Akilah’s Country Director Aline Kabanda on Leadership and Professional Aspiration
Akilah’s Country Director, Aline Kabanda, was recognized among Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government.
Last week, Akilah’s Country Director, Aline Kabanda, was recognized among Africa’s Most Influential Women in Business and Government by CEO Global, a South African company that celebrates female changemakers across the continent. Aline was named the Country and Great Lakes Regional Winner in Education and Training.
The award honors women who have made significant contributions in their sectors and countries and directly impact and empower women through their work. Nearly 1,500 nominations were received for the prestigious award, and Akilah is extremly proud that Aline was among those chosen for recognition.
Aline was selected because of the tremendous work she does every day at Akilah, where she is involved in all aspects of campus affairs — from academics and recruitment, to operations and logistics, to strategic partnerships and career development for both our students and staff.
We had a talk with Aline about leadership, teamwork, and professional aspirations — and how this award encourages her to work even harder.
Team first
Known and admired around Akilah’s campus for her calm but focused and inclusive leadership style, Aline is the first to attribute her newly received award to the team.
“I am so thrilled and humbled to receive this award because of all our hard work at the Akilah Institute towards educating the next generation of female leaders in East Africa. But rather than an award to me individually, I like to see it as a recognition of the entire team. Akilah is all of us. We have so many people working so hard every day to make this happen, and I see it as an award that is truly well deserved for the entire team,” Aline says.
“I am so thrilled and humbled to receive this award because of all our hard work at the Akilah Institute towards educating the next generation of female leaders in East Africa. But rather than an award to me individually, I like to see it as a recognition of the entire team. Akilah is all of us.”
Her words reflect Aline’s leadership style perfectly, as she always prefers to talk about the team, the mission, and the impact of Akilah, rather than herself. Growing, improving, and promoting Akilah’s mission drive her work.
“Through this award, I was given an opportunity to talk about Akilah and the work we do. Our model is unique, and it has proved to be working. We can see how it creates change in the lives of our young women. Our graduates are contributing to Rwanda’s development. They are the next generation of female leaders and they will build their families, communities, and the country at large,” Aline says.
Women taking the lead
The CEO Global Awards recognize female changemakers from all over the region — all of whom are working to create sustainable change and set positive examples for other girls and women in their communities.
“Women are indeed changemakers. I was thrilled to be in a room with other women from the Great Lakes region who also received awards for the incredible work they do. Years back, that wouldn’t have happened — to have so many talented and dedicated women from various sectors recognized for the work they do. I hope we can potentially inspire other young women to lead the way in their field. One day, I am sure an Akilah student will be in that room.”
Winning a leadership award does not mean Aline is ready to lean back and rest on her achievements. On the contrary, it makes her want to run faster.
“There is so much more that I need to achieve. This award pushes me to aspire for more, to be hungry for more. I have very high standards for myself as a leader, and I still have so much to do. I do not like being in the spotlight; I am the leader behind the scenes, working with my team to reach results and get things done,” Aline says.
“Our team is very special to me. We might not be perfect, but we are special. We love what we do, and we go above and beyond every day. There is something about Akilah that attracts the type of people who are always willing to go the extra mile. This is our magic.”
“We love what we do, and we go above and beyond every day. There is something about Akilah that attracts the type of people who are always willing to go the extra mile. This is our magic.”
Mama bear
Aline readily recalls her favorite time of year: when she and the rest of the team get to see the fruits of their hard work.
“For me, the best time of the year is graduation. I feel like a big mama bear seeing my students complete their education and move on with their professional careers. Being able to witness their happiness, confidence, and independence brings me so much pride and joy,” Aline says.
As the on-the-ground leader of Akilah, Aline puts strong emphasis on continuously learning and growing.
“You need to have fun with what you do — you need to be happy. That’s what keeps me going. I love what I do.”
“I focus on hard work, determination, commitment, honesty, humility, a strong sense of learning, and improving every day. I take one day at a time, and I am still learning how to balance my professional and personal lives so I can be as efficient as possible at work and a positive role model to my two sons at home. On my way to work, I always listen to a TED Talk about an interesting topic — I want to make sure I learn something new every day. But it can’t all be serious. You need to have fun with what you do — you need to be happy. That’s what keeps me going. I love what I do.”