WEConnect International – Country Director
WEConnect International helps women-owned businesses succeed in global value chains. The organization identifies, educates, registers, and certifies women’s business enterprises based outside of the U.S. that are at least 51% owned, as well as managed and controlled by one or more women, and then connects them with multinational corporate buyers.
WEConnect International was looking for a Country Director with a strong record as an inspirational leader with entrepreneurial experience and vision, including experience running a non‐profit and/or company. They wanted a Country Director who had proven relationship management experience with multinational corporations.
Following a comprehensive search of leaders within the INGO community and the private sector, a longlist of 9 individuals from the private and NGOs sector was finalized. The final shortlist of three candidates was made up of one women and two men.
The successful individual was Shade Ladipo, one of the founding members of the Lagos Global Shapers who represents Nigeria at World Economic Forum events. She is also the Co-Founder of Enough Is Enough Nigeria, now one of the most vocal non-partisan organizations credited to be a major part of the platforms for young people in deciding Nigeria’s path of change. Shade has been recognized by several platforms for her work as a change agent and businesswoman. She has been nominated at the Future Awards Africa Awards, chosen as 101 Young Achievers at the African Business Forum in Accra Ghana in 2008, and selected as a Goldman Sachs fellow.
