Lilian’s brief: To be open to ideas

Lilian pioneered the innovation function in 2013, a new concept in the Kenyan financial services industry that is pegged to regulation. She has also pioneered key partnerships within the ecosystem, most notably with iHub Kenya that saw Chase Bank win recognition in the 2015 Think Business Awards under the Product Innovation category.

She’s a mother of two. Wife. Lover of long drives while listening to strange music.

We met at Chase Bank offices in PwC, Delta Towers.

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What did you think I’d ask as the first question?

I thought you’d ask why is a 29-year-old woman heading innovation for the whole bank... something like that.

I’m sure you have a ready answer...

(Laughs) You know it’s funny, when doing stuff you never really sit back and think about yourself until someone mentions it. But I think it’s an overall imposter syndrome that women face. You always walk around thinking, “I’m probably a fraud and someone will discover me any time now.” It’s natural and always comes up.

(Pause) For me, it’s passion and a deep desire to – and I know it might sound text book right now – have the ability to make a difference. That is what drives me. My parents always pushed us beyond our abilities. My parents are very... (long pause) I hope you don’t mind periods of silence.

Not at all...

Well, it’s always been about taking opportunities. Trying things that are not ordinary excites me. I dislike comfort zones. I’m an economist, and for me, innovation is always about the question “how do we make our lives better?”

‘Head of Innovation’ sounds out there... fancy. What is it about exactly?

It’s about creating new value for businesses or individuals. My role is to enable that within the bank; opening ideas, synthesising and analysing. Chase was a regular bank and growing from two years ago. Now things have changed.

You can open an account in two minutes, and these are ideas that came from within the bank, not some consultants from somewhere else. Innovation and ideas should come from us, from within because we have the capacity in Africa.

What’s the one message you wouldn’t want women to pick from this interview?

That things just happen. I don’t want anyone to read this and think, “Oh you were just lucky.” Nobody hands out anything to a woman. I didn’t become head of innovation because it just happened. Nobody wants to give leadership to someone who is always waiting for something to happen to them. You have to work for it.

So you had to knock on doors to head this department?

Many times. It’s about persuasion. Nobody is really receptive to change – even people who will show enthusiasm to new ideas that challenge the norm. When the rubber meets the road and you tell them to sign here, they won’t be as enthusiastic. Selling ideas is what we do on a daily basis here.

Would you call yourself a restless person?

(Sighs) That’s a dangerous question. (Laughs) But I think my restlessness has come in periods, it’s not like all the time. I would like to sit down and flesh something out then I become restless, especially after I have achieved what I wanted.

Do you find motherhood innovative?

Everything about motherhood is innovative! It’s about recreating things you never thought you would ever do in your life. Everything about raising a child is different. The art of motherhood is different and you have to learn things on your own. I mean it doesn’t matter how many books you read or who mentors you. When it comes to being a mother, you are on your own.

Are you enjoying it?

Motherhood? I love it! (Smile) It defines me. There is always something new when raising two kids. Seeing them laugh and smile. Life is about those simple joys, watching your children make fools of themselves.

At 29, heading a department, mother of two kids, would you say you have moved quickly in life?

Yes, I would say that. Especially when I look at my peers, I’d say I’m a bit of a fast mover in many things. I never let anything get to my head. I can never wrap my head around the word overachiever.

How do you find being a woman in a leadership role?

It’s not easy. I don’t know how you are going to put this but... look, it’s hard as it is, now that you will write that I’m 29, you will make it a lot harder! (Laughs) Many times I go for a meeting and I’m the only woman in the room. I think we need more women in meeting rooms. There are opportunities out there that are waiting for us and we have the know-how to take them.

Passions?

I love travelling. Putting a full tank in my car and just driving out for a long journey, alone. I love good music. To escape, I take long drives and listen to music that I don’t understand, like opera or music in a foreign language. You have to escape from work and motherhood and from being a wife. I love gardening. I grew up on a farm in Kitale so that is still in my heart. I’m into that organic life.

Talking of gardening, what kind of a flower are you?

I’m a lily. Why? Because it’s magnificent and it’s not all out and has a smell that is lovely. A lily won’t overpower you; it’s subtle, it grows on you.

What could a 29-year-old Head of Innovation be struggling with right now?

(Chuckles) Like all women, isn’t weight always an issue? Then there are all these things you want to do that you really never quite get to do. The desire to work on full potential. I love what I do, to influence more.

When were you happiest in your life?

When I was much younger, before my parents divorced... (pause) when all I had to worry about was school and stuff... that was a good time. Things were predictable, there was normalcy.

How old were you when they divorced?

(Uncomfortable) They were divorced in 2012, just the other day. And you think that if your parents divorce when you are an adult it would be easier. It’s not. There, now I will look like a cry baby... head of innovation moaning in an interview. (Laughs)

Oh no, come on. I’m certain nobody will think that. So it wasn’t easy?

Oh no, it isn’t. I think it’s worse because the repercussions are all over you. You have to deal with a lot of debris that come with divorce but also not take sides because these are your parents and you love them unconditionally. You have to explain to your kids why they can’t visit their grandparents at the same time.

Are you a daddy’s girl or mummy’s girl?

Oh, daddy’s girl for sure. I don’t think a day goes by without my dad and I speaking on the phone. He’s my number one fan. He’s not a regular dad; does crazy things, he buys me clothes... at this age! He buys cook books for me, he cuts out recipes from magazines, creates a folder and sends them from Kitale! My dad has always said I’m his royal lady and when your father says stuff like that to you, it builds you and it doesn’t matter what anyone else says about you.

One last question and you don’t have to answer this, but does your parents’ divorce reflect on your own marriage in any way?

Of course, definitely! I’m more cautious. I’m also more aware that everything matters, how not to take anything for granted. That you have to work at it. You know, they divorced the same year my husband and I were getting married. So I was like “why even bother if it ends like this?” It wasn’t an easy time for the whole family.

Did dad walk you down the aisle?

He did. They both did. Oh, they are very amicable, no nastiness for sure.

You mention that he used to send you recipes. Are you a foodie?

Oh yes, completely. I love cooking, dining out, love experimenting with food and new eating places. Actually if I wasn’t doing this, I would be an excellent cook.

They say the easiest way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. Is that the tactic you used to get into your poor husband’s life?

(Laughs) Yes! We met at college and he was studying engineering and playing rugby, a huge guy. He liked his food. We had a budget of Sh60 a day so I would tell him if you want good food, get the meat and I get the rest and I would cook for him.

Sneaky girl!

(Laughs) Totally.