ABOUT THE EPISODE
In this first of its kind episode of the Empowered Presence™ podcast, Melanie leads a panel discussion on the role of education in establishing credibility and success for black women college degree holders. Joined by Lakrisha Davis, Dr. Johnette Ruffner-Ceaser, and Babara (Mula) Oyier the conversation focuses on the value of degrees, the importance of mindset, and the impact of personal branding.
The panelists emphasize the need for a well-rounded approach to education and professional development, highlighting the significance of real-world experience, confidence, and self-advocacy.
ABOUT DR. JOHNETTE RUFFNER-CEASER
Dr. Johnette Ruffner-Ceaser teaches career women how to obtain professional peace!
As the Founder & CEO of Liberated Expressions, LLC, Dr. Ceaser turns uncertain women executives into fulfilled, transformational superheroes through inspirational career coaching, mesmerizing resume strategy sessions, and serene professional development workshops. Her goal is to teach women how to identify and leverage their professional value, to pursue the career they really want with clarity, confidence, and peace.
Dr. Ceaser is also an adjunct professor at the University of Maryland Global Campus, career counselor at George Washington University, the author of When the Bow Breaks--a children’s book that teaches girls to love and embrace their natural beauty and talents, and she is a contributing author of Quarantine Queens: The Stories of Forward-Thinking Women Entrepreneurs During the COVID-19 Pandemic.
Dr. Ruffner-Ceaser is a strategic and transformative leader with 15+ years of extensive experience in implementing quality programs and systems at highly regarded academic and philanthropic organizations. She served as the Managing Director of Programs for PeerForward, Program Director for College Bound, Inc., the Development and Marketing Manager at the Schott Foundation for Public Education, and the National Director of Policy Training at the NAACP National Headquarters.
She has proven experience in forging development programs to support long-term growth among individuals and institutions, and she is well-regarded in creating a wide expanse of established networks in business and academia to advance organizational goals. Dr. Ceaser is a visionary, who is passionate about helping leaders to transform, advance, and give back to the community.
Dr. Ceaser is a graduate of the University of Maryland College Park, where she earned a Doctor of Education degree in Education Policy and Leadership Studies, specializing in Organizational Leadership. She holds a M.A in Telecommunications and a B.A. in Communication from George Mason University. She also possesses a Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion certificate from the University of South Florida Muma College of Business.
Visit Dr. Ruffner-Ceaser's website: www.liberated-expressions.com
ABOUT LAKRISHA DAVIS
Lakrisha Davis is an expert LinkedIn Biz strategist, coach, and speaker who helps ambitious people launch profitable brands on LinkedIn. Starting with zero audience, engagement, or views, Lakrisha began leveraging LinkedIn to grow her career development and resume writing agency in 2017.
Since 2017, Lakrisha has organically grown her audience to over 40K followers, scaled her business to multiple six-figures, generated over 10M views, and landed 50+ paid speaking engagements and partnerships with brands like Capital One, AT&T, Coursera, and Facebook — all on LinkedIn. Her work has been featured on ABC 7 News, Rolling Out, Forbes, LinkedIn News, Newsweek, and more! Brainz Magazine named Lakrisha a "Top 11 Experts to Follow on LinkedIn" in 2021.
- Visit Lakrisha's website: www.lakrishadavis.com
ABOUT BARBARA (MULA) OYIER
Babara Mula Omwayi is an accomplished and visionary leader with a proven track record in the marketing industry. She is the Chief Executive Officer of Spark communications limited, a fast-growing boutique marketing agency based in Nairobi, Kenya. Babara has an extensive wealth of experience and expertise in development and implementation of sales and marketing strategies and innovative thinking.
With a rich and diverse background in marketing, and a career spanning 15 years.; Her Marketing career journey started off at Professional marketing services where she held the role of account manager before moving to Interactive marketing communication limited as a business development manager, a position she held for slightly under 2 years.
Her passion and expertise on brand development earned her a promotion of General Manager, - East Africa , at an early age of 27 years a position she held for 11 years before setting up Spark Communication Limited. These roles have shaped her deep understanding of consumer behavior, market trends and effective marketing strategies. It has also horned her networking skills as well us a given her a good grasp of doing business within the East Africa community.
Driven by her passion to empower young people in the society, and having noticed the gaps with young people while conducting I employment interviews, she set up Spark Empower mentorship programme in 2016 to adress the current challenges being faced by our Gen equip them with life skills and as well us create a community if influence through mentorship.
Through the programme, Gen Zs are equipped with skills on career development, personal branding, effective networking, pitching skills, entrepreneurship, social media management, sustainable development goals and financial management. The programme also connects mentees with internship opportunities, job opportunities as well as shadow mentoring Spark Empower has been able to transform the lives of young girls and boys across this country.
Her initial training was in journalism at East Africa school of journalism under the then renowned Journalist Roy Gachui , and later join St Paul’s university to study development communications . She is currently pursuing a marketing MBA from a global university. Her passion for leadership has also made her take up several leadership courses like women in leadership from Strathmore Business school and Break through leadership transformation programme by Dr Patricia Murugami. She is also an alumnus of Strathmore Enterprise.
Career Achievements:
- Founded Spark communications Limited in 2014 and has since played a pivotal role in its growth and success.
- Spearheaded numerous marketing campaigns that have achieved significant client success stories and increased ROI.
- Developed and implemented innovative marketing strategies, keeping [at the forefront of industry trends.
- Established and nurtured strong relationships with clients, partners, and industry stakeholders. Among the brands handled include Multichoice, Samsung , Kenchic, Bosch East Africa among many others
- Led a dedicated and talented team of marketing professionals, fostering a culture of creativity and collaboration.
- During her Tenure as GM, opened up new markets within the East Africa community
- Marketing society of Kenya Judge, 2021
- Zuri awards Nominee 2022
- Impacted more than 1000 young people through the mentorship programme
Her love of writing backed up with her training as a print journalism has led her to contribute in several magazines including property solutions magazine, Sokoni Magazine by the Marketing society of Kenya as well as Strategic Marketing for Africa, a publication by African Marketing confederation in South Africa.
- Visit Barbara's website: www.sparkempower.com