More information on WAN-IFRA's Women In News programme can be found at www.womeninnews.org

Maureen Mwaba Mumba is a Women In News (WIN) sophomore, having entered the programme back in 2011. She works as a Treasury Accountant for the state-owned newspaper organisation Zambia Daily Mail Ltd. Professionally qualified, with over 11 years of practice in financial management and four years of post qualifying experience following ACCA qualifications, she is currently studying an MBA that specialises in strategic planning. She joined Zambia Daily Mail Ltd. in 2002 as an Accounts Assistant and rose to her present position of Treasury Accountant.

WAN-IFRA: What did you expect from WIN when you first joined, and how has the actual programme differed?

“At the beginning, I didn’t have a clue what to expect. I thought it would be all about journalists and their work. On our first day in South Africa in 2011, I kept asking myself what I would get from the programme because at the time I had the impression that it was all about the media. And then I heard that there were other accountants present as well as human resource practitioners. On our second day I realised that I had to have an open mind in order to get something from the programme. I still remember some of the very first presentations by Paula Fray and Sandra Agyemang. They really opened my eyes.

“Now, WIN is about training people in leadership. I’ve noted that I am now confident in the manner I approach my work, how I delegate and have confidence in prioritising. I’ve learned to take disciplinary actions against my juniors if they commit offences - I recently had to take such a decision against someone who I had to suspend. In the past I’d take things personally instead of being professional. I would worry about the negative effects of an action that I would take, and how their families would be affected.”

What has been your most important WIN activity (coaching, being part of the WIN network, the leadership training, or something else), and why?

“All the activities have been important, but the leadership skills training has changed me into the person that I am today. It helps me run my section well. I now look at people differently and can deal with my colleagues more professionally.”

How do you deal with challenges in both the workplace and your personal life compared to before you joined WIN?

“Personally, with regards to how I am dealing with my challenges, I had to put on hold my chicken and clothing businesses. They were taking too much of my time and left me very little time to attend to my books. I took that deliberate decision because I realised that I had too much on my plate and needed to complete my Masters in Business Administration without any distractions. You will be happy to hear that a week ago I completed my Investment Advisory and Stock Broking qualification. And since I have completed my studies, I will be resuming my businesses next year.

“Professionally, in the past I used to take things personally and was so used to mothering my colleagues, especially those younger than me. When they made mistakes it was always difficult to take action against them or take them to task. Now I have made a 360° turn-around and can hold difficult conversations. From this current WIN summit I learned from Paula Fray how to manage meetings. Before that lesson, when I’d chair meetings, I was often a spectator and failed to bring order to meetings.

“One milestone that I’ve achieved is that my bosses now want me to represent our departments in meetings and take decisions on their behalf. I am now happily negotiating on behalf of my superiors - that is very exciting! These opportunities have given me the chance to make a name for myself and lead.”

Which WIN moment most stands out?

"Paula Fray’s presentations on Management Skills, as well as the difference between being a leader and a manager; they’ve made me realise that there is still more that I can learn from this leadership programme, provided I participate with an open mind."

Where do you see yourself five years from now?

"I see myself as Finance Director, either in our company or elsewhere. I now have all the tools I need to attain such a position. I can now face men in their own territory; one needs to acquire the right tools and everything has to be perfect so that you can challenge and win against the opposite sex. I am currently the trendsetter in my department: I was the first employee to acquire my Masters in Finance, and now the entire department is following suit. I have also noticed that some men now feel threatened and are pursuing further studies themselves.”

Interview conducted by Phemelo Ramasu.