Returning to her alma mater 27 years after graduating, EABL group CFO Risper Genga-Ohaga called on students to define success for themselves.
Risper Genga-Ohaga recently took the stage at Strathmore Institute’s 2025 graduation ceremony as the chief guest, addressing a crowd of nearly 750 graduates from across 22 countries. The occasion was deeply personal, as she had once sat in the same seats, having studied at the institution. Her return was a moment of gratitude and reflection.
“From this moment onwards, each one of you will sit your own exam. There will not be one exam that everybody has to pass. So, success will be defined by you and not by your friends. Whenever you go through difficulty, please remember that your journey is yours and yours alone, and your definition of success is what you choose for it to be,” she said.
As the new graduates looked to the future, Risper reminded them that the workplace does not reward titles or credentials alone. She urged them to stay grounded and keep learning beyond what is taught in the classroom.
“So far, you’ve learnt technical skills that will enable you to lead organisations, departments and even countries. But you’ve also learnt critical soft skills necessary to succeed in a globalised world where leading with impact is extremely important. You’ve honed your analytical skills, you’ve embraced teamwork, you’ve navigated complex problems, all skills that the modern workforce sorely needs,” she went on.
Risper, one of the institution’s most recognisable alumni, was clear that no amount of charm or confidence could compensate for a lack of substance. Technical competence, she emphasised, is non-negotiable.
Know your story
“Knowing your stuff is the ticket to the game. If you don’t know what you’re doing, there’s no conversation you can have. So your foundation is in your knowledge,” she said.
However, Risper cautioned against becoming so technically focused that one forgets to connect with others. She encouraged graduates to make the best of opportunities to work across functions and know when to lead from the front and when to step back. In her view, soft skills can either propel a career forward or cut it short.
“Many accountants, which is the field that I am in, know their stuff but are unable to tell their story. What’s the story behind what you’re doing? Whether you’re in technology, if you can’t communicate it, then you don’t know it. So invest in how you tell your stories,” she explained.
In the face of a changing profession, Risper also spoke about adaptability and resilience, calling them essential traits. She recalled having experienced moments in her own life where persistence mattered more than brilliance.
“Take time to embrace failure as a stepping stone to success. Every successful leader has had setbacks. Learn from them, adapt and move forward with greater resilience. Be the person that sees problems as an opportunity to serve,” she said.
Leading with integrity
The finance leader, who graduated from the institution in 1998, remembered sitting next to a fellow student at her own graduation who later became the CEO of a major bank. For this reason, she advised the graduates to build relationships early and nurture them with intention.
“Do you know who sits next to you right now? Who could they be? Do you know their name? What connections have you built as you leave today?” she said.
In closing, Risper turned her attention to values, arguing that the most enduring foundation for any career is character. She encouraged the graduates to lead with integrity and have the courage to “do the hard things”. Her final challenge to the graduates was to lead with empathy.
“When it comes to the moment of a decision, knowing the right thing and sticking with it is going to be exceptionally important. Seeing the pain in others, as a leader, as a colleague, and making sure that you address yourself to the experiences of other people and make life easier for them. Doing the hard things. You’ve got everything you need to be successful,” she said.
