Lydia Olanike Oladapo, Founder & Managing Director at Outstanding Resource Services, Lagos, Nigeria

Jo-Ann was my mentor for the period of being a UN Women Empower Women Champion for Change. Jo-Ann contacted me via mail shortly after my name was assigned to her for mentorship and subsequently scheduled our first meeting, which we had via Whatsapp call. She was very considerate and sacrificial with the timing of meetings (considering the time zone difference in our different locations). She is very professional yet in a very friendly and amiable manner. She answered all my questions and was genuinely interested in my work and aspirations for the championship period. Jo-Ann is also very passionate about the cause of Women Economic Empowerment and her enthusiasm is very inspiring. As a mentor, she is always very helpful, available to answer questions and give guidance. She very promptly followed up when I needed input from the Empower Women focal person and ensured she communicated the status of my request to me promptly. She ensured the members of her team also had some good rapport. She organised group meetings with us individually to discuss our championship projects and followed up to find out if we were on course or needed any help. She also spurred and cheered us on as our projects unfolded. It has been really nice being mentored by Jo-Ann and I look forward to keeping this relationship even beyond the championship period.