Woman who headhunts executives

Last year, Pedersen and Partners, a global executive search company opened its 50th office in Kenya.

Pedersen and Partners’ foray into this market came after the economic projections that pointed to increased hiring of executives for the projected growth.

Sheila Mwihia, who has 15 years experience in human resource management, was then headhunted to head the Kenyan office.

We meet at Fairview Hotel’s poolside restaurant and bar on an afternoon marked by grey skies. She speaks of her faith and philanthropic projects with a sense of humour not characteristic of human resource practitioners.

How often do you get the wrong people in the right jobs?
We are hardly ever wrong about the right personnel for jobs. I have had a wealth of experience with PwC where I handled their HR Consulting arm for 7 years and Sarova Group of Hotels where I left as the group’s head of HR. So recruitment is something I have done right since I left university.

What are your interests away from your desk?

I love to travel. I have a personal objective to travel to a different destination I’ve never been to at least once a year. But I also like to visit different restaurants, meet different people. Oh, and I love baking. It’s like therapy for me.

Baking? As in flour, dough, oven, baking?
Yes. I love to bake for family and friends. It gives me joy to bake something that people love and enjoy. I bake at least twice a week. My best cake is Fresh Fruit Gateaux. This is vanilla or chocolate sponge with three layers, fresh cream and exotic fruit. I also make great traditional Christmas cake where I soak the fruit in January and use it to bake in December.

With all those calories in cake, you must be burning it away in a gym.

Actually, I don’t have to eat what I bake. Normally, I let others do the eating. (Laughs). But, although I don’t gym, I walk at least twice a week. I have also recently joined Zumba dance classes.

Is Zumba that dance where folk dress up in shiny spandex?

(Laughs hard) Oh God! I don’t think you have to wear spandex to dance Zumba! I love it because it’s a great source of aerobics exercise. I’m also looking to start on golf, with the objective of networking.

So this Zumba thing. I suppose you can’t do it if you have the rhythm of a mzungu?

(Laughs) Yes, of course you have to have co-ordination. I love to dance. Occasionally, I will go to Velvet Lounge in Westlands and dance. It’s got a more mature crowd and the music is lovely, which is to say it’s not techno or rock. (Laughs). I love soul music.

Beer, wine, whisky, vodka or sherry?

I’m more of a wine person. I will occasionally have wine with my meal but I’m not much of a drinker.

So what’s your sin?

My sin? (Thinks hard). I think I’m a recluse. I only allow a select few into my inner cycle. A lot of people don’t know much about me.

Any children?

(Smiles) No children.

Any man?

(Laughs) My knight in shining armour is on his way to me, I’m sure.

Well, let’s hope his horse is fast enough.

(Laughs) It had better be!

Tell me; is the dating pool smaller or bigger on that higher level of top executive?

(Thinks) I think the pool is much smaller up here for me and I think part of the reason is because I have more clarity in what I want from a relationship. The danger with this is that one might become too choosy, because there are great people out there who can be a perfect fit.

So what’s your perfect fit?

(Laughs) The first quality, and this for me is fundamental, is a guy who has a walk with God. Second, he has to be comfortable with himself and proud of himself because that eliminates insecurities and lastly a guy who views me as a partner.

You mention God, are you born again?

Yes. I have been for many years now. I think since 2000. But I’m not your typical born again because I don’t believe that I have to go to church just because I’m born again. My walk is more like a relationship with God.

What do you find yourself spending most of your money on?

I’m big on mentoring girls and equipping them for life. So I will spend money on educating girls, or on children’s homes or some of my various charity projects.

What’s your weakness then?

I expect too much from people.

Are you doing anything special for Valentine’s or you don’t believe in love?

(Smiles) I certainly believe in love! But for Valentine’s, a special friend has asked me to allow him to surprise me. And I will indulge him.

Whoa! Maybe that horse is faster than we thought!

(Laughs) Yes, he is quite a creative guy, so I’m sure he will not disappoint. Hey, maybe this could be more than just dinner.