women’s Day, the spotlight shines on women in leadership, highlighting their resilience, challenges, and triumphs. Among them is Juliet Nyaga, CEO of The Karen Hospital, whose journey is an inspiring testament to perseverance, strategic growth, and leadership excellence.
In an exclusive conversation with KBC TV Producer Francis Mutoka, Nyaga reflects on her leadership path, emphasizing the pivotal moments that shaped her career. Her story is one of overcoming imposter syndrome, embracing mentorship, and making bold strategic decisions. Not being a medical doctor in a healthcare leadership role initially made her question her worth. However, she soon realized that leadership is not about possessing all technical knowledge but about asking the right questions, empowering teams, and fostering collaboration.
A key moment in her career was being appointed CEO designate. Understanding the weight of this transition, she took proactive steps by onboarding a personal coach and seeking therapy. These decisions allowed her to refine her leadership skills and address any emotional baggage that could hinder her effectiveness. She also learned the hard way that leadership requires thorough planning—an expensive medical equipment purchase early in her career became a cautionary lesson about conducting proper feasibility studies.
One of the most transformative shifts in Nyaga’s leadership style was learning to let go of micromanagement. Trusting her team allowed her to focus on larger strategic goals such as corporate governance and business expansion. She credits her professional growth to continuous learning, networking, and attending leadership workshops.
Beyond her career, Nyaga is passionate about mentoring young women. She encourages them to showcase their strengths, speak up, and actively participate in leadership events. She advocates for increased female representation in boardrooms and urges women to uplift each other in professional spaces.
As she envisions the future, Nyaga hopes her story will inspire women to see themselves as worthy of leadership roles. On this International Women’s Day, she calls for collective efforts to create workplaces where women’s voices are valued, respected, and empowered to drive change.
